The Taliban’s security command in Nimroz Province has announced that its forces from the group’s First Security District identified more than 50 travellers during a patrol and prevented them from travelling illegally to other countries.
The command said the operation was carried out as part of the implementation of Decree No. 13 issued by the Taliban leader. However, Taliban officials did not disclose the intended destination of the travellers. Nimroz, located in southwestern Afghanistan, shares a border with Iran.
The incident comes a day after the bodies of eight Afghan migrants were discovered in a border area between Iran and Türkiye. Reports indicate that the individuals died as a result of extreme cold.
The growing number of young Afghans attempting to migrate through smuggling routes comes amid widespread unemployment, economic hardship, and a lack of employment and educational opportunities across the country. Restrictions on education and employment opportunities since the Taliban’s return to power, alongside concerns about the country’s economic future, are also considered among the factors driving some young people to undertake irregular journeys abroad.
According to a December 2025 report by the World Bank, nearly one-quarter of young people in Afghanistan are unemployed. The institution has also identified restrictions on women’s economic and educational activities as obstacles to the country’s economic growth.
According to a 2026 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), approximately 74 per cent of Afghanistan’s population was unable to meet its basic needs in 2025. The report identified a shortage of employment opportunities and economic difficulties as key factors intensifying the hardships faced by the population.
The United Nations has also warned that millions of Afghans will continue to struggle to meet their basic needs this year due to poverty, unemployment, and ongoing economic challenges.
Writer:Roya Stanikzai
