Taliban Opponents' Meeting Begins in European Parliament

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

Sources indicated that previous international meetings had focused mainly on humanitarian aid, women's rights and refugee issues, but this gathering has shifted toward discussions of political opposition and armed resistance against the Taliban. The European Union has emphasized interactions with the Taliban in recent years and refrained from official public relations with opposition groups. Belgium has previously hosted meetings on Afghanistan.

The World Health Organization reported a 57 percent increase in Afghan returnees last month and said it provided health care to more than 300,000 people at border crossings. WHO statistics for February recorded more than 157,000 cases of pneumonia from acute respiratory infections, with 313 deaths; a 35 percent increase in measles cases totaling 2,600, with at least 16 deaths; 173 cases of dengue fever with no deaths; and about 6,000 cases of acute watery diarrhea, with three deaths. The organization 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 the Zabihullah Mujahid page, congratulating Afghans and Muslims worldwide. He emphasized Ramadan worship, piety, charity, support for the Islamic Emirate system and unity among the people, while highlighting improved security conditions under the administration.

Akhundzada asked countries to respect Afghan values and not interfere in internal affairs without naming any specific nation. The message made no reference to ongoing border clashes with Pakistan, where both sides accuse each other of civilian deaths, or to women's rights. The United Nations reported dozens of civilians killed and wounded in Afghanistan from these clashes, with tens of thousands displaced.