The United Nations has announced that it has suspended its operations at the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran after the Taliban imposed new restrictions on Afghan female staff.

According to AnsarPress, Indrika Ratwatte, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, said on Tuesday (November 4) that these new restrictions have created "immediate operational challenges" and "increased risks for returnees, especially women and children."

He explained that without the presence of female staff, the UN is unable to provide essential services to returning women and children in a manner consistent with dignity and respect.

Sources within the UN confirmed that this decision was made after a meeting with Taliban officials on Monday (November 4). Following the suspension, no humanitarian services are being provided at the Islam Qala border crossing or the Ansar camp in Herat Province, where returning Afghan refugees typically receive assistance.

The UN had previously warned that continued restrictions on Afghan women`s work would disrupt humanitarian operations across the country. Since 2022, the Taliban have banned women from working first in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and later within UN offices in Afghanistan.

According to UN data, more than 1.2 million Afghans have returned from Iran through Islam Qala, the majority forcibly deported. Over 60% of them are women and children.

Roza Otunbayeva, the Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), had earlier described the situation in Islam Qala as a "test of collective humanity," warning that global inaction toward the plight of returning refugees could trigger a new humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.