7 killed, 2 injured in Afghanistan last week

KABUL (Pajhwok): Last week, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) strongly rejected claims that the country has become a “safe haven for terrorist groups”.

Meanwhile, the return of Afghan refugees from Iran surged, calls were made for increased support in treating drug addicts and returnees, and Norway pledged over four million dollars in aid to Afghanistan.

Key highlights from last week:

• Bill Huizenga claims safe havens in Afghanistan; IEA rejects

  In 2 days, 60,000 Afghan refugees returned from Iran.

• UNAMA: Returnees urgently need humanitarian support
• Muttaqi: Islamic world must address backwardness
• India: We support Afghanistan’s peace, stability
• Drug Abuse Day: Progress, challenges, assistance needs
• Jalali: World must aid addict treatment
• UNODC: Afghanistan cuts opium farming 90%
• Norway gives Afghanistan $4.25m in aid

Casualties:

Last week, seven people were killed and two others injured in various incidents across Afghanistan.

Local officials reported that unidentified individuals killed a man in Ghazni province’s Giro district, a man killed his wife in Andar district, and one person died in Nawur district during a clash between nomads (Kuchis) and local residents over grazing land.

Additionally, reports indicate that three people were killed and one woman injured in Bamyan and Panjshir provinces due to personal disputes. In Parwan, a “misunderstanding” during a security forces operation led to one person’s death and another being injured.

In the previous week, two people had been killed and nine others injured in Afghanistan.

Before the regime change in 2021, hundreds of civilians, insurgents and security personnel would get killed and maimed in clashes and bomb blasts every week.

Safe haven claims, IEA respnose

Last week, Bill Huizenga, chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asian Affairs, claimed Afghanistan has once again become a “safe haven for terrorist groups” four years after the withdrawal of American forces.

According to his claim, these groups are increasing their capabilities and forces to carry out attacks in the region and around the world.

However in response to this claim, Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on his X-Page today (Friday) that Afghanistan has a unified and strong government.

“Afghanistan has a strong and unified government that controls the entire geography of the country and does not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any country.”

He rejected the Michigan Republican’s claim and said:  “We strongly reject the claim made from the address of the US Congress that there are foreign groups in Afghanistan or that there is a threat to anyone.”

Afghan refugees return from Iran

According to officials, more than 60,000 Afghan refugees returned from Iran through the Islam Qala crossing on Wednesday and Thursday.

Earlier, authorities at the Islam Qala in Herat reported that over 10,000 Afghan refugees return from Iran to Afghanistan daily.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that since the start of this calendar year, one million Afghans have returned to the country, while seven million others remain refugees abroad, primarily in Iran and Pakistan.

UNAMA added that without urgent assistance, these returnees will face numerous challenges.

OIC, SCO meetings

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, addressing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers’ meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, said Muslim nations now have the opportunity to unite around their shared values and deeply reflect on the challenges they face and the causes of their backwardness.

Muttaqi told the meeting that Afghanistan was ready to play a vital role in transit, trade and economic connectivity among Islamic countries.

He assured: “We are prepared to play a constructive role within the framework of the OIC’s strategic economic agenda in the areas of regional connectivity, energy, logistics and investment.”

He emphasised the caretaker Afghan government’s foreign policy was based on the principles of mutual respect and balanced engagement.

The Indian Defense Minister has reiterated his country’s firm support for peace, security and stability in Afghanistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and emphasized India is Afghanistan’s largest development partner in the region.

Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s steadfast support for peace, security and stability in Afghanistan while addressing the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China.

Deputy spokesman of the IEA, Hamdullah Fitrat, described the Indian Defense Minister’s remarks as truthful, saying, “We welcome this genuine stance. Lasting stability in Afghanistan benefits the entire region. We hope all countries will recognize Afghanistan’s current realities and embrace a spirit of cooperation with ongoing developments.”

Combating narcotics

Last week, on the International Day Against Drug Abuse, officials from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health announced that over the past four years, 20 new treatment centers for drug addicts have been established, 30 existing centers upgraded, and 80,000 addicts have received treatment and now lead normal lives.

Acting Minister of Public Health, Maulvi Noor Jalal Jalali, urged the international community to support Afghanistan in addiction treatment efforts.

On International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Ministry of Interior announced that tens of thousands of operations have been conducted over the past four years to combat the production, trafficking, and use of narcotics.

Abdul Matin Qani expressed concern over the lack of sufficient cooperation from international institutions and urged the global community for more support in addiction treatment and prevention.

The spokesperson said: “In all our meetings, one key point is always noted: there should be cooperation with us. Unfortunately, no such cooperation has occurred. The Afghan nation must realize that billions of dollars are spent on fighting narcotics, collecting, treating addicts, and related areas. This is a hallmark of a responsible system that funds its own efforts.”

Achievements:

• 98,000 anti-narcotics operations conducted
• Over 20,000 drug production factories destroyed
• Over 38,000 acres of land cleared
• Over 28,000 traffickers and criminals arrested
• More than 8,500 tons of narcotics destroyed
• 150,000 addicts collected

Polleak Ok Serei, the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Afghanistan, has reported a 90% decrease in the cultivation and production of narcotics in the country.

Last week, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated that the social and health problems caused by drug use in Afghanistan are significant, and that limited access to treatment—especially in rural areas—prevents recovery for individuals who use high-risk narcotic substances.

Meanwhile, a recent UNODC report states that by 2023, around 27,000 people, including women and children, were involved in drug use.

Aid

Norway has contributed $4.25 million to the United Nations Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan.

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