Taliban Opponents Begin Two-Day Meeting in European Parliament

A two-day meeting of political and military opponents of the Taliban began on March 16 in the European Parliament, marking the body's first official engagement on the Afghan crisis.

The gathering, hosted today and tomorrow, shifts focus from previous international discussions on humanitarian aid, women's rights and refugees toward political opposition and armed resistance against the Taliban. The European Union has emphasized engagement with the Taliban in recent years and refrained from establishing official relations with opposition fronts. Belgium has previously hosted meetings on Afghanistan.

The World Health Organization reported a 57 percent increase in Afghan returnees last month, providing health care to more than 300,000 people at border crossings. In February, WHO recorded 157,000 cases of pneumonia from acute respiratory infections, with 313 deaths; 2,600 measles cases, with 16 deaths; 173 dengue fever cases with no deaths; and about 6,000 cases of acute watery diarrhea, with three deaths. The agency warned of added pressure on health centers due to rising returnees, disease increases and funding shortages.

Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued an Eid al-Fitr message, published on spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid's page, congratulating Afghans and Muslims worldwide. He emphasized Ramadan worship, piety, charity, unity, support for the Islamic Emirate system and improved security conditions. Akhundzada urged countries to respect Afghan values and avoid interference in internal affairs without naming any nation. The message made no reference to ongoing border clashes with Pakistan, women's rights or the war between America, Israel and Iran.

Border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan continue, with both sides accusing each other of killing civilians. The United Nations reported dozens of civilians killed and wounded in Afghanistan, with tens of thousands displaced.