16 killed, 2 injured in Afghanistan last week

KABUL (Pajhwok): Last week, Radio Begum’s broadcasts were suspended and seven Black Hawk helicopters, which had been transferred from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan, handed over to the United States.

SIGAR claimed certain foreign groups were operating in Afghanistan, but the Islamic Emirate rejected the allegation as baseless. South Korea announced $3 million in aid to Afghanistan.

Key news from last week

• Central Asia special envoys meet on Afghanistan
• IEA: Regional countries should cooperate to ensure stability
• Jalali: Afghan embassy in Ankara operating as usual
• SIGAR: Foreign groups active in Afghanistan; IEA rejects claim
• Uzbekistan hands over Black Hawk choppers from Afghanistan to US
• Radio Begum programmes suspended
• UNAMA, RSF call for resumption of radio broadcast
• South Korea announces $3m in aid to Afghanistan

Casualties

Last week, 16 people were killed and two others wounded in various incidents across Afghanistan.

Local officials say one armed robber was killed in Kandahar and three others in Nimroz during clashes with security forces. One security official was also killed.

In Parwan, a fight occurred between armed robbers and a house owner, resulting in the death of one thief. Tthe house owner’s wife was also killed while their son was injured. In Takhar, two robbers entered a house, killing a woman and a man.

Last week, UNAMA and the Ministry of Interior said gunfire took place at the mission’s compound in Kabul, killing a security an IEA guard and wounding a UNAMA worker.

Moreover, unidentified gunmen killed a tribal leader in Faryab, while the bodies of a 43-year-old man and an elderly person were found in the same province and in Kandahar.

Parwan police said during a joint operation by the police and intelligence personnel in Jangal Bagh area, two armed men were killed and three others captured alive.

Note: These figures are based on reports reaching Pajhwok Afghan News. Some incidents may have gone unreported or sources could have provided incorrect figures.

In the previous week, 21 people had been killed and five others wounded in various incidents across Afghanistan.

Envoys meeting in Tajikistan

Central Asia’s special representatives and envoys have discussed socio-economic and political developments in Afghanistan in Dushanbe.

The 6th meeting of special representatives and envoys of Central Asia states and the European Union for Afghanistan was held in Tajikistan on Wednesday.

Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the participants exchanged views on the socio-economic and political developments in Afghanistan since the last meeting in February 2024, as well as on the approaches of the Central Asian countries and the EU to assisting Afghanistan.

IEA deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, said the caretaker government maintained good relations with the countries of the region and sought positive interactions with all countries.

He added: “Other countries hosting such discussions and meetings should be assured there is now peace and stability in Afghanistan, efforts are underway for economic prosperity and regional states should cooperate with us in this endeavor, so that in the end, we can ensure regional stability and make it permanent. Afghanistan, being a war-torn country, needs to address its economic shortcomings, meet other requirements, and strengthen regional cooperation.”

Afghan embassy in Ankara

Last week, some media outlets released reports claiming the Turkish government had taken control of the Afghan embassy in Ankara and had removed several diplomats, who had been appointed by the previous government but still held their positions.

Zakir Jalali, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on his X handle: “People should be confident that consular services are carried out and the country represented with complete transparency, responsibility and commitment by diplomats of the Islamic Emirate at the embassy.”

IEA ministers exempted from travel ban

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) extended travel ban exemptions for three ministers of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).

The 15-member council announced a travel ban exemption from January 23 to February 3 for Minister of Interior Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

Similarly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi was permitted to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from December 28, 2024 to January 7, 2025 for official meetings.

Similarly, Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs Noor Mohammad Saqib was exempted from travel restrictions to attend a Hajj Conference and the Makkah Exhibition in Saudi Arabia from January 13 to 16.

On Tuesday, IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Minister of Interior Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani had returned home from his trip to the UAE.

During his visit, Haqqani met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed matters of bilateral interest.

IEA scorns SIGAR claim

The Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has claimed that some foreign groups are active in Afghanistan, but the IEA denied the claim, stating that no foreign group exists in the country.

In its latest report, SIGAR expressed concern over the activities of the Islamic State (IS), also known as Daesh, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

But Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for IEA, dismissed the claims as baseless and far from truth. In an audio message, Fitrat reiterated that there were no foreign groups in Afghanistan.

He recalled: “Daesh had taken control of some areas during America’s occupation but has since been suppressed by the caretaker government’s security forces, effectively eliminating their strength.”

He said the few remaining IS members operated in secrecy and stayed in hiding, with their movements being closely monitored by intelligence agencies.

According to him, sufficient security forces are there to combat the group, and effective measures have been taken to ensure stability.

Black Hawk helicopters transferred to US

According to reports, more than 40 aircraft and helicopters were transferred to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan during the fall of the previous Afghan government.

Uzbek media reported last week seven Black Hawk helicopters were handed over to the United States.

Earlier, Minister of Defence Maulvi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid had strongly urged the countries holding Afghan helicopters and military aircraft to return them, warning the failure to do so could lead to a response from Afghanistan.

Radio Begum’s suspension

A women’s radio station was suspended for violating the government’s broadcasting policies and improperly using its licence.

In a statement, the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) said that in addition to multiple violations, the radio station was also providing content and programmes to a foreign television channel.

It added documents related to Radio Begum would be thoroughly reviewed and a final decision regarding its fate taken accordingly.

Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an independent media rights group, denounced the station’s suspension and sought its immediate reversal.

Khabib Ghufran, a spokesman for MoIC, said: “During the visit of the ministry’s delegation, they were broadcasting live on a foreign media outlet. Ultimately, it was decided that their case, along with relevant documents, will be referred to court. The male segment operates as ‘Young Men’s Radio,’ while the female segment is ‘Begum.’ We will wait for the final decision, but for now, it will remain closed.”

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reacted to the suspension of Radio Begum, calling free media essential for the progress and development of society.

In a statement, UNAMA called for the immediate release of journalists detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression. It insisted independent media played a crucial role in societal growth and development.

Also last week South Korea announced $3 million in aid to Afghanistan.

sa/mud