Afghanistan

A UK parliamentary inquiry by the Commons Defence Committee has found that a 2023 data breach exposing personal details of over 18,500 Afghan applicants to the UK's relocation scheme was a 'foreseeable systemic failure' by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The breach, caused by an MoD employee sharing an Excel spreadsheet with a third party, originated from UK Special Forces headquarters. The report criticized the MoD for lacking expertise, using secrecy as a 'shield' against accountability, and relying on inappropriate tools and weak procedures. An unprecedented super-injunction prevented media reporting for nearly two years, which the committee said undermined trust and accountability. The committee chairman stated the MoD should not have been tasked with running immigration casework. The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme, set up in 2021, was closed in July 2025.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 11:13 PM UTC

Germany has lifted restrictions on deportations to Afghanistan, expanding beyond criminals to include other Afghan nationals with enforceable departure orders. On July 28, 2026, 31 Afghans were deported from Leipzig/Halle to Kabul, including 30 convicted criminals and one non-criminal whose asylum claim failed. The deportations involve cooperation with the Taliban for identification and travel documents. Critics condemn the policy as legitimizing the Taliban regime and violating human rights, while Interior Minister Dobrindt defends it as necessary for security and enforcing asylum decisions.

8 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:28 PM UTC

Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor recipient who rejoined the Marine Reserve in 2025 after more than a decade as a civilian, has been appointed as a special assistant to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meyer, a sergeant in the Marine Reserve, was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2011 for rescuing 36 U.S. and Afghan troops during a 2009 ambush in Afghanistan. He reenlisted in the Marine Reserve last year, stating he had 'more to give,' and completed the 12-week Basic Reconnaissance Course in April 2025. In his new role, Meyer is classified as a special government employee while remaining in the Marine Reserve. He was sworn in by retired Army Sgt. Maj. Eric Geressy, senior advisor to Hegseth. Meyer expressed his commitment to serving service members, their families, and the American people. No specific responsibilities for his new role have been disclosed.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 04:24 PM UTC

Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor recipient who rejoined the Marine Reserve in 2025 after more than a decade as a civilian, has been appointed as a special assistant to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meyer, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing dozens of troops during a 2009 ambush in Afghanistan, is classified as a special government employee while remaining in the Marine Reserve. His specific duties in the new role were not immediately disclosed. Meyer reenlisted in the Marine Reserve last year, stating he had 'more to give,' and completed the Basic Reconnaissance Course in April 2025. He described Hegseth as a friend and expressed commitment to serving service members, their families, and the American people.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 04:24 PM UTC

On February 13, 2025, 25-year-old Afghan refugee Farhad N. drove a car into a Verdi union demonstration in Munich, killing a 37-year-old mother and her two-year-old daughter, and injuring 44 others. Prosecutors argued it was an Islamist terrorist act motivated by anger over Western actions in Gaza and Afghanistan. On August 6, 2026, the Munich Higher Regional Court sentenced him to life imprisonment with a finding of particularly severe guilt, making parole after 15 years highly unlikely.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 6, 02:36 PM UTC

Germany deported 31 Afghans to Afghanistan on a charter flight from Leipzig/Halle Airport, marking the first time an Afghan without a prior criminal record was included. The deportees were convicted of serious crimes including manslaughter, attempted murder, rape, and child sexual abuse. The one without a conviction was deported after his asylum procedure concluded and he illegally stayed in another European country. The deportation was enabled by a direct agreement with the ruling Taliban, which critics argue contradicts Germany's non-recognition of the Taliban due to human rights violations. Upon arrival in Kabul, deportees face Taliban interrogations and possible release after family assurances. Left-wing demonstrators protested the flight. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt defended the practice, stating those with negative asylum outcomes must expect enforcement of departure.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 01:22 PM UTC

A murder trial is underway in Hamburg, Germany, involving an 18-year-old Afghan man accused of causing a fatal crash while fleeing police. In late January 2026, the defendant allegedly drove a sports car under the influence of drugs and without a license. When police attempted a traffic stop, he accelerated and sped through the city, running red lights and endangering pedestrians. He lost control on Kennedy Bridge, colliding with an oncoming van. His 35-year-old passenger died from injuries, while the defendant was critically hurt and the van driver suffered minor injuries but PTSD. The defendant faces charges including murder, attempted murder, dangerous bodily harm, and illegal street racing resulting in death. The trial is being held behind closed doors due to the defendant's age (just past 18), but the verdict will be public. The case references a 2019 Federal Court of Justice ruling that reckless street racers can be convicted of murder under certain conditions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 12:20 PM UTC

The Kempten public prosecutor's office is investigating five Bundeswehr soldiers from Paratrooper Regiment 31 on suspicion of theft during the evacuation mission at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan. According to a report by Bild am Sonntag, the soldiers allegedly stole goods from shops in the military part of the airport, including T-shirts, uniform patches, and knives. The Federal Prosecutor General was consulted to assess possible violations of the International Criminal Code but ruled out looting charges. The investigation began last year after reports from soldiers in Paratrooper Regiment 26. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and the Inspector of the Army, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, have been informed. The soldiers could face charges of theft with weapons, as they were armed during the operation. The presumption of innocence applies.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 04:29 AM UTC

On July 24, 2026, Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court ruled that Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s blanket revocation of admission commitments for Afghans was “arbitrary” and violated constitutional protections. The case, brought by an Afghan mother and her two sons stranded in Pakistan, requires individual case reviews for about 400–600 affected Afghans. The ruling limits the Merz government’s ability to suspend humanitarian admission programs without proper assessment, balancing security concerns with legal obligations.

7 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 24, 06:49 PM UTC

On July 24, 2026, militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security check post in Tank district, northwestern Pakistan, killing 15 people, including 12 soldiers, two policemen, and a former government official. The Pakistani military confirmed the attack, stating that security forces killed 12 militants in response. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility, saying four suicide bombers were involved. The attack occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the Afghan border. Pakistan has blamed rising militancy in the region on groups operating from Afghanistan, straining relations with the Taliban government in Kabul, which denies involvement. The incident follows Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil in June that reportedly killed dozens of civilians.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 02:21 PM UTC

India and Pakistan have been granted direct entry into the quarterfinals of both the men's and women's cricket competitions at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi, Japan. The Indian women's team will begin their campaign against Japan, while the men's opponents will be determined after the preliminary stage. The women's event runs from September 17 to 22, and the men's competition from September 24 to October 1. Both tournaments will be played in T20 format at Korogi Athletic Park. Shreyas Iyer will captain the Indian men's team, and Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the women's side. Cricket is featured in the Asian Games for the fourth time, having previously appeared in 2010, 2014, and 2023.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 11:23 AM UTC

The Assam state government informed the Assembly that 2,089 foreigners were deported from January 2016 to June 2026 for illegal entry or stay, with 2,023 from Bangladesh. Other nationalities deported included 39 from Myanmar, 18 from Nigeria, two each from Afghanistan, Russia, and Ukraine, and one each from Kenya, Pakistan, and Uganda. Additionally, the government disclosed that of 172,673 foreigners detected in Assam as of May 31, 2026, 111,414 were Muslims, 61,189 were Hindus, and 70 were Christians. Minister Atul Bora noted that 1,572 illegal foreigners were sent back from 2025 to June 30, 2026, and 117 were expelled, with repatriations to Bangladesh following a May 2025 Home Ministry directive.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 02:23 AM UTC

Michael Kyrath, whose daughter Ann-Marie was killed in a 2023 knife attack on a train near Brokstedt, has sharply criticized German politicians for failing to act after a 22-year-old student was stabbed to death in Trier. The attacker was a 22-year-old Afghan; the motive remains unknown. Kyrath lamented 'the same perpetrator profile' and 'the same platitudes' from leaders, saying 'everyone says it's unbelievable, but no one acts.' Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the victim's family, but Kyrath dismissed such gestures as hollow. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt reaffirmed plans to deport criminals to Afghanistan. The head of the federal police union, Manuel Ostermann, cited up to 80 knife attacks per day in Germany and called for stricter measures against those legally required to leave the country. Kyrath stated he is now in contact with over 450 families who have lost children to similar violence over the past decade.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 05:24 AM UTC

On July 15, 2026, a 22-year-old history student was fatally stabbed in Trier, Germany, in an apparently random attack by a 22-year-old Afghan national who had lived in Germany for ten years. The suspect confessed but remained silent on motive; due to suspected mental illness, he was placed in a forensic psychiatric facility. The victim’s parents, local politicians, demanded political action on public safety. A vigil of about 1,000 people was held at the university.

10 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 01:45 AM UTC

Amnesty International has released a new investigation concluding that Pakistan's March 16 air strike on the Omid Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kabul, which killed at least 269 civilians, may constitute a war crime. The organization found no evidence to support Pakistan's military claim that the facility was used for weapons storage or other military purposes. The attack violated international humanitarian law's special protections for healthcare facilities, as well as principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality. Amnesty analyzed over 60 photos and videos, 30 satellite images, and conducted 11 interviews. The attack was part of a series of cross-border strikes by Pakistan since October 2025. UNAMA documented over 750 civilian casualties in Afghanistan between January and March 2026. Amnesty called for a transparent, independent investigation and prosecution of those responsible, including under command responsibility doctrine. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Amnesty's request for information.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 06:47 PM UTC

Amnesty International has released a new investigation concluding that Pakistan's March 16 air strike on the Omid Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kabul, which killed at least 269 civilians, may constitute a war crime. The human rights organization found no evidence to support Pakistan's military claim that the facility was used for weapons storage or other military purposes. The attack violated international humanitarian law's special protections for healthcare facilities, as well as principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality. Amnesty analyzed over 60 photos and videos, 30 satellite images, and conducted 11 interviews. The strike was part of a series of cross-border attacks by Pakistan since October 2025, with UNAMA documenting over 750 civilian casualties in Afghanistan between January and March 2026. Amnesty called for a transparent, independent investigation and prosecution of those responsible, including under command responsibility doctrine. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Amnesty's request for information.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 06:47 PM UTC

Amnesty International released a new investigation concluding that Pakistan's March 16 airstrike on the Omid Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kabul, which killed at least 269 civilians, may constitute a war crime. The human rights organization found no evidence to support Pakistan's military claim that the facility was used for weapons storage or other military purposes. The attack violated international humanitarian law's special protections for healthcare facilities, as well as principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality. Amnesty analyzed over 60 photos and videos, 30 satellite images, and conducted 11 interviews. The strike was part of a series of cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and the Taliban since October 2025. Between January and March 2026, UNAMA documented over 750 civilian casualties in Afghanistan. Amnesty called for a transparent, independent investigation and prosecution of those responsible, including under command responsibility. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Amnesty's request for information.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 06:47 PM UTC

Flash floods in eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan Province have killed at least 20 people, injured about 80, and left more than 100 missing, according to Afghan authorities. The floods struck Parun city and other areas, causing extensive damage to homes, agricultural land, and public facilities. A search and rescue operation is underway. Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to extreme weather, with decades of conflict, poor infrastructure, deforestation, and climate change amplifying disaster impacts. More extreme weather, including heavy rain and flash floods, is forecast for 10 of the country's 34 provinces. Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid expressed condolences and urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 11:53 PM UTC

On July 17, 2026, armed opponents of the Taliban briefly seized control of Jaftal district in Badakhshan province, northeastern Afghanistan, marking the first such takeover since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. The attackers, identifying as Sepahian-e Maihan (Soldiers of the Homeland), disarmed local Taliban fighters, hoisted a sky-blue flag with an eagle wing, and withdrew after two hours. The Taliban confirmed the attack, sent army chief of staff Fasihuddin Fitrat to the area, and claimed to have captured several attackers, including leader Abdul Kajum Malang, a former special forces commander of the previous Western-backed government. The Sepahian denied his arrest. The attack is symbolic, showing continued armed resistance, but also highlights fragmentation within the opposition, as Malang previously operated under the National Resistance Front (NRF). Local tensions over gold mining in Badakhshan are noted. Analysts describe anti-Taliban forces as fragmented and disorganized, with the women's protest movement cited as the only consistently active resistance group.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 02:48 PM UTC

As the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches, the veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched an AI-powered tool called V-PRIC (Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center) to help at-risk Afghan allies navigate the complex visa and asylum process. The tool, which has seen over 30,000 visits in its first week, uses a database of 124 U.S. visa classifications and global pathways to match users with the most promising options based on their location, eligibility, and danger level. However, founder Shawn VanDiver notes that few pathways are currently available due to the Trump administration's indefinite suspension of Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status. About 1,100 Afghan allies remain stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, with some facing forced relocation to Afghanistan or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tool provides warnings about policy blockers and helps applicants avoid wasted efforts, though it does not replace legal advice.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

The veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched a new AI-powered tool called the Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center (V-PRIC) to help Afghan allies navigate the complex U.S. visa and asylum process. The tool, which saw over 30,000 visits in its first week, analyzes 124 U.S. visa classifications (16 relevant to Afghans) and global pathways to match users with the most promising options. Despite the tool's utility, founder Shawn VanDiver notes that few pathways are currently available due to the Trump administration's indefinite suspension of Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status. Approximately 1,100 Afghan allies remain stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, with some facing forced relocation to Afghanistan or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tool is trained on legal decisions, executive orders, and AfghanEvac surveys, and is continuously updated to reflect changing conditions. VanDiver emphasizes that V-PRIC does not replace legal advice but provides a starting point for applicants.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

AfghanEvac, a veteran-led organization, launched V-PRIC, an AI tool using 124 visa classifications to help Afghan allies navigate U.S. visa pathways. Over 30,000 visits occurred in its first week. However, the Trump administration’s indefinite suspension of Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status leaves ~11,000 Afghans in the U.S. at deportation risk and 1,100 stranded at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar. Some face forced relocation to Afghanistan or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

As the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches, the veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched an AI-powered tool called V-PRIC (Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center) to help Afghan allies navigate the complex visa and asylum process. The tool, which saw over 30,000 visits in its first week, uses a database of 124 U.S. visa classifications and global pathways to match users with the most promising options based on their location, eligibility, and danger level. However, founder Shawn VanDiver notes that few pathways are currently available due to the Trump administration's indefinite suspension of Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status. About 1,100 Afghan allies remain stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, with some facing forced relocation to Afghanistan or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tool does not replace legal advice but aims to help applicants avoid dead ends and stay informed on rapidly changing policies.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

As the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches, the veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched an AI-powered tool called V-PRIC (Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center) to help Afghan allies navigate the complex visa and asylum process. The tool, which saw over 30,000 visits in its first week, uses a database of 124 U.S. visa classifications and global pathways to match users with the most promising options based on their location, eligibility, and danger level. However, founder Shawn VanDiver notes that few pathways are currently available due to the Trump administration's indefinite suspension of Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status. About 1,100 Afghan allies remain stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, with some facing forced relocation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The tool provides warnings about policy blockers and helps applicants avoid wasted efforts, though it does not replace legal advice.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

As the fifth anniversary of the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches, the veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched an AI-powered tool called the Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center (V-PRIC). The tool uses a database of 124 U.S. visa classifications and global pathways to help Afghan allies identify the most promising visa options based on their circumstances. It has seen over 30,000 visits in its first week. However, founder Shawn VanDiver notes that few pathways are currently available due to the Trump administration's indefinite suspension of Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status. About 1,100 Afghan allies remain stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, with some facing relocation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The tool is designed to flag policy blockers and help applicants avoid wasted efforts, though it does not replace legal advice.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

The veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched a new AI-powered tool called the Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center (V-PRIC) to help Afghan allies navigate the complex U.S. visa and asylum process. The tool, which saw over 30,000 visits in its first week, uses a database of 124 visa classifications to match applicants with the most promising pathways based on their location, eligibility, and danger level. Despite the tool's launch, AfghanEvac founder Shawn VanDiver notes that few pathways are currently available due to the Trump administration's indefinite suspension on Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status. Approximately 1,100 Afghan allies remain stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, with the administration proposing they return to Afghanistan or relocate to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The tool is designed to help applicants avoid dead ends and stay informed about rapidly changing policies, though it does not replace legal advice.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

As the fifth anniversary of the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches, the veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched a new AI-powered tool called V-PRIC (Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center) to help Afghan allies navigate the complex visa and asylum process. The tool, which has seen over 30,000 visits in its first week, uses a database of 124 U.S. visa classifications and global pathways to match users with the most promising options based on their circumstances. However, founder Shawn VanDiver notes that few pathways are currently available due to the Trump administration's indefinite suspension of Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status. About 1,100 Afghan allies remain stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, with some facing forced relocation to Afghanistan or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tool provides warnings about policy blockers and aims to help applicants avoid wasted efforts, though it does not replace legal advice.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

The veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched a new AI-powered tool called the Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center (V-PRIC) to help Afghan allies navigate the complex U.S. visa and asylum process. The tool, which uses a database of 124 visa classifications and global pathways, has seen over 30,000 visits in its first week. Despite its launch, few promising pathways exist due to the Trump administration's indefinite suspension on Afghan immigration processing and termination of temporary protected status. About 1,100 Afghan allies and their families remain stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, with some facing forced relocation to Afghanistan or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The tool aims to help applicants avoid dead ends and stay informed on rapidly changing policies, though it does not replace legal advice.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

As the fifth anniversary of the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches, the veteran-led organization AfghanEvac has launched a new AI-powered tool called the Visa Pathways and Relocation Information Center (V-PRIC). The tool uses data on 124 U.S. visa classifications and global pathways to help Afghan allies navigate the complex visa and asylum process. It has seen over 30,000 visits in its first week. Despite the tool's promise, the Trump administration has suspended Afghan immigration processing and terminated temporary protected status, leaving about 11,000 Afghans in the U.S. at risk of deportation and 1,100 stuck at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar. The tool provides warnings about policy blockers, such as visa approval pipeline closures, and directs users to legal resources. AfghanEvac's survey of over 1,100 Afghans found nearly half of respondents still in Afghanistan face direct Taliban threats, while many in Pakistan fear deportation and health crises.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:34 PM UTC

On July 13, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a sweeping campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC), characterizing it as a threat to American sovereignty. Measures include expanded sanctions, visa revocations, and diplomatic pressure on states parties. This analysis argues the campaign is premised on a misunderstanding of how the ICC works. It notes that no investigations of US personnel are pending, and that Article 15 communications from civil society do not automatically open investigations. The article suggests the campaign was triggered by recent efforts to urge the ICC to investigate US conduct in the Caribbean and to persuade Iran and Cuba to ratify the Rome Statute. The author acknowledges genuine bipartisan unease about the Court's trajectory but contends the administration's response is based on a misapprehension of ICC procedures.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 12:50 PM UTC