White House slams Biden for failing to hold officials accountable in Afghanistan withdrawal

Karoline Leavitt, White House spokesperson, criticized the Biden administration for its failure to hold officials accountable for the “disastrous” U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it “outrageous.”

Leavitt responded to reporters’ questions about the disclosure of chat group information involving senior U.S. security officials, stating that the Trump administration ignored national security concerns raised by Democrats and mainstream media about the chaotic withdrawal.

The White House spokesperson emphasized that due to the incompetence of the previous U.S. administration, 13 U.S. soldiers lost their lives during the evacuation from Afghanistan.

Leavitt highlighted that no one in the previous administration was held accountable for the “disastrous” withdrawal, even as President Biden described the operation as “excellent.”

She added that such behavior was “outrageous” and “unacceptable” in the view of both the current U.S. President and Secretary of Defense.

Meanwhile, Leavitt explained that Mike Walz, the White House National Security Advisor, took full responsibility for the inadvertent addition of a journalist to the chat group of senior U.S. officials. She assured that the administration takes the security, safety, and well-being of its forces worldwide with the utmost seriousness.

Leavitt also addressed concerns about the potential exposure of sensitive information regarding U.S. military operations, stressing the importance of safeguarding national security and maintaining the integrity of communication within the government.

White House slams Biden for failing to hold officials accountable in Afghanistan withdrawal
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UN Women: Generations Will Be Affected by Education Ban

Schoolgirls once again urged the Islamic Emirate to pay attention to their education and allow them to continue their studies.

UN Women in a post on X called the educational and academic deprivation of girls in Afghanistan an “injustice” and stated that if this deprivation continues, generations in the country will be affected.

It further noted that girls in Afghanistan have been denied the right to education for a third consecutive year, and the new academic year has begun with schools reopening without their presence.

UN Women emphasized that girls in Afghanistan must go to school.

Hekmat Mirzada, a university professor, spoke about the right to education: “Considering that education and learning are natural human and Islamic rights for members of society, including women and girls, ruling systems of every country have a responsibility to create appropriate conditions and opportunities, in line with their policies, for all members of society, including women and girls, in the field of education.”

Schoolgirls once again urged the Islamic Emirate to pay attention to their education and allow them to continue their studies.

Sheela, one of the students, expressed her demand saying: “It has been four years since schools have been closed, and the fate of all Afghan girls remains uncertain. Our request from the Islamic Emirate is to open the doors of schools to all girls.”

Husna, another student, said: “Every girl dreams of studying and learning. I hope the Islamic Emirate makes a good decision for girls this year so that they can study and attend universities.”

Additionally, a number of women’s rights activists have again emphasized that for the progress of society and the growth of family economies, educational opportunities for girls must also be provided.

Tafsir Siyahposh, a women’s rights activist, said: “When the fate of half the society is unclear, we know what consequences it brings. This situation affects the psyche, the family, and society as a whole. As a result, both women and girls—and society—suffer.”

A day earlier, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also expressed disappointment over the continued restrictions on girls’ education. UNAMA added that banning girls from education complicates Afghanistan’s human rights situation, humanitarian aid, and economic crises.

UN Women: Generations Will Be Affected by Education Ban
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Amnesty Intl Urges Pakistan to Halt Forced Deportation of Afghans

Isabelle Lassée, deputy regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, described Pakistan’s decision as contrary to the rights of migrants and refugees.

Amnesty International has called for the immediate cancellation of Pakistan’s forced deportation plan of Afghan migrants. 

Isabelle Lassée, deputy regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, described Pakistan’s decision as contrary to the rights of migrants and refugees. She stated that the deportation plan also contradicts Pakistan’s own commitments and repeated appeals from human rights organizations to uphold migrants’ and refugees’ rights.

Lassée said: “The opaque executive orders contravene the government’s own promises and repeated calls by human rights organizations to uphold the rights of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.”

Meanwhile, Pakistani media reported that the federal government has decided not to extend the deadline for the deportation of Afghan migrants. In a meeting chaired by Pakistan’s Minister of Interior, it was decided that the deportation of Afghans residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, who had previously been warned, would now be strictly enforced.

“We request the deportation of migrants from Pakistan be stopped to open a window of hope for them. We face different challenges here [in Pakistan] every day,” Rajabi, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, told TOLOnews.

“These are very difficult days for migrants in Pakistan. We, the migrants, are worried and afraid as March 31 approaches,” said Mohammad Reza Sazesh, another Afghan migrant in Pakistan.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has also called this decision by Pakistan a violation of international law and good neighborly relations. The ministry added that concerns about the matter have been shared with Pakistan.

Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the ministry of refugees and repatriation, said: “Such a decision against migrants contradicts all international conventions and opposes Islamic, humanitarian, and neighborly principles. This decision not only fails to solve problems but worsens them. We have shared our concerns with Pakistan.”

A day earlier, the head of refugees and repatriation affairs in Nangarhar province said that since the beginning of 2023, more than 67,000 families have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing.

Amnesty Intl Urges Pakistan to Halt Forced Deportation of Afghans
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World Food Programme Warns of Malnutrition Crisis Among Afghan Children

The UN agency also stated that it needs $555 million over the next six months to safeguard life-saving food assistance across its programs.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has predicted that 3.5 million children in Afghanistan will suffer from malnutrition in 2025.

The UN agency also stated that it needs $555 million over the next six months to safeguard life-saving food assistance across its programs.

According to WFP data, currently 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Afghanistan are suffering from malnutrition and urgently need treatment and nutritional support.

Mona Shaikh, head of nutrition for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan, said: “In 2025, 3.5 million young children in Afghanistan are expected to be malnourished. This is huge. We haven’t seen anything like that in the last four years.”

Abdul Qadir, whose two daughters have been suffering from malnutrition for nearly six months, said he has taken them to the hospital several times but cannot afford treatment due to poverty and unemployment.

“Our economic situation is weak. I push a cart for a living. I can’t afford to treat my daughters. I ask the government and the Red Cross to help treat them,” Abdul Qadir told TOLOnews.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy has called for international support for Afghanistan’s economy.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, said: “There is a need for joint efforts by internal institutions and continued support from the international community, especially in child nutrition. Supporting the agriculture sector and creating job opportunities can strengthen household economies and help reduce food insecurity.”

“It is the responsibility of the international community, especially the World Health Organization, to consider various ways to assist countries with poor economies and ultimately provide support,” said Nabi Afghan, an economic analyst.

Earlier, Save the Children had stated that due to reduced foreign aid, it had suspended life-saving programs for children suffering from malnutrition in Afghanistan.

World Food Programme Warns of Malnutrition Crisis Among Afghan Children
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UN official backs call for FIFA action on gender oppression in Afghanistan

Al Jazeera

Afghanistan’s national women’s football team have received support from a United Nations special rapporteur as they urge athletes worldwide to stand in solidarity as they fight their exclusion from World Cup qualifying competitions since the Taliban takeover in 2021.

Many players from the team fled the country at the time because they feared persecution.

The women’s team has since been unable to compete internationally because FIFA rules require recognition by a national federation, and the Taliban-controlled Afghan Football Federation bans women from playing.

The Taliban says it respects women’s rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law and local customs and that internal matters should be addressed locally.

At a news briefing hosted by the Sports & Rights Alliance on Tuesday, Afghan national team captain Mursal Sadat highlighted the importance of global unity in the fight for gender equality in sport.

“If there is one thing that I would request from the athletes all around the world, it would be it is time that we unite together. And it’s time that women support other women,” she said

Sadat added that even a short video posted by athletes on social media would be a sign of solidarity against gender-based violence taking place in Afghanistan.

Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on Afghanistan, said on Wednesday that he stood with Afghan women footballers in their call for FIFA to take action.

“I support the call by Sports & Rights Alliance for FIFA to take a strong stand against systematic gender oppression and ensure that Afghan women footballers in exile, who are barred from playing in Afghanistan, can return to international competition,” Bennett wrote on X.

National team founder and former captain Khalida Popal said the players are not fighting against global football’s governing body but rather seeking collaboration.

“Our platform is sport – together with everyone, with the media, with individuals, with organisations and with governing bodies and including FIFA because we are not fighting against FIFA or any other organisation,” Popal said.

“We want to work together to find the best solutions as using Afghanistan as an example to make sure the other countries, the other nations don’t face what we have faced.”

In 2020, Afghanistan had 25 contracted women football players, most of whom now live in Australia.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
UN official backs call for FIFA action on gender oppression in Afghanistan
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Afghanistan excluded from US Security Threat List despite Alleged ISIS Presence

The U.S. National Intelligence Agency recently published its annual threat assessment, notably omitting Afghanistan from the list of national security threats. Last year’s report highlighted Afghanistan and the Taliban multiple times, but this year’s report made no mention of them, raising concerns about the current U.S. assessment of regional security.

While the report highlighted terrorist threats, including Al-Qaeda’s presence in Iran, Somalia, and Syria, it did not mention the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan as a base for such groups. This omission is significant, considering the United Nations Security Council has confirmed that Al-Qaeda and ISIS continue to operate in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s protection.

The U.S. report also failed to address the Taliban’s policies toward women and their inability to manage Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, both critical issues noted in last year’s assessment. Despite the Taliban’s claims of suppressing ISIS-Khorasan, the group continues to conduct attacks in Afghanistan.

Furthermore, the report did not mention Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistani officials allege operates from Afghanistan’s territory. The TTP has been involved in numerous attacks against Pakistan and poses a potential threat to regional stability.

The report highlighted the growing threat from ISIS-Khorasan, which has expanded its influence beyond Afghanistan into Central Asia, Iran, and even Russia. The group’s online presence continues to inspire attacks globally, including in the West, which raises concerns about the group’s expanding reach.

Al-Qaeda also remains a significant threat, with leaders reportedly in Iran using anti-Israel rhetoric to recruit and incite attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets. The report noted that Al-Qaeda continues to pursue operations against U.S. interests both domestically and abroad.

The U.S. intelligence community also expressed concerns about the increasing capabilities of the TTP, which has historical ties to Al-Qaeda. Although the group primarily targets Pakistan, its operations could destabilize the region further and affect global security.

The absence of Afghanistan from this year’s U.S. intelligence report is concerning, as there are ongoing allegations that the Taliban continues to harbor terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS-Khorasan. While the U.S. has shifted focus diplomatically, the region’s security challenges remain a significant concern. Global efforts to combat terrorism and stabilize Afghanistan are more critical than ever. Addressing these threats and ensuring peace in the region is essential for long-term stability.

Afghanistan excluded from US Security Threat List despite Alleged ISIS Presence
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Islamic Emirate Signals Willingness for Conditional UN Cooperation

Some political analysts believe the United Nations should also work on addressing citizens’ challenges and developing relations with other countries.

Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting minister of foreign affairs, stressed the UN’s efforts in combating narcotics, strengthening the private sector, and resolving banking issues.

The head of UNAMA provided information during this meeting about her recent speech at the UN Security Council, the extension of UNAMA’s mission, and her meetings in New York and Vienna.

Amir Khan Muttaqi also clarified the stance of the Islamic Emirate on certain issues and stated that if the views of the Islamic Emirate are respected, they will cooperate with the United Nations in various sectors.

Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the ministry of foreign affairs, said regarding the meeting: “This meeting discussed the fight against drugs, the growth of the private sector, and resolving banking problems in the country. Amir Khan Muttaqi also clarified the position of the Islamic Emirate on various matters to the UN Secretary-General’s special representative.”

Some political analysts believe the United Nations should also work on addressing citizens’ challenges and developing relations with other countries.

“If the United Nations acts sincerely, I believe it can initially attract significant aid to the Afghan people, and at the same time, it can convey the truth to the international community—something it has unfortunately failed to do so far,” Saleem Paigir, a political analyst, told TOLOnews.

“After the Islamic Emirate regained power, we see that the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council use propaganda without considering our country’s political and economic situation. Such policies from the United Nations have become obstacles to political engagement between the Islamic Emirate and the international community,” said Ahmad Khan Andar, another political analyst.

This comes as the UN Security Council last week, after a month of consultations, extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until March 17, 2026.

Islamic Emirate Signals Willingness for Conditional UN Cooperation
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Russia: Afghanistan’s Counterterrorism Efforts Are Inadequate

The Russian ambassador also highlighted Moscow’s support for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other regional countries in countering militant threats.

Albert Khorev, the Russian ambassador to Pakistan, in an interview with a Pakistani media outlet described the interim Afghan government’s efforts to combat terrorism as insufficient.

The Russian ambassador also highlighted Moscow’s support for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other regional countries in countering militant threats.

The Express Tribune, reporting on the Russian ambassador’s remarks in Islamabad, stated: “On regional security, Khorev acknowledged that Afghanistan’s efforts to combat militancy were inadequate but attributed this to economic challenges and prevailing security conditions in the country. He identified ISIS as the greatest threat to Russia’s national and regional security, stating that Moscow is closely monitoring the situation and working with regional partners under the ‘Quartet’ format to counter terrorism.”

Russia was among the first countries to raise the issue of removing the Islamic Emirate from Moscow’s blacklist. Over the past three and a half years, Russia has maintained relatively extensive diplomatic relations with the Islamic Emirate.

The interim government has repeatedly said that Afghan soil is secure against threats to other countries and has emphasized the importance of collective efforts in combating terrorism.

“Russia can assist the Afghan government in security, technical, and intelligence areas in the fight against ISIS terrorism originating from Pakistan, and naturally, this aid will be effective in curbing ISIS terrorism,” said Fazl Rahman Oria, a political analyst.

“This message from Russia is political wave-riding. The issue of terrorism is an international matter that has also affected Afghanistan. I hope the Russians and Pakistanis cooperate with Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Zalmai Afghanyar, another analyst.

On January 15, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized a joint regional fight against terrorism.

Russia: Afghanistan’s Counterterrorism Efforts Are Inadequate
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Discussions About Reopening US Embassy in Kabul Ongoing: Mujahid

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, told Al Arabiya that negotiations are ongoing for handing over the Afghan embassy in Washington to the caretaker government and for reopening the US embassy in Kabul.

He also stated that these two issues were shared with the American delegation that had visited Kabul, and the caretaker government is now awaiting Washington’s response.

Mujahid told Al Arabiya: “Negotiations for handing over the Afghan embassy in the US are ongoing. This is the beginning of talks and understanding. As you know, the delegation that came to Kabul returned to the US with some matters. We have to see what America’s next steps will be.”

In his statement, Mujahid emphasized that the caretaker government has closed the chapter of war with the US and is in favor of good relations with the country. He urged the US to reopen its embassy in Kabul to build trust and foster relations between Kabul and Washington.

The spokesman added: “We also want the US embassy in Kabul to resume its activities so that relations and understanding between the two countries can be established, and they can reach a trustworthy level of cooperation through diplomacy that ensures the interests of both nations.”

“Half of the Doha Agreement has been implemented, but the other half, which is intra-Afghan talks, has not yet been carried out. This process must be worked on. In my opinion, if that happens, it will be easier for us to establish relations with the US and other countries,” said Moeen Gul Samkanai, a political analyst.

Discussions About Reopening US Embassy in Kabul Ongoing: Mujahid
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U.S. Lifts Millions in Bounties on Senior Taliban Officials

The move was a significant shift toward leaders of the Haqqani network, which was behind some of the deadliest attacks during the war in Afghanistan.

The United States has lifted multimillion-dollar bounties on three senior Taliban officials, according to Afghan authorities and a senior American official.

The move is a significant shift by the Trump administration toward militants who were behind some of the deadliest attacks during the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan but have refashioned themselves as a more moderate voice within the Taliban.

The bounties were removed days after a U.S. hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, made the first visit by a high-ranking American diplomat to Kabul, the Afghan capital, since the Taliban seized power in 2021. His talks with Taliban representatives led to the release of an American citizen who had been detained in Afghanistan for more than two years.

Many Taliban officials saw the meeting in Kabul and the subsequent lifting of the bounties as a major victory for a government that was almost completely shut out by the United States during the Biden administration. The steps also put fresh momentum behind a Taliban faction that has pushed for the government to pull back on its hard-line policies to gain wider acceptance on the world stage.

Mr. Haqqani, his brother Abdul Azizi Haqqani and a cousin, Yahya Haqqani, no longer appear on the State Department’s Rewards for Justice website. The bounty was removed on Monday from the F.B.I.’s wanted poster for Sirajuddin Haqqani.

A spokesman for the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior Affairs, Abdul Mateen Qani, said that “a deal with the U.S. was finalized” to lift the bounties, after the issue was discussed multiple times with American officials.

“This is a major achievement for the Islamic Emirate,” he added, referring to the Taliban government.

The American official who confirmed the bounty removals spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy. The Trump administration, including in a January social media post by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has made clear that it could reimpose or increase bounties on Taliban leaders if additional Americans held in Afghanistan are not released.

The meeting on Thursday in Kabul between Trump administration and Taliban officials followed initially tense indirect interactions by the two sides. In January, President Trump demanded that the Taliban return $7 billion in American military hardware left in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal. He threatened to cut all financial aid to the country if it was not returned.

The Taliban authorities rejected the notion, noting that the equipment had been crucial in keeping the Islamic State affiliate in the region at bay, according to two Afghan officials with knowledge of the matter.

Since the Taliban seized power, the United States has led the charge in isolating their government, which has imposed the most draconian restrictions on women in the world. Biden administration officials stressed that the United States would not ease any sanctions until those restrictions were lifted.

But as the Taliban, led by an ultraconservative cleric, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, made clear that they would not bow to outside pressure, the United States became an outlier in its firm approach.

While no country officially recognizes the Taliban as the lawful authorities in Afghanistan, more countries in the region and in Europe have appeared to accept the limits of their influence and engage on issues on which they can find common ground.

“The Taliban has developed a proclivity to do transactional diplomacy, quid pro quo deals,” said Ibraheem Bahiss, an International Crisis Group consultant. The lifting of the U.S. bounties showed that the release of the American held in Afghanistan “was somehow reciprocated with some good will or that a transactional deal had been struck.”

It is also a notable change in American policy toward Sirajuddin Haqqani, an ambitious political operator who embraced suicide attacks like few other Taliban leaders and was responsible for the bloodiest attacks during the U.S.-led war.

In 2011, Mr. Haqqani’s men launched a 19-hour-long assault on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. In 2017, his network was behind a truck bombing that killed more than 150 people, mostly civilians.

In January, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court requested arrest warrants for Sheikh Haibatullah and the country’s chief justice for their “unprecedented” persecution of women and girls.

“This is a victory for the engagement camp within the Taliban,” Mr. Bahiss said of the lifting of the bounties. More moderate figures “can go back to hard-liners and say this is the kind of reciprocity we can get for the compromises we are advocating for.”

A version of this article appears in print on March 26, 2025, Section A, Page 9 of the New York edition with the headline: U.S. Lifts Bounties on 3 Senior Taliban Officials

U.S. Lifts Millions in Bounties on Senior Taliban Officials
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