How Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour Drew the Taliban Closer to Iran
On 21 May 2016, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, the leader of the Taliban, was killed alongside his driver on the outskirts of Ahmad Wal, a town in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
Afghanistan
Taliban Warnings To TTP Are Insufficient, Says Pakistan
Pakistan has dismissed a warning reportedly issued by the Taliban leader to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as insufficient, saying the main problem remains the lack of verifiable action by the Taliban against militant groups.
Taliban Military Deal Focuses On Repairing Russian Equipment, Says Russian Envoy
Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said the military agreement between Russia and the Taliban focuses on repairing Russian-made equipment and could pave the way for future defence contracts between the two sides.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Calls Dialogue Best Solution To Taliban-Pakistan Conflict
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Islamabad that conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban has had serious humanitarian consequences and increased the risk of further instability and extremism in the region.
Tatarstan Prepared To Rebuild Taliban Military Equipment, Says Russian Trade Official
Following the signing of a military-technical cooperation agreement between Russia and the Taliban, the head of Russia’s trade centre in Afghanistan said companies from Tatarstan could repair and refurbish military equipment used by the Taliban.
Taliban Publish Law On Property Of Missing Persons
The Taliban’s Justice Ministry announced that a new law on the assessment of movable and immovable assets of absent persons has been published following approval by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Former Taliban Prisoner Rejects Group’s Denial of Torture Claims
Former Taliban prisoner Zarifa Yaqobi said she and her colleagues experienced various forms of torture and forced confessions in Taliban intelligence prisons, adding that she is still struggling with the psychological impact of her detention.
Former Afghan MP Reportedly Detained At US Airport
Sources told Afghanistan International that Mirza Katawazai, a former deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s parliament, has been detained at Washington Dulles International Airport after travelling to Afghanistan while holding a US green card.
Taliban Defence Minister Vows To Deter Future Pakistani Attacks
After returning from Moscow, Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob said Pakistan would soon no longer dare attack Afghan territory, adding that implementation of a military cooperation agreement between the Taliban and Russia would begin shortly.
Taliban Overhaul Embassy Websites With New Emirate Identity
Documents obtained by Afghanistan International show the Taliban has launched new websites for embassies and consulates under its control, replacing the name “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan” and the national flag with group’s symbols.
First Russian Fuel Shipment Transits Through Iran To Afghanistan
Mostafa Taati-Moghaddam, head of Iran’s Anzali Free Zone Organisation, said the first 5,000-tonne fuel shipment from Russia has arrived at Iran’s Caspian Port and will be transported to Afghanistan by rail.
Pakistani & US Foreign Ministers Discuss Afghanistan
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry says Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised Islamabad’s concerns with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over terrorist groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan during a meeting in Washington on Friday.
Medicine Shortages In Afghanistan Worsen After Imports From Pakistan Halted
Patients, pharmacists and health workers in Kandahar say medicine prices have risen sharply after border closures and the Taliban’s ban on pharmaceutical imports from Pakistan, leaving some essential medicines scarce or entirely unavailable.
Taliban Seeks Professional Defence System, Says Group’s Defence Minister
Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid said at an international security conference in Moscow that the Taliban administration needs a professional defence system to ensure Afghanistan’s security and contribute positively to regional stability.
US Blames Taliban For Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Aid Crisis
The US State Department said it is time for the Taliban to play a constructive role in supporting the health and wellbeing of Afghans, amid growing UN concerns over Afghanistan’s worsening food crisis.
Taliban Defence Minister Holds Security Talks With Russian Official
Vasily Osmakov, Russia's deputy minister of defence, met Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid, the Taliban's defence minister, in Moscow on Thursday to discuss regional security and prospects for bilateral military cooperation.
UN Confirms Taliban Rape & Sexual Abuse Of Afghan Women
United Nations Security Council says Taliban officials and fighters committed sexual violence against women, with United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan documenting 21 cases involving 15 women and six girls in 2025.
Taliban Defence Chief Invites Afghan Sikh & Hindu Minorities To Return To Afghanistan
Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Taliban's defence minister, says Afghanistan’s Hindu and Sikh minorities have the right to return home and should feel a sense of ownership and belonging in the country.
Taliban Pressure Is Driving People Away From The Government, Says Senior Shia cleric
Ayatollah Waezzada Behsudi, a prominent and senior Shia emulation and cleric, says Taliban pressure on followers of the Ja'fari school has steadily increased over the past five years, adding that people approach religious scholars in tears to complain about mounting restrictions.
Five Dead In Laghman After Heavy Rain & Floods, Says UN
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says heavy rainfall and flash floods in Laghman Province killed five people in one day, including an employee of the Danish Refugee Council.
Pakistani PM Accuses Taliban Of Helping India Undermine Pakistan
Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, says the Taliban regime is helping India’s activities against Pakistan and vowed to continue military operations against threats inside Afghanistan.
Moscow Ready To Mediate Between Pakistan & Taliban
Alexander Venediktov, deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, announced in a meeting with Azad Sajjad Khan, deputy national security adviser to Pakistan's prime minister, that Russia is ready to help resolve the disputes between Pakistan and the Taliban.