Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Tensions Rise After Reported Clash Between Forces

July 21, 2026
Khaama Press

Pakistan’s security forces targeted Taliban positions with artillery fire after an attack on Pakistani border posts, Pakistani security sources said, according to a report by Dawn newspaper published on Sunday.

Dawn reported that Taliban fighters attacked Pakistani border posts using light and heavy weapons, but did not identify the exact location of the clashes or provide details on possible casualties.

According to the report, Pakistani forces responded with artillery strikes against Taliban positions across the border. Pakistani security officials said the fighters later withdrew from their positions, though the claim could not be independently verified.

The reported exchange comes amid continued tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities over border security and accusations related to armed groups operating along the frontier.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban authorities of failing to prevent Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants from using Afghanistan territory to plan and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Taliban officials have rejected the allegations and said they do not allow Afghanistan soil to be used against other countries.

The two sides have experienced several armed confrontations along their shared border since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Previous disputes have involved border fencing, military installations, and the movement of people and armed groups across the frontier.

No separate public statement from Pakistan’s government or Kabul officials regarding the reported incident was available at the time of publication.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Tensions Rise After Reported Clash Between Forces
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EU Warns Afghanistan Still Faces One of World’s Highest Maternal Mortality Rates

July 21, 2026
Khaama Press

The European Union highlighted maternal healthcare support in Afghanistan, warning the country remains among those with the world’s highest maternal mortality rates.

The European Union has highlighted ongoing efforts to improve maternal and newborn healthcare in Afghanistan, saying the country continues to face one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates.

In a post on X on Sunday, the EU said its representatives, together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), visited a midwife-led maternity care center in Logar province.

The EU said the facility, supported financially by the bloc, provides maternal and newborn healthcare services through trained midwives, including support for safe childbirth and essential care before and after delivery.

The bloc said access to skilled healthcare workers, prenatal services, safe delivery facilities and postnatal care remains critical to preventing avoidable deaths among Afghan mothers and newborns.

Afghanistan continues to face major challenges in maternal and child health due to decades of conflict, economic hardship, shortages of medical professionals and limited access to healthcare facilities, particularly in remote and rural areas.

International health agencies have repeatedly warned that disruptions to healthcare funding and reduced humanitarian support could further affect essential services for women and children across the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNFPA have called for sustained investment in maternal and reproductive healthcare, emphasizing the importance of trained birth attendants, emergency obstetric services and access to basic medical care.

The European Union remains one of Afghanistan’s key humanitarian donors, supporting healthcare programs that include maternal health services, reproductive healthcare and training for medical workers.

Afghanistan has historically recorded one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with many deaths linked to preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Health organizations say improved access to skilled birth attendants, emergency care and timely medical assistance can significantly reduce maternal and newborn deaths.

The country’s healthcare system has faced increasing pressure since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, as international development funding declined and humanitarian needs expanded. Aid agencies have warned that continued financial constraints could threaten access to life-saving healthcare services, especially for women and children.

EU Warns Afghanistan Still Faces One of World’s Highest Maternal Mortality Rates
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Contact Commission Reports Return of 26 Afghan Figures in One Month

July 21, 2026
Hadia Ziaei
Tolo News
20 July 2026

The commission said that since the commission began its work, a total of 1,371 people have returned to the country.

The Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities says that more than 26 people returned to Afghanistan through the commission over the past month.

The commission’s spokesperson said that since the commission began its work, a total of 1,371 people have returned to the country.

Ahmadullah Wasiq, spokesperson for the commission, said: “Those who have returned include senior officials of the former government, such as ministers, deputy ministers, police chiefs, generals, governors, police commanders, members of parliament, and a number of professionals who came back through the commission.”

Experts from various fields believe the return of experienced figures could contribute to Afghanistan’s economic and scientific development, but they stress that their expertise should be utilized.

Political analyst Idris Mohammadi Zazi said: “These individuals should not be given reasons to leave again. Many people have returned through this commission, but after withdrawing their money from bank accounts, resolving personal matters, or selling their property, some left again for Dubai, the United States, or Europe.”

Former diplomat Aziz Maarij said: “Their professional skills, expertise, and experience should be utilized, and employment opportunities should be provided. Otherwise, they will spend the money they brought with them and eventually leave the country again.”

The Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities was established in May 2022 (Sawr 1401) under a decree issued by the leader of the Islamic Emirate.

The commission is tasked with facilitating the return of political, military, cultural, and civilian figures who left Afghanistan following the collapse of the former republic.

Contact Commission Reports Return of 26 Afghan Figures in One Month
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Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Urges Continued Dialogue With Afghanistan

July 21, 2026
TOLOnews
TV Network
Tolo News
20 July 2026

He Stressed that the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan share longstanding historical ties and should not bear the cost of disputes between their governments.

Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami leader has expressed concern over the continued tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, stressing that dialogue must continue to resolve the disputes between the two sides.

In an interview with a Pakistani media outlet, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan could proceed with the participation of the Pakistani government, religious scholars, and an international organization comprising Islamic scholars.

Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami, said: “Our foreign policy and overall approach have become weak, and those whom we once considered friends are no longer our friends. We need to reflect on the mistakes we made in the past. The issue of Afghanistan cannot be managed by saying we have reached a point of no return and that if they attack, we will attack in return. Dialogue and exchange of views must continue.”

Naeem ur Rehman also emphasized that the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan share longstanding historical ties and should not bear the cost of disputes between their governments.

The Pakistani politician stressed the need to resume talks between Kabul and Islamabad, saying the failure of previous negotiations should not bring dialogue between the two countries to an end.

He added: “What wrong have the people done that they should be set against one another? The government should seriously pursue the proposal to establish a joint trade zone instead of blaming each other and allowing the current difficult situation to deteriorate to an irreparable point.”

This is not the first time Pakistani political parties have called for resolving tensions with Afghanistan. Previously, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), the Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan party, and an opposition alliance led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai also urged an end to tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.

Mohammad Akram Arefi, a university lecturer, said: “Ordinary people and politicians in Pakistan do not support tensions with Afghanistan because such tensions harm both countries equally.”

In recent months, escalating tensions, cross-border attacks, and Pakistan’s forced deportation of Afghan migrants have further strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad, leaving the future of dialogue between the two sides uncertain.

Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Urges Continued Dialogue With Afghanistan
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Flash floods kill at least 20 in Afghanistan and leave more than 100 missing

July 21, 2026

By ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN
Associated Press
July 20, 2026

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Flash floods in eastern Afghanistan have killed 20 people, injured about 80 more and left more than 100 missing, Afghan authorities said Monday.

The floods struck the eastern province of Nuristan, said Yousaf Hammad, spokesman for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, adding that a search and rescue operation was underway to locate the missing.

“Unfortunately, severe floods today in Parun city and several other areas of Nuristan province have caused heavy loss of life and property among our fellow citizens,” Hammad said, adding that the floods had caused extensive damage to people’s homes, agricultural land and public facilities.

“We urge all citizens to stay away from flood-prone areas and zones at risk,” he said.

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with snow and heavy rain that trigger flash floods, often killing dozens, or even hundreds, of people at a time. In 2024, more than 300 people died in springtime flash floods. Earlier this year, at least 110 people were killed by widespread flooding and landslides in several parts of the country

Decades of conflict, along with poor infrastructure, a struggling economy, deforestation and the intensifying effects of climate change, have amplified the impact of such disasters, particularly in remote areas where many homes are built of mud and offer limited protection against sudden deluges or heavy snowfall.

“We were saddened to learn that floods caused loss of life and property damage in Nuristan province this afternoon,” said government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. “We pray for those who lost their lives in this incident and for a speedy recovery for the injured.”

More extreme weather was forecast, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds accompanied by dust and sand, and flash floods predicted for 10 of the country’s 34 provinces, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation’s meteorology department said. The ministry warned residents to avoid riverbanks and other areas at risk of flooding.

___

Elena Becatoros contributed from Athens, Greece

Flash floods kill at least 20 in Afghanistan and leave more than 100 missing
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Nearly One Million Afghans Work in Carpet Industry: Report

July 18, 2026
Khaama Press

Nearly one million Afghans work directly or indirectly in the carpet industry, with exports topping 760,000 square meters this year, officials said.

Nearly one million people in Afghanistan are employed directly or indirectly in the country’s carpet industry, according to the Taliban’s Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, which says the sector remains one of the country’s largest sources of employment and export earnings.

In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the office said Afghanistan has exported more than 760,000 square meters of handwoven carpets so far this year, with Turkey, several European countries and Arab states among the main export destinations.

Officials said only a small share of carpets produced in Afghanistan is sold domestically, while most output is shipped to foreign markets. They added that Afghan carpets are increasingly being exported under Afghanistan’s own name and branding rather than being re-exported through third countries, although the figures and claims could not be independently verified.

The administration attributed the industry’s international reputation to the traditional craftsmanship, handmade production methods and distinctive designs of Afghan carpets, describing the sector as an important contributor to economic activity and foreign trade.

Carpet weaving is one of Afghanistan’s oldest traditional industries and remains a vital source of income for hundreds of thousands of households, particularly in the northern, western and central provinces. In addition to weavers, the industry supports employment in wool processing, dyeing, washing, packaging, transportation and export services.

Afghan handwoven carpets are internationally recognized for their craftsmanship, geometric patterns and high-quality wool. The industry has historically ranked among Afghanistan’s most valuable non-agricultural export sectors, generating foreign currency earnings and supporting rural livelihoods.

Despite its export potential, the carpet industry continues to face significant challenges. Producers and exporters have long cited transportation bottlenecks, limited access to international markets, banking restrictions, high shipping costs and broader economic difficulties as major obstacles to expanding exports.

International organizations have also noted that many Afghan carpet weavers work in low-income households, where access to finance, modern production facilities and global marketing opportunities remains limited. Industry representatives have argued that improving market access, trade logistics and financial services could help increase exports and create additional employment across the sector.

Nearly One Million Afghans Work in Carpet Industry: Report
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UN Official: Al-Qaeda Still Maintains a Presence in Afghanistan

July 18, 2026
Mitra Majeedy
Journalist
Tolo News
18 July 2026

Last Wednesday, Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov also said that ISIS-K is attempting to use Afghanistan as a base to expand its activities and establish a caliphate.

The acting UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism has claimed in an interview with Russia’s TASS news agency that Al-Qaeda still maintains a presence in Afghanistan, although its activities in the country have significantly declined.

According to TASS, Alexander Zuev said that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are currently the most active militant groups operating in Afghanistan.

TASS quoted Zuev as saying: “Over the past decades, various terrorist groups have traditionally operated in Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda is not currently highly active there, but it continues to maintain its presence in the country.”

Last Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said that ISIS-K is attempting to use Afghanistan as a base to expand its activities and establish a caliphate.

Responding to those remarks, the spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior said the Islamic Emirate remains committed to its obligations under the Doha Agreement and does not allow any group to operate from Afghan territory.

Abdul Matin Qani, the ministry’s spokesperson, said: “We have fulfilled the commitment we made in Doha that Afghanistan’s territory will remain secure. We have carried out this responsibility at the regional level. There is no subversive group in Afghanistan that poses a threat to the country’s internal or cross-border security.”

Military analyst Turyalai Zazai said: “Their concerns should hold no value for the people of Afghanistan because these are not genuine concerns; rather, they are propaganda aimed at the Afghan people to achieve political objectives.”

This comes after the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate previously stated that ISIS has been suppressed in Afghanistan and that no group will be allowed to use Afghan territory against other countries.

UN Official: Al-Qaeda Still Maintains a Presence in Afghanistan
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Human Rights Watch Warns Millions in Afghanistan Face Imminent Hunger Crisis

July 18, 2026

Human Rights Watch Warns Millions in Afghanistan Face Imminent Hunger Crisis

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned that Afghanistan’s economic crisis is worsening, with millions of people facing the threat of severe hunger, and called for urgent international funding for humanitarian operations as well as the removal of Taliban restrictions on women.

In a statement released on Friday, Fereshteh Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch, said millions of Afghans were at risk of an imminent hunger crisis and stressed that the Taliban’s policies were exacerbating humanitarian needs.

“Exacerbating the crisis, the Taliban’s repressive policies impose severe restrictions on women working in international aid organizations and the UN,” Abbasi said.

She noted that by restricting women’s participation in humanitarian work, the Taliban have made it more difficult for aid agencies to reach vulnerable communities. Because only female aid workers are permitted to assist women in many areas, female-headed households are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity.

Abbasi urged donor governments to immediately increase funding for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan and called on the Taliban to lift all restrictions on women’s rights, including bans on women’s employment and freedom of movement that prevent them from accessing humanitarian assistance and economic opportunities.

Human Rights Watch also identified the forced return of millions of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries as another factor worsening the humanitarian situation.

The organization said many of the five million Afghans who have been forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan over the past two years have gone back to areas already struggling with drought and limited employment opportunities, placing additional pressure on already vulnerable communities.

Abbasi further called on governments to ensure that returns of Afghan refugees and migrants are voluntary, safe, dignified, and accompanied by sustained support for their reintegration.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over Afghanistan’s food insecurity. The United Nations has previously estimated that more than 17 million people—over one-third of Afghanistan’s population—will face acute food insecurity this year, with women and children disproportionately affected.

The UN appealed for $1.71 billion to address humanitarian needs in Afghanistan in 2026, but less than 20 percent of the required funding had been received by the first half of the year.

Humanitarian agencies have also been hit by a sharp decline in foreign assistance from the United States, which previously financed up to 40 percent of humanitarian aid for Afghanistan.

As a result, aid organizations have been forced to scale back programs and prioritize assistance for those in the most critical need.

According to Human Rights Watch, the country’s food security has continued to deteriorate. Before October 2025, only 28 percent of Afghan households had sufficient access to food without external assistance. By April 2026, that figure had fallen to just 20 percent, while approximately 22 million people now require urgent food and healthcare assistance

Human Rights Watch Warns Millions in Afghanistan Face Imminent Hunger Crisis
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Iran, Tajikistan and Kabul Agree on New Road Transit Corridor Through Afghanistan

July 17, 2026
Khaama Press

Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan agreed to establish a road transit corridor aimed at expanding regional trade and improving cross-border freight connectivity.

Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan have agreed to establish a new road transit corridor through Afghan territory to facilitate regional trade and streamline freight transport between Iran and Tajikistan, officials said on Thursday.

Taliban’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said the agreement was reached during a trilateral meeting in the Iranian city of Mashhad. The ministry said the initiative will create a dedicated overland transport route allowing commercial goods to move between Iran and Tajikistan via Afghanistan, with the aim of strengthening regional connectivity and expanding economic cooperation.

According to the ministry, the corridor will enable cargo shipments from both Iran and Tajikistan to transit Afghanistan territory under a coordinated transport framework designed to simplify cross-border freight movement and improve logistics.

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, citing the General Directorate of Road Maintenance and Transportation of Razavi Khorasan Province, reported that senior transport officials from the three sides signed an operational framework for implementing the corridor.

Jafar Shahamat, head of the Razavi Khorasan road transport authority, said the first pilot shipment is expected to pass through the corridor within the next month. The trial will involve transport fleets from all three participants and will assess customs procedures, border operations, logistics coordination and the commercial viability of the route before full implementation.

The agreement comes as Afghanistan seeks to diversify trade routes and strengthen regional economic integration amid persistent economic challenges. Improved overland connectivity has become increasingly important as businesses continue to face higher transport costs, supply chain disruptions and logistical uncertainties linked to regional instability.

According to the World Bank, Iran accounted for 31.6% of Afghanistan’s total imports, making it the country’s largest import partner. Analysts say the planned corridor could strengthen regional trade and improve supply chains, although its long-term success will depend on security conditions, efficient customs coordination and effective implementation by all three countries.

Afghanistan has increasingly sought to expand regional transit links with neighboring countries as part of broader efforts to boost trade, reduce transport costs and improve access to international markets. Landlocked Afghanistan relies heavily on overland trade corridors through neighboring states, making regional transport cooperation critical to its economic recovery and long-term development.

Iran, Tajikistan and Kabul Agree on New Road Transit Corridor Through Afghanistan
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UK Pledges £420 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Afghanistan Through 2029

July 17, 2026
Khaama Press

Britain pledged £105 million annually in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan through 2029, focusing on food security, healthcare, women and vulnerable communities.

The United Kingdom has pledged £105 million ($141 million) annually in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan through 2029, reaffirming its long-term commitment to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises while placing women, girls and vulnerable communities at the center of its aid strategy.

In a written statement to Parliament on Thursday, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hamish Falconer said Britain will provide £420 million between 2026 and 2029 to support life-saving humanitarian assistance and essential services across Afghanistan, where millions remain dependent on international aid nearly five years after the Taliban returned to power.

The UK government said an estimated 22 million people are expected to require humanitarian assistance this year, while 17.4 million face acute food insecurity. It added that almost 5 million women, girls and boys are projected to require treatment for acute malnutrition in 2026, underscoring the scale of the country’s humanitarian emergency.

British officials said the funding will support emergency food assistance, healthcare, nutrition, education, livelihoods, protection services and climate resilience. The government said aid will continue to be delivered through trusted humanitarian organizations and Afghan partners operating independently of the Taliban authorities.

London also pledged additional support for Afghans returning from neighboring countries, particularly Iran, where hundreds of thousands have returned or been deported in recent months, placing further strain on already overstretched humanitarian services.

The statement reaffirmed Britain’s criticism of the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls, saying bans on education, employment and public participation violate fundamental rights and undermine Afghanistan’s long-term stability and development. The government said women and girls will remain a priority, with at least half of all beneficiaries of UK-funded humanitarian programs expected to be female.

The announcement comes as international aid agencies warn that Afghanistan’s humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate. UNICEF recently said severe acute malnutrition has spread to 26 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, while humanitarian organizations have cited funding shortages, economic decline, climate shocks and restrictions affecting women as major obstacles to aid delivery.

British officials said the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will oversee independent monitoring mechanisms to help ensure assistance reaches intended beneficiaries. According to the government, UK development assistance supported at least 2.7 million people during the 2024–25 financial year, including more than 1.7 million women and girls.

The government also reaffirmed its political support for Afghan women, saying it will continue to elevate their voices in international policymaking. It highlighted the UK Special Envoy’s visit to Kabul in May, where he met Afghan women and civil society representatives, and officials’ assessment mission to the Islam Qala border crossing to review the humanitarian needs of returnees arriving from Iran.

Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies following years of conflict, economic collapse and recurring climate shocks. Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, international sanctions, reduced development assistance and restrictions on women and girls have deepened the country’s economic and social crisis.

According to the United Nations, millions of Afghans continue to rely on humanitarian aid for food, healthcare and other basic services, while donor agencies have repeatedly warned that funding shortfalls threaten critical relief operations.

UK Pledges £420 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Afghanistan Through 2029
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