ICC issues warrants for Taliban leaders over alleged persecution of women

Al Jazeera
Published On 8 Jul 2025

Judges say Taliban officials have ‘severely deprived’ girls and women of human rights, including education.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two top Taliban leaders in Afghanistan on charges of abuses against women and girls.

ICC judges on Tuesday said there were “reasonable grounds” to suspect Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhunzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani of committing gender-based persecution.

“While the Taliban have imposed certain rules and prohibitions on the population as a whole, they have specifically targeted girls and women by reason of their gender, depriving them of fundamental rights and freedoms,” the court said in a statement.

The Taliban has “severely deprived” girls and women of the rights to education, privacy, family life and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion, ICC judges said.

“In addition, other persons were targeted because certain expressions of sexuality and/or gender identity were regarded as inconsistent with the Taliban’s policy on gender,” the court added.

The Taliban was quick to reject the warrants as “baseless rhetoric”, saying that it does not recognise the ICC’s authority and invoking the court’s failure to protect the “hundreds of women and children being killed daily” in Gaza.

“The leadership and officials of the Islamic Emirate have established unparalleled justice in Afghanistan based on the sacred laws of Islamic Sharia,” Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban government, said in a statement.

Late in 2022, several Muslim-majority countries – including Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar – condemned the Taliban’s decision to restrict education for women.

The ICC said on Tuesday that the alleged crimes were committed from August 15, 2021, when the Taliban seized power after the withdrawal of United States forces, and continued until at least January 20 of this year.

The court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, sought the warrants in January, saying that “Afghan women and girls as well as the LGBTQI+ community are facing an unprecedented, unconscionable and ongoing persecution by the Taliban”.

Last year, the United Nations accused the Taliban government of barring at least 1.4 million girls from their right to an education during its time in power.

Taking into account the number of girls not going to school before the group came to power, the UN said 80 percent of Afghan school-age girls – a total of 2.5 million – were being denied their right to an education.

Authorities also imposed restrictions on women working for nongovernmental groups and other jobs.

Beauty salons have been closed and women blocked from visiting public parks and gyms as well as travelling long distances without a male chaperone.

A “vice and virtue” law announced a year ago ordered women not to sing or recite poetry in public and for their voices and bodies to be “concealed” outside the home.

The rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) welcomed the ICC warrants on Tuesday.

“The announcement is an important development that gives hope, inside and outside the country, to Afghan women, girls, as well as those persecuted on the basis of gender identity or expression,” Amnesty International chief Agnes Callamard said in a statement.

“This is a crucial step to hold accountable all those allegedly responsible for the gender-based deprivation of fundamental rights to education, to free movement and free expression, to private and family life, to free assembly, and to physical integrity and autonomy.”

For its part, HRW called on the international community to “fully back the ICC in its critical work in Afghanistan and globally, including through concerted efforts to enforce the court’s warrants”.

Last year, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over war crime charges in Gaza, including using starvation as a weapon of war.

But several Western members of the court have refused to commit to enforcing the warrants. Earlier this year, Poland said it would allow Netanyahu to visit the country, and Hungary hosted the Israeli prime minister and withdrew from the Rome Statute that established the ICC.

The ICC, based in The Hague, was set up to rule on the world’s worst crimes, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity. It has no police force of its own, and relies on member states to carry out its arrest warrants.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
ICC issues warrants for Taliban leaders over alleged persecution of women
read more

UN adopts resolution on Afghanistan’s Taliban rule over US objections

By EDITH LEDERER

Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Monday over U.S. objections calling on Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to reverse their worsening oppression of women and girls and eliminate all terrorist organizations.

The 11-page resolution also emphasizes “the importance of creating opportunities for economic recovery, development and prosperity in Afghanistan,” and urges donors to address the country’s dire humanitarian and economic crisis.

The resolution is not legally binding but is seen as a reflection of world opinion. The vote was 116 in favor, with two — the United States and close ally Israel — opposed and 12 abstentions, including Russia, China, India and Iran.

Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, banning women from public places and girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Last week, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban’s government.

The core message of the resolution, she said, is to tell Afghan mothers holding sick and underfed children or mourning victims of terrorist attacks, as well as the millions of Afghan women and girls locked up at home, that they have not been forgotten.

U.S. minister-counselor Jonathan Shrier was critical of the resolution, which he said rewards “the Taliban’s failure with more engagement and more resources.” He said the Trump administration doubts they will ever pursue policies “in accordance with the expectations of the international community.”

“For decades we shouldered the burden of supporting the Afghan people with time, money and, most important, American lives,” he said. “It is the time for the Taliban to step up. The United States will no longer enable their heinous behavior.”

The resolution expresses appreciation to governments hosting Afghan refugees, singling out the two countries that have taken the most: Iran and Pakistan. Shrier also objected to this, accusing Iran of executing Afghans “at an alarming rate without due process” and forcibly conscripting Afghans into its militias.

While the resolution notes improvements in Afghanistan’s overall security situation, it reiterates concern about attacks by al-Qaida and Islamic State militants and their affiliates. It calls upon Afghanistan “to take active measures to tackle, dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations equally and without discrimination.”

The General Assembly also encouraged U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a coordinator to facilitate “a more coherent, coordinated and structured approach” to its international engagements on Afghanistan.

UN adopts resolution on Afghanistan’s Taliban rule over US objections
read more

UN Official: Iran accuses hundreds of Afghan migrants of spying

A UN official reported that Iran has accused hundreds of Afghan migrants of spying, raising concerns over arbitrary arrests and human rights violations.

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has expressed serious concern over the arrest of hundreds of Afghan migrants in Iran, including members of ethnic and religious minority groups, on allegations of spying for Israel.

In a post on X on Saturday, July 5, Bennett stated that Iranian police have accused Afghan migrants of espionage and reportedly used violence during arrests. He also condemned the use of abusive and degrading language toward Afghan refugees by Iranian authorities.

Experts stated: “The post-war situation should not be used as an opportunity to suppress dissent and increase repression.”

They acknowledged the impact of the recent military attacks by Israel and the United States and expressed concern over reports of executions, enforced disappearances, and mass arrests.

UN experts noted that since June 13, at least six individuals, including three Kurdish men, have reportedly been executed on charges of spying for Israel.

Several Afghan returnees have shared similar experiences, claiming that Iranian police repeatedly detained and accused them of being spies. These claims align with broader concerns raised by international human rights organizations.

UN experts have voiced worry that, in the wake of recent Israeli attacks, Iranian law enforcement has been targeting minority communities, particularly Afghan migrants, through arbitrary detentions and possible torture.

According to multiple reports, dozens of Afghan citizens have been detained during recent cross-border tensions, accused of espionage without credible evidence or transparent legal process.

Afghanistan’s prolonged humanitarian crisis, following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, has forced millions of Afghans to seek refuge in neighboring countries, including Iran.

Iran currently hosts over three million Afghan nationals, many of whom live in undocumented, vulnerable conditions, exposed to abuse, detention, and forced deportation.

With Iran-Israel tensions intensifying, especially amid regional military escalations, experts fear that foreign nationals, particularly refugees, may continue to face collective punishment and scapegoating.

UN Official: Iran accuses hundreds of Afghan migrants of spying
read more

Trump slams Afghanistan withdrawal as “Most Shameful Moment” in US History

Khaama Press

Trump called the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan the most shameful moment in American history, vowing never to allow such failure again.

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again condemned the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, calling it “perhaps the most shameful moment in the history of our country.” His remarks were made during the signing of a major new tax bill in Washington.

Speaking at the event, Trump criticized the Biden administration, stating, “We endured four terrible and humiliating years. Afghanistan may be the most shameful moment in the history of our country. We will never let anything like that happen again.”

He emphasized that under his leadership, he would never allow a repeat of such a scenario, referencing the chaotic and deadly U.S. exit from Kabul in August 2021. “Never again will we see something like Afghanistan,” he said firmly.

During the same event, Trump celebrated the state of the U.S. economy and praised the impact of the new tax legislation. He claimed that the U.S. is currently experiencing an unprecedented investment wave, saying, “Nearly $15 trillion is flowing into the country—nothing like this has ever happened before.”

The president concluded by highlighting the uniqueness of this economic moment: “Even in the past, nothing has come close to this level of investment and growth.”

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, completed in August 2021, marked the end of America’s 20-year military presence. The rapid collapse of the Afghanistan government and the Taliban’s takeover shocked the world, triggering a chaotic evacuation and global criticism.

Since then, the withdrawal has remained a highly polarizing issue in U.S. politics. While Democrats argue the decision ended an unwinnable war, Republicans—led by Trump—have consistently framed it as a catastrophic failure that damaged America’s global standing.

Trump slams Afghanistan withdrawal as “Most Shameful Moment” in US History
read more

Zabul’s Children Deprived of Schooling Due to Lack of Teachers

Residents of Zabul are calling on the caretaker government to provide access to both modern and religious education for children in remote areas.

The Zabul Department of Education says that in 500 villages across the province, many students are deprived of access to education due to a shortage of teachers.

Gul Wali Muttaqi, Head of Zabul’s Education Department, said that this issue has been shared with the Ministry of Education. He told TOLOnews: “We face a teacher shortage in Zabul, which we have discussed with senior officials. Due to the lack of teachers, children in 500 villages are deprived of education, but efforts are underway to resolve this issue and create learning opportunities for children.”

Meanwhile, residents of Zabul are calling on the caretaker government to provide access to both modern and religious education for children in remote areas.

Barat Khan, a resident of Zabul, said: “Educational opportunities must be made available to children in Zabul. Schools should be built, and attention must be given to remote areas because the need is great, and families cannot afford to leave their children uneducated.”

Abdul Haleem, another resident, added: “We ask the Islamic Emirate to provide both modern and religious education in the center and districts of Zabul. Many children here are deprived of school, and this is a serious problem.”

According to Zabul’s Department of Education, since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, several schools have been renovated and some new teachers have been hired in the province.

Zabul’s Children Deprived of Schooling Due to Lack of Teachers
read more

Deported Afghans Call on Government to Recover Their Property from Iran

They are calling on the caretaker government to take action to retrieve their property and assets from Iran.

Many Afghans deported from Iran say their possessions remain in that country.

According to them, hundreds of millions of Iranian tomans and household belongings were left behind, and Iranian landlords are not responding to Afghan migrants.

They are calling on the caretaker government to take action to retrieve their property and assets from Iran.

Esmatullah, one of the deportees, said: “A family worked hard for ten years, paying between 500 to 700 million tomans in rent to Iranian landlords. But when they try to contact the landlord, he doesn’t answer, and no government body responds to Afghan migrants either.”

Fardin, another deportee, said: “We left behind the life we built with hard work and returned to our country. We couldn’t reclaim our rent money. The landlord said he would send it, but we don’t know whether he actually will.”

Amir Mohammad, who was deported along with five members of his family, says that 280 million tomans and all of their household belongings were left behind in Iran, and the landlord has given no response.

Speaking to TOLOnews, he said: “I did everything I could, but he said he didn’t have the rent money. I told him, ‘You took 280 million tomans from me in just two days,’ but now six months have passed, and he hasn’t returned even fifty million. He’s just being forceful. In the end, despite having census cards and passports, we were deported.”

Some migrant rights activists view this as a serious injustice and are calling for the repatriation of Afghan migrants’ assets from Iran.

Sayed Ashraf Sadat, a migrant rights activist, said: “When an Afghan migrant in Iran has a rented home, bank deposits, or other transactions, they can’t resolve them and are cruelly deported. I hope a mechanism is created so these migrants can access justice and settle their financial matters before returning to Afghanistan.”

Many Afghan migrants have lived in Iran for decades. According to them, all their belongings have remained with landlords in Iran, while they returned home empty-handed.

Deported Afghans Call on Government to Recover Their Property from Iran
read more

Afghanistan Emerges as a New Frontier for Adventure Tourism: A Blend of Promise and Challenges

TTW

Travel and Tour World

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Afghanistan has in recent decades emerged as a rising center for adventure tourism. Despite the volatility that has long plagued the country, its diverse sceneries, cultural diversity, and history have started to attract travelers, most prominently those looking to have a singular experience that is far from mainstream. In late 2021, the Taliban announced their plans to develop tourism as a potential route to economic recovery. As part of this effort was its issuance of foreign nationals’ visas, which was suggestive of a desire to have the country open to foreign tourists.

Afghanistan’s sheer number of hills and mountains with ancient landmarks and historical sites, such as the Buddhas of Bamiyan, to date one of the world’s largest and most worshiped ancient statues, have a pull that’s impossible to resist for adventure travelers. The country also has some remarkable trekking tracks, among them the notorious Wakhan Corridor, which draws trekkers, mountain climbers, and explorers from all corners of the world. The country’s natural landscape with virgin valleys and lofty peaks and breathtaking scenery has much to offer for adventure tourism in its most unadulterated form.

Political Climate and Its Impact on Tourism

The political situation in Afghanistan remains volatile, and security concerns continue to affect the country’s tourism potential. Terrorist attacks, including those that have occurred in major cities like Bamiyan, have further complicated the scenario for would-be visitors. Despite the Taliban’s assurances that they will provide a safe environment for tourists, the unpredictable security situation remains a primary challenge.

Travel advisories from many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and others, warn against non-essential travel to Afghanistan, citing risks posed by terrorist groups and armed conflict. The security apparatus in the country is still in a state of flux, making it difficult for travelers to assess the level of risk before planning their trips. As a result, the country’s tourism sector remains a mixed proposition for many potential visitors.

Restrictions and the Taliban’s Impact on Women’s Rights

While Afghanistan’s natural beauty and adventure potential continue to attract interest, there are serious concerns regarding human rights, particularly the rights of women. Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, the rights of women have been severely restricted. These restrictions have had a profound impact on tourism, as many countries and tourists are concerned about the treatment of women in the country.

Tourist activities such as guided tours, cultural experiences, and visits to historical sites, which typically require interaction with local communities, may face limitations for female travelers. Moreover, many countries have expressed concerns about the safety of women traveling in Afghanistan, further complicating the tourism industry. Many female travelers and tour operators are hesitant to engage with Afghanistan as a travel destination due to the prevailing restrictions on women’s freedoms under the Taliban’s rule.

International Reactions and the Potential for Development

Despite these significant challenges, Afghanistan’s tourism sector is not being ignored by the international community. Countries like Russia and China have shown interest in dialogue with the Taliban regime, and there are discussions surrounding the lifting of certain travel restrictions to allow foreign nationals to explore the country.

China, in particular, has expressed interest in investing in Afghanistan’s infrastructure, including its tourism sector. The potential for Afghanistan to develop into a significant tourist destination could boost the local economy and create new opportunities for Afghan citizens. While the path forward is uncertain, these talks suggest that Afghanistan’s tourism sector may gradually grow, particularly with the involvement of foreign investment and international cooperation.

Opportunities and the Future of Afghanistan Tourism

As Afghanistan works to attract tourists, it is becoming clear that adventure tourism is at the forefront of this new era. The country offers a unique, authentic experience that few other destinations can match. For those willing to navigate the complexities of travel to Afghanistan, the opportunity to explore some of the world’s most remote and stunning landscapes remains a draw.

Afghanistan has the potential to position itself as a unique adventure destination, offering everything from trekking through the Himalayas to exploring ancient Silk Road cities. The government, under the Taliban, has shown a willingness to develop the infrastructure necessary to support tourism, including improving roadways and offering accommodations to international visitors.

However, the future of Afghanistan’s tourism industry is still very much in question. Security risks, restrictions on human rights, and ongoing political instability all play a role in determining whether Afghanistan can become a truly viable destination for mainstream tourists.

What Travelers Need to Know

For those considering traveling to Afghanistan, it is essential to be aware of the risks involved. Comprehensive travel insurance, along with up-to-date information on the political and security situation, is a must. Travelers are advised to stay informed through government travel advisories, local embassies, and reliable news sources.

Given the unpredictable nature of the security situation, tourists are encouraged to take extreme caution when planning their trips to Afghanistan. Those who decide to travel should also be mindful of the cultural sensitivities and legal frameworks that are in place, particularly regarding women’s rights and dress codes.

Despite the challenges, Afghanistan remains an alluring prospect for adventure travelers who seek to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. For those who are willing to embrace the uncertainties, Afghanistan offers an unforgettable, authentic experience in one of the most historic and culturally rich regions of the world.

Conclusion

Afghanistan’s growing popularity as an adventure vacation destination both reflects its great potential and the great roadblocks in its future. As the country gradually opens its doors to tourists, the political turbulence, security concerns, and restrictions on freedoms for women still remain major roadblocks. The future of Afghanistan’s tourism industry remains in limbo at present, yet with guarded hope and international cooperation, someday in the long future it could fulfill its promise as a unique and memorable vacation destination for the adventure-oriented.

References: Afghan Ministry of Tourism, United Nations Security Council Reports, United States Department of State Travel Advisory 2025

Afghanistan Emerges as a New Frontier for Adventure Tourism: A Blend of Promise and Challenges
read more

Iran tells millions of Afghans to leave or face arrest on day of deadline

Al Jazeera
6 Jul 2025

Afghans given Sunday deadline amid concerns over security after conflict with Israel, but humanitarian groups warn that mass deportations could further destabilise Afghanistan.

Millions of Afghan migrants and refugees in Iran have been asked to leave or face arrest as a deadline set by the government comes to an end.

Sunday’s target date neared amid public concerns over security in the aftermath of the 12-day conflict with Israel, which the United States joined with air strikes on Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities.

But humanitarian organisations warned that mass deportations could further destabilise Afghanistan, one of the world’s most impoverished nations. Iran is home to an estimated 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees, and many have lived there for decades.

In 2023, Tehran launched a campaign to expel foreigners it said were living in the country “illegally”. In March, the Iranian government ordered that Afghans without the right to remain should leave voluntarily by Sunday or face expulsion.

Since then, more than 700,000 Afghans have left, and hundreds of thousands of others face expulsion. More than 230,000 departed in June alone, the United Nations International Organization for Migration said.

The government has denied targeting Afghans, who have fled their homeland to escape war, poverty and Taliban rule.

Batoul Akbari, a restaurant owner, told Al Jazeera that Afghans living in Tehran were hurt by “anti-Afghan sentiment”, adding that it was heartbreaking to see “people sent away from the only home they have ever known”.

“Being born in Iran gives us the feeling of having two homelands,” Akbari said. “Our parents are from Afghanistan, but this is what we’ve always known as home.”

Mohammad Nasim Mazaheri, a student whose family had to leave Iran, agreed: “The deportations have torn families apart.”

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that Iran deported more than 30,000 Afghans on average each day during the war with Israel, up from about 2,000 earlier.

“We have always striven to be good hosts, but national security is a priority, and naturally, illegal nationals must return,” Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Tuesday.

Late last month, the UNHCR said, of the 1.2 million returning Afghans, more than half had come from Iran after its government set its deadline on March 20.

“They are coming in buses, and sometimes, five buses arrive at one time with families and others, and the people are let out of the bus, and they are simply bewildered, disoriented and tired and hungry as well,” Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR representative in Afghanistan said as he described the scene at a border crossing.

“This has been exacerbated by the war, but I must say it has been part of an underlying trend that we have seen of returns from Iran, some of which are voluntary, but a large portion were also deportations.”

Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, reporting from Tehran, said Afghans have increasingly been blamed for economic hardships, shortages and social issues in Iran.

“These accusations have been fuelled by political rhetoric and social media campaigns following 12 days of conflict between Iran and Israel and claims that Israel has recruited Afghans as spies,” he said.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
Iran tells millions of Afghans to leave or face arrest on day of deadline
read more

Mujahid: U.S. Expected to Recognize Islamic Emirate Like Russia

Mujahid urged Washington to follow Moscow’s lead and initiate formal engagement with Kabul.

Following Russia’s recognition of Afghanistan’s interim government, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, called the move “a major and constructive step,” stating that this development could open a new chapter in Afghanistan’s diplomatic relations with the world.

In an interview with TOLOnews, he added that the Islamic Emirate has consistently worked since the beginning of its rule to remove legal and diplomatic obstacles to international recognition. He emphasized that Russia’s decision is the outcome of continuous dialogue and consultations by Afghanistan’s diplomatic apparatus, which has now entered a new phase.

Mujahid said: “We had expectations from many countries to take such an initiative and lead the way, but Russia, by taking this step, has acted commendably. Afghanistan’s diplomatic institutions have persistently strived to engage and persuade countries through ongoing outreach and effort.”

In another part of his remarks, the spokesperson highlighted Russia’s regional importance, calling it a key player in ensuring stability and economic prosperity. He stated that formal diplomatic relations could pave the way for Afghanistan’s participation in global summits and decision-making processes.

Referring to the reality of a multipolar world, he stressed that not all countries should wait for the United States to decide. Mujahid urged Washington to follow Moscow’s lead and initiate formal engagement with Kabul.

He added: “We expect the U.S. not to be an obstacle but to lead the way to act boldly like Russia. Countries that had political hesitation should now realize that this path is simple and must be pursued. They should align with Afghanistan.”

Elsewhere in his comments, Mujahid criticized certain Afghan figures abroad who have opposed the recognition of the Islamic Emirate, labeling them as “enemies of Afghanistan’s progress.” He claimed that such individuals even condemn positive developments like the construction of roads or major infrastructure projects.

He said: “Unfortunately, there are figures who condemn any progress in Afghanistan even if a road is built or a major project is inaugurated, they portray it negatively and oppose it.”

Mujahid concluded by stating that the Islamic Emirate seeks friendly relations with all countries and aims to serve as a connection point between the region and the world. According to him, the time has come for other nations especially Islamic and regional countries to “move beyond doubt” and take clear positions regarding Kabul.

Mujahid: U.S. Expected to Recognize Islamic Emirate Like Russia
read more

‘End is near’: Will Kabul become first big city without water by 2030?

By Ruchi Kumar

Al Jazeera
5 Jul 2025

The city of six million people could soon run out water, amid climate change, sanctions and governance failures, say experts.

Kabul, a city of over six million people, could become the first modern city to run out of water in the next five years, a new report has warned.

Groundwater levels in the Afghan capital have dropped drastically due to over-extraction and the effects of climate change, according to a report published by nonprofit Mercy Corps.

So, is Kabul’s water crisis at a tipping point and do Afghan authorities have the resources and expertise to address the issue?

The depth of the crisis

Kabul’s aquifer levels have plummeted 25-30 metres (82 – 98 feet) in the past decade, with extraction of water exceeding natural recharge by a staggering 44 million cubic metres (1,553cu feet) a year, the report, published in April this year, noted.

If the current trend continues, Kabul’s aquifers will become dry by 2030, posing an existential threat to the Afghan capital, according to the report. This could cause the displacement of some three million Afghan residents, it said.

The report said UNICEF projected that nearly half of Kabul’s underground bore wells, the primary source of drinking water for residents, are already dry.

It also highlights widespread water contamination: Up to 80 percent of groundwater is believed to be unsafe, with high levels of sewage, arsenic and salinity.

Conflict, climate change and government failures
Experts point to a combination of factors behind the crisis: climate change, governance failures and increasing pressures on existing resources as the city’s population has expanded from less than one million in 2001 to roughly six million people today.

Two decades of US-led military intervention in Afghanistan also played a role in the crisis, as it forced more people to move to Kabul while governance in the rest of the country suffered.

“The prediction is based on the growing gap between groundwater recharge and annual water extraction. These trends have been consistently observed over recent years, making the forecast credible,” said Assem Mayar, water resource management expert and former lecturer at Kabul Polytechnic University.

“It reflects a worst-case scenario that could materialise by 2030 if no effective interventions are made,” he added.

Najibullah Sadid, senior researcher and a member of the Afghanistan Water and Environment Professionals Network, said it was impossible to put a timeline on when the capital city would run dry. But he conceded that Kabul’s water problems are grave.

“Nobody can claim when the last well will run dry, but what we know is that as the groundwater levels further drop, the capacity of deep aquifers become less – imagine the groundwater as a bowl with depleting water,” he said.

“We know the end is near,” he said.

Over-extraction highlights divides

A vast portion of the Afghan capital relies on underground borewells, and as water levels drop, people dig deeper or in different locations looking for sources of water.

According to an August 2024 report by the National Statistics Directorate, there are approximately 310,000 drilled wells across the country. According to the Mercy Corps report, it is estimated that there are also nearly 120,000 unregulated bore wells across Kabul.

A 2023 UN report found that nearly 49 percent of borewells in Kabul are dry, while others are functioning at only 60 percent efficiency.

The water crisis, Mayar said, exposes the divide between the city’s rich and poor. “Wealthier residents can afford to drill deeper boreholes, further limiting access for the poorest,” he said. “The crisis affects the poorest first.”

The signs of this divide are evident in longer lines outside public water taps or private water takers, says Abdulhadi Achakzai, director at the Environmental Protection Trainings and Development Organization (EPTDO), a Kabul-based climate protection NGO.

Poorer residents, often children, are forced to continually search for sources of water.

“Every evening, even late at night, when I am returning home from work, I see young children with small cans in their hands looking for water … they look hopeless, navigating life collecting water for their homes rather than studying or learning,” he said.

Additionally, Sadid said, Kabul’s already depleted water resources were being exploited by the “over 500 beverage and mineral water companies” operating in the capital city,” all of which are using Kabul’s groundwater”. Alokozay, a popular Afghan soft drinks company, alone extracts nearly one billion litres (256 million gallons) of water over a year — 2.5 million litres (660,000 gallons) a day — according to Sadid’s calculations.

Al Jazeera sent Alokozay questions about its water extraction on June 21, but has yet to receive a response.

Kabul, Sadid said, also had more than 400 hectares (9,884 acres) of green houses to grow vegetables, which suck up 4 billion litres (1.05 billion gallons) of water every year, according to his calculations. “The list [of entities using Kabul water] is long,” he said.

‘Repeated droughts, early snowmelt and reduced snowfall’

The water shortage is further compounded by climate change. Recent years have seen a significant reduction in precipitation across the country.

“The three rivers — Kabul river, Paghman river and Logar river—that replenish Kabul’s groundwater rely heavily on snow and glacier meltwater from the Hindu Kush mountains,” the Mercy Corps report noted. “However, between October 2023 to January 2024, Afghanistan only received only 45 to 60 percent of the average precipitation during the peak winter season compared to previous years.”

Mayar, the former lecturer at Kabul Polytechnic University, said that while it was difficult to quantify exactly how much of the crisis was caused by climate change, extreme weather events had only added to Kabul’s woes.

“Climate-related events such as repeated droughts, early snowmelts, and reduced snowfall have clearly diminished groundwater recharge opportunities,” he said.

Additionally, increased air temperature has led to greater evaporation, raising agricultural water consumption, said Sadid from the Afghanistan Water and Environment Professionals Network.

While several provinces have experienced water scarcity, particularly within agrarian communities, Kabul remains the worst affected due to its growing population.

Decades of conflict

Sadid argued Kabul’s crisis runs deeper than the impact of climate change, compounded by years of war, weak governance, and sanctions on the aid-dependent country.

Much of the funds channelled into the country were diverted to security for the first two decades of the century. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, funding has been used to tackle an escalating humanitarian crisis. Western sanctions have also significantly stymied development projects that could have helped Kabul better manage the current water crisis.

As a result, authorities have struggled with the maintenance of pipelines, canals and dams — including basic tasks like de-sedimentation.

“The crisis is already beyond the capacity of the current de facto authorities,” Mayar said, referring to the Taliban. “In well-managed cities, such impacts are mitigated through robust water governance and infrastructure. Kabul lacks such capacity, and the current authorities are unable to address the problem without external support,” he added.

As a result, environmental resilience projects have taken a backseat.

“Several planned initiatives, including projects for artificial groundwater recharge, were suspended following the Taliban takeover,” Mayar pointed out. “Sanctions continue to restrict organisations and donors from funding and implementing essential water-related projects in Afghanistan,” he said.

Sadid pointed out one example: An Awater supply project -funded by the German Development bank KfW, along with European agencies – could have supplied 44 billion litres (11 billion gallons) of water annually to parts of Kabul from Logar aquifers.

“But currently this project has been suspended,” he said, even though two-thirds of the initiative was already completed when the government of former President Ashraf Ghani collapsed in 2021.

Similarly, India and the Ghani government had signed an agreement in 2021 for the construction of the Shah-toot dam on the Kabul River. Once completed, the dam could supply water to large parts of Kabul, Sadid said, “but its fate is uncertain now.”

What can be done to address the water crisis?
Experts recommend the development of the city’s water infrastructure as the starting point to address the crisis.

“Artificial groundwater recharge and the development of basic water infrastructure around the city are urgently needed. Once these foundations are in place, a citywide water supply network can gradually be developed,” Mayar recommended.

Achakzai agreed that building infrastructure and its maintenance were key elements of any fix.

“Aside from introducing new pipelines to the city from nearby rivers, such as in Panjshir, there needs to be an effort to recharge underground aquifers with constructions of check dams and water reservoirs,” he said, adding that these structures will also facilitate rainwater harvesting and groundwater replenishment.

“[The] Afghan government needs to renew ageing water pipes and systems. Modernising infrastructure will improve efficiency and reduce water loss,” he added.

Yet all of that is made harder by Afghanistan’s global isolation and the sanctions regime it is under, Achakzai said.

“Sanctions restrict Afghanistan’s access to essential resources, technology, and funding needed for water infrastructure development and maintenance,” he said. This, in turn, reduces agricultural productivity, and increases hunger and economic hardship, forcing communities to migrate, he warned.

Source: Al Jazeera

‘End is near’: Will Kabul become first big city without water by 2030?
read more