Afghanistan has received its first direct shipment from China via rail, facilitated by trade efforts with China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, marking a milestone in regional economic connectivity.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan announced that, as a result of efforts and visits by Nooruddin Azizi, acting minister of the ministry, to China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, and the expansion of trade relations with these countries, Afghanistan has received its first imported shipment via rail from China.
The ministry stated in a press release on Saturday, November 23 that this large shipment, loaded into 55 containers in China, was transported through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and arrived in Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province, this afternoon.
According to the press release, a ceremony was held in Balkh province to mark the occasion, attended by the acting minister of industry and commerce and his team, the deputy governor of Balkh province, the head of the Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Investment, and other officials.
The shipment took approximately 22 days to travel from its origin to Afghanistan. It is planned that on the return journey, the rail line will transport Afghanistan’s export goods to targeted countries.
This milestone represents a significant achievement in Afghanistan’s trade relations, strengthening its economic ties with neighboring and regional countries. Enhanced connectivity through rail will further facilitate trade flow and contribute to regional integration.
By establishing efficient transport links like this, Afghanistan can potentially boost its export capacity, expand its trade network, and gain access to larger markets in the region, thus fostering economic growth and stability in the country.
on the other hand, the long-term success of this regional economic connectivity depends heavily on ensuring stability and security within Afghanistan and across the region. A secure environment is crucial for maintaining trade routes, attracting further investment, and realizing the full potential of these economic partnerships.
Afghanistan receives First Direct Shipment from China
The US general who was photographed as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan is seeing a promotion blocked by a sole Republican senator, multiple outlets reported.
The move comes amid Markwayne Mullin stalls promotion of Lt Gen Christopher Donahue, photographed as last US soldier to leaveseparate reports that the incoming Trump administration is considering courts martial, for offenses including treason, for officers involved in the evacuation.
Trump’s Pentagon pick Hegseth wrote of US military taking sides in ‘civil war’
The US general who was photographed as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan is seeing a promotion blocked by a sole Republican senator, multiple outlets reported.
The senator reportedly placing a “hold” on Donahue’s promotion, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, did not comment. Citing a Senate aide, Military.com said Donald Trump’s transition team requested the move.
A Pentagon spokesperson said: “Lt Gen Donahue is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point and has served his country for more than 30 years.
00:04
03:36
Read More
“His appointment comes at an extremely critical time in the European region. We urge the Senate to confirm all of our highly qualified nominees. Holds on our nominees undermine our military readiness.”
The US withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, just short of 20 years after invading in response to the 9/11 terror attacks. The withdrawal proved costly: a US drone strike killed 10 Afghan civilians, seven of them children, while a suicide bomb at Kabul airport killed 13 Americans and more than 170 Afghans.
At the very end of the operation, Donahue was seen in a picture taken through a night-vision device, boarding the last plane out. Then commanding the 82nd Airborne Division, he was a much-decorated two-star general. The promotion now held up in Washington would give him a fourth star, the highest rank in the peacetime army.
Mullin, 47, is a former plumber and cage fighter who entered Congress in 2013 and won a Senate seat in 2022. Famously pugnacious, in September 2021 he stirred controversy by trying to enter Afghanistan on a private mission to rescue US citizens and Afghans who worked with the US, as Taliban forces advanced.
“I’m not Rambo,” Mullin was moved to say. “Never pretended to be Rambo … I’m the low man on the totem pole. And I understood that.”
He added: “Have we been helping get Americans out of Afghanistan? Yes … Am I extremely disappointed in how we [the US] left Americans behind? … That would be an understatement.”
Trump set the US evacuation in motion. In February 2020, his administration and the Taliban agreed that US forces would leave by 1 May the following year. After losing the 2020 election to Biden, Trump ordered the rapid withdrawal of all troops but was blocked by senior officials. Instead, the US began to swiftly reduce its presence.
In April 2021, Biden announced that all US troops would leave Afghanistan by 11 September that year, the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Citing Trump’s agreement with the Taliban, he said: “We will not conduct a hasty rush to the exit. We’ll do it responsibly, deliberately, and safely.”
Trump initially sought credit for starting “the move out of Afghanistan” but changed his tune after the evacuation proved chaotic. At home, amid controversy over the Kabul airport bombing and Biden’s interactions with grieving families, the withdrawal became a political football.
Though a US Central Command review found the bombing was unpreventable, Trump this year used the third anniversary of the attack to claim he would have overseen a withdrawal “with dignity and strength”. He also accused Biden and Kamala Harris, the vice-president who became Trump’s rival for the White House, of overseeing “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country” and causing “the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world”.
Pete Hegseth, the military veteran and Fox News host Trump has nominated for secretary of defense, has called the Afghanistan withdrawal a “humiliating retreat” and accused the generals who oversaw it of lying, mismanagement, violating their oaths and “disgrac[ing] our troops and our nation”.
News of Mullin’s block on promotion for Lt Gen Donahue caused a stir in Washington, particularly given a recent NBC report which said Trump transition staff were making “very serious” moves towards “creating a commission to investigate” the withdrawal.
Such moves, NBC said, included “gathering information about who was directly involved in the decision-making for the military, how it was carried out and whether the military leaders could be eligible for charges as serious as treason”.
That echoed comments before the election by Mark Milley, the retired army general who was Trump’s last chair of the joint chiefs of staff. As reported by the author Bob Woodward, Milley fears that with Trump back in power, retired senior military figures could be called back into uniform, in order to be court-martialed.
Republican blocks promotion of general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal
The Russian official also stressed that it is still too early for Moscow to take an official stance on recognizing the Islamic Emirate.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told TASS news agency that Moscow does not intend to obstruct the process of removing the “Taliban” from Russia’s list of “terrorist organizations.”
Rudenko emphasized that completing the legal procedures for this process could provide new motivation for positive interaction between Russia and Afghanistan, particularly in the economic sector.
He stated: “Completion of legal procedures of removing the terrorist organization’s status from the Taliban Movement will attribute a positive impetus to Russian-Afghan interaction in various spheres.”
The Russian official also stressed that it is still too early for Moscow to take an official stance on recognizing the Islamic Emirate.
“As regards the issue of the official recognition of current Afghan authorities, it is early to talk about it thus far. Let’s act gradually, step by step, but we do not intend to artificially impede the processes,” Rudenko noted.
The Deputy Foreign Minister added that Russia is taking practical steps to establish engagement with Afghanistan’s interim government on mutual and shared interests.
Relations between Russia and Afghanistan have moved towards cautious interaction since the Islamic Emirate regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Although the Islamic Emirate is on Russia’s list of “terrorist organizations,” diplomatic and economic engagements with Kabul have begun.
Russia Signals Openness to Removing ‘Taliban’ from Terrorist List
Hamid Karzai condemned the attack as a terrorist and inhumane act, expressing condolences to the families of the victims.
The shooting of worshippers in Nahrin District of Baghlan Province has elicited both domestic and international reactions.
Former President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack as a terrorist and inhumane act, expressing condolences to the families of the victims.
A statement from Karzai’s office read: “Former President Hamid Karzai considers the attack on a group of worshippers in Nahrin District of Baghlan Province a terrorist act and a crime against humanity and strongly condemns it. The former president, while extending his condolences and sympathies to the grieving families, prays for paradise for the martyrs and a swift recovery for the injured.”
Samim Shamsi, a political affairs analyst, commented on the targeting of civilians, stating: “Any attack on civilians, especially in sacred places like mosques, is against Islamic and human principles. All such attacks must be prevented.”
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights have also condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation.
UNAMA stated on X: “UNAMA condemns Thursday’s armed attack against a Sufi place of worship in Baghlan province, northern Afghanistan in which at least 10 people were killed. UNAMA urges de facto authorities fully investigate the incident, prevent future attacks & ensure communities are protected.”
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, said: “Religious minorities remain under grave threat. All Afghans have the right to worship in peace. More prevention, protection & justice needed.”
Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, stated after the attack: “Investigations are ongoing to identify and punish those responsible. The Islamic Emirate condemns this incident and considers it an unforgivable act. This was the work of extremist groups for whom the spilling of a Muslim’s blood is commonplace.”
In the attack by unidentified assailants on worshippers in Nahrin District of Baghlan Province, ten people were killed. The Islamic Emirate also announced that several individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.
No individual or group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Attack on Baghlan Worshippers Spark Domestic, Int’l Reactions
Previously, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations reported that over 100,000 Afghan migrants had returned to the country in the past month.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated in a recent report that the return rate of Afghans to Afghanistan decreased by 3% in the past week compared to the previous week.
According to the report, 76,558 people entered Afghanistan in the past week, while over 53,000 people left Afghanistan for other countries during the same period, showing an 8% decrease.
The IOM added, ” Both inflows and outflows decreased slightly compared to last week. The total number of inflows was 76,558 this week, representing a three percent decrease, while the total number of outflows was 53,056 movements, representing an eight percent decrease.”
Meanwhile, some activists in the field of migrant rights emphasize enhancing security, improving economic conditions, and signing agreements with neighboring countries to manage the migration crisis in Afghanistan.
Ali Reza Karimi, a migrant rights activist, told TOLOnews, “To better control the situation in Afghanistan, the migration crisis must be managed through economic improvement, strengthening security, and establishing international agreements and diplomacy with neighboring countries. This can impact stability in the region.”
Mohammad Khan Mohammadzai, another migrant rights activist, stated: “The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs must work to establish infrastructure within the country to reduce migration to other countries.”
Previously, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations reported that over 100,000 Afghan migrants had returned to the country in the past month. Over the past year, Pakistan and Iran have accelerated the expulsion of Afghan migrants.
According to the UNHCR, the expulsion of Afghan migrants from Iran has increased by 18% compared to the previous year.
The Taliban’s police command in Baghlan has confirmed that at least 10 people were killed in an armed attack on the “Sayed Padshah Agha” shrine in Nahrin district of Baghlan province.
The statement mentioned that several suspects have been arrested, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The Taliban police in Baghlan described the incident as a “mysterious” attack in a statement released on Friday, November 22.
According to the statement, the victims worked during the day and gathered at the shrine at night for worship.
Early Friday morning report indicated that armed individuals targeted a group of Sufi practitioners in a shrine in Nahrin district, opening fire on them.
The victims of this attack were followers of Sufism and praying during the Friday night in the Shrine.
This tragic incident underscores the persistent threat faced by religious minorities and spiritual communities in Afghanistan. The attack has raised concerns about the Taliban’s ability to ensure security in areas under their control and protect vulnerable groups from targeted violence.
International organizations and human rights groups have called for an impartial investigation into the attack and urged the authorities to take concrete steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Taliban arrests several suspects in Baghlan Shrine attack
The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights described the awards given to Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, and Nila Ebrahimi, an education activist, as inspiring. Richard Bennett called their efforts “strong and unwavering.”
On Friday, November 22, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, wrote on his X account that the work of these two women in the face of “gender oppression in Afghanistan” is inspirational. He stated that their struggles deserve recognition in international communities.
Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, and Manuchehr Khaliqnazarov, a human rights lawyer in Tajikistan, jointly received the Martin Ennals Human Rights Award on Tuesday, November 21.
The Ennals Foundation stated that these two human rights defenders have “paid a heavy price for justice and equality in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.”
On the same day, the Children’s Rights Foundation awarded the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize to Nila Ebrahimi, a 17-year-old Afghan girl, in recognition of her “advocacy for Afghan girls’ rights.”
Nila was selected from 165 nominees from 47 countries. This award has previously been given to notable figures such as environmental activist Greta Thunberg and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.
The recognition of Julia Parsi and Nila Ebrahimi highlights the critical role of Afghan women and youth in advocating for human rights despite facing significant challenges.
Their achievements send a powerful message of resilience and hope to those enduring oppression.
These awards underscore the importance of continued international support for individuals fighting for equality and justice in regions affected by conflict and gender-based discrimination. Such recognition not only empowers activists but also keeps global attention focused on the plight of marginalized communities.
UN Chief: Awards to Julia Parsi and Nila Ebrahimi inspire girls in Afghanistan
In the same meeting, Matiul Haq Khalis, NEPA head, also requested technical and financial cooperation for Afghanistan.
Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of the Islamic Emirate delegation at the COP 29 summit, held meetings on the sidelines with representatives from the United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the UK Foreign Office, and delegations from Bangladesh and Qatar.
According to the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), the Islamic Emirate delegation emphasized during the meeting with the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network that Afghanistan needs to identify and adopt climate-resilient technologies.
In the same meeting, Matiul Haq Khalis, NEPA head, also requested technical and financial cooperation for Afghanistan.
He discussed the suspended projects of the Green Climate Fund in Afghanistan with its representatives, urging them to restart work on the halted projects.
Discussions with the UK Foreign Office focused on restarting environmental projects, addressing the adverse effects of climate change, and ensuring the depoliticization of aid in this field.
The delegation also met with officials from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and urged them to approve Afghanistan’s proposed projects related to climate change.
The National Environmental Protection Agency stated in a press release: “During this meeting, discussions were held about Afghanistan’s proposed and ongoing environmental projects, and the officials of the Global Environment Facility were requested to approve Afghanistan’s proposals.”
According to the ministry’s press release, on November 20, Matiul Haq Khalis met with Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Qatar’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and sought technical cooperation and capacity-building programs in the field of environmental protection.
Qatar’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change stated in the meeting that Qatar plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% as part of its 2025–2030 agenda.
The Islamic Emirate delegation emphasized regional cooperation under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network in their meeting with the Bangladesh delegation.
Afghanistan is among the countries that do not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions but has suffered the most from their effects.
The annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) began on November 11 this year in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, with representatives from 198 member countries, some heads of state, representatives of the private sector, multilateral and bilateral financial institutions, civil society organizations, and the media in attendance. The conference is set to conclude today.
Islamic Emirate Seeks Climate Cooperation at COP 29
Local sources reported the number of deaths as eleven, but Baghlan’s security command said in a statement that the number is ten.
Eleven people were killed in a nighttime shooting by unidentified individuals in the Nahrin district of Baghlan province.
According to reports, these individuals were killed while performing prayers in a mosque in the Shahr-e-Kohna area of the district. Local sources reported the number of deaths as eleven, but Baghlan’s security command said in a statement that the number is ten.
The Baghlan security command also mentioned that security forces have arrested several suspects in connection with the incident, and an investigation is underway.
Sher Ahmad Burhani, the spokesperson for the Baghlan security command, stated: “Last night, unidentified individuals attacked a mosque in Shahr-e-Kohna of Nahrin district in Baghlan province. In this mysterious attack, ten residents of Nahrin, who were engaged in worship at the mosque, were martyred. It should be noted that these individuals spent their days working to earn a livelihood and came to the mosque and khanqah for worship at night when they were attacked.”
Meanwhile, several residents of Baghlan are urging the Islamic Emirate’s forces to make efforts to ensure citizens’ security and bring the perpetrators of this incident to justice.
“Innocent people were martyred last night in Nahrin by unidentified individuals. We call on the leadership of the Islamic Emirate to hand over the perpetrators of this incident to the courts and the law,” said Zahidullah, a resident of Baghlan province.
So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
Nighttime Mosque Attack in Baghlan Leaves Eleven Dead
Nader YarAhmadi, head of the Center for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, stated that over 4,000 Afghan nationals with valid passports and visas enter Iran daily. He noted that more than 500,000 visas are issued annually to Afghans.
According to YarAhmadi, air travel capacity in Afghanistan is very limited, with only about 1% of Afghans entering Iran via air routes. Most rely on land crossings for their migration.
During a meeting with the governor of Kerman on Wednesday, November20, YarAhmadi attributed migration to “regional and natural crises” and estimated the number of Afghans in Iran to be nearly six million.
YarAhmadi criticized efforts by the UN and the UNHCR to grant legal status to anyone crossing borders, stating that the Islamic Republic does not accept such an approach. He also highlighted the high cost of obtaining passports in Afghanistan, claiming it contributes to nearly 20% of the country’s revenue.
The plight of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan has worsened amid forced deportations, harassment, and human rights violations. Refugees face discrimination, limited access to legal work opportunities, and poor living conditions, leaving many in a state of despair.
The dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan exacerbates their struggles, with severe food shortages, lack of basic services, and political instability forcing many to flee. However, as winter approaches, the challenges for displaced Afghans in neighboring countries are expected to escalate.
The international community must urgently address the dual crises of refugee rights violations and the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan. Enhanced support for refugees and diplomatic pressure on host countries to uphold human rights could provide relief and stability during these critical times.
4,000 Afghans enter Iran daily with Visas: Iranian Official
Afghanistan Peace Campaign
