The Taliban have arrested an elderly British couple in Bamyan province, who were responsible for several educational projects aimed at children and mothers. The couple had been working in Afghanistan for many years.

Sara Entwistle, the daughter of the couple, spoke to a British media outlet and explained that her parents had been active in educational work in Afghanistan for the past 18 years. They were passionate about helping the country they loved.

Sara emphasized that her parents’ sole intention was to assist the people of Afghanistan, stating, “They only tried to help a country they cared deeply about.” Their dedication to education was central to their mission in Afghanistan.

The arrest of this British couple reflects the ongoing uncertainty and challenges for foreign nationals in Afghanistan, particularly those involved in humanitarian and educational work. The situation remains tense, and the international community is closely monitoring the developments.

The 12th Herat Security Dialogue began today in Madrid, with scholars, diplomats, and human rights activists attending. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett highlighted the ICC’s arrest warrant request, offering hope to Afghan women and girls.

During the 12th Herat Security Dialogue conference held in Madrid, Bennett emphasized that the request from the ICC prosecutor has encouraged women and girls, who have been most affected by the Taliban’s restrictions, to continue fighting for their rights.

Mr. Bennett remarked that for years, it was said that words and condemnation were not enough; action was needed against the Taliban’s restrictions. He considered the arrest warrant request as a significant step in this regard.

Bennett added that if the arrest warrants for the Taliban’s leader and chief justice are issued, it would make it difficult for the world to improve relations with the group and recognize them. This would send a clear message that the Taliban is far from gaining international recognition.

The 12th Herat Security Dialogue, which is held annually by the Institute of Strategic Studies Afghanistan, began on Monday, February 24, in Madrid, Spain. Experts, former Afghanistan government officials, human rights activists, and politicians have gathered to discuss Afghanistan’s security outlook and future.

The conference also saw the participation of some U.S. diplomats and regional politicians, emphasizing the international importance of addressing the challenges facing Afghanistan.

In light of these discussions, it is evident that the situation of Afghanistan women remains a critical point of focus for the international community.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced that over 19 million people in Afghanistan benefited from the organization’s humanitarian aid last year, with more than half of them being children.

Tajuddeen Oyewale, the head of UNICEF’s office in Kabul, announced on Sunday, February 23 that in 2024, approximately 23.7 million people in Afghanistan, including 12.6 million children, would require humanitarian assistance due to issues such as prolonged conflicts, the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, climate change, and the economic crisis.

The report also mentioned that UNICEF provided vital medical services to 628,000 children under the age of five suffering from severe malnutrition, resulting in an 80% improvement in their conditions.

UNICEF emphasized that the restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan have exacerbated humanitarian challenges. The organization warned that excluding women from various aspects of life, including education and the labor market, has not only worsened the economic crisis but also increased social and security risks.

Despite ongoing needs, international aid to Afghanistan has decreased, raising concerns about the continuation of humanitarian programs in the country.

UNICEF’s report highlights the critical and growing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, especially among children, and underscores the challenges faced by international aid organizations. With continued restrictions and a decline in global funding, the future of humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan remains uncertain, and further support from the international community is urgently needed.

In a recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, U.S. President Donald Trump instructed an official to develop a plan to recover U.S. military equipment from the Taliban.

The exact identity of this official remains unclear, but some believe Trump was referring to Doug Manchester, a businessman and supporter of the Republican Party.

Trump continued his remarks by emphasizing the need to retrieve the American weapons in Taliban hands, expressing anger at watching Taliban military parades featuring U.S. equipment.

He stated, “We give about two to two and a half billion dollars to Afghanistan every year, while we ourselves need help.”

The remaining U.S. military equipment in Afghanistan includes 78 aircraft, over 40,000 military vehicles, and more than 300,000 weapons, all of which are now in the possession of the Taliban government.

Earlier, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s senior spokesperson said the Taliban considers the U.S. equipment left in Afghanistan as “war loot” and will continue to protect it. He added that the U.S. could not reclaim it unless the Taliban are no longer in power.