Taliban delegation visits Belarus for industrial talks

A 13-member delegation from the Taliban government recently visited Belarus to discuss economic, technological, and industrial cooperation. The delegation toured several facilities, including the BelAZ heavy machinery plant and the Slutz cheese-making plant.

While the official focus was on agricultural and industrial machinery, the visit carries potential security implications. Analysts suggest the Taliban may be seeking assistance in maintaining military equipment, such as armored vehicles, helicopters, and communication devices, seized from Afghan security forces in 2021.

Following the visit, Belarusian authorities reportedly began removing media coverage and photos of the delegation from various websites and social media channels. This censorship follows domestic criticism regarding the incongruity of the all-male Taliban delegation interacting with female employees at the Slutz plant. Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya criticized the move, noting the contradiction in the government labeling civil society as extremists while engaging with the Taliban.