'Oppressor!': Taliban slams US over travel ban; cites hypocrisy over its actions in Gaza

The Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision to bar Afghans from entering the United States, calling the country an “oppressor.

”In his first public response to the Trump administration’s latest travel restrictions, Akhundzada questioned the decision. "Why? Because they claim the Afghan government has no control over its people and that people are leaving the country. So, oppressor! Is this what you call friendship with humanity?”His remarks come as the Taliban leadership continues its bid for legitimacy and global engagement, nearly four years after reclaiming control over Afghanistan.“Citizens from 12 countries are barred from entering their land — and Afghans are not allowed either,” Akhundzada said in a 45-minute Eid al-Adha message released from Kandahar, the Taliban’s power base. The US administration, in its justification, cited Afghanistan’s lack of a reliable central authority and weak security screening processes, saying such shortcomings pose a potential threat to American national security.

It also points to the high rate of visa overstays among Afghan travellers.But Akhundzada linked the ban to broader US foreign policy, accusing Washington of hypocrisy over its actions in Gaza. “You are committing acts that are beyond tolerance,” he said, referring to the killing of civilians in the ongoing conflict.Trump’s executive order, signed earlier this week, suspended visa access for citizens of several nations, including Afghanistan.

It also gave a blow to Afghan refugees, especially those who had assisted American forces during the 20-year war and are now stranded in limbo after Trump’s earlier move to suspend key refugee resettlement schemes. The policy applies to Afghans hoping to settle in the US permanently and also to those looking to stay temporarily, for studies.

In a separate address on Saturday, Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund called on Afghans living abroad to return to their homeland, promising safety and support.“Afghans who have left the country should return to their homeland,” he said in a statement posted to X. “Nobody will harm them.” “Come back to your ancestral land and live in an atmosphere of peace.”The prime minister also criticised international media for what he described as biased portrayals of the Taliban government. “The media should avoid false judgments and should not minimise the accomplishments of the system,” he said.

“While challenges exist, we must remain vigilant.”Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban have enforced severe restrictions, including banning women from education beyond the sixth grade and from most public spaces, while seeking recognition from the international community. So far, no country has formally recognised the Taliban government, though it maintains diplomatic ties with China, Russia and several regional players.Meanwhile, Afghan refugees in Pakistan face growing pressure as Islamabad continues its deportation campaign. Nearly a million Afghans have fled Pakistan since October 2023 amid fears of arrest and forced expulsion, further complicating the humanitarian situation for those still seeking safe passage to the West.