Around 6.3 million Afghans have returned to the country since 2023, with approximately 60 percent reportedly forced to return, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said, warning of growing humanitarian challenges.

Arafat Jamal, UNHCR’s representative in Kabul, shared the figures in an interview with German publication MiGAZIN, published on Wednesday, October 28. He said widespread poverty, unemployment and declining international assistance had further worsened conditions in Afghanistan.

According to Jamal, returnees account for approximately 15 percent of Afghanistan’s population, with most arriving from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan.

He described accommodating such a large number of returnees as a major challenge, noting that even countries with substantial resources would struggle to absorb such a population within a short period.

Jamal also raised concerns over poverty, malnutrition and human rights conditions in Afghanistan, particularly restrictions imposed on women and girls.

He said many Afghans return with few belongings, as some are forced to sell their possessions to cover travel expenses from Iran and Pakistan.

The UN and its humanitarian partners provide financial assistance to returning families at border crossings to help them meet their immediate needs, Jamal said.

However, he stressed that returnees require continued, long-term support, particularly access to permanent shelter, employment opportunities and civil identity documents.

The rising number of returnees comes as Afghanistan continues to face economic difficulties and declining international humanitarian funding, placing additional pressure on already vulnerable communities.

Qatar has reaffirmed its support for international efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan during a meeting between its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, and UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo in New York.

According to reports, the meeting focused on the latest political and humanitarian developments in Afghanistan and ongoing international efforts to address the country’s challenges.

During the meeting, Sheikha Alya reiterated Qatar’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations and other international partners to support initiatives aimed at promoting stability in Afghanistan.

DiCarlo, meanwhile, briefed the Qatari diplomat on recent political and humanitarian developments in the country, drawing on insights from her recent visit to Kabul.

The meeting underscores Qatar’s continued diplomatic engagement with the United Nations on Afghanistan-related issues and its support for international efforts to promote stability in the country.

Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has captured a suspected member of the Daesh terrorist group operating in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and transferred him to Türkiye, Turkish security sources said.

According to a report by Daily Sabah, the suspect, identified as Uğur Bahadır, also known by the alias Abdullah, allegedly joined Daesh’s Khorasan branch (ISKP) in 2024 after travelling from Türkiye to the region.

The report said Bahadır received training at several terrorist camps and carried out various assignments for the group.

Following intelligence operations, MIT located and arrested him in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region before transferring him to Türkiye for questioning.

During interrogation, Bahadır reportedly provided information about Daesh’s recruitment networks, training programmes, operational activities and organizational structure in the region.

He also disclosed details of his links with other Daesh members, including Özgür Altun, known as Abu Yasir al-Turki, who was captured in early 2025 and allegedly facilitated the transfer of recruits from Türkiye to the region.

The report further said Bahadır had connections with Ahmet Kazancı, also known as Abu Ubeyde and Abu Ibrahim, who was captured in early 2026 and allegedly worked in the group’s media unit.

According to Turkish intelligence findings cited by Daily Sabah, the operation helped uncover Daesh’s recruitment networks and alleged plans to carry out attacks in Türkiye.