Afghanistan

Why Central Asia Must Rethink Its Approach to Afghanistan

Afghan - Pakistan tensions remain high after weekend clashes

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are showing no signs of waning after a weekend of clashes on the volatile Afghan border between the security forces of the two countries.

Afghan FM in India blames Pakistan groups for tensions

Afghanistan’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said that certain groups in Pakistan are working to harm relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

AnewZ Morning Brief - 12 October, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 12 October, covering the latest developments you need to know.

Pakistan closes border with Afghanistan following exchanges of fire

Dozens of fighters were killed in overnight border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, both sides said on 12 October, in the most serious fighting between the neighbours since the Taliban came to power in Kabul.

Kabul rocked by explosion during air strikes reportedly targeting TTP Chief

Kabul was rocked by a powerful explosion late Thursday night, with multiple witnesses reporting the sound of fighter jets flying over the city’s airspace.

Explosions and gunfire reported in Kabul, cause under investigation

Several explosions and bursts of gunfire were reported in Kabul late Thursday, according to local media and residents, with the cause and possible casualties still unclear.

Social media access restricted in Afghanistan after nationwide blackout

New restrictions have been reported on some social media platforms in Afghanistan, barely a week after a two-day nationwide blackout disrupted internet and telecommunications services in the country.

Moscow, India, others rally behind Afghanistan amidst Bagram airbase tussle

The 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan has concluded in Russia with participants issuing a joint statement heavily hinting at a joint opposition to any foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan.

Iran says 1 million Afghans repatriated, slams feeble international support

Iran says one million undocumented Afghan refugees have returned to their country with the majority of them voluntarily in the last six and half months criticising the international donors for their less-than-savoury contribution to the refugee programmes.

Taliban says Bagram air base ‘will not be handed over to anyone’

The Taliban have once again reiterated their stance on the Bagram air base, stating that no one will be allowed to take control of it.

Afghan and Turkish top officials meet in Kabul, set to boost trade and investment

Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nuruddin Azizi, met with Turkish envoy, Ambassador Cenk Ünal in Kabul on Sunday 5th October to discuss matters of mutual economic importance.

Internet and cell phone services resume in Afghanistan​

Cell phone and internet services were restored in Afghanistan on Wednesday, local residents said - around 48 hours after diplomatic and industry sources said connectivity was abruptly cut on the orders of the Taliban administration.

Hundreds of trucks stranded at Iran’s border after Afghanistan’s Internet blackout

Local customs authorities at Iran’s Dogharoun crossing bordering Afghanistan said hundreds of the Iranian and Afghan drivers and their trucks are held up at the border point and are unable to exit because of the Internet blackout across Afghanistan.

Internet and cell phone resume in Afghanistan​

Cell phone and internet services were restored in Afghanistan on Wednesday, local residents said, some 48 hours after diplomatic and industry sources said connectivity was abruptly cut on the orders of the Taliban administration.

Afghans in Europe cut off from families with internet and mobile services down

Afghans living in Europe said on Tuesday they were nervous with no news from their families after internet and mobile phone services were cut by the Taliban in Afghanistan, according to diplomatic and industry sources.

Afghanistan faces nationwide blackout, internet and phone networks shutdown

Internet and phone networks across Afghanistan have been shut down since Monday evening, leaving millions of people disconnected from each other and from the rest of the world

Afghanistan's cellphone, internet services down, monitoring shows

Afghanistan's internet and mobile telephone services were down nationwide on Tuesday, residents and monitoring services said, but the Taliban administration offered no immediate explanation.

U.S. citizen freed from Taliban custody after Qatar mediation

A U.S. citizen has been released from Kabul after a senior U.S. delegation led by Adam Boehler, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, met with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.

Taliban releases U.S. citizen after visit by envoy

Afghanistan's ruling Taliban released another U.S. citizen from custody on Sunday after a visit by Washington's hostage envoy Adam Boehler, the U.S. government said.

Taliban releases U.S. citizen after months in Afghan detention

The Taliban announced today the release of U.S. citizen Amir Amiri, who had been held in Afghanistan since December 2024. His freedom came after diplomatic negotiations involving U.S. envoy Adam Boehler and mediation by Qatar.

Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran hold quadrilateral meeting on Afghanistan

The foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran held a quadrilateral meeting on the side-lines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. This meeting was held at the invitation of the Russian Federation.

OIC Contact Group holds first meeting on Afghanistan at UNGA 80

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) first Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan was held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The meeting took place in New York during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

Kabul risks 'running dry’ as groundwater plunges and tanker trade grows

Kabul’s groundwater is falling to record lows, pushing many residents to buy drinking water from mobile tankers, according to the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW).