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Veteran Afghan strongmen to form new front for talks with Taliban
A band of veteran Afghan leaders, including two regional strongmen, are angling for talks with the Taliban and plan to meet within weeks to form a new front for holding negotiations on the country’s next government, a member of a group said.
Khalid Noor, son of Atta Mohammad Noor, the once-powerful governor of northern Afghanistan’s Balkh province, said the group comprised of veteran ethnic Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum and others opposed to the Taliban’s takeover.
“We prefer to negotiate collectively, because it is not that the problem of Afghanistan will be solved just by one of us,” Noor, 27, told Reuters in an interview from an undisclosed location.
“So, it is important for the entire political community of the country to be involved, especially the traditional leaders, those with power, with public support,” Noor said.
Atta Noor and Dostum, veterans of four decades of conflict in Afghanistan, both fled the country when the northern city of Mazar-i Sharif fell to the Taliban, without a fight.
The U.S.-backed government and military folded elsewhere as the Taliban swept into Kabul on August 15.
However, the backroom discussions are a sign of the country’s traditional strongmen coming back to life after the Taliban’s stunning military campaign.
It will be a challenge for any entity to rule Afghanistan for long without consensus between the country’s patchwork of ethnicities, most analysts say.
Unlike their previous period in power before 2001, the predominantly Pashtun Taliban did seek support from Tajiks, Uzbeks and other minorities as they prepared their offensive.
Despite a commitment to negotiations, Noor said there was a “huge risk” that the talks could fail, leading the group to already prepare for an armed resistance against the Taliban, Reuters reported.
“Surrender is out of the question for us,” said Noor, the youngest member of the erstwhile Afghan government’s team that held talks with the Taliban in Qatar.
Ahmad Massoud, leader of Afghanistan’s last major outpost of anti-Taliban resistance, last week also said he hoped talks with the Taliban would lead to an inclusive government, failing which his forces were ready to fight.
It remains uncertain how much popular support is actually enjoyed by leaders like Atta Noor, widely accused of corruption, and Dostum, accused of multiple acts of torture and brutality, and described in a U.S. State Department report as a “quintessential warlord”. Both leaders deny the accusations.
The Taliban, already a formidable military force, are now in possession of an estimated 2,000 armoured vehicles and up to 40 aircraft, among other arms left behind by fleeing Afghan forces, potentially bolstering their firepower.
Still, Noor said the Taliban would not be able to hold out against a popular resistance.
“History has shown that no one in Afghanistan can rule by force, it is impossible,” the Western-educated politician said, “No matter how much support they have from international community, it will fail.”
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Afghanistan sends 530 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza via Egypt
The shipment includes food supplies, clothing, and other essential items. The aid was transported in 42 trucks and is valued at approximately $500,000.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the delivery of 530 tons of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip through Egypt’s Rafah crossing.
The ministry’s statement noted that the aid was prepared under the directive of the Office of the Prime Minister and procured by an Afghan delegation in Egypt.
According to the statement, the shipment includes food supplies, clothing, and other essential items. The aid was transported in 42 trucks and is valued at approximately $500,000. It is expected to be distributed to around 22,000 families in Gaza.
The statement further noted that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has called on the international community to take meaningful and effective steps toward establishing a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
The statement also reiterated Afghanistan’s principled stance on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing that it should be resolved based on historical realities and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
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China Red Cross donates $100,000 to support flood victims in Afghanistan
Provinces in the north, northeast, and parts of central Afghanistan have been among the hardest hit, with entire villages affected by sudden surges of water.
The Red Cross Society of China has provided $100,000 in cash assistance to the Afghan Red Crescent Society to support families affected by recent flooding in Afghanistan.
The contribution was formally handed over in a ceremony attended by Bao Xuhui, who presented the funds to Shahabuddin Delawar.
Speaking at the event, Delawar expressed appreciation for the continued support from China and its people, noting that such assistance has been vital during times of crisis. He said the funds would be distributed in a transparent and equitable manner to those most in need.
Bao reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan, describing the donation as part of broader efforts to strengthen humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. He added that Beijing would continue to assist the Afghan people in the future.
Afghanistan has faced a series of devastating floods in recent months, compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis driven by economic instability, drought, and limited infrastructure.
Seasonal heavy rains—particularly during late winter and early spring—have triggered flash floods across several provinces, including low-lying and rural areas where drainage systems are weak or non-existent.
Provinces in the north, northeast, and parts of central Afghanistan have been among the hardest hit, with entire villages affected by sudden surges of water.
According to humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, floods have destroyed homes, farmland, and critical infrastructure, leaving thousands of families displaced. Many communities rely on agriculture for survival, and the loss of crops and livestock has deepened food insecurity in already vulnerable regions.
The Afghan Red Crescent Society has been actively involved in emergency response efforts, providing shelter, food, and medical assistance to affected populations. However, aid agencies warn that resources remain limited, and access to remote areas continues to pose challenges.
Afghanistan is particularly prone to natural disasters due to a combination of factors, including mountainous terrain, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns have increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including both droughts and floods.
These recurring disasters have placed additional strain on communities already struggling with poverty and limited access to basic services.
Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for increased international support to help Afghanistan strengthen disaster preparedness and response capacity, as well as to provide immediate relief to those affected.
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Mass funeral held for victims of deadly Herat attack
Officials confirmed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack, and investigations remain ongoing.
Thousands of mourners gathered in western Afghanistan on Tuesday for the funeral of victims killed in a deadly attack in Herat province, as authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
Local officials said the attack took place on Friday afternoon in Deh Miri village, located in Injil district, when four armed men on motorcycles opened fire on civilians.
At least 11 people were killed and another 11 wounded, with two of the injured reported to be in critical condition.
The victims were laid to rest under tight security, with large crowds attending the funeral to pay their respects.
Funeral participants strongly condemned the attack, chanting slogans and urging authorities to strengthen security measures and bring those responsible to justice.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Officials confirmed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack, and investigations remain ongoing.
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