Taliban Opponents' Meeting Begins in European Parliament

BRUSSELS (Afghan Verified) -- A two-day meeting of political and military opponents of the Taliban began Monday in the European Parliament, marking the first official interaction by the parliament with such groups on the Afghan crisis.

The gathering, hosted March 16-17, shifts focus from previous international discussions on humanitarian aid, women's rights and refugees toward political opposition and armed resistance against the Taliban, sources told Afghanistan International.

The European Union has emphasized engagement with the Taliban in recent years and avoided official connections with opposition fronts. Belgium has previously hosted meetings on Afghanistan.

Separately, the World Health Organization reported on March 15 a 57% increase in Afghans returning last month, providing health care to more than 300,000 people at border crossings. WHO statistics for February recorded over 157,000 cases of acute respiratory infections including pneumonia, with 313 deaths; 2,600 measles cases, up 35%, with 16 deaths; 173 dengue fever cases with no deaths; and about 6,000 acute watery diarrhea cases with three deaths.

WHO warned of added pressure on health centers due to returning Afghans, rising diseases and funding shortages.

Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued an Eid al-Fitr message Monday via spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid's page, congratulating Afghans and Muslims worldwide. He stressed Ramadan worship, piety, charity, support for the Taliban system, unity, improved security under the Islamic Emirate and non-interference in Afghan affairs.

Akhundzada made no mention of ongoing border clashes with Pakistan, where both sides accuse each other of killing civilians; the United Nations reports dozens of civilians killed or wounded in Afghanistan and tens of thousands displaced. The message also omitted the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.