Stories from Kabul · Afghanistan

France has initiated Operation Appagant, an airlift to evacuate French nationals and Afghan collaborators from Kabul. The mission uses Kabul International Airport as the sole exit point.

New authorities from the Taliban appeared before cameras in Kabul. Their presence signifies a change in the local governance structure. The motivations behind the attempted breach are currently unclear. Taliban forces maintained control of the checkpoint.

Between August 17 and 18, France exfiltrated 216 people, including 184 Afghans. One man who worked with French military personnel reported he has been unable to leave his home for two days.

An interpreter reported that evacuees are being blocked from entering the Kabul airport by American security personnel. People are reportedly stuck in a desperate situation as security forces deny entry to those without specific documentation or embassy coordination.

The Afghan Ministry of Higher Education has stopped issuing documents to women regarding their education. Officials are now refusing to authenticate diplomas and certificates required for employment or study abroad, according to Afghanistan International. The Ministry has also prohibited universities from responding to international inquiries concerning student qualifications. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stopped certifying women's educational documents, including diplomas and certificates required for work or study abroad. These actions follow previous Taliban restrictions on women's access to schools and universities within Afghanistan.

The American government has decided to impose a travel ban on the Taliban. The ban does not apply to the Afghan government, according to the report. This decision follows a warning from the United Nations Security Council.

FIFA approved a measure allowing women and girls to participate in football in Afghanistan. This decision comes despite the Taliban government's ban on women and girls from many aspects of society, including sport.

Al-Qaeda has maintained a linkage to the Taliban leader for over 25 years. Afghanistan remains a safe haven for Al-Qaeda according to the report. This activity occurs at local and regional levels in spaces including Mali, Somalia, and the Pakistan region.

The country faces potential instability if the central government cannot manage current flows. There is a risk that Afghanistan could become the second failed state in the world following the exit of foreign powers. This development follows the takeover by armed groups. The source notes the central government's struggle to maintain control.

UNICEF warns that Afghanistan risks losing more than 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030. The warning was reported by VOV1 Vietnam. Afghanistan faces a potential loss of highly skilled female human resources in essential sectors such as education and health by 2030.