The United Nations Security Council has renewed the Monitoring Team's mandate for another year. The Team supports the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee, keeping in place restrictions that target individuals and entities linked to the Taliban.
All 15 members of the Security Council voted in favour of the resolution.
However, Afghanistan’s authorities have criticised the move.
Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said extending sanctions is “a failed approach” and argued there was no need to “repeat such experiences”, calling on Western countries to reconsider their policies and engage in “constructive cooperation and interaction” with Afghanistan.
The UK mission to the United Nations said the vote sent a message to Kabul.
“Today the UN Security Council unanimously renewed the 1988 sanctions regime against the Taliban. The Taliban must take meaningful steps to adhere to their international obligations, including on counter terrorism and protecting the rights of women and girls,” it said on X.
Meanwhile, Russia, while backing the renewal, warned against expanding the monitoring team’s focus. In an explanation of vote, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva said, “At the same time, it is noteworthy that the text of the resolution is strikingly oversaturated with elements that are not directly related to the implementation of the 1988 Security Council sanctions regime.”
China said Afghan territory must not be used to support terrorism or threaten other countries, and urged the Afghan authorities to eliminate “terrorist forces” operating on their soil. It stressed the importance of counter-terrorism efforts and called for continued attention to security concerns in Afghanistan as the sanctions monitoring mandate was extended.
The 1988 list includes senior Afghan officials, among them Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The sanctions can restrict international travel and freeze any overseas assets under member states’ jurisdiction, while also limiting arms-related support - measures the Council says target individuals and entities deemed to threaten the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan.
Schools across Pakistan are being forced to close for a fortnight from next week with government departments down to a four-day week, accordin...
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their nati...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top ...
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leader...
Just under a year after being arrested and imprisoned at Silivri prison in the west of İstanbul, İmamoğlu appeared in good spirit...
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Schools across Pakistan are being forced to close for a fortnight from next week with government departments down to a four-day week, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a televised address to the nation.
Just under a year after being arrested and imprisoned at Silivri prison in the west of İstanbul, İmamoğlu appeared in good spirits when he arrived in court on Monday to face around 140 charges including leading a criminal organisation for profit and bribery.
Global oil prices reached a four year high on Monday (9 March), surpassing $119 a barrel, as conflict in the Middle East rumbled on. Meanwhile, the Turkish Military said NATO air defence systems destroyed a missile fired from Iran towards the country.
Kyrgyzstan recorded the largest increase in women’s representation in parliament worldwide in 2025, according to a new report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Türkiye’s official anti-disinformation agency has issued a statement refuting what it described as online “disinformation” and reiterating the strength of relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment