LAST 24 HOURS

• PAKISTAN AND IRAN AGREE TO TALKS  –  The Foreign Ministers of both countries spoke over the phone and agreed to de-escalate the current tensions and to discuss future joint operations to deal with terrorism threats both claim they face from the other’s territory.  Both countries are expected to return their respective Ambassadors and further discussions are expected soon.

• WORLD TO THE TALIBAN “FORM AN INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT”  –  Nobody is buying the Taliban’s talking points about having already formed an inclusive government.  Yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov brought up the subject during his Ministry’s annual press briefing.  In his remarks, he admits the Taliban are the defacto rulers but reiterated that they would not be recognized without fulfilling this commitment.  Even nations like China, who attempt to abide by a non-interference policy in domestic affairs have never relented on this point.  Kandahar, for its part, seems willing to simply wait out the demand and continues to cling to the lie that the government already is inclusive.  Many in the international community had hung their hopes on this version of the Taliban being ‘different’ but those hopes seem to be mere fantasy as the recalcitrant stance in Kandahar has been unyielding.  

• IRANIAN AUTHORITIES TELL CITIZENS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AFGHAN TERRORIST  –  The Ministry of Intelligence in Tehran has announced that an Afghan national, Adel Arif, was on the loose in Iran and had recently been spotted in Western Tehran.  Ministry officials said Arif (aka Adel Panjshiri) had been serving a death sentence in Afghanistan under the previous regime for having been involved in the deadly Kabul University bombing in 2020.  He was released when the Taliban turned out all prisoners being held in 2021.  Arif is said to have been recruited by ISIS-K years ago and is thought to have been involved in the Kerman bombings earlier this month.  Iranian officials are asking citizens to report any possible encounters with the man.

• ONLY 1 CROSSING LEFT OPERATIONAL ON PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN BORDER  –  Trade groups announced late yesterday that only the Ghulam Khan border crossing remains operational and that the other four are closed (Torkham, Spin Boldak, Dand-e-Patan, and Angur Ada).  The economic consequences of the forced trade closure have not yet been realized but economists are predicting a very difficult situation for Afghanistan in the coming year.  Pakistan will also suffer from the loss of trade but is better positioned to weather a prolonged stand-off.  Commercial entities in Kabul are demanding the Taliban find alternative trade routes and most see Chabahar Port as the most likely alternative but it is not clear how quickly agreements can be made with Iran to shift exports/imports.

• BOSNIAN OFFICIALS ARREST 4 AFGHAN NATIONALS IN KIDNAPPING/RANSOM SCHEME  –  Bosnia said it had apprehended four Afghan nationals who had kidnapped Iranian and Swiss nationals in Sarajevo and who were being held for a ransom of approximately $19,500.  Some accounts say that the ransom for those who were held had been paid to an unknown agent outside of the country. All of those who had been held by the kidnappers are safe.  The four Afghans are being charged for various offenses and one has been linked to a possible murder in a relocation camp in late 2023.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• Intelligence officials say they killed two ISIS-K operatives in a recent operation and that some Iranian losses were taken during the clearing operations.

• Leaders of the regime in Tehran have been calling on citizens to vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections.  Many groups pledging to boycott the ‘sham’ elections.  

• In a show of force, Iran launched a series of air defense exercises yesterday along its coastline.  

PAKISTAN

• The regime appealed to the Supreme Court to invalidate a November 2023 ruling by the Islamabad High Court that declared the ‘jail trial’ for former PM Imran Khan was illegal.  It is not clear when a ruling may take place.

• Police in Faisalabad arrested another PTI party leader for suspected involvement in the 9 May riots.  Khayal Ahmad Kastro was taken into custody yesterday.

• Weekly inflation rates rose again and now stand at 44.64%.  Economists say that recent commodity fluctuations pushed prices higher and also thought that the trade stand-off with Afghanistan could further fan the inflation flames next week.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

The Great And The Good In Davos Ignore Afghanistan At Their Peril – Analysis

By Luke Coffey - EurAsia Review

The world’s leaders, policymakers, commentators, and other movers and shakers gathered in the Swiss mountain town of Davos last week for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. On top of the agenda were some of the world’s most pressing geopolitical issues: Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Hamas, China and Taiwan, trade and economics, energy security, and global shipping.

AFGHAN NEWS

Women, girls arrested by Taliban in Balkh, women’s movement reports

By AMU TV

The women’s movement in northern Afghanistan has reported the arrest of several women and girls by the Taliban in Balkh…

Afghan girl’s dream of becoming doctor crushed by forced marriage

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

International organizations are aware that early and forced marriages, as well as the sale of underage girls in the name of marriage, are ongoing issues in…

Two journalists arrested in Kabul by Taliban

By Siyar Sirat - AMU TV

Two journalists, Ahmad Jawad Rasouli and Abdulhaq Hamidi, were arrested by Taliban intelligence in Kabul on Thursday, Jan. 18, the Afghanistan Journalists Center…

REGIONAL NEWS

Trade with Central Asia comes to a halt

By The Express Tribune

Trade between Pakistan and Central Asian countries has come to a standstill owing to the closure of five border crossings adjacent…

Kakar Claims Foreign Troops' Weapons in Afghanistan Sold in Black Markets

By TOLO News

The Prime Minister of the Pakistani caretaker government, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, said that the weapons left from the foreign troops in Afghanistan are being…

Kabul University attack mastermind found in Iran, linked to Kerman bloodshed

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Despite being sentenced to execution by the previous Afghan government, Adel Arif was released from Bagram Prison following the Taliban’s resurgence in…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

US Admits Sending $40 Million Weekly to Afghanistan Amid Controversy

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that it sends $80 million in cash to Afghanistan under Taliban control every 10 to…

Afghan National Flees to Kabul to Evade Canadian Auto Theft Charges

By Khaama Press

 In a recent unveiling by Crime Stoppers, Mansor Abdul, a 34-year-old Afghan national, has been identified as a key figure in a major auto theft ring in Canada, now seeking refuge in Kabul to…

THE DAILY WTF

Kabir: Wide Interaction with the World is Essentially Recognition

By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News

The Deputy PM for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, says that although there is no official announcement, the world recognizes the…

“Uh….no.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 72.19 AFN (as of 20 JAN 2024)

NOTE:  The Afghan Digest is changing hands on 21 January 2024.  A search was initiated several months ago to find a suitable partner to assume the responsibilities associated with publishing the Afghan Digest.  We are happy to report that such a group was found.  We are confident the new team will elevate the offerings in the Digest and make it indispensable for those organizations and institutions who rely on it for additional analysis and open-source intelligence.  However, the new publishers will need to adjust the frequency of publication as they take over the responsibilities of continuing this work.  We ask our readers to remain patient and continue to read the Digest as this adjustment period takes place.  It has been a difficult two years for those of us who founded and published the Afghan Digest.  The undertaking was much greater than any of us anticipated.  However, we are proud of our work and the dedication it took to launch a crisis-communications publication that focused on one of the darkest periods in contemporary history.  From all of us at the Afghan Digest, thank you! 

JMH  

LAST 24 HOURS

• TALIBAN SUPREME LEADER ISSUES VOICE RECORDING, BANS PUBLIC CRITICISM OF DECREES  –  Hibatullah Akhundzada released an audio message banning criticism of Taliban decrees and stressed unity for the regime.  Akhundzada specifically forbade any objections to the Emirate and warned people (and leaders) against publicly discussing any disagreements with policy objectives.  He criticized democracy and said that Western support for a democratic system in Afghanistan conflicted with Sharia law.

• RUSSIA OPEN TO FURTHER INTERACTION WITH RESISTANCE  –  The Russian Foreign Minister made several remarks on Thursday that were indicative of continuing consultations with members of the National Resistance Front.  Minister Lavrov said that the Resistance’s existence in the North is a reality and that bridges should be built with them.  He then reiterated Russia’s stance that an inclusive government must be formed in the country.

• THE PASSPORT SITUATION CONTINUES TO FESTER  –  The Taliban do not appear to be enjoying the scrutiny it is receiving from the much-ballyhooed reopening of its passport offices.  The long lines and violence were embarrassing but recent accusations of blatant corruption and even alleged deaths of people who reportedly perished in the cold weather while waiting for a chance to get an interview are spreading across the internet.  Video emerged in the past twenty-four hours of Passport Directorate officials throwing out applications from the Kabul office and women digging through the paperwork to find their documents.  Additional rumors have claimed that the Taliban have beaten some of the applicants.  

• TALIBAN’S MESSAGE ON TTP REPORTEDLY FALLS FLAT IN ISLAMABAD  –  Early reports coming out of the Red Zone in Islamabad say that the Taliban’s Supreme Leader’s reassurances regarding the TTP have done little to assuage security concerns.  Sources told several journalists that Islamabad has all but given up on Kabul’s ‘empty promises’ to promote peace.  

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• The UK arrested and convicted an Iranian national accused of laundering over 1 million pounds for human trafficking networks.

• Microsoft’s ‘threat intelligence’ team said it had identified hackers sponsored by Iran who masqueraded as journalists to target Israel/Hamas War Experts.  The hackers attempted to deliver ‘spy-ware’ that has been previously used by Iran to grant access to personal/organizational computers.

• The Greek owners of an oil tanker recently seized by Iran in the Gulf of Oman confirmed that a Greek national who was serving aboard the vessel has been released.  The other crew members (18 Filipinos) are thought to remain in Iranian custody.

PAKISTAN

• Several hopefuls in the upcoming elections chimed in on the recent strikes in Iran.  All of the front runners voiced support for the actions taken against Iran and most agreed the strikes were proportional and legal.

• The PTI party announced it was shuffling some of its candidates for the upcoming elections as it revised its list of candidates for the third time.

• Pakistan’s State Bank announced that it currently holds a little over $8 billion in its foreign exchange reserve account.  Adding commercial bank foreign exchange reserves to the sum, Pakistan currently holds approximately $13 billion.  

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

Only China Can Stop a War Between Iran and Pakistan

By Syed Fazl-E-Haider - The Daily Beast

Thursday’s retaliatory airstrike launched by Pakistan against Iran, which sparks fears of a broader conflict, almost certainly could not have happened without the consent of China. And only China can effectively defuse tensions between the two neighboring states.

AFGHAN NEWS

Herat Officials Call US Media Report on Sale of Girls 'Baseless'

By TOLO News

Before this, the Washington Post reported that almost 120 Afghan girls aged 6 to 10 had been sold into marriage and…

Four killed in Volleyball game clash in Eastern Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Officials in Afghanistan’s Laghman Province, under Taliban administration, have reported that four people were killed during a dispute between…

Passport Delays Plague Kabul Residents

By Nawid Samadi - TOLO News

They said that the distribution of passports based on in-person applications is challenging for the public but is easier for those who…

REGIONAL NEWS

Iran-Pakistan Conflict Raises Alarm in Region

By Zabihullah Sarir - TOLO News

Pakistan used killer drones and rockets to strike separatist Baloch militants inside Iran on Thursday, Pakistani authorities said, two days after Tehran said it had…

Calls Mount From Businesspeople to Open Torkham Crossing

By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News

ACCI said that with the closure of the Torkham crossing for commercial vehicles, a loss of $100,000 dollars has been sustained by…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

US State Department criticizes IEA over treatment of women

By Ariana News

State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller, said on Wednesday: “We’ve seen them take a number of really deplorable actions when it…

'Very very happy': Saskatoon welcomes flight carrying 314 Afghan nationals

By Hayatullah Amanat - CTV News

“Today, 314 Afghan nationals arrived in Saskatoon on a charter flight from…

THE DAILY WTF

Women’s Rights fully secured in Afghanistan: Taliban leader

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

In an audio recording attributed to the leader of the Taliban, which was released on Wednesday, January 17, during a religious scholars’ meeting in…

“Easily a top 5 candidate for the Historical Idiot Award.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 72.98 AFN (as of 19 JAN 2024)

• IRAN MAY HAVE ‘OVERPLAYED’ ITS HAND  –  After spending a year engaged in ‘damage control’ stemming from the violent crackdown on domestic disturbances that grew out of the Mahsa Amini protests, Tehran seemed poised to emerge as a ‘half-baked’ regional leader.  It had made up with the Saudis, regained entry into several international organizations, helped keep Putin’s war alive in Ukraine, and took a leading role in the anti-Israel backlash the Hamas/Israel conflict initiated.  Then, in a matter of days, it launched attacks in Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan.  Now it finds itself fast becoming a pariah state as both Iraq and Pakistan have recalled their ambassadors, Pakistan has closed the border, and even China has been forced to issue a statement calling for a de-escalation of tensions.  The situation on the Pak/Iran border is confusing at best.  On the Iranian side, multiple unconfirmed reports are suggesting that a senior IRGC Officer was killed and that fighting is ongoing between Iranian military forces and Jaish al-Adl (Sunni militant group Iran says it was trying to neutralize in Pakistan missile strikes).  Similar unconfirmed reports from the Pakistan side of the border say that Pakistan Air Force jets are conducting non-stop missions along the border, Pakistani troops are deploying to the Province, and an anti-Shiite crowd may have desecrated a Shiite cemetery in Karachi in protest of the strikes.  The missile strikes Tehran ordered are being viewed as exactly the kind of egregious violations of territorial integrity and unilateral action it has spent decades condemning.  It is unlikely that regional powers like Pakistan and Iraq will quickly forgive the violations.  Our analysis indicates that Tehran has likely squandered any goodwill it may have garnered by attempting to lead the charge against Israel and has ‘painted itself in a box’ with the actions it has taken.  While we do not envision a war breaking out, it seems apparent that Iran’s short stint as a wannabe hegemon in the region will trend downwards.  There is also a good chance that protestors in Iran will be emboldened by the overstep and things will be interesting come Spring.

• LONG QUEUES FOR PASSPORTS CONTINUE  –  Video and photos of people waiting to get their passports at the newly reopened offices are disturbing.  The Kabul office had people sleeping overnight to retain their place in line.  The situation has become an embarrassment for the regime and there are rumors that the Passport Directorate will announce new ‘technical difficulties’ and close the process down until Spring.  A video provided to Afghanistan International depicts the passport office in Bamyan and reports say that the Taliban officials in the office are engaging in multiple scams to extort money from citizens.

• PAKISTAN BORDER CLOSURES REMAIN IN EFFECT  –  Some Pakistan news outlets are now reporting that Taliban officials are threatening to permanently close their sides of the border if Islamabad does not relent on the restrictions placed on Afghan truck drivers.  Economists say the standoff could paralyze both economies if it continues much longer.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• IRANIAN BORDER AREAS COULD BE UNPREDICTABLE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE  –  In response to recent ballistic missile strikes by Iran on Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria there appears to be heightened tensions along Iran’s borders.  While nothing has been reported along the Afghan/Iran border, tensions elsewhere could culminate in an episode of violence.  At-risk Afghans residing in these areas should remain situationally aware and be prepared to take cover.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• Both the UK and Iranian Foreign Secretaries spoke yesterday and the UK asked Iran to halt arms shipments to Houthi terror cells along the Red Sea.  

• The diplomatic rift between Iran and Pakistan widened yesterday when Pakistan recalled its Ambassador in Tehran after an Iranian missile strike in Pakistan.

• In an unsurprising move, India announced it supported Iran’s recent military actions in Pakistan.  India characterized the strikes as an act of ‘self-defense’.

PAKISTAN

• Former PM Khan’s reelection bid suffered another setback after the High Court in Lahore ruled that a rejection of his election application was lawful yesterday.  Khan’s legal team is considering other legal challenges to his ban.

• In the same Lahore courtroom, the High Court upheld bans on 60 other PTI party candidates who had challenged the rejections of their nomination paperwork.

• Political analysts share concerns that February’s elections could see very low turnout due to ‘a lack of familiarity with the Nation’s voting system’.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

The Danger of Lacking a Right to Formal Education in Afghanistan

By Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari - The Diplomatic Courier

In December 2023, the world marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The United Nations often reminds its member-states that the UDHR “is a milestone document in the history of human rights” and “was drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world,” including the entire Muslim world. “As a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations, UDHR sets out fundamental human rights to be universally protected.”

AFGHAN NEWS

Families in Herat sell children into marriage amid crushing poverty

By AMU TV

In the Shahrak-e-Shabz, a settlement of makeshift mud-brick homes and tents for the displaced on the outskirts of Herat city, a disturbing trend is…

Millions of Afghans cold and hungry amid funding shortages

By France 24

Once abundant, funding to Afghanistan has plummeted since the Taliban returned to power in…

Haqqani meets with EU delegation in Kabul

By Ariana News

Acting Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani met with Raffaella Iodice, the head of the EU delegation in Afghanistan this week and…

REGIONAL NEWS

Iran Forms 'Regional Contact Group' on Afghanistan

By Fatima Adib - TOLO News

The Iranian Ambassador and special representative to Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, in an interview with Iranian media said that a…

Former Afghan VP mocks Pak over Iran’s airstrikes, says “Banana Republic kicked from all sides”

By ANI

Iran’s multiple strikes on Pakistan have brought severe disgrace to the ‘terror epicenter nation’...

Afghans Face Challenges Getting Pakistan Visas

By Sodaba Nazhand - TOLO News

Some citizens of the country said that they face many challenges to get a visa from Pakistan and they cannot succeed in getting a visa for that…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

UNICEF will establish thousands of educational classes in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

This initiative, revealed on Wednesday, January 17th, aims to provide learning opportunities for around 140,000 children in…

This Afghan female fighter fought with US troops. Now, she’s readjusting to life in the US.

By Andrea Smardon - The World

When the taxi abruptly stopped in traffic, the 25-year-old woman tried not to look at the heavily armed Taliban soldier who approached the passenger window of…

THE DAILY WTF

Afghanistan Swiftly Moves Towards Political and Economic Stability: Haqqani

By Bakhtar News Agency

During a meeting with the European Union ambassador, Afghanistan’s Acting Interior Minister, Kalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, stated that after decades of instability and challenges, the country is…

“Several million Afghans may beg to differ with the Minister’s claims.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 72.94 AFN (as of 18 JAN 2024)

• IRAN LAUNCHES STRIKE ON PAKISTAN  –  Tehran has continued a series of regional strikes and Pakistan was the latest target.  After previously firing ballistic missiles into Iraq’s Kurdistan and Syria, Iran has now struck a reputed Sunni militant camp in Pakistan’s Balochistan (Turbat).  The camp is said to have been occupied by members of the Jaish al-Adl group which Tehran has accused of being behind several terrorist attacks along its border over the past four months.  The group is thought to have carried out the attack on Iranian Police in December that resulted in at least 14 deaths.  Pakistan has condemned the strikes and warned Iran that it would consider retaliation if needed.  2 children were killed in the missile strike and 3 others were reportedly wounded.  It seems strange that these attacks would take place so soon after a bilateral discussion concerning the threats each country faces from Afghanistan.  Those discussions specifically mention the area that came under attack as a potential ‘terrorism breeding ground’.  When one considers the nearly identical policy shifts concerning expelling Afghan refugees in both countries, it could suggest that Tehran and Islamabad are coordinating efforts to modify Kabul’s behavior.  A source in the region who is familiar with the situation implied that coordination between Iran and Pakistan took shape on the sidelines of the most recent SCO meeting and hinted that mutually beneficial military operations directed at militant groups would eventually be launched along the shared border.  It will be interesting to see how things play out between the two countries over the next several days.  

• PAKISTAN CONSIDERING DISENGAGEMENT WITH AFGHANISTAN  –  The recent visit to Afghanistan by Fazil Rehman of Pakistan appears to have upset Islamabad after an audience with the Taliban’s Supreme Leader is rumored to have resulted in ‘nothing but an insult’.  All commercial traffic between the two countries has been halted and emergency negotiations at the border have failed to reopen the crossings.  There are rumors that Pakistan has/will halt or reduce the visa process.  Observers are now closely monitoring the Taliban’s diplomatic staff in Pakistan to see if there will be expulsions or if Pakistan will recall some of its personnel.  A source in Rawalpindi said that the caretaker regime is perfectly suited to conduct a disengagement strategy as it will not face any long-term consequences.  

• TALIBAN ANNOUNCE NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM  –  After two years, the Education Ministry told reporters on Monday that the new curriculum was ready.  Without providing specific details, a spokesman for the Ministry said that all subjects that conflict with the Taliban’s version of Sharia law had been removed.  Few believe the curriculum will be composed of much in the way of ‘education’ and critics are eager to see the new curriculum.  A source in Kabul who has seen the new curriculum said it would likely offend other Islamic countries as it adhered to the strictest interpretations of Sharia and was even more regressive than the offerings under the Taliban’s first stint in power.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• Iran’s head of its counter-narcotics apparatus said that the drug trafficking from Afghanistan has continued, despite the Taliban’s crackdown on opium.  He said that where opium has fallen, synthetic drugs have increased.

• Iraq filed a complaint in the United Nations Security Council yesterday for the attacks on its soil by Iran.

• Canada announced it would look into government funding for researchers working in Canadian Universities on Defence and Security priorities.  China, Iran, and Russia were mentioned by name.

PAKISTAN

• 2 soldiers were killed and 4 others wounded in an attack carried out by the Baloch Liberation Army in the Kech District.  

• A local court in Rawalpindi indicted former Prime Minister Khan and his wife (Bushra Bibi) for having organized an un-Islamic marriage ceremony.  The presiding judge in the case expressed frustration with Mrs. Khan’s absence in court.

• The US Ambassador met with the head of Pakistan’s Air Force to discuss potential joint air exercises in the future.  Such meetings typically do not involve US Ambassadors and his presence may signal the US’s dependence on Pakistan as an ally in the region.

SPOTLIGHT TERRORISM

Unraveling Extremism In Pakistan: Historical Roots And Contemporary Evaluation

By M A Hossain - EurAsia Review

Over the past two years, the TTP underwent a transformative series of mergers, centralizing its organizational framework and recalibrating its operational strategy, exclusively focusing on a war against the Pakistan. The ideological and tribal nexus cultivated between the Afghan Taliban and the TTP has conferred an unprecedented level of ‘strategic depth’ in its history. This has amplified the complexity of Pakistan’s struggle against terrorism amidst concurrent political and economic challenges. Interestingly, the genesis of this contemporary terrorism rooted in a protracted historical perspective that necessitates scrutiny to unearth its foundational causes.

AFGHAN NEWS

Taliban ‘attacks’ radio station in Khost, sources say

By AMU TV

Taliban members attacked the office of Nan FM radio in Khost province on Tuesday, detaining and threatening several employees, according to local…

Worsening economic insecurity under Taliban rule in Afghanistan: UNDP Report

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Released on Sunday, the organization report reveals that 69% of Afghanistan’s population faces a shortage of necessities, including healthcare, essential goods, suitable living conditions, and…

Taliban revises primary school curriculum based on ‘Sharia’

By AMU TV

Mansour Ahmad Hamzah, the Taliban spokesperson for the Education Ministry, told the Taliban-run broadcaster RTA on Monday that subjects not conforming to the “Sharia and culture of Afghanistan” have been removed from…

REGIONAL NEWS

After Failed Talks, Busiest Border Crossing Between Afghanistan And Pakistan Remains Shut

By RFE

Taliban and Pakistani officials have failed to agree on reopening the busiest border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan following its…

India reiterates interest in trade with Afghanistan via Iran

By Ariana News

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Monday reiterated his country’s interest in benefiting from…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

Royal Yorkshire Regiment's Private Kieran Heaney dead at 20

By Patrick Gouldsbrough - The Northern Echo

Tributes have been paid to a young soldier from the Royal Yorkshire Regiment after he was found dead in his barracks a…

THE DAILY WTF

Selling girls as child brides in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan raises concerns

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

The increase in forced marriages and underage marriages of girls in Afghanistan has become one of the most serious…

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 71.85 AFN (as of 17 JAN 2024)

• TALIBAN COLLECTING INFORMATION ON FEMALE HEALTH WORKERS  –  Taliban authorities are collecting information from private hospitals and clinics about their female staff members.  The information requested appears to concern the employee’s family and includes data that is suspicious (occupation, address, social media profile, etc.).  It is not clear what has prompted this latest drive for data but some are concerned the Taliban may be considering closing private health care facilities in the future.  

• BOWING TO PRESSURE FROM CITIZENS, TALIBAN TO OPEN TWO ADDITIONAL PASSPORT OFFICES IN KABUL  –  After no small amount of embarrassment over the media coverage of thousands of Afghans trying to get passports from the troubled passport directorate, the Taliban says it plans to open two new distribution offices in Kabul.  It is not clear when or where the new offices will be located and it is important to note that the Taliban has given such assurances before and then never followed through.  

• WOMEN REPORT BEING TURNED AWAY BY POLICE WHEN REPORTING CRIMES  –  The idiocy of the Taliban appears to have no end.  Several women have reported that they were turned away by Taliban police for attempting to make a complaint directly.  In each case, the Police told them they must make the complaint through a male member of the family.  

• RECIPIENTS OF FOOD AID IN HAZARA COMMUNITIES COMPLAIN ABOUT QUALITY OF FOOD  –  Leaders in the Hazara communities that have received humanitarian shipments of food say that the food distributed is often of poor quality or has long expired.  Despite repeated complaints, these communities reportedly continue to receive food items that are sometimes years past their safe shelf life date.  Several reports have emerged after major disaster incidents about Taliban corruption influencing relief efforts.  Many videos and photos have been shared that show aid being transported to markets and sold.  Ethnic and Shiite enclaves seem to be targeted most frequently by the scam.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• IRGC units launched ballistic missiles into Iraq and Syria yesterday and said they were targeting Israeli intelligence bases.  The strike in Iraq was close to the US consulate in Erbil but no damage or casualties were reported by US authorities.  4 civilians were reportedly killed and 6 others were injured.

• The Revolutionary Court has added 15 months to the sentence of Nobel laureate, Narges Mohammadi’s prison term for ‘spreading propaganda’ against the regime.

• 2 US sailors missing after a vessel carrying Iranian missile parts boarded off the Somali coast.  The 2 men were reported missing last Thursday and are presumed lost.

PAKISTAN

• In a bid to provide relief from inflation, Islamabad has reduced the price of gasoline fuel for the next 14 days.  Diesel prices will not be cut.

• Former PM Imran Khan has refused to sign a contempt indictment issued by the Chief Election Commission over remarks he and his party leaders made against the Election Commission.

• Based on data from the latest census, the number of young voters (18-35) has increased by over 10 million since the 2018 election season.  In many Districts, young voters make up over 50% of the electorate.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

The Taliban’s curious love of SIM cards

By Sophie Schmidt - Rest of World

A few months ago, Pakistan began forcibly deporting thousands of Afghans who had fled over the border when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. They returned to an Afghanistan engulfed by poverty, widespread starvation, and shortfalls in medicine and shelter. Upon arrival, the refugees found an unlikely welcome package: humanitarian aid, set up by the Taliban, in the form of food, tents, and free SIM cards.

AFGHAN NEWS

Shakib: We Mediate, But Not Accommodate TTP in Afghanistan

By Mitra Majeedy - TOLO News

The charge d'affaires of Afghanistan's embassy in Islamabad, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, in a special interview with TOLOnews said that the Islamic Emirate’s mediation between Pakistan and…

Taliban’s Warning to Publishers: Prison Awaits if You Protest Book Confiscation

By Amin Kawa - Hasht e Subh

Yesterday, the Taliban collected thousands of book volumes from bookstores and publishing centers in the city of Kabul, and…

Thousands of trucks stranded as Torkham border crossing remains closed

By Sharif Amiry - AMU TV

Thousands of trucks remain stranded at the Torkham border crossing, a critical point between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as reported Monday by Taliban…

REGIONAL NEWS

Iran’s special rep for Afghanistan meets Jilani

By Business Recorder

Iran’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Affairs Hassan Kazmi Qomi on Monday discussed Afghanistan as well as regional security…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

UNICEF Wants More Aid For Children Affected By Earthquake In Western Afghanistan

By RFE

UNICEF, the UN's aid and relief organization for children, has called for greater support for the nearly 100,000 children affected by the October…

Denmark donates $6.2 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

By AMU TV

The United Nations Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) has confirmed that Denmark has donated $6.2 million (DKK 42 million) in humanitarian aid…

THE DAILY WTF

Afghan Women, Girls Detained Over ‘Bad Hijab’ But Taliban Deny Enforcing Dress Code

By Ali Orokzai - Polygraph

“The concern of the UNAMA for women is incorrect. The concern of the UNAMA about the mistreatment of women in Afghanistan regarding…

“He’s not even a good liar.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 71.00 AFN (as of 16 JAN 2024)

• SUICIDE BOMBER NARROWLY MISSES TALIBAN GOVERNOR OF NIMROZ PROVINCE  –  On Sunday afternoon, gunfire and an explosion were reported by locals in the Provincial Capital, Zaranj.  Shortly after the blast, eyewitnesses reported that an attack on the Provincial Governor had taken place at his office building.  The unidentified suicide bomber was able to pass through two Taliban security checkpoints and nearly gain entry to the offices at approximately 1300hrs local time.  Security forces engaged the man and fired on him.  The gunfire detonated a presumed suicide vest and 3 members of the Governor’s security detail were injured in the blast.  Taliban security forces immediately doubled existing security across Zaranj and several mounted patrols have been reported since the event took place.  A source in Kabul said that there was concern from the Foreign Ministry about the location of the attack and that ‘all efforts’ should be made to assure Iran that the Taliban would find the perpetrators.  Reports in Iranian media quote officials saying that 2 suicide bombers had been ‘neutralized’ across the border in Sarawan (Sistan and Balochistan).  It is possible the attacks could have been coordinated.  No group has yet claimed credit for the attack.

• TORKHAM REMAINS CLOSED  –  The impasse over the new passport/visa rules put in place by Pakistan has continued and commercial trucks are lining up on both sides of the border while officials from both countries attempt to resolve the issue.  The closure has already had an effect on commodity prices in Afghanistan with perishable foodstuffs rising in cost by as much as much as 20% over the past two days.

• UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATOR ARRESTED AND HELD IN KABUL  –  Jawad Noorzad Kakar was detained by the Taliban on 11 January in Kabul.  According to friends and colleagues, he was targeted by the Taliban for offering online education to women and girls through the Roshan Afghanistan Online University.  A source in Kabul said that Kakar does face potential charges but that his arrest was ordered because senior Taliban officials wanted to understand how online education is being implemented throughout the country.  The source said that Kandahar has made several calls on Kabul to ‘stop the internet’, but that several key Ministers (Defense and Interior among them) have pushed back against such edicts and predict a massive anti-Taliban response if the citizenry loses access to the internet.

• 5 PAKISTANI SOLDIERS KILLED IN BALOCHISTAN  –  A clash between the Pakistan Army and suspected terrorists took place in Kech District and an IED targeted an Army vehicle on Sunday.  3 of the militants were killed and 5 soldiers died in the exchange.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES LIKELY TO PERSIST IN NIMROZ  –  Residents of Zaranj can expect to see an elevated Taliban security posture for the next few days and it is possible that house-to-house searches will take place.  While there has been no official word about who may have been behind yesterday’s assassination attempt, the likely candidate seems to be ISIS-K.  ISIS-K typically uses terror cells to pull off its attacks and there are almost certainly more plotters involved.  

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• Iranian Member of Parliament, Abbas Golroo accused Israel’s intelligence agency of being behind the Kerman bombings.  Golroo presented no proof of Israel’s involvement and has a history of releasing inflammatory remarks that turn out to be false.

• Two female journalists who had been sentenced to prison for reporting on Mahsa Amini’s death were released on bail Sunday.  Both have appealed their convictions.

• Iran led all OPEC members by increasing its oil production in 2023 and produced approximately 2.5 million barrels of oil per day.

PAKISTAN

• Another resolution that would delay the upcoming February elections was presented in the Senate yesterday.  The most recent resolution (the third) cites deteriorating security and bad weather in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as causes to stave off the balloting.

• A former politician from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Iqbal Wazir, was set on fire by citizens who were outraged over a perceived violation of the local Jirga’s traditions.  Pakistan observers say the act was political.

• In early polling, many say that candidates supported by former PMs Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif are the frontrunners in many districts.  

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

Signs Suggest ISIS-K Is Growing In Strength, Further Inflaming Middle East

By Amira Jadoon & Nakissa Jahanbani - Talking Points

Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the terror group Islamic State Khorasan Province, or ISIS-K, has sought to internationalize its operational and recruitment campaign. Utilizing a sweeping propaganda campaign to appeal to audiences across South and Central Asia, the group has tried to position itself as the dominant regional challenger to what it perceives to be repressive regimes.

AFGHAN NEWS

Nimroz Governor Escapes Suicide Attack, 3 Guards Injured

By TOLO News

A suicide bomber seeking to target the governor of Nimroz, Mohammad Qassim Khalid, was gunned down before reaching his…

Concerns mount as Taliban’s dress code detentions reach Kunduz

By Milad Sayar - AMU TV

Women’s rights activists have voiced alarm as reports indicate that the Taliban’s campaign of detaining women and girls for non-compliance with their prescribed dress code has expanded to include areas in…

Teenage girls ‘detained and lashed’ by Taliban amid hijab crackdown

By Ruchi Kumar - The Age

Dozens of young Afghan women have been detained by the Taliban over the past week in a crackdown targeting those accused of…

REGIONAL NEWS

Taliban calls for Islamabad-TTP talks via Doha office: Report

By AMU TV

Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has urged the resumption of talks between Islamabad and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) through the…

Turkish police arrest nearly 100 Afghan refugees

By Ariana News

Following the expulsion and detention of Afghan refugees in Turkey, the government of this country announced they had arrested 99…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

Inside Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian disaster as aid funding falls short

By PBS

Since the Taliban reclaimed control of Afghanistan in 2021, the country has plummeted further into political and economic…

THE DAILY WTF

Afghan child killed over garbage collection in Pakistan’s Karachi

By Ariana News

An Afghan child was murdered in what police described as a dispute over garbage collection between two groups in…

“Just tragic.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 71.07 AFN (as of 15 JAN 2024)

• PAKISTAN BEGINS ENFORCING PASSPORT/VISA RULES AT BORDER CROSSINGS  –  Several reports came from Torkham gate stating that the border had been closed to commercial traffic after Pakistani border security officials began demanding that drivers produce both a passport and a visa to enter the country.  The Taliban border officials reportedly responded in kind and began demanding that Pakistani truck drivers produce similar documentation.  After a short standoff, it appears that commercial truck traffic was halted on both sides.  The issue of the new documentation requirements was said to have been discussed with Pakistan’s envoy during his recent visit but, as of now, Pakistan appears to be intent on enforcing the rules.  Photos of an official bulletin placed on the gates of the Angoor Adda crossing site said that the new passport/visa rules will begin to be enforced at that crossing on 1 February.  The bulletin says that the requirements will also apply to non-commercial traffic as well.  We are waiting for an update from the Spin Boldak/Chaman crossing.  Based on previous incidents, it is likely that officials from both sides will meet today to discuss the impasse.

• ACADEMICS REPORTEDLY ARRESTED IN TAKHAR  –  Unconfirmed reports have arrived that say 15 individuals affiliated with Takhar University were arrested by Taliban officials yesterday.  Some of those detained are said to be University faculty and others are thought to be students (or, former students).  No further information was available.

• SUPREME LEADER ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO LAND APPROPRIATION IN BALKH PROVINCE  –  Hebatullah Akhundzadeh, the figurehead of the Taliban regime, has appointed Maulvi Mohammad Qasim as the head of a commission that will look into reports of possible corruption surrounding the confiscation and reallocation of significant parcels of land in the Northern Province.  The commission reportedly commenced its investigation yesterday in Mazar-i-Sharif.  A source in Kandahar said that many Taliban officials would be nervous about the commission’s objective as some had received deeds to the land improperly and several had invested personal funds to build on the properties.  Many of these ‘commissions’ have formed over the previous two years but those found culpable of fraud and corruption are seldom held to account.

• DUAL PAKISTANI COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATIONS BEAR FRUIT IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA  –  Simultaneous operations were launched in the Mir Ali region of North Waziristan and the Kulachi region of Dera Ismail Khan District.  Each operation resulted in the deaths of 2 suspected terrorists (4 total killed).  The 2 terrorists killed in the North Waziristan operation included a wanted TTP Commander (Tabassum aka Qadarman) and a known associate (Sajid aka Sarkandi).  The identities of the 2 terrorists killed in the Dera Ismail Khan operation have not been disclosed.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• PAKISTAN BORDER SITUATION UNCLEAR –  Conflicting information concerning the status of multiple crossing points has led to significant confusion about who is authorized to cross the international border.  At-risk Afghans intending to travel to Pakistan are advised to call ahead and/or check with local media sources before heading to the border.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

Expelling Afghan refugees won't boost Pakistan's security

By Salman Rafi Sheikh - Nikkei Asia

The current round of expulsions has left hundreds of thousands of Afghans in serious jeopardy in their homeland, where they have been forced to live in camps that often lack adequate shelter or supplies of food for the harsh winter. Most were forced to leave behind most of their possessions, even money, in Pakistan, even though some families have been in the country for generations and the children have never been in Afghanistan before.

AFGHAN NEWS

Ex-Afghan intelligence chief claims ISIS-K members remain active

By AMU TV

Zia Siraj, former head of Afghanistan’s intelligence, contradicted Taliban claims by stating that key members of ISIS-K, the Khorasan branch of Daesh, including their leader Sanaullah, are…

Karzai stresses National Consensus for Afghanistan peace and stability

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan, said during a meeting with Roza Otunbayeva, the United Nations Special Representative in…

Kabul residents frustrated over slow passport distribution

By AMU TV

Kabul residents expressed their frustration with the sluggish passport distribution process, citing a lack of organization in the offline application…

REGIONAL NEWS

Torkham Crossing Closed to Transit By Pakistan

By TOLO News

Local officials of Nangarhar said that Pakistani border guards demanded passports and visas from Afghan drivers, which is why the…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

Islamic Emirate: Efforts Continue to Attract Foreign Investment in 2024

By Habib Rahman Qooyash - TOLO News

The Islamic Emirate officials said that large companies from various countries, including Türkiye, Russia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, are going to invest in…

THE DAILY WTF

Women’s healthcare access crisis under Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

A non-profit media organization led by women called “PassBlue” has reported on the lack of access for women to healthcare and its impact on increasing maternal mortality, stating that…

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 71.07 AFN (as of 14 JAN 2024)

• US CONGRESSMAN CALLS FOR TALKS WITH AFGHAN RESISTANCE GROUPS  –  The Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul told Afghanistan International’s Aref Yaqubi, that he wants to talk with active surviving leadership of the Northern Alliance and other leaders of active Resistance organizations.  His remarks came after another Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday that Afghanistan observers panned as simply ‘more of the same’ and which illustrated for many that the US Government is running out of ideas to deal with the Taliban.  McCaul’s words likely rankled the Biden administration as the White House has issued its own fatwah against supporting armed resistance groups and has continually reaffirmed this pledge to both the Taliban and the international community at large since the demoralizing withdrawal from the country.  The administration’s political efforts have largely been focused on continually highlighting the death of Al-Zawahiri and the supposed reduction of al-Qaeda as an international threat.  However, many see this more as a means of placating US voters before an election.  In addition, the preoccupation with al-Qaeda still leaves a bevy of terrorist organizations on the chess board in Afghanistan, some of whom have shown uncommon resilience and have now emerged as ‘regional threats’ at the very least.  The Taliban have dug their heels in, weathered all the sanctions storms, and spurned pressure from regional/international/Islamic groups to modify their behavior.  On the other hand, the international community has ‘painted itself in a box’ with a self-imposed ban on supporting one of the only coalitions to have ever forced a domestic change in the balance of power inside Afghanistan during the modern era. McCaul is a Republican and has spared no effort to embarrass the administration so his words could have been chosen for political gain. However, considering the current stalemate, perhaps it is time for dialogue with those in opposition to Kandahar.

• IRAN MAPS OUT PLAN TO ‘SOLVE’ AFGHANISTAN’S PROBLEMS  –  Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a four-point plan that it believes will solve the Afghanistan problem.  The plan recommends:

  • Leveraging neighboring countries to expedite the recognition of Afghanistan.

  • A warning that failing to incorporate Afghanistan into the international community will have devastating effects on peace and security.

  • Reinforces the role that neighboring States play with regard to Afghanistan’s access to the global community.

  • Start with a fresh page and form an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

• The response by the Taliban’s political office in Qatar was lukewarm at best.  Suhail Shaheen said Kabul would welcome assistance but cautioned against attempts to change the structure imposed by Kandahar.  Our early analysis of the Iranian plan indicates the first three points are self-serving and simply an attempt to put Tehran in a position to act as arbiter for Kabul.  However, the final point is likely the sticking point for Kabul/Kandahar as it once again, albeit diplomatically, recommends an inclusive government.  The Taliban have continued to cling to the illusion that it is already inclusive and will likely reject any sort of implementation of Tehran’s strategy.

• POSSIBLE NATIONWIDE DEMONSTRATIONS TO TAKE PLACE ON 21 JANUARY  –  Several prominent women’s organizations have circulated flyers on social media calling for a national demonstration day against the Taliban to take place on Sunday, 21 January.  The slogan of the demonstrations is reputed as “No To Taliban”.  A quick check on X shows the hashtag #NoToTaliban has been picking up steam over the last twenty-four hours.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• Iran announces arrests of 35 terrorists accused of involvement in the January 3rd Kerman bombings.  Presumably, the roundup is the result of investigations after the identities of the mastermind and one of the suicide bombers were made earlier in the week.

• Iran’s mission to the United Nations said it would support South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.  

• Unsurprisingly, Iran condemned the US/UK strikes on the Houthi positions in Yemen.

PAKISTAN

• Food prices rose unexpectedly and pushed the official inflation rate to over 44%.  Citizens say they expected a much more moderate increase.

• Another attack on a police escort that was providing security for a polio vaccination team was recorded in Quetta yesterday.  One policeman was injured when two men on a motorcycle opened fire on the detachment.

• Two militants were killed by security forces in North Waziristan on Friday after an intense gun battle.  

SPOTLIGHT TERRORISM

Will deadly bombings pull Iran closer into Afghanistan?

By Amwaj Media

As the dust from the deadliest terrorist attack in Iran’s recent history settles, authorities in Tehran have divulged that one of the two suicide bombers was a Tajik national. The Iranian intelligence ministry has also suggested that beyond a crackdown at home, extra-territorial operations are on its agenda.

AFGHAN NEWS

85% Afghans Live on Less than One Dollar A Day: UNDP

By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a report said that Afghans are dealing with extreme hardship, and approximately 85 percent of…

Traders concerned over fare rise in southwestern routes of country

By Ariana News

Some members of the private sector who trade with Iran are complaining about the increase in fares on the southwestern routes of…

The Azadi Briefing: Why Are Afghans Rushing to Acquire Passports?

By Abubakar Siddique - RFE

Thousands of Afghan men and women are flocking to the central passport office in the Afghan capital, Kabul, after the Taliban suspended online…

REGIONAL NEWS

Mine blast on Iran-Iraq border kills Afghan migrant, injures four

By AMU TV

A mine explosion along the Iran-Iraq border has resulted in the death of an Afghan migrant and injuries to four others, according to Ali Abbas Shafeie, the governor of Mehran, a western Iranian…

Pakistan Claims Capture of Two Islamic State Group Would-Be Suicide Bombers

By Ayaz Gul - VOA

The provincial counterterrorism department said an "intelligence-based" operation had detained the two men near Peshawar, the capital of…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

Deputy PM Discusses Afghanistan’s Engagement with UK Charge d'Affaires

By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News

Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Mawlaw Abdul Kabir, met with the Charge d’Affaires of the UK Mission to Afghanistan, Robert Chatterton Dickson, and stated that…

US Envoys for Afghanistan Briefed House Foreign Affairs Committee

By Mujeeb Rahman Awrang Stanikzai - TOLO News

Special envoy Thomas West told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that al -Qaeda’s ability to threaten the United States from Afghanistan or Pakistan is at a low point since…

THE DAILY WTF

Ex-Afghan intelligence chief claims ISIS-K members remain active

By AMU TV

In an chat with Amu on Friday, Siraj warned of increased urban and cross-border attacks by ISIS-K under directives from the main ISIS leadership in…

“Hopefully the atrocities committed over the past 10 days will wake some ‘leaders’ up.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.17 AFN (as of 13 JAN 2024)

• FOUR BLASTS REPORTED IN AFGHANISTAN  –  Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif reported blasts yesterday.  At this time, the casualties resulting from the blasts are in dispute.  Official tallies of those killed and/or wounded appear to be low..

  • Mazar-i-Sharif Attack:  A blast was reported in Police District 4 of the city at approximately 1500hrs local.  Taliban security forces immediately cordoned off the area and there has been no confirmation of casualties in the attack.  Taliban security personnel reportedly collected cell phones from some onlookers who were seen taking photos and videos.  Several eyewitnesses reported that the Taliban beat some of the eyewitnesses.

  • Kabul Attack 1:  Another hand grenade attack took place near the shopping center in the Dasht-e-Barchi area yesterday (Police District 18) at approximately 1430hrs local.  2 non-combatants were killed and 12 others were injured in the attack.  

  • Kabul Attack 2:  A large blast was reported near the Abu Muslim Khorasani Mosque at approximately 0700hrs local.  The cause of the blast is not known and there has been no confirmation of whether casualties resulted.  Photos of the blast shared on social media show a large plume of smoke and dust blanketing several blocks.

  • An unconfirmed report arrived stating that a Taliban sedan had struck a mine that had been put in place by members of the Afghanistan Liberation Movement in Zafar, Herat.  There has been no information about casualties and this incident has yet to be confirmed.

• TALIBAN PLANNING PUSH TO ERADICATE ISIS-K FROM BADAKHSHAN STRONGHOLDS  –  Two sources in Kabul say that with Iran’s public revelations about the Kerman bomb plot which has been connected to Badakhshan, leaders in the regime are planning a large ‘clearing operation’ in the Province.  One of the sources said that Taliban Ministers were miffed that Iran had released the information publicly at such an early stage.  A plan that had been drafted in November to ‘sanitize’ Badakhshan of terrorist organizations is being reviewed and updated.  It was not clear when any proposed operation would commence in the troubled Province.

• IRAN IDENTIFIES SOME OF THOSE INVOLVED IN KERMAN ATTACK, SUPPORT CELL ARRESTED  –  Iranian intelligence officials announced that it had determined the identity of the individual responsible for planning the Kerman bomb attacks.  The officials said the man was a Tajikistan national and used the alias Abdullah Tajik.  Officials claim to have followed his movements in the months leading up to the attack and established a trail that led from Turkey to Afghanistan and eventually to Kerman in Iran where he rented a flat.  One of the suicide bombers was also identified as Baziroof Israeli (also a Tajk national) who, according to Iranian officials, traveled to Turkey and Badakhshan, Afghanistan before entering Iran.  While in Afghanistan, the perpetrators reportedly spent time at an ISIS-K training camp in Badakhshan.  It is not clear if Iranian authorities know where the suspect is currently located.  A video was released to Iranian media that shows the arrests of the support team in Kerman and an inventory of explosives and suicide vests.  

NEXT 24 HOURS

• POSSIBLE COUNTER TERRORISM OPERATIONS IN BADAKHSHAN  –  Sources say that a possible ‘clearing operation’ is under consideration for the Province of Badakhshan.  After Iran alleged it had identified at least two of the individuals involved in the Kerman bombings, it added that both had spent time in Badakhshan at an ISIS-K training facility.  Sources in Kabul say the Taliban appear to feel compelled to take action rapidly to appease its Western neighbor.  At-risk Afghans in the Province could soon see search operations and significant military traffic on the roadways.  In past situations, the Taliban often closed roads in/out of Provinces while such operations were conducted.  It is possible that transportation could be disrupted if this takes place.  

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• Conspiracy theories have begun developing over the noticeable difference in precipitation in Turkey compared to Iran.  Several media figures have suggested Turkey is responsible for ‘cloud stealing’ (using technology to manipulate the weather).

• Iranian maritime forces seized another oil tanker off the coast of Oman yesterday.  The tanker is thought to be the same one that was previously seized in US waters in 2023.

• The father of a student who was placed in prison in 2020, Mir Yousef Younesi, was sentenced to a five-year prison sentence yesterday.  Younesi served prison time under the Shah’s regime as well as an earlier term after the revolution,  The charges against him are not clear.

PAKISTAN

• PayPal payment system set to begin limited ‘test run’ in February.  The initial target demographic that will be invited to use the system is tech freelancers.  A larger rollout of PayPal and Stripe is expected in March.

• Former PM Imran Khan casts doubt on the legitimacy of the upcoming elections from his prison cell.  His accusations span the political breadth of the Pakistani government and also cast aspersions toward the US and its rumored role in his downfall.

• The Finance Minister announced that $700 million of the $3 billion loan was issued yesterday by the International Monetary Fund.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

Resisting the Taliban’s New Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan

By Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the Taliban has created a system of governance based on the wholesale subordination of women, institutionalising discrimination within the regime’s political, legal and cultural structures. Before the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, women held 27 per cent of seats in parliament; today they hold none. They had filled 21 per cent of civil-service jobs and just under 30 per cent of roles in civil-society organisations while in the more informal private sector, at least 54,000 businesses were estimated to be run or owned by women in 2021. In less than two years, that progress has been systematically reversed, with female civil servants, private-sector workers and business owners losing their livelihoods and the 3.5 million young women and girls previously enrolled in school banned from both secondary and tertiary education today.

AFGHAN NEWS

Magnitude 6.4 earthquake shakes parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan but no damage is reported

By Munir Ahmed - AP

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake shook parts of Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan on Thursday, sending panicked residents fleeing from their homes and offices and…

Blasts Hit Kabul, Balkh Leaving Several Killed

By Mujeeb Rahman Awrang Stanikzai - TOLO News

At least two civilians were killed and 12 others were injured in a grenade blast in PD 18 of Kabul today, a spokesman for the Kabul security…

UN ‘concerned’ Taliban detaining Afghan women for dress code violations

By Al Jazeera

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan is “deeply concerned” about Taliban authorities arbitrarily arresting and detaining women and…

REGIONAL NEWS

There is no promise to grant visas, residence permits to Afghan migrants: Turkish foreign minister

By Aynur Ekiz - Anadolu Agency

The question concerned allegations that “legalization of Afghan migrants and work visas for Afghans” were discussed during a meeting between the…

Pakistan's caretaker govt used threats, abuse, and detention to coerce Afghans: Report

By ANI

Pakistan's caretaker government clamped down on dissenting media, the political opposition, and nongovernmental organisations in 2023, Human Rights Watch said in…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

US Lawmakers Question Whether Aid Is Benefiting Taliban

By Katherine Gypson - VOA

U.S. officials overseeing assistance to Afghanistan told U.S. lawmakers Thursday that aid is rigorously monitored to prevent financial benefits from…

Reopening of UK Embassy in Kabul is Under Review: UK Official

By TOLO News

Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said the government will keep “very much under review” calls to…

THE DAILY WTF

Haqqani Urges MoI Spokespersons to Use Good Behavior With Media

By TOLO News

Speaking at an Interior Ministry seminar to train spokespersons, acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said that the media should be treated in such a way that they are…

“Not particularly sophisticated but the candor is refreshing.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.77 AFN (as of 12 JAN 2024)

• ISIS-K CLAIMS CREDIT FOR TUESDAY BOMBING  –  ISIS-K was responsible for the IED attack carried out on Tuesday in Kabul that claimed the lives of at least 3 non-combatants and wounded 4 others.  The Taliban said they had arrested an individual in the area under suspicion of being involved but have not shared any information yet. 

• PASSPORT DIRECTORATE OFFICES IN KABUL REOPEN, CHAOS ENSUES  –  Multiple videos of a mass of people attempting to get into the passport directorate offices yesterday in Kabul are being shared online.  Even with a heavy Taliban security presence, the crowd became unruly and there were reports of several injuries as some people were trampled and several fights broke out.  

• FOREIGN DIPLOMATS IN KABUL HOLD A MEETING ABOUT SECURITY SITUATION  –  A source in Kabul said a meeting took place yesterday afternoon between several members of the foreign diplomatic community to discuss the new threats posed by a resurgent ISIS-K.  At least four nations were represented at the meeting but the source was unable to identify which four nations attended.  After the meeting, it was decided that a jointly-signed diplomatic note would be sent to the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding that security precautions be taken to safeguard the diplomats serving in the country.  Earlier reporting had indicated that some embassies in Kabul had discussed evacuating personnel in the wake of the Kerman bombings in Iran.  

• PUBLISHER ARRESTED IN KABUL  –  Naser Maqsoodi, the Director of Maqsoodi Publications was said to have been arrested by Taliban personnel yesterday near Pol Red Bridge and he has not been heard from by his friends/family.  His publishing house was under extreme financial duress and had ceased some of its activity in 2023.  A source in Kabul said that Maqsoodi’s ethnicity may have played a role in his arrest but did not know what charges had been leveled against him.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• A policeman was killed in an attack yesterday night in the city of Rask (Sistan-Baluchistan).  The attack reportedly continued for approximately 3 hours.  Jaish ul Adl claimed responsibility for the attack.

• Even moderates are questioning the ‘candidate disqualifications’ that are taking place ahead of parliamentary elections.  Several loyalist candidates (hardliners) have found themselves removed from the ballot for no reason.

• An Iranian wrestler withdrew from a competition in Croatia because he did not want to face an Israeli opponent.

PAKISTAN

• The Islamabad High Court ruled yesterday that leaders of the intelligence services could soon find themselves prosecuted in the cases of the ‘disappeared’ that spurred the recent protest march by citizens of Balochistan.

• Embattled national carrier, Pakistani International Airlines received an Airbus A320 yesterday after a payment issue forced Malaysian authorities to detain the plane until payment could be made.

• The Peshawar High Court ruled yesterday that the PTI party would be allowed to use its ‘bat’ symbol in the upcoming elections.  The cricket bat logo had previously been revoked by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

SPOTLIGHT EDUCATION

Afghanistan’s Education Crisis: A Plea for Global Policy Measures Against Taliban Indoctrination

By Jurist

Upon seizing the capital in 2021, the Taliban promptly set about barring girls and women from attending school. Initially, they said these students would be able to return to school in early 2022, but here we are in early 2024, and their return has yet to materialize. Despite the hopeful anticipation of millions of female students across Afghanistan, the Taliban ultimately reversed their decision, opting instead to keep half of Afghanistan’s population essentially imprisoned in their own homes.

AFGHAN NEWS

Taliban official confirm arrests of women for dress code violations in Kabul

By AMU TV

“We have detained a number of women and girls for lack of hijab with the help of female police,” Saqib stated, describing the detainees as those “totally without hijab,” wearing items like…

Ministry: Air Arabia Resumes Flights to Kabul

By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News

Afghanistan's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) said that airline Air Arabia has resumed flights to Kabul after two and half years of…

Hand grenade explosion wounds four in Herat, sources say

By AMU TV

An explosion from a hand grenade wounded at least four people in the city of Herat on Wednesday afternoon, according to…

REGIONAL NEWS

Pakistani politician meets with Taliban chief in Kandahar

By Islamuddin Sajid - Anadolu Agency

A key religiopolitical party leader in Pakistan Maulana Fazlur Rehman has met with Afghan Taliban supreme leader Mawlawi…

Iran, Taliban plan regional summit for Afghanistan

By AMU TV

The Taliban’s foreign ministry has announced plans for a regional summit on Afghanistan in Kabul after discussions with Iranian Ambassador Hassan…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

Senate border talks broaden to include Afghan evacuees, migrant work permits and high-skilled visas

By Camilo Montoya-Galvez & Margaret Brennan - CBS News

While focused on plans to deter illegal border crossings, the ongoing immigration negotiations in the Senate have also included conversations about Afghan…

THE DAILY WTF

Taliban detain and lash young girls for violating hijab rules

By WION

Taliban regime in Afghanistan reportedly detained and lashed girls as young as 16 for violating hijab…

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.54 AFN (as of 11 JAN 2024)

• HIJAB RULES SLOWLY FILTERING OUT  –  An announcement from the hated Ministry of Vice and Virtue has clarified further what it says it is enforcing across the country.  Of note, the crackdown appears to be selectively enforced and has affected Shiite and Hazara communities more than others.  The dress code stipulates that Afghan females are prohibited from the following:

  • Skirts that are too short (above the knee)

  • Very small headscarves that do not conceal the hair.

  • Tight pants worn with short skirts over them.

• While this dress code was specified, there have been reports by eyewitnesses who say that frequently, any deviation has been cited as a reason for harassment.

• ANOTHER BLAST IN KABUL, 3 DEAD  –  An IED detonated in the 16th Police District at approximately 1600hrs local yesterday.  3 non-combatants were killed and another 4 were wounded.  The Taliban reportedly arrested an individual in connection with the attack but no information has been forthcoming about who may have been behind it.  Accounts vary about who/what may have been targeted in the attack.  Initial reports claimed a Mercedes Benz had been struck while others alleged that the vehicle was transporting employees of a prison.  Many suspect ISIS-K to have perpetrated the attack but, as of publication, no group had yet claimed responsibility.

• IRGC REPORTEDLY DETAINING SOME FORMER REGIME OFFICIALS IN IRAN  –  Several reports have surfaced recently of a coordinated effort by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to surveil and detain former Afghan Republic officials living in Iran.  According to some of the accounts made by those who were detained, it appears that IRGC agents were curious about various topics related to security and terrorism as well as infrastructure and capacity issues.  If true, the activity is likely not something that has been asked of Iran by the Taliban.

• AFTER SIM CARD REGISTRATION, CELL PHONES WILL BE NEXT  –  The Ministry of the Interior intends to register all cellular devices in Afghanistan over the coming year.  Currently, it has forced sellers of SIM cards to collect biographical information from customers purchasing cards and then intends to begin a mass registration program to record all citizens who own a cell phone.  The spokesman for the Taliban said the effort is being undertaken for ‘digitization and more security’.  In early 2022, sources in Kabul reported that a Chinese technical advisory team had met with members of the Ministry of the Interior and Defense at Bagram Airfield to discuss implementing such a program.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• The lawyer for Iranian singer Mehdi Yarrahi said that he had been sentenced to a nearly 3-year prison term and 74 lashes for a song that criticized the hijab laws.

• A large fire caused an explosion at a cosmetics factory on the outskirts of Tehran yesterday.  53 people were injured and a gas leak is suspected of causing the conflagration.

• A dual German-Iranian woman who has been held in prison since 2020 was allowed to leave the prison yesterday.  The woman must wear a GPS-locating ankle bracelet while on furlough.

PAKISTAN

• The wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan was indicted by an accountability court in Islamabad for her suspected role in the Toshakhana corruption case.

• The United Nations confirmed that the terror mastermind behind the Mumbai attack is currently imprisoned in Pakistan and serving a 78-year sentence for his role in funding terrorism.

• A terrorist attack at the Lachi Toll Plaza resulted in the deaths of 3 policemen early this morning.  Security forces responded and reportedly killed 1 of the terrorists as they fled to a suspected hideout in nearby mountains.

SPOTLIGHT TERRORISM

Why Islamic State attacked Iran on the anniversary of Soleimani’s death

By Gianluca Pacchiani - The Times of Israel

In the immediate aftermath of the January 3 blast that killed at least 84 people near the grave of general Qassem Soleimani in the Iranian city of Kerman, some low-level Iranian officials hinted at a possible Israeli involvement. Iran’s deputy parliament speaker claimed it had the signs of an Israeli assault — even though it showed radically different features from Israel’s alleged operations in enemy territory, which usually involve precision killings of key enemy figures.

AFGHAN NEWS

3 killed in explosion in Afghanistan capital

By Islamuddin Sajid - Anadolu Agency

"Today at around 3:50 PM, a land mine exploded on the road behind a Mercedes car in the Alokhilo area of ​​the 16th district of…

Deputy Minister: Regional Officials Should Cooperate With Reporters

By TOLO News

Addressing a seminar held to increase the capacity of the Interior Ministry's spokespeople, Atiqullah Azizi said that regional authorities must…

The Passport distribution process in Kabul will commence soon

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Abdul Karim Hasib, the head of the Passport Department, recently stated that the passport distribution process will…

REGIONAL NEWS

Afghan migrants in Iran, Pakistan concerned over prolonged immigration processes, security

By AMU TV

Afghan migrants residing in Iran and Pakistan on Tuesday expressed increasing alarm over the protracted handling of their immigration cases and the lack of basic rights and security…

Pakistani cleric in Kandahar for anticipated talks with Taliban leader

By AMU TV

Maulana Fazal Rehman, a Pakistani cleric, is currently in Kandahar Province, poised for a potential meeting with Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, according to sources from the Taliban and…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

SIGAR report says no specific controls in place to ensure Afghan Fund is not misused

By Ariana News

In response to a request by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee for information on the oversight and management of the…

US pledges to enhance relocation efforts for Afghan refugees

By AMU TV

The US State Department has informed Congress of its commitment to expanding its capability to process applications from Afghan refugees stranded in…

THE DAILY WTF

Brit danger tourist 'befriends Taliban in captivity' by telling 'toilet bomb' jokes

By Leigh Mcmanus - The Mirror

He said: "When I was in Taliban prison and dropped a big one in the toilet, I would say to the Taliban 'American bomb Afghanistan...*pause*...

“The Taliban’s Court Jester gives more valuable life lessons.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.58 AFN (as of 10 JAN 2024)

• PASSPORT DIRECTORATE ANNOUNCES REOPENING DATES  –  The eternally troubled Taliban passport directorate announced that its offices in Kabul would begin accepting applicants on 20 January.  Distribution centers in the Provinces would reopen shortly after.  A spokesman for the directorate said that online applications had been halted for technical reasons but was resuming.  The directorate has experienced several disruptions of service since the Taliban came to power and multiple investigations into corruption have been carried out with no public acknowledgment that anyone had been held accountable.  Local sources say that the prices of passports through corrupt brokers have risen to well over $1,000, and many of the passports are sometimes forgeries or do not contain the accompanying biometric data files.  It is also worth noting that the directorate has made several similar announcements over the past two years that proved to be false.  

• SWITZERLAND TO REOPEN AID OFFICES IN KABUL  –  Swiss officials said they intend to reopen the office sometime over the summer of 2024.  According to a spokeswoman for the Swiss Foreign Affairs agency, the office will resume operations at its old location and will be used to gauge the effectiveness of Swiss aid programs.  A source in Kabul said the Taliban Ministry of the Interior and Foreign Affairs had been holding regular discussions with unidentified Swiss officials and representatives of an unnamed Swiss NGO.  Security for the office was a primary concern and the Taliban officials reportedly made significant promises of support.  A discussion about the proposal involving at least three Taliban Ministers took place in late December and the consensus was that allowing the Swiss to resume operations (possibly, with female employees) would be advantageous for both recognition and regaining access to the much coveted ‘frozen funds’.

• UNCLEAR IF PAKISTAN’S REHMAN VISIT WILL ACHIEVE ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE  –  Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s much-heralded visit to Kabul seems to have resulted in the same assurances and promises that previous delegations dispatched by Islamabad heard.  Rehman’s intent for the visit was to ‘clear up’ misunderstandings between the two governments and it was never clear how much support he had received from the caretaker regime in Pakistan to conduct talks.  Some rumors surfaced during the visit that a request by Rehman to meet directly with the Taliban’s supreme leader was denied but no confirmation has yet been made.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• The head of the Supreme Court threatened citizens who criticized the government’s response to the Kerman bomb attacks.  Even moderates in Iran have questioned why no senior officials from the regime were present at the site of the attacks.

• A 33-year-old woman, Roya Heshmati, was flogged 74 times and fined approximately $300s for failing to observe the hijab law.  Heshmati, in an act of defiance, refused to wear the scarf as she left the room where she had been punished.

• Four countries (Canada, Britain, Sweden, and Ukraine) began proceedings against Iran for the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in 2020 at the International Civil Aviation Organization on Monday.

PAKISTAN

• The TTP claimed responsibility for a bomb attack that killed 5 Pakistani police officers who were traveling to provide security at a polio vaccination site in the Bajur tribal district.

• Pakistan has strongly rejected a US decision to name Pakistan ‘a Country of Particular Concern’.  The Foreign Ministry contended the US had ‘cherry-picked’ Pakistan for the criticism and ignored India.

• The stock exchange fell nearly 300 points on Monday as analysts expressed concerns that a ‘bear market’ could emerge due to high inflation.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

Cutting Through The Clutter: Expatriation Of ‘Illegal’ Afghan Immigrants

By Basit Ali - EurAsia Review

In October 2023, Pakistan decided to expatriate all illegal immigrant on its soil. A majority of these include Afghan immigrant who have been fleeing from war, lack of opportunities and oppression in their country since 1979 when former USSR invaded Afghanistan.

AFGHAN NEWS

3,000 Anti-Terrorist Operations Conducted in 2023: Islamic Emirate

By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News

The Ministry of Interior said that in 2023, it conducted nearly 3,000 operations to suppress terrorist groups and armed individuals in…

Afghanistan faces severe climate crisis amid ongoing economic, social challenges, reports OCHA

By AMU TV

Afghanistan is grappling with a severe climate crisis, marked by its third consecutive year of drought-like conditions, reported the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) on…

National Interests, People's Interests Should be Addressed: Omari

By TOLO News

The deputy Minister of Interior, Mohammad Nabi Omari, stressed that in addition to Islamic governance, attention should be paid to issues of national interest and the wishes of the people in…

REGIONAL NEWS

Qomi: Iran Does Not Support Opponents of Islamic Emirate

By Hadia Ziaei - TOLO News

Iran ambassador and special representative to Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, met with the Deputy PM for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, late…

Pakistani Islamist Leader Attempts To Help Reset Ties With Afghan Taliban

By RFE

The January 8 meeting involving Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam Pakistan (JUI) political party, hoped to improve ties marred by a…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

São Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport has 122 Afghans waiting for shelter

By Daniel Mello - Agencia Brasil

Officials said that municipal services provide emergency assistance to incoming Afghans with humanitarian…

An International Gender Equality Prize Sparks Debate About The Future Of The Taliban’s Hold On Women In Afghanistan

By Stephanie Fillion - Forbes

“This will make Afghan women so happy,” she initially said in her speech but then went on to tell a story about the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, and how some women in her country cost her the world’s…

THE DAILY WTF

Afghanistan’s tourism industry will soar to new heights in 2024

By The Kabul Times

Fortunately, Afghanistan’s tourism industry has achieved remarkable success on the international stage this…

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.35 AFN (as of 9 JAN 2024)

• IRAN SAYS IT HAS FOILED ANOTHER ISIS-K ATTACK  –  Government officials in Kerman announced they had arrested 2 individuals who were planning to carry out a terror attack on the funeral processions for those killed in the twin bombing on 3 January.  A spokesman for the public prosecutor's office claimed that security forces had arrested many ISIS-K members over 2023 and that many explosive devices had been captured.  The news surprised many long-time Iran observers who could not find evidence that any significant arrests had previously been announced.  An anonymous senior policy analyst opined that Tehran may be using misinformation to lay the groundwork for an internal security operation.  Kabul trotted out a former ISIS-K leader who now works for the regime to present a claim that the bombers had come from Pakistan and cast further aspersions on Tajikistan as a ‘hotbed’ of ISIS-K.

• PASHTUN ‘INVASION’ OF BADAKHSHAN CONTINUING  –  Several newly appointed officials for the troubled Northern Province arrived on Saturday in Faizabad.  The heavily armed convoy escorted the new leaders into the Provincial capital and local leaders were reportedly compelled to gather and greet the new leaders.  The Province's tensions are high, and many Afghan observers expect clashes between Kabul’s imposed leadership and local leaders.  A source in Badakhshan said that the underlying problem in the Province is that poppy cultivation has continued and was protected by the previous Provincial leaders.  The Taliban considers the eradication of the opium industry to be one of the few ‘feathers in its cap’ and wants leaders who will implement its policies.  

• FOOTAGE OF FEMALES BEING ARRESTED FOR HIJAB VIOLATIONS GOES VIRAL  –  Several videos depicting the arrests of several girls made in Northern Kabul have flooded the internet and are sure to spur another international outcry.  The Taliban’s chief spokesman has continually refuted claims that such activity was being carried out but the evidence is overwhelming.  A source in Kabul said that members of the Ministry of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Interior are concerned that the actions of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue has ‘moved too quickly’ on the new rules.  However, they are powerless to do anything about it as the Minister has the full support of Kandahar.

• BIZARRE PLEA BY TALIBAN FOR RECOGNITION  –  Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Taliban regime appealed to the international community to ‘show flexibility’ in its treatment of the Emirate.  During an interview with Tolo News, Mujahid said that he expects the government will be recognized in 2024.  Considering the continued implementation of oppressive policies, a lack of ethnic representation, and the near-universal perception that terror groups are allowed to maintain a presence in the country, it is not clear where his optimism is coming from.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

World is betraying Afghan women by legitimising the Taliban

By Chris Fitzgerald - South China Morning Post

As the world sees in a new year, Afghanistan remains a problem and its future uncertain. The country continues to suffer through a humanitarian crisis and the Taliban continues to rule through brutality, severely oppressing women. The world has been unsure how to solve these problems, though a recent vote at the United Nations suggests this might be changing.

AFGHAN NEWS

Dasht-e- Barchi Death Toll Rises to 5, 15 People Wounded

By Sodaba Nazhand - TOLO News

The spokesman for the Kabul department of security, Khalid Zadran, said that an investigation is underway regarding the…

Afghan Sikhs and Hindus call on IEA to return their usurped houses

By Ariana News

One of the few remaining Sikhs in Afghanistan, Manjit Singh Lamba, has called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to help return…

Increased Taliban arrests lead to Kabul families restricting women’s movement

By Zabihullah Doorandish - AMU TV

Women and girls in Kabul report growing concerns for their safety and restrictions from their families on leaving their homes, amidst rising Taliban arrests over clothing…

REGIONAL NEWS

Pakistan’s Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman arrives in Kabul for talks

By Ariana News

Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam political party chief, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, arrived in Kabul on Sunday for talks with officials of the…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

UN Decries IS-Claimed Deadly Attack on Afghan Religious Minority

By Ayaz Gul - VOA

The United Nations has urged Afghanistan's ruling Taliban to bring to justice the perpetrators of an overnight deadly minibus bombing in Kabul that targeted…

THE DAILY WTF

Governing is the right of religious scholars: education minister

By Ariana News

Acting Minister of Education Habibullah Agha said on Sunday that governing is the right of religious scholars and in the past…

“The head buffoon speaks.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.38 AFN (as of 8 JAN 2024)

• ISIS-K STRIKES KABUL  –  Yesterda’s deadly bombing in Western Kabul was reportedly the work of ISIS-K.  French news agency, France 24 reported the group claimed credit for the attack early this morning.  A minibus was destroyed in the blast and at least 2 non-combatants were killed while as many as 14 others were wounded.  The attack took place in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood which is a Shiite area and has been the target of many attacks over the years.  There was some confusion over the potential target of the blast as some eyewitnesses said a sedan had been targeted while others claimed it was a mini-bus.  There were also scattered reports of small arms fire in the immediate aftermath of the attack.  The attack occurred at approximately 1820hrs local time and Kabul Police say that an investigation is underway but few believe the authorities will follow up with much vigor for another attack against Shiites.  

• HIJAB DETENTIONS PART OF NEW POLICY BY THE MINISTRY OF VIRTUE  –  Local news outlets have confirmed that schools were advised by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice to detain females who failed to wear the Hijab and that they could expect to remain under arrest for two to three days.  It is believed the policy will be imposed nationwide and will almost certainly draw strong international condemnation for the flailing regime. 

• TEHRAN ‘UNCONVINCED’ OVER TALIBAN’S CLAIMS ABOUT ORIGINS OF KERMAN BOMBERS –  A source in Tehran said that several Ministers who attended a recent ‘crisis group’ meeting over the Kerman bombings were dubious of Kabul’s assertion that those who carried out the deadly twin-bombing in Kerman had come from Tajikistan.  The source said that one unidentified Minister said that the claims were ‘too convenient’ for Kabul and ought not to be believed. 

• SOME FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL MAY DEPART AFGHANISTAN SOON  –  A source in Kabul said that at least three nations who maintain embassies in Kabul are considering withdrawing at least some of their personnel over concerns about security.  This information was received prior to the bombing in Western Kabul and was influenced by the Kerman bombings in Iran.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• KABUL RESIDENTS SHOULD EXPECT HEIGHTENED SECURITY  –  Yesterday’s bombing has caused some embarrassment to the Taliban leadership and coming on the heels of the Kerman bombings in Iran, a significant ‘show of force’ is expected on the streets of Kabul and in other cities.  At-risk Afghans should remain aware of the likelihood of increased patrolling, reinforced security checkpoints, and possible house searches, and they should avoid any concentrations of Taliban personnel as this is normally indicative of a ‘clearing operation’.  Based on intelligence received, Police and GDI units have received significant pressure from senior leaders to ‘do something’.  

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

Jihadi Seminaries Under the Taliban: A Looming Threat

By Gul Hassan Mohammadi - The Diplomat

Since the Taliban’s return to power in mid-August 2021, millions of girls have been barred from attending school and university. The self-proclaimed regime currently ruling Afghanistan has deeply misogynistic tendencies, and has excluded women from most areas of public life. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls and women are systematically denied their fundamental rights, primarily the right to work and receive an education.

AFGHAN NEWS

Explosion kills 2, injures 14 in Kabul, Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

An explosion in western Kabul left two dead and fourteen wounded on Saturday…

Citizens Criticize 'Slow Process' of Supreme Court

By TOLO News

“The courts should do their work quickly, and there should be no carelessness in this regard, so that the cases which are…

Former government employees turn to manual labor in Kabul

By AMU TV

Amid Afghanistan’s deepening economic crisis, many former government employees in Kabul are turning to daily wage labor, struggling with poverty and a lack of employment…

REGIONAL NEWS

Pakistan detains over 30,000 Afghan migrants, UNHCR reports

By AMU TV

Pakistani authorities have detained more than 30,000 Afghan migrants since December 31, as per a recent United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)...

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

UN Signs three agreements with Islamic Development Bank to address Afghan humanitarian crisis

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that it has signed three agreements with the Islamic Development Bank to respond to…

THE DAILY WTF

Mujahid Reacts to Reports, Saying Arrests Based on Law

By Shabnam Amini - TOLO News

The Islamic Emirate's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that all arrests are done in accordance with…

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.40 AFN (as of 7 JAN 2024)

• ISIS-K IS BACK AND IN A BIG WAY  –  Few in the international community believed that ISIS-K had been ‘pacified’ in Afghanistan as the Taliban leadership continually claimed in 2023.  Recent remarks by Taliban leadership put the total remaining number in Afghanistan at around 80 terrorists.  The remarks now rank up with those of US National Security Advisor (Jake Sullivan) who said the Middle East was ‘quieter’ than it had been in decades days before the Hamas attacks in Israel.  Both the Taliban and Sullivan likely regret the timing of their utterances.  Yesterday, US intelligence sources confirmed that the twin bombings in Kerman had been orchestrated by the Afghanistan-based branch of ISIS (ISIS-K).  The sources referenced ‘compromised communications intercepts’ as proof of ISIS-K’s involvement.  Certainly, Kabul will attempt to deflect the claims as the usual ‘Western enemies’ nonsense and the misdirection may even find some sympathetic ears in Tehran, which has been crafting its own bogus narrative about Israeli complicity, but it is bound to come out in the end.  Long-term observers of Afghanistan have continued to sound the alarm bell over ISIS-K’s reach from Afghanistan. Most have dismissed the epitaphs of its premature demise as a sophomoric PR stunt by a Taliban regime that is clearly in over its head when it comes to providing domestic security and mere wishful thinking by those sympathetic to the Taliban who are eager to bring humanitarian programs back online.  The attacks in Kerman illustrate for all the world that the hard-line group is far from defeated and the Taliban’s inability to bring its rival to heel will further erode regional and international trust in Kabul’s ability to tackle terror threats.  The coming weeks look to be difficult ones for Kabul and Kandahar.  Our analysis indicates the Taliban will continue to attempt to shift the blame to neighboring States (Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan).  However, we do not believe Iran or other regional powers will pay much heed to the maskirovka and that additional pressure to defeat ISIS-K will be placed on Kabul.

• SOURCES SAY TALIBAN IS ASKING CHINA AND IRAN FOR HELP IN RESTRICTING INTERNET ACCESS –  Presumably in response to several online initiatives to provide education for girls and boys, a source in Kandahar said that recent overtures to both Iran and China have been made for assistance in controlling access to the internet.  The source was unable to provide information regarding any potential ‘help’ either country was willing to give the Taliban.  External sources said that China would likely be unwilling to risk international condemnation for aiding the Taliban in the endeavor and most thought Iran, after the Kerman attacks, would also rebuff any calls for help.  It is unclear just how much internal expertise the Taliban would be able to rally should it attempt to crack down on online education.  Many of the technocrats who had helped establish the internet have left the country, are women, or have been classified as potential threats to the regime by the Ministry of the Interior.  

NEXT 24 HOURS

• IRAN SAYS IT WILL CLOSE BORDER  –  Several sources say the borders remained open yesterday but that additional Iranian troops and police had arrived over the past 48 hours.  It is not clear if the borders will be shut, partially shut, or remain open.  At-risk Afghans intending to cross the border should consult with friends and relatives to verify.  We expect the situation will continue to be complicated for the foreseeable future.

• BADAKHSHAN PROBLEM COULD IGNITE  –  Multiple sources have released documents, photos, and audio online about the ongoing drama in the troubled Province.  Some are predicting a clash over the recent rumors about an order to disarm non-Pashtun Taliban in the area.  Small clashes continued over the latter half of 2023 but could widen with the recent policy changes.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

TTP And Its Ideology Of Takfir

By Basit Ali- EurAsia Review

Rise of TTP in Pakistan and Afghanistan around 2007 was nothing short of resurrection of a hibernating sidewinder known in Muslim history as Khawarij. Historically, this ideology is based on violent misinterpretation of Islamic scripture and it first appeared during the time of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. It continued to appear time to time and their only motive has remained to use twisted interpretation of Quran to declare other Muslims as Non-Muslims a phenomenon known as Takfir. Their ultimate aim has always remained to seek power, authority, and make people obey them through wrongful methods and reasons.

AFGHAN NEWS

Slow internet speeds hinder Afghan girls’ online education

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

The Financial Times, using information from online education networks, says that even though there are problems with internet access, Afghan girls are getting better at…

Herat earthquake aftermath: Hundreds of families still in tents

By AMU TV

Nearly three months after the Oct. 7 earthquake in Herat province, over 250 families in Injeel district’s Chahak village remain in tents amidst the ruins of their…

Taliban's Hijab Arrests Further Alienate Afghan Women, Activists Say

By Zheela Noori & Samillah Jalalzai - VOA

The Taliban have arrested women for the first time in Kabul for wearing "bad hijab," which women's rights activists in Afghanistan say is an…

REGIONAL NEWS

US intelligence confirms Islamic State's Afghanistan branch behind Iran blasts

By Jonathan Landay & Steve Holland - Reuters

Communications intercepts collected by the United States confirmed that Islamic State’s (ISIS) Afghanistan-based branch carried out twin bombings in…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

UN Chief Guterres to organise second meeting of special envoys for Afghanistan

By ANI

Associate Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Stephanie Tremblay said that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has intended to organise the second…

THE DAILY WTF

Hundreds still in Afghanistan awaiting resettlement, says Cameron

By Aine Fox - The Standard

Hundreds of people are still stuck in Afghanistan or other countries awaiting resettlement to the UK more than two years after the…

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.39 AFN (as of 6 JAN 2024)

• IRAN TERROR ATTACK COULD AFFECT AFGHANISTAN  –  With the admission from ISIS-K of having carried out the deadly twin bombing attack in Kerman, Tehran is reportedly considering implementing several strict security measures.  1)  Sources in Tehran say that military and police reinforcements have already been dispatched to both the Afghanistan and Pakistan borders.  2)  There were discussions about a potential massive search operation that would focus efforts on enclaves primarily inhabited by Afghan refugees.  The search operations were proposed by the Ministry of the Interior and a plan was being worked out with all stakeholders to potentially carry out searches once the Supreme Leader gives permission.  3)  Iran was considering closing its borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan for an indeterminate amount of time.  4)  Finally, a delegation of intelligence officials is expected to meet their counterparts from Afghanistan and Pakistan in an undisclosed location to talk about cooperation to root out ISIS-K from the region.  A source in Tehran did say that special attention was being paid to those of the Tajik ethnicity.  The Taliban habitually claim that ISIS-K is primarily composed of Tajiks in Afghanistan.  The source was unable to elaborate on why ethnic Tajiks were being singled out for special consideration.

• MORE RUMORS OF TROUBLE IN BADAKHSHAN  –  Several online sources have reported on more trouble coming out of the Northern Province.  In the latest buzz, the Governor (Maulawi Khalid - a Pashtun) has supposedly instructed security forces to disarm the Badakhshan Taliban at the earliest opportunity.  The troubles in Badakhshan have continued for some time and most of the evidence points to issues around who controls the lucrative smuggling along the border rather than some kind of policy-driven dispute.  

• 12 VICTIMS OF THE KERMAN BLASTS WERE AFGHANS  –  Provincial leaders in Kerman, Iran published a list of the victims of the deadly twin bombing and at least 12 Afghan nationals were on the list.  Of the nearly 300 who were wounded in the blast, approximately 40 are thought to be Afghans as well.  

NEXT 24 HOURS

• AFGHANS IN IRAN MAY COME UNDER INCREASED SCRUTINY AFTER KERMAN ATTACK  –  Iranian authorities are debating several new security policies in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack in Kerman on Wednesday.  Some of those policies appear to focus on Afghan nationals as possible supporters/affiliates of ISIS-K.  If the Supreme Leader grants permission to enact these policies, at-risk Afghans in Iran can expect to see searches of their houses/apartments and possibly more deportations.

• BALOCH PROTESTORS INTEND TO SET UP CAMP NEAR UN OFFICES IN ISLAMABAD  – The leader of the Baloch Yekjehti Committee, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, is calling on her supporters to move their ‘protest camp’ to the front of the United Nations offices in Islamabad.  Eyewitnesses say the numbers in the camp have dwindled as the cold weather has forced some supporters to quit the protest.  However, it is still possible that a clash with police could take place.  At-risk Afghans frequently visit the UN offices in Islamabad and should take care to avoid any potential clashes.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• A US air strike killed a leader of an Iranian proxy group in Baghdad yesterday.  Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi was killed when his vehicle was hit by a precision guided munition.

• Iran concluded a ‘day of mourning’ for the deadly terror attacks that killed 84 people durihng a ceremony commemorating IRGC Commander Qasem Soleimani.

• A popular journalist, Hasan Abbasi, was reportedly rearrested on Tuesday and several journalism-centric NGO’s began demanding his release yesterday.  His current whereabouts and status are unknown.

PAKISTAN

• 3 children were killed in an explosion in North Waziristan yesterday.  The children were shepherding goats in a field near a hotel when something triggered the blast.  Police are investigating the cause of the explosion.

• Air operations were agains disrupted and 24 flights were cancelled as dense fog blanketed many parts of the country.  Several flights had to be diverted to other destinations due to the weather conditions.

• A massive fire engulfed several buildings in Karachi on Thursday.  The fire broke out in a slum near the Teen Hatti Bridge and spread among the shanty-huts before being brought under control.  No casualties were reported.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

How the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Strengthened Pakistan’s Military Deep State

By Dhruv Banerjee - The Diplomat

With elections coming up next month amid the messy blocking of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nomination, electoral politics in Pakistan remains embroiled in tense contestation. However, in the backdrop remains the ever persisting and foreboding shadow of the most important political player in the country, whose hands are methodically tampering with the various levers of the political machine – the military.

AFGHAN NEWS

Kabul Residents Complain of Issues Withdrawing Funds from Banks

By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News

The residents of Kabul complained about challenges in withdrawing money, saying that they are only able to withdraw 100,000 Afs within a…

Taliban arrests dozens of women in Kabul for ‘improper hijab,’ says women’s group

By Bais Hayat - AMU TV

The Taliban has arrested dozens of women in western Kabul over the past three days for wearing “improper hijab,” the Women’s Political Participation Network reported…

Mujahid Reacts to UNAMA, Saying Arrests Based on 'Information'

By Hadia Ziaei - TOLO News

The Islamic Emirate's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, responded to UNAMA's request to cease arbitrary arrests by saying that all arrests are done in…

REGIONAL NEWS

Islamic State claims responsibility for Iran bombings that killed at least 84

By Patrick Wintour - Yahoo News

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on a crowd in southern Iran marking the anniversary of the death of the senior Revolutionary Guards commander…

Mullah Shirin Akhund Discussed Bilateral Engagement with Pakistan FM

By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, met with Mullah Shirin Akhund, governor of Kandahar on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on X, where they discussed continued…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

US says it backs UN’s decision on appointment of special envoy for Afghanistan

By Ariana News

The United States supports the United Nations resolution calling for the appointment of a special representative for Afghanistan, State Department…

'Seeing Kabul, thinking Saigon': Germany ignored warnings of Taliban victory

By Tim Stickings - The National News

Germany ignored warnings of the imminent fall of Kabul and missed chances to evacuate people before the Taliban seized power in 2021, according to leaked…

THE DAILY WTF

Supreme Leader Attempting to Find Way for Girls' Education: Mujahid

By Najibullah Lalzoy - TOLO News

Mujahid added that the issue is consistently raised in our leaders’ meetings with the country’s elders and influentials figures and the government has…

“Sure he is.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.27 AFN (as of 5 JAN 2024)

• ‘HIJAB ARRESTS’ CONTINUING  –  Multiple sources have reported that a recent crackdown on females failing to wear the hijab has continued and that potentially 40 women have been detained to date.  

• ALARM OVER REPORTED TALIBAN VISIT TO NORTH KOREA  –  Rahmatullah Nabil, the former Director of the Afghan intelligence service claimed at the November 2023 Herat Security Dialogue that the Taliban were searching for experts and technical assistance to develop a nuclear weapon.  At the time, most dismissed the comments due to Nabil’s former position and ties to Resistance groups.  However, there now appear to be several ongoing investigations into a purported visit by an 8 member delegation of senior Taliban defense officials to Pyongyang.  One of the open-source investigations has named Maulvi Abdul Rasheed Munib as one of the 8 delegates to have made the journey.  6 others are thought to be from the Ministry of Defense and the final delegate’s affiliation has yet to be identified.  A source in Kabul said that a member of the Russian Embassy had been offering money and visas to former members of the Afghan Intelligence apparatus who could provide information about the unconfirmed North Korea trip.

• TALIBAN SAY ONLY 70-80 ISIS-K MEMBERS REMAIN IN AFGHANISTAN  –  The spokesman for the Taliban regime, Zabiullah Mujahid told reporters that ISIS-K has, at most, 80 viable fighters left in Afghanistan.  Mujahid said that the remnants of ISIS-K are being hunted down and the Taliban have disrupted their lines of support and safe houses.  The reduction in the number of ISIS-K attacks has been noticeable over 2023 but most regional and international observers believe that several hundred ISIS-K members reside in the country.  Regardless of the true number, few seem inclined to believe the Taliban as they have continually downplayed any internal terrorism threats since coming to power.  In Pakistan, the Interior Minister recently briefed the Senate of an increasing threat from ISIS-K and attributed the rise to Kabul’s inability/reticence in dealing with potential cross-border threats.

• 4.9 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES BADAKHSHAN  –  An earthquake struck approximately 55 miles from the Provincial capital of Badakhshan (Faizabad).  No damage or casualties were reported but local eyewitnesses said the quake shook shelves in homes and shops. 

• SEVERAL HUNDRED COAL MINERS LET GO AS PAKISTAN REDUCES ORDERS AFTER TALIBAN IMPOSE HIGHER TARIFF  –  The Dara-e-Suf mine in Samangan Province said it was forced to dismiss several hundred miners due to a 60% reduction in orders from Pakistan.  Some economists say the reduction in orders from Pakistan may also be related to insecurity in the country and what many are calling ‘an unpredictable’ border situation.  Workers who continue to mine the coal say their wages have been severely reduced and this has caused hardships for their families.  Some are hoping the Taliban revisit the tariffs and say that a return to the previous levels would allow their comrades who have been ‘let go’ could return to work.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• HIJAB CRACKDOWN LIKELY TO CONTINUE  –  Initial reports indicated the hijab crackdown would be restricted to Herat.  However, as new reports from other Provinces continue to come in, Kabul/Kandahar may intend to enforce the policy nationwide.  At-risk Afghans should make sure that all family members are informed of the threat of detention and harassment that could be experienced by females.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• Twin bombings in the city of Kerman that disrupted a memorial march for slain IRGC Commander, Qassem Soleimani killed approximately 100 people yesterday.  It is not currently known who planned the attack.  Tehran has blamed the US and Israel but no evidence linking either nation to the strike has been presented.

• A bill in the US Congress that will sanction Iranian leaders is currently being held by US Senator Cardin’s office.  The bill passed with significant bipartisan support in the US House.

• Academics have expressed outrage over a policy put in place by Tehran which has raised the costs of ‘releasing’ degrees by nearly $650.00.  Experts believe the regime is attempting to halt the ‘brain drain’ in the country by increasing these costs.

PAKISTAN

• The Election Commission announced the period for appealing rulings on nomination paperwork for the upcoming election was closed yesterday.

• The special court hearing arguments in the Cipher Case adjourned yesterday due to the ill-health of the presiding Judge.  The trial is scheduled to begin again on 8 January.

• A spokesperson for the Islamabad Police denied accusations made by Baloch protestors which claimed they had been targeted for harassment by Police and security forces personnel.

SPOTLIGHT REFUGEES

Despite Denials, Pakistan Deported Afghan Refugees Waiting for US Resettlement

By Ali Orokzai - Polygraph

Pakistan has denied targeting Afghan refugees for deportation. In October, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the country’s deportation policy affects all "illegal” refugees “no matter their nationality,” and that reports “associating” the deportations with Afghan refugees are the result of “misunderstanding or misrepresentation.”

AFGHAN NEWS

Taliban Maintain Poppy Crackdown, US Fears Farmers’ Return to Cultivation

By Akmal Dawi - VOA

Afghanistan's Taliban government is touting major strides in combating drug production and trafficking over the…

1000s of Afghan Women, Girls Join Online Study Programs

By Hadia Ziaei - TOLO News

The Financial Times reported that following the ban on female education in Afghanistan, thousands of Afghan women and girls have been able to…

Being A Woman in Afghan Society is Difficult

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Fatima Jafari, a medical graduate from Balkh Medical University, was deprived of pursuing a specialization in her field after the rise of…

REGIONAL NEWS

Taliban delegation led by Shirin Akhund in Islamabad for talks

By AMU TV

A Taliban delegation led by Mullah Shirin Akhund, the governor of Kandahar, has arrived in Islamabad to hold talks with Pakistani authorities, according to…

Iran twin blasts kill 103 near grave of Guards general Soleimani

By The Jordan Times

The two explosions — unclaimed but labelled a "terrorist attack" by state media and regional authorities — came amid high Middle East tensions over the…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

Afghan Singers Abroad Helped Fund New Houses for Earthquake Victims

By TOLO News

Some Afghan singers abroad provided financial support for the construction of 37 houses for earthquake affected families in the…

Afghans urge UN to appoint special envoy focused on women’s rights

By AMU TV

A number of Afghans have said that based on Feridun Sinirlioglu’s assessment, the United Nations should appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan who is dedicated to…

THE DAILY WTF

Afghan Taliban Leaders Silent After Reports Of Secret Visit To North Korea By Official Taliban Delegation Seeking Nuclear Weapons

By Tufail Ahmad - MEMRI

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) is caught in an international controversy after it has come to light that an eight-member official Taliban delegation secretly visited North Korea to…

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.00 AFN (as of 4 JAN 2024)

• SEVERAL YOUNG WOMEN REPORTEDLY ARRESTED IN WESTERN KABUL FOR VIOLATING HIJAB CODE  –  As many as 18 young women were reportedly taken by Taliban security personnel from the Barchi area of Western Kabul for failing to wear the hijab.  It is not clear where the women are being held at this point. Yesterday, the registration of health care workers for taking the certification exams began.  Female applicants were advised that they would only be allowed to participate in the exam if they wore the hijab.

• TALIBAN RESTRICT SALES OF HOUSES TO FORMER AFGHAN ARMY PERSONNEL IN KUNDUZ  –  Mullah Rahimullah Zulfiqar, a senior Taliban Commander in the Province advised business officials in the Province to refrain from renting or selling properties to former Afghan soldiers and their family members.  It is not yet clear if this policy is being implemented across the country or is only enforceable in Kunduz.

• PAKISTAN ANNOUNCES LARGE COUNTER-TERRORISM ROUNDUP, MANY ARRESTED  –  A spokesperson for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) announced it had arrested 14 TTP members in a large-scale operation across Punjab.  In addition, a senior Balochistan Liberation Army Commander (Arshad) was arrested in Bahawalpur and a trove of equipment was seized in his safe house.  The spokesperson said the terrorists were planning a series of attacks in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Sargodha.

• NEW ‘TALI-SCAM’ REPORTED IN KABUL  –  Some Taliban officials in Kabul are purportedly charging residents for water meters that they already own under a new scheme that could be scamming nearly $200,000 per month across Kabul alone.  Citizens say they had already purchased water meters and owned them outright but have been forced to pay ‘rent’ for the meters under a scheme that appears to be profiting many Taliban officials. 

NEXT 24 HOURS

• NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs floated the notion that Tehran was still open to talks regarding its nuclear program yesterday during a press conference.

• Iran’s longest-serving female political prisoner, Maryam Akbari, received an additional 3-year extension after the Ministry of Intelligence filed two additional charges against her.  If fully served, she will have remained behind bars for 18 years in total.

• Iran has dispatched a single destroyer to the Red Sea after a US strike on Houthis attempting to board a merchant vessel reportedly left 10 dead off the coast of Yemen.

PAKISTAN

• The latest inflation figures surpassed projections set by the government and now stand at 29.7%.  Government targets had been set at 21.5%.

• The Senate has passed a resolution that would allow for strict punishments to be imposed on those who criticize the Army and other security forces.  

• Counter-terrorism agents rounded up over twenty TTP terror group members over the past two weeks thanks to an operation launched in Punjab that relied on several vetted sources.

SPOTLIGHT EDUCATION

I teach in secret, defying the Taliban ban and fighting despair

By Maryam Ahmadi - Al Jazeera

According to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), some 2.5 million girls and young women are out of school due to the ban. Before the universities were closed for us, one in three young women were enrolled; some 100,000 were denied their dreams of pursuing the degrees they wanted. Not only that, even when students have found opportunities to study abroad, the Taliban has denied them the right to do so.

AFGHAN NEWS

Taliban minister claims Daesh strongholds in Afghanistan dismantled

By Milad Sayar - AMU TV

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of the Taliban, stated during a recent visit to Iran that under Taliban rule over the past 18 months, all Daesh strongholds in Afghanistan have been…

IEA rejects RSF’s report Afghanistan is among most dangerous countries for journalists

By Ariana News

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has rejected a report by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) mentioning Afghanistan is among the…

A Glance at Afghanistan’s Security Situation in 2023

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Following the collapse of the republic and the rise of the Taliban regime, Afghanistan has not been a battleground for direct confrontations, but security is still considered a…

REGIONAL NEWS

PM Kakar orders upgraded tracking for Afghanistan Transit Trade

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar emphasized the need to enhance and create a foolproof tracking system for the Afghan Transit Trade, instructing further…

Restrictions on entry of Iranian trucks into Afghanistan lifted

By Ariana News

Afghan and Iranian authorities have agreed to immediately remove the 20-day restriction on the entry of Iranian trucks to…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

DAB says World Bank likely to start work of incomplete projects in Afghanistan

By Ariana News

DAB officials said talks are underway with the World Bank so that the work of these projects may kick off as soon as…

The Afghan women’s rights activist who says the world should talk to the Taliban

By Jennifer Jett - NBC News

Seraj, 75, an Afghan-American women’s rights activist and founder of the nonprofit Afghan Women’s Network, had been in Afghanistan since 2003, when she moved back with a…

THE DAILY WTF

Taliban’s Warning to the Global Community: Our Religious Approach is Immutable

By Amin Kawa - Hasht-E Subh

In the past two years, the Taliban have not positively responded to global community requests, particularly those related to respecting human right…

“The Global Community’s Approach to the Taliban:  Your Religious Approach is Unacceptable.”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.79 AFN (as of 2 JAN 2024)

• PAKISTAN SECURITY FORCES INTERCEPT INFILTRATORS ALONG AFGHAN BORDER  –  Yesterday, Pakistani security forces in the Bajaur District to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa intercepted 3 terrorists who had crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan.  A Pakistani military spokesman said the three men had come under surveillance as they approached the border and were intercepted shortly after crossing over the demarcation line.  After a firefight, security personnel were able to recover weapons (some of US manufacture), ammunition, and explosives.  It was not immediately clear which group the 3 men were tied to and their identities/nationalities have yet to be released.  A recent report by the Pakistan-based Center for Research and Security Studies estimated that approximately 1,000 Pakistani citizens were killed by terror attacks in 2023.  The number is the highest in the past six years and civilians accounted for half of all deaths.

• TALIBAN DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS HIS UNITS HAVE KILLED DOZENS OF TAJIK AND PAKISTANI CITIZENS OVER PAST 12 MONTHS  –  Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob reported the figures yesterday during a press conference in Kabul.  He added that hundreds of other foreigners had been arrested for suspected involvement in anti-state activity.  Yaqoob concluded by pointing out a noticeable decrease in ISIS-K terror operations in the country throughout 2023.

• FIVE AFGHAN REFUGEES FOUND DEAD IN EUROPE  –  Belarussian officials said they had discovered 5 bodies who were later determined to be Afghan refugees along its border with Poland on Sunday.  The security officials did not comment on what may have led to their deaths and the identities of the deceased were not provided.  The bodies have been taken to a nearby hospital by Belarus officials and an investigation has reportedly begun.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• TERROR GROUPS MAY LAUNCH ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN, IRAN, AND AFGHANISTAN –  Security officials in both Pakistan and Iran have warned their subordinates to remain watchful today as symbolic attacks by various terrorist organizations could be forthcoming.  While authorities in Kabul have not provided a similar warning to their personnel, it is possible that attacks could take place there as well.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

• A Spanish tourist who has been held for over a year was released.  The man was detained during the mass protests in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death and was traveling by foot to the World Cup in Qatar when he was arrested.

• Presumed Israeli air strikes reportedly killed 23 pro-Iran militants in Eastern Syria yesterday.  

• Ongoing strikes by both steel and gold workers have entered their sixth day in Iran and other groups say they are considering joining the protests soon.

PAKISTAN

• Customers are complaining of ‘hidden taxes and fees’ in their most recent electric bills.  Consumer advocacy groups say that analysis shows consumers face up to eight different taxes on their bills.

• Even though New Year’s celebrations were banned by the government to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, some citizens chose to ignore the ban and chose to fire their weapons in the air.  As a result, at least 11 people were injured by bullets in Karachi alone.

• 2 children were reportedly killed when unknown assailants tossed a hand grenade into the main bazaar in Mach on Saturday evening.  Police said they did not currently have any leads in the resulting investigation and are asking for the public’s help to find the criminals.

SPOTLIGHT REFUGEES

The displaced Afghans making gruelling journeys to survive

By Al Jazeera

More than 40 years of war, violence and poverty have created one of the world’s most uprooted populations. (PHOTO ESSAY)

AFGHAN NEWS

Taliban Blames Tajiks, Pakistanis For Attacks Inside Afghanistan

By RFE

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government on December 31 claimed that Tajik and Pakistani nationals have been responsible for most of the attacks inside…

Political Ups and Downs of Afghanistan in 2023

By TOLO News

In 2023, although the Islamic Emirate has political and economic interactions with several countries and the officials of the caretaker government have had…

Female Medical students in Afghanistan continue studies secretly: Al Jazeera

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

The Al Jazeera report published on December 30th states that over 3,000 women who graduated before the education ban have been denied…

Review of Afghan Human Rights in 2023

By TOLO News

Compliance with human rights especially women’s rights and the girls going to school and universities, is the issue that the world says is a…

REGIONAL NEWS

Two Afghan citizens secretly executed in Iran

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

According to the organization, “These two Afghan citizens were transferred to solitary confinement on Thursday, along with Akbar Nehmati, who had previously been convicted of…

Three terrorists killed for attempting to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan

By GEO News

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that security forces picked up movement of the three terrorists who were trying to…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

China asks UN chief to be cautious in appointing special envoy for Afghanistan

By Xinhua

A Chinese envoy on Friday asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to be cautious in dealing with the appointment of a special envoy for…

THE DAILY WTF

US-leftover arms again surface in NW terror attack

By Mateen Haider - The Nation

Foreign arms, including M4 Carbines, AK-47s, and explo­sives, were seized from terror­ists during the…

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.64 AFN (as of 1 JAN 2024)

• TALIBAN’S MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR SWELLS TO 200,000  –  A spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior says the government department now employs approximately 200,000 personnel.  A recruiting drive to enlist another 75,000 employees is currently underway across all Provinces in Afghanistan.  Several Afghan citizens commented on the announcement and complained that the Ministry personnel serving in their areas were ‘unprofessional’ and had been given the position only out of perceived loyalty to the Taliban regime or as favors.  

• FORMER PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER KHAN OFFICIALLY BARRED FROM STANDING IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS  –  Pakistan’s Election Commission formally rejected a nomination for the former Prime Minister to represent the Lahore and Mianwali constituencies in the upcoming February 8 election.  The ECP based its most recent ruling on a procedural discrepancy, noting that the nominations were made by individuals not residents of the voting districts.  The ECP reaffirmed its ruling on Khan’s ability to stand in elections and said that he was barred from Pakistan’s political scene for five consecutive years.  

• IRAN CLAIMS TO HAVE DEPORTED 60,000 AFGHANS IN THE PAST THIRTY DAYS  –  Border officials in Iran say that nearly 60,000 Afghans were repatriated to Afghanistan over December.  While the figure raised some eyebrows among Afghanistan observers, the Taliban have previously admitted that they were receiving between 1200-2000 Afghans from Iran per day in late 2023.  It is not certain how many of the Afghans were forcibly deported and it is believed that a portion were expelled by Iran on behalf of Turkey.

• TALIBAN SAYS IT WILL BEGIN ISSUING BIRTH CERTIFICATES THROUGH DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS ABROAD SOON  –  Afghan citizens who have welcomed newborns to their families over the past two years may soon be able to request official birth certificates from consulates in select locations.  Many Afghan children who were born abroad have been unable to procure the needed documents and it has caused hardships and delays for parents.

NEXT 24 HOURS

• POSSIBLE CHANCE FOR PTI PARTY PROTESTS IN PAKISTAN  –  While not considered a major threat, PTI party members could take to the streets to protest the disqualification of the former Prime Minister by Pakistan’s Election Commission.  Should demonstrations take place, they will likely be localized and we assess the threat of potential violence to be low.  Still, at-risk Afghans sheltering in Pakistan are advised to avoid any significant gatherings as Police are expected to respond.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

US punctures Pakistan army chief’s mission TTP

By Avinash Mohananey - The Economic Times

The United States hasn’t responded favourably to Pakistan’s demand for military and economic aid in dealing with the violence unleashed by Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) that has crippled all efforts to revive the sinking economy. The demand was raised by Pakistan army chief Asim Munir with the US leadership during his recent visit there. What Munir expected from the US was continuation of the kind of support that his country had received in the past during the “war on terror” to counter the rising TTP violence.

AFGHAN NEWS

168 Cases of Violence Against Journalists Recorded: AJC

By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News

The Afghanistan Journalists Center expressed concern about media rights violations in Afghanistan and said that in 2023 it recorded 168 cases of…

ARCS distributes cash aid to 2,600 Kabul widows and orphans

By Ariana News

The cash aid was provided by the British Red Cross and 8,500 afghanis was given to each person, ARCS officials…

Taliban Seek Information on Former Government Forces in Herat, County Councilors Pressed for Details

By Hasht-E Subh 

Local sources in Herat have reported that the Taliban are actively collecting information about former military personnel in the province, raising concerns among…

REGIONAL NEWS

Akhund’s visit to Islamabad may ease tensions on TTP issue

By Baqir Sajjad Syed - Dawn

Mullah Sherin Akhund, a senior Afghan Taliban figure and governor of Kandahar province, is expected to arrive in Islamabad early next month in a…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

‘Unnecessary’: Taliban Slams UNSC’s Decision to Appoint Gender and Human Rights Envoy

By Shankhyaneel Sarkar - News 18

Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities on Saturday criticised the UN Security Council’s plan for a special envoy to promote gender and human rights in the country as…

THE DAILY WTF

Outsiders Should Not Impose their Demands on Afghans: Russia

By Bakhtar News Agency

The Russian envoy at the United Nations has emphasized that aliens should not impose their demands on Afghans.

“Perhaps the same should be true of Ukrainians?”  TAD Staff

Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.65 AFN (as of 31 DEC 2023)