RASC News Agency: Reliable sources confirm that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Nangarhar province has ceased operations. Situated on Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan, Nangarhar serves as a vital corridor for Afghanistani refugees returning from Pakistan. Hundreds of returnees cross the border daily, many in urgent need of humanitarian aid. The suspension of UNHCR operations in Nangarhar coincides with reports that Taliban leadership is intensifying efforts to halt the activities of international organizations in Afghanistan. UNHCR has previously voiced concerns that the Taliban’s enforcement of so-called “Promotion of Virtue” laws has significantly worsened the psychological burden on Afghanistani women.
An informed source disclosed that disagreements persist within the Taliban leadership regarding the closure of international organizations. According to the source, senior Taliban officials have been holding discussions in Kandahar for several days but have failed to reach a unified stance. The Kandahar faction, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, has firmly advocated for the shutdown of all foreign organizations, including UN offices. Conversely, Taliban officials in Kabul have reportedly opposed such closures, fearing international backlash. The Taliban spokesperson has yet to comment on these developments. Historically, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on foreign organizations operating within Afghanistan, despite these organizations primarily focusing on delivering life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations.
Notably, while the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan through a contentious agreement with the United States, receiving millions of dollars in weekly aid, they continue to ignore the legitimate demands of the Afghanistani people and the broader international community. Their actions reflect an ongoing disregard for both humanitarian obligations and global diplomatic expectations.
