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Taliban assures Afghans they will be free to travel after August 31
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, a leading member of the Taliban’s negotiating team, said Saturday that Afghans who possess legal documents, passports, and visas will be able to travel abroad after the foreign troops have left the country.
“I request my compatriots, sisters, and brothers that it is your legal right, as Afghans, to obtain passports from MoI (Ministry of Interior) and to travel to the country you want to go to; obtain visas and prepare your legal documents, and then you can travel via any border crossing in Afghanistan – both air and ground,” Stanikzai said.
“No one will prevent you from traveling,” he stated.
Stanikzai said: “We want you to travel abroad; for medical treatment, business, education, and other. We have no issues with that. But it should be in a dignified fashion that is appropriate to you as an Afghan and Muslim.”
This comes after an estimated 90 people were killed and over 150 wounded in Thursday’s twin explosions outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
The blasts took place in densely crowded areas around the airport – among the thousands of people who had been trying to get on evacuation flights.
Meanwhile, Stakenzai accused the United States of creating chaos regarding evacuation flights and said the Americans had not clarified which Afghans were entitled to leave with the last of the US troops.
He stated that Washington’s evacuation announcement had led to a misunderstanding “as a number of our people thought that anyone who can to the airport will be evacuated.”
Stanekzai noted that “general amnesty” has been announced for everyone.
“No one’s life is in danger. All Afghans are now living in peace in the country. No one’s life, property or honor is threatened.”
“Our Afghan sisters and brothers should refrain from rushing to the airport because the enemy is still waiting to ambush them. We advise you to be patient. All government ministries and institutions will formally resume their work as soon as a new government is announced and then you will be able to travel through official channels in a dignified fashion.”
He added that all border crossings will be open for travel once the international forces withdraw from the country, on August 31.
“Our people with documents, passports, and visas will be able to travel with confidence and assurance. The Islamic system will not stop anyone. I would like to tell you all – with confidence – that you can freely go abroad but with [the correct] documents.”
Stakenzai said that security forces are not letting “individuals who don’t possess documents to travel.”
“Let the foreign forces withdraw first, evacuate the country, and then following that, our compatriots – whether they have worked with the Americans or otherwise – may leave the country if they want to. All airports, particularly Kabul airport will be open for them to travel.”
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UNAMA reports civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan
UNAMA urged all parties to end hostilities, protect civilians, and uphold international law principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution to prevent further civilian harm.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed credible reports of civilian casualties following overnight Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan on 21–22 February.
Airstrikes in Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province, carried out between approximately 23:45 on 21 February and 00:15 on 22 February, have reportedly killed at least 13 civilians and injured seven others, including women and children.
Pakistani forces also struck Barmal and Urgun districts in Paktika province.
In Barmal’s Marghai area, an airstrike on 21 February around 23:15 hit a madrassa and partially damaged a nearby mosque.
In Urgun’s Dahna area, an airstrike at approximately 23:30 partially destroyed a vacant private residence. No civilian casualties have been reported from these strikes.
UNAMA urged all parties to end hostilities, protect civilians, and uphold international law principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution to prevent further civilian harm.
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Eight schoolchildren among those killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan
The Ministry of Education reported the tragic losses, highlighting the impact of strikes on civilians and students in the region.
Education Ministry spokesman Mansoor Ahmad Hamza also said that a student at a religious seminary was injured in Barmal district of Paktika province, another area affected by the Pakistani military attacks over the weekend.
Dozens of civilians have reportedly been killed or injured in the airstrikes, which Afghan authorities say targeted residential homes and community areas in both Nangarhar and Paktika provinces.
Local sources describe scenes of devastation, with families searching through rubble and emergency personnel rushing to rescue trapped individuals.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense condemned the strikes, saying they constitute a violation of Afghan sovereignty and have caused significant civilian harm.
Officials reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used for attacks against other countries and called for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.
The strikes come amid ongoing tensions along the disputed Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where security concerns and accusations of militancy have frequently strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad. Analysts note that repeated civilian casualties risk further inflaming regional tensions and complicating diplomatic efforts to reduce violence along the frontier.
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Russia estimates up to 23,000 terrorists present in Afghanistan
The Russian Foreign Ministry has estimated that around 20,000 to 23,000 fighters from various international terrorist groups are present in Afghanistan, contributing to ongoing security and political challenges in the country.
The ministry noted that over half of these fighters are foreign nationals.
Among the larger groups, Daesh is believed to number around 3,000, the Tehreek‑e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) 5,000–7,000, and al Qaeda 400–1,500.
Smaller groups reportedly include the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU/Turkestan Islamic Party), and Jamaat Ansarullah.
According to the ministry, Daesh remains the only group actively hostile toward the Afghan authorities, though it reportedly lacks the capacity to seize territory, focusing instead on undermining public confidence.
Afghan security efforts over the past 18 months are credited with significantly reducing attacks attributed to Daesh.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has consistently maintained that it will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country and continues to deny the presence of armed groups operating freely within the country.
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