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U.N. readies for more displaced Afghans after troop withdrawal

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The United Nations is preparing for a likely further displacement of civilians in Afghanistan after U.S. and international troops leave the country in September, U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi told Reuters on Monday.

Violence has been rising as foreign forces begin withdrawing and efforts to broker a peace settlement between the Afghan government and insurgent Taliban have slowed.

Grandi pointed to a deadly attack last week on an international demining organization in northern Afghanistan, which killed 10 people.

“This is a tragic indicator of the type of violence that may be resurfacing in Afghanistan and with the withdrawal of the international troops this is possibly or likely going to become worse,” Grandi said.

“Therefore we are doing contingency planning inside the country for further displacement, in the neighboring countries in case people might cross borders,” he said, without offering details of those plans.

There are currently some 2.5 million registered refugees from Afghanistan globally, while another 4.8 million have been displaced within the country, according to the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, which Grandi heads.

After 20 years, the United States has started a withdrawal of its remaining 2,500 troops in Afghanistan and aims to be completely out of the country by Sept. 11. Around 7,000 non-U.S. forces from mainly NATO countries – along with Australia, New Zealand and Georgia – are also planning to leave by Sept. 11.

Grandi said strong international support was needed for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

“It’s political action that should substitute conflict but, of course, the risk (of further displacement) is there and we need to be prepared,” he added.

U.S.-backed Afghan forces toppled the Taliban in late 2001 for refusing to hand over al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

“What’s needed is a high level of economic support for Afghanistan humanitarian assistance to maximize the chance the Afghan authorities have to stabilize the situation,” U.N. aid chief Mark Lowcock told Reuters on Monday.

“There’s been very good and constructive outreach from the Biden administration, from the White House down, and we have actually had very productive discussions with them on that,” added Lowcock, who steps down from his role this month.

Earlier this month, the United States announced more than $266 million in new humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, bringing to nearly $3.9 billion the total amount of such aid it has provided since 2002.

Some 18.4 million people, almost half the country’s population, need humanitarian help, according to the United, Nations, which has appealed for $1.3 billion in funding for 2021. So far it has only received about 23% of that.

Lowcock said that until a few years ago there had been a lot of international attention in Afghanistan. That has “dissipated and weakened and that is a sort of problem when it comes to drawing attention to the needs of Afghanistan and getting support for them.”

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Turkmenistan aids evacuation from Iran amid Middle East tensions

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Turkmenistan has opened its borders to assist in the evacuation of foreign nationals from Iran due to the escalating situation in the Middle East.

So far, around 120 people—including citizens of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Romania, and other countries—have entered Turkmenistan through official checkpoints.

The evacuees are being provided with transportation, meals, basic necessities, and accommodation at Ashgabat’s Sport Hotel.

Turkmen authorities are coordinating closely with foreign embassies and international organizations, reinforcing the country’s commitment to humanitarian values and regional cooperation.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, multiple countries have meanwhile issued urgent travel advisories, calling on their citizens to leave Iran immediately and avoid non-essential travel to the region.

Governments including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and several Central Asian states have cited growing security risks due to the volatile situation and the possibility of further military escalation.

Some embassies have already begun scaling down operations or temporarily relocating staff to neighboring countries. Emergency hotlines and evacuation assistance are being offered for citizens still in Iran.

This wave of advisories follows recent airstrikes, retaliatory threats, and increased instability in Iran’s neighboring regions, prompting fears of broader conflict. Many countries are working with allies and international partners to coordinate evacuation plans and ensure the safety of their nationals.

India takes action

India has launched a precautionary evacuation operation to bring home its citizens from Iran, in response to growing security concerns in the region.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is working closely with embassies and local authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals.

According to Indian officials, around 100 Indian students from the Iranian city of Urmia have already reached the Iran–Armenia border. The Indian Embassy is arranging their onward travel, with plans to fly them out of the region in coordination with neighboring countries.

India has also advised its citizens in Tehran and other Iranian cities to relocate to safer areas. The MEA has activated a 24×7 helpline and established a command center to coordinate the evacuation and provide support.

Approximately 10,000 Indians are currently living in Iran, including an estimated 6,000 students. The government has emphasized that it is closely monitoring the situation and will continue evacuation efforts as needed.

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IEA delegation travels to Beijing to attend 9th China-South Asia Expo

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Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Salam Hanafi, leading a delegation, left Kabul on Tuesday for China to participate in the 9th China-South Asia Expo, Arg said in a statement.

The statement added that the high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate includes Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Mohammad Naeem Wardak, Deputy Minister of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement stated that during this visit, in addition to attending and delivering a speech at the 9th China-South Asia Expo, Hanafi is expected to meet with several Chinese officials to discuss expanding relations between the two countries in various fields.

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Turkish ambassador invites acting Afghan commerce minister to attend ECO summit

The ECO Summit is scheduled to take place in Turkey later this month.

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The Turkish Ambassador to Kabul has invited Nooruddin Azizi, the Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan, to attend the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit and deliver a speech on behalf of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the ECO Summit is scheduled to take place in Turkey later this month.

During a recent meeting between Ambassador Cenk Ünal and Minister Azizi in Kabul, both sides discussed strengthening and expanding economic relations between Afghanistan and Turkey.

The discussions also covered a range of economic and trade-related topics, including the organization of a regional exhibition at the Termez International Trade Center, the establishment of trade centers in both Kabul and Istanbul, and the creation of bilateral trade houses aimed at boosting cooperation and connectivity between Afghan and Turkish businesses.

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