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UN reports a drop in attacks by armed opposition and Daesh in Afghanistan
Attacks by armed opposition groups and Daesh have decreased in Afghanistan, the United Nations Secretary-General said in a new report released on Friday.
Between 1 August and 7 November, the United Nations recorded 8 ISIL-K (Daesh) attacks in three provinces, compared with 27 attacks in six provinces during the same period in 2022, the report said.
The United Nations recorded 1,414 security-related incidents, a 2 percent increase from the 1,384 incidents recorded during the same period in 2022. Armed clashes decreased by 41 percent, from 104 to 61 incidents; detonations from improvised explosive devices by 72 percent, from 65 to 18.
Referring to the economy, the report said that the economic situation remained uncertain and fragile and the trade deficit is increasing due to rising imports.
The UN said that it has transferred $3.23 billion between 1 December 2021 and 15 October 2023 ($1.4 billion since January 2023), and the cash continued to indirectly support the stabilization of the Afghan currency.
According to the report, the return of so many people in such a short period of time is imposing a severe strain on the country’s economy and social fabric.
On girls’ education, the UN Secretary-General said that while girls and young women are reportedly able to access all-female madrasas, UNAMA has been unable to verify the number of girls studying in these institutions or the quality of the education provided, particularly with regard to whether it includes modern subjects and leads to the same opportunities as those provided to boys.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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