Afghanistan strikes targets in Pakistan, raising cross-border tension

June 20, 2026 Current News Articles

By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters

The strikes are the latest threat to the fragile ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Afghanistan has launched air strikes on what it called hideouts used by armed groups and “hostile intelligence circles” inside Pakistan, Kabul has announced.

The strikes, reported on Friday by Afghanistan’s defence ministry, were launched the previous day. The incident is the latest threat to the fragile ceasefire between the neighbours.

Hostilities have broken out several times over recent months, killing hundreds of people, and mediators led by China have so far failed to secure an agreement for a settled peace.

The hideouts, located in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, both of which share a border with Afghanistan, were targeted by the “air force” on Thursday night, Afghanistan’s defence ministry said in a social media post.

The ministry said that the “bases” it described as belonging to ISIL-Khorasan (ISIS-K) had been “allegedly used in cooperation with certain hostile intelligence circles to plan and organise attacks against Afghanistan,” presumably referring to Pakistani intelligence.

The ministry said one of the sites targeted in the operation was a facility allegedly frequented by senior ISIS-K leaders. It added that “important targets” had been hit, based on preliminary information.

ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for attacks in Afghanistan in recent years that have killed civilians.

Responding to the reports on Friday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting dismissed the claims.

“The claims are false as usual,” the ministry posted on social media, calling Afghanistan’s reports “fake and nefarious statements”.

“Terrorist camps including that of Daesh [ISIL] and more than two dozen other terrorists organisations are factually located, run and patronised from inside the territories under control of Afghan Taliban regime,” the ministry added on X.

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Pakistan has regularly accused Kabul of harbouring armed groups that launch attacks across their shared border, and has carried out numerous air strikes it says are aimed at such forces. Afghanistan has refuted all accusations.

Kabul did not specify how the attack – the first major ‌offensive action claimed by Kabul in months – was carried out.

Afghanistan has no fighter jets but is known to possess at least six aircraft and 23 helicopters, according to data from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The Taliban forces are also known to have drones that have been used in fighting with Pakistan.

Afghanistan Accounts for Nearly Half of the World’s Exiled Journalists Since 2021, RSF Says

June 20, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

June 19, 2026

Afghanistan has become the world’s leading source of exiled journalists, with hundreds forced to flee threats, arrests and growing restrictions on independent media, according to a new report by Reporters Without Borders.

AfghanPolitical Analysis

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated on Fiday, June 19 that at least 677 Afghan journalists have been forced to leave the country between 2021 and 2025 due to threats, detention, persecution and fears for their safety, making Afghanistan the largest source of exiled journalists worldwide.

According to the report, Afghan journalists account for nearly half of the 1,468 journalists whom RSF has assisted after fleeing their home countries during the past five years. The organization said Afghan journalists are now scattered across 28 countries, describing Afghanistan as a “global epicentre of journalist exile.”

RSF said no other country has experienced such a large-scale exodus of media professionals in recent years. By comparison, the organization supported 160 Russian journalists and 101 Myanmar journalists during the same period.

The report links the mass departure of journalists to the collapse of independent media following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Since then, hundreds of media outlets have reportedly closed, thousands of journalists have lost their jobs and restrictions on press freedom have steadily increased.

The largest wave of departures occurred in 2022, when 183 journalists left Afghanistan. However, the trend has continued, with at least 82 additional journalists forced into exile in 2025 alone. RSF said journalists inside the country continue to face arrests, interrogations, censorship and increasing restrictions on reporting.

The report notes that bans on publishing images of living beings in several provinces have further constrained media operations, particularly affecting television broadcasters and visual journalists. Women journalists have been among the hardest hit, facing additional barriers to employment, education and participation in public life.

RSF warned that exile has not necessarily brought safety. Many Afghan journalists abroad continue to face legal uncertainty, financial hardship and the threat of deportation. The organization highlighted Pakistan as a particular concern, noting that since the launch of deportation campaigns against Afghan migrants in 2023, at least 50 Afghan journalists have reportedly been forcibly returned to Afghanistan.

The findings come amid broader concerns over shrinking civic space and restrictions on freedom of expression in Afghanistan. International human rights organizations and media advocacy groups have repeatedly warned that growing limitations on independent journalism are reducing public access to information and weakening accountability mechanisms.

AfghanPolitical Analysis

The report also comes as thousands of Afghans, including journalists, activists and former government employees, continue to face uncertainty in neighboring countries. Pakistan and Iran have accelerated deportation and repatriation campaigns in recent years, while many Afghan refugees remain stranded awaiting resettlement opportunities in third countries.

RSF called on governments to expand emergency visa programs, provide long-term residency pathways and halt the forced return of journalists to countries where they may face persecution. The organization warned that without stronger international support, many exiled Afghan journalists could face a new cycle of insecurity, displacement and professional exclusion.

Amnesty International Says Returned Afghan Refugees Face Rights Violations

June 20, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

June 20, 2026

Amnesty International has warned that Afghan refugees who are returned to Afghanistan face serious human rights violations and worsening humanitarian conditions, as deportations from neighboring countries continue to increase.

Marking World Refugee Day on Saturday, Amnesty International said millions of Afghan refugees and migrants are facing growing pressure, detention and deportation in host countries. The organization added that many Afghans experience arbitrary arrests, family separations and other protection concerns before being returned.

In a statement posted on X, Amnesty International said that many deported Afghans return to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, where they face insecurity, economic hardship and restrictions on fundamental rights.

The warning comes as international agencies report a sharp rise in returns from neighboring countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) have repeatedly called for refugee returns to be voluntary, safe and dignified, while urging greater international support for returnees and host communities.

Pakistan has been at the center of the latest deportation wave. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently said that around 2.4 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan since September 2023, including both voluntary returnees and those deported under Pakistan’s repatriation policies. Human rights groups and aid agencies have expressed concern about the impact of these large-scale returns on vulnerable families.

Afghanistan continues to face a deep humanitarian and economic crisis. Millions of people rely on humanitarian assistance, while women and girls remain subject to extensive restrictions on education, employment and public life under Taliban rule. Rights organizations say these conditions make reintegration particularly difficult for returning refugees.

The situation has become increasingly challenging for Afghan journalists, former government employees, women activists and others who fear persecution upon return. International organizations have urged governments not to forcibly return individuals who may face serious risks in Afghanistan.

Amnesty International called on governments to uphold international refugee protection standards and ensure that Afghan refugees are not returned to conditions that could place their safety, rights and dignity at risk.

US Budget Bill Seeks to Block Transfer of Afghan Allies From Qatar to High-Risk Countries

June 18, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

June 18, 2026

A proposed US defense spending bill for 2027 includes provisions that could prevent the transfer of former Afghan allies from Qatar to Afghanistan or other countries deemed unsafe.

A draft US defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2027 contains measures aimed at protecting Afghan nationals who previously worked with American forces and are currently awaiting resettlement in Qatar, according to advocacy group AfghanEvac.

AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver said the preliminary versions of the National Defense Authorization Act being considered by the US Senate and House of Representatives include provisions related to former Afghan partners of the United States.

According to VanDiver, one provision would restrict the transfer of Afghans housed at a processing center in Qatar to Afghanistan or other countries considered high-risk from a security perspective. Another section proposes the preservation and protection of records related to Afghans who assisted US military operations.

The draft legislation also includes a proposal to extend the mandate of the Afghanistan War Commission, allowing additional time for completion of its final report on the two-decade US involvement in Afghanistan.

AfghanEvac warned, however, that uncertainty remains over implementation timelines. The organization noted that the processing facility in Qatar, which hosts more than 1,000 Afghans who previously worked alongside US forces, is expected to close by September 2026.

The issue comes as thousands of Afghans linked to Western governments and military missions continue to await relocation to the United States and other countries under special immigration and humanitarian programs. Advocacy groups have repeatedly warned that delays in processing applications leave many former interpreters, contractors and support staff in prolonged uncertainty.

The debate also coincides with a worsening humanitarian situation inside Afghanistan. International aid agencies report that millions of Afghans remain dependent on humanitarian assistance amid economic hardship, restrictions affecting women and girls, food insecurity and limited access to essential services.

Humanitarian organizations have further expressed concern over the growing influx of Afghan returnees from neighboring Iran and Pakistan. Since late 2023, millions of Afghans have returned or been deported from the two countries, placing additional pressure on already strained communities, public services and aid resources across Afghanistan.

Many Afghan refugees also remain in Pakistan while awaiting resettlement decisions, while others are being processed through temporary facilities in Qatar. Rights groups have urged Western governments to accelerate relocation programs, arguing that former Afghan allies face significant security risks if returned to Afghanistan before their cases are resolved.

If approved by Congress and signed by the US president, the proposed legislation would become law and could provide additional safeguards for vulnerable Afghans still seeking permanent resettlement.

IOM: Over 6M Afghans Returned From Iran, Pakistan Since 2023

June 18, 2026 Current News Articles

Hadia Ziaei

Tolo News

18 June 2026

International organizations and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have repeatedly called on host countries to prevent the forced deportation of Afghan migrants.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that more than 6.04 million Afghan citizens returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan between September 2023 to May 2026.

According to the report, beyond changing patterns of population movement, the scale and speed of this return wave have created significant challenges for reintegration and strengthening long-term resilience in Afghanistan.

The organization emphasized that effective reintegration strategies and timely support are essential for enhancing community resilience and the absorption capacity of host communities.

The report states that many returnees, some of whom have spent decades or even their entire lives abroad, arrive with limited social networks, little familiarity with local systems and norms, and restricted access to housing, livelihood opportunities, public services, civil documentation, and support mechanisms. The report also reads that effective reintegration strategies and timely assistance are therefore not only critical for the well-being and stability of returnees, but are also necessary for strengthening community resilience and the absorption capacity of host communities, contributing to greater social cohesion and solidarity.

Abdul Zohor Modaber, an economic analyst, said: “Some returnees possess valuable skills, expertise, and knowledge and can contribute productively to the country’s workforce and economy. However, others lack the necessary skills and education, and the government needs to provide them with full support.”

Nader Khan, who left for Pakistan 43 years ago and has now returned to Afghanistan at the age of 52, described the difficulties migrants have faced in recent years in Pakistan.

Speaking to TOLOnews, he said: “The detention and imprisonment of migrants increased, so we left and came back. We have no concerns; we have returned to our own country and will work here.”

Another returnee from Pakistan, Shah Mahmood, said: “Our request from the Islamic Emirate is to provide us with employment opportunities and educational opportunities for our children, especially our daughters.”

Experts believe that the forced return of Afghan citizens requires a coordinated response between aid organizations and the Islamic Emirate to ensure that returnees receive proper support.

Ali Reza Karimi, a migrant rights activist, said: “International organizations should support returnees through temporary shelter, humanitarian assistance, education, and job creation. At the same time, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan should facilitate returnees’ access to employment, education, and essential services.”

International organizations and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have repeatedly called on host countries to prevent the forced deportation of Afghan migrants.

Hanafi: Opponents Seeking to Discredit the Islamic Emirate

June 18, 2026 Current News Articles

TOLOnews

TV Network

18 June 2026

Afghanistan Issues Ban on Smartphones for Civil Servants and Military

June 18, 2026 Current News Articles

By Safiullah Padshah Yaqoob AkbaryAttaullah Omar and Elian Peltier

Reporting from Kabul and Kandahar, Afghanistan, and from Islamabad, Pakistan

The New York Times

June 18, 2026

Afghanistan’s leader has ordered all civil servants and members of the country’s armed forces to stop bringing their smartphones to work as of Wednesday, the latest restriction on individual freedoms imposed by the Taliban government.

Some government agencies have scrambled for alternatives, reverting to regular cellular calls instead of WhatsApp, which they overwhelmingly rely on as they try to keep a country of 45 million running amid economic isolation, devastating aid cuts and a conflict with neighboring Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s highest court issued the order, but it did not provide a justification for it.

Government representatives did not respond to requests for comment, but eight civil servants, police officers and education professionals in five provinces confirmed the authenticity of the ban and said that it had begun taking effect in their offices.

“We have received the order and are in the process of implementing it,” Khalid Ahmad Fazli, a communications official in Daikundi Province, told The New York Times.

Another provincial official and a press officer for the Supreme Court also confirmed the implementation of the order, on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the ban.

Those caught using their smartphones will have them smashed and face punishment, according to a copy of the order circulating online.

As news of the ban ricocheted across social media, civil servants and security personnel posted videos of colleagues smashing their smartphones to comply with the new rule.

In the clips, some workers said, “Our work shows obedience to the Emir’s order,” in a reference to Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, the ultraconservative cleric who rules Afghanistan and ordered the ban.

A police officer in Samangan Province, in northern Afghanistan, said that the Supreme Court had sent a letter announcing the ban to his headquarters and that a senior police official had told officers on Tuesday, “Be careful not to use smartphones, this is an order from the Emir and we cannot oppose it.”

In Nangarhar Province, in the east, a high school teacher said that officers from the Taliban’s morality police had begun confiscating smartphones at the school’s gate on Wednesday. A WhatsApp group for teachers and administrative staff has gone silent, he said.

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they have stifled freedom of expression by repressing protests, controlling what people wear, and restricting access to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snap. Last September, the government imposed a countrywide internet blackout for two days under the guise of preventing “immoral behavior” online.

A similar rationale seems to be at play with the latest ban.

During a meeting earlier this month in the southern city of Kandahar, religious scholars and judges from a military court asked Sheikh Haibatullah to issue a countrywide ban on smartphones to prevent what they described as the spread of pornography and corruption, according to one participant and another person briefed on the meeting.

Other religious and administrative leaders also asked Sheikh Haibatullah for a total ban in a separate meeting the following day.

Sheikh Haibatullah then issued a mandate that he said would target, as a first step, all soldiers, civil servants, teachers and government officials, according to the Supreme Court order. Those seeking exemption must obtain written permission from the supreme leader.

It was not immediately clear how the order would be implemented: Hundreds of thousands of people work in the Taliban-ruled administration or serve in its security forces.

An employee in the financial department of Herat Province said that his office had received the order from the Ministry of Finance but that as of Thursday, he and his colleagues were still using their smartphones at work.

Many members of the Taliban movement do not bring their smartphones to government offices as they deem them immoral and distracting, even though most of them own one. As of 2024, there were 25 million mobile subscriptions in Afghanistan, according to the World Bank.

Asadullah, a civil servant in central Afghanistan, said the ban had already left him struggling to complete his daily tasks. He said, “Out of habit, I checked my pocket several times today and it felt as if I had lost something.”

Elian Peltier is The Times’s bureau chief for Pakistan and Afghanistan, based in Islamabad.

New Smartphone Curbs Target Civil and Military Employees in Afghanistan

June 17, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

June 17, 2026

A nationwide ban on the use of smartphones by civilian and military government employees has been approved in Afghanistan, with violators facing legal punishment and confiscation of their devices.

Sources in the Kabul provincial administration confirmed on Wednesday that a ban on smartphone use by government and security personnel has been formally approved and will be implemented across civilian and military institutions.

According to the sources, a meeting involving senior officials was held at the Kabul governor’s office following the issuance of the directive, where authorities agreed to fully enforce the measure. Employees who fail to comply could be referred to a military court.

The ban was initially communicated verbally to eight security zones in Kabul last week, but it is now set to be expanded to all government departments. A written directive obtained by local media states that employees who violate the order could face “legal and religious punishment,” while their smartphones may be confiscated and destroyed.

The move is part of broader efforts by the authorities to tighten control over communications within state institutions. Officials have not publicly explained the reasons behind the measure, but critics argue that such restrictions could further limit access to information and reduce transparency within government offices.

The decision comes amid continuing concerns from rights groups and media organizations about restrictions on access to information and freedom of expression in Afghanistan. Journalists and civil society activists have repeatedly warned that growing limitations on communications and information-sharing have made independent reporting and public oversight increasingly difficult.

International organizations have also expressed concern over measures affecting digital access and communications in the country. Rights advocates argue that restricting access to modern communication tools can hinder the flow of information, limit government accountability and further isolate public institutions from citizens.

The directive is expected to take effect from the beginning of the Islamic month of Muharram, corresponding to June 17, with authorities indicating that compliance will be closely monitored across government agencies.

OCHA Warns Restrictions Limiting Afghan Women’s Access to Life-Saving Healthcare

June 17, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

June 17, 2026

The UN humanitarian agency has warned that growing restrictions on Afghan women and girls are further limiting access to critical healthcare services in a country already facing one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed concern that restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan are undermining access to essential and life-saving services, particularly healthcare.

Olga Cherevko, an OCHA official for Afghanistan, said the country continues to record one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with nearly 600 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. She warned that humanitarian challenges are disproportionately affecting women and girls.

According to OCHA, restrictions on women’s participation in public life and employment are reducing both the effectiveness of humanitarian operations and the ability of women and girls to access critical services. The agency stressed that female healthcare workers remain indispensable to maternal and newborn care across Afghanistan.

Cherevko highlighted a hospital in Bamyan that operates the region’s only neonatal intensive care unit, noting that many female health workers there continue to provide life-saving care for mothers and newborns despite mounting challenges.

The warning comes as Afghanistan’s healthcare system faces growing pressure from funding shortages and staffing gaps. OCHA has repeatedly called for greater investment in the training, recruitment and retention of female health professionals to reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths.

The concerns also follow recent warnings from UNICEF, which said Afghanistan could face a shortage of 25,000 female teachers and healthcare workers by 2030 if restrictions on women’s education and employment continue. UNICEF has additionally warned of major funding shortfalls that threaten essential humanitarian and health services across the country.

International agencies have also raised alarm over deteriorating humanitarian conditions in several provinces, including remote areas of Badakhshan, where difficult terrain, limited medical infrastructure and shortages of skilled personnel continue to restrict access to healthcare. The World Health Organization recently emphasized the need to expand life-saving health services in underserved communities across the province.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including bans on secondary and higher education, limits on employment and restrictions on movement. UN agencies say these measures are not only affecting women’s rights but are also weakening Afghanistan’s healthcare, education and humanitarian sectors.

OCHA stressed that sustaining health services, supporting female medical staff and ensuring women and girls can safely access healthcare remain essential to addressing Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

EU Reiterates Call for Inclusive Government in Afghanistan

June 17, 2026 Current News Articles

Tolo News

17 June 2026

Hostilities have broken out several times over recent months, killing hundreds of people, and mediators led by China have so far failed to secure an agreement for a settled peace.

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