LAST 24 HOURS
3 BRITISH CITIZENS REPORTEDLY DETAINED BY THE TALIBAN – Multiple international news outlets are reporting that 3 men from Great Britain are currently being held by the Taliban. Initially, the reports were brushed off as an ‘April Fools’ Day shenanigan, but the British Home Office confirmed the reports to several British news organizations. The Afghan Digest had initially reported on the possible arrest of influencer, Miles Routledge on March 18th, but received several notes from readers that the information was fake. According to a non-profit (Presidium Network), the three are being held by the General Directorate of Intelligence in an undisclosed location. It is not clear when the men were arrested but rumors circulating in the press say it may have been 11 January 2023. A British Foreign Office spokesman said they are working on securing the men’s release.
TALIBAN SCUFFLE IN PANJSHIR – A clash between members of the Taliban Judiciary and Security Forces was reported to have involved gunfire. A senior judge of the Provincial court system took umbrage when Security Forces personnel began screening the phones of court employees. A scuffle broke out and several shots were reported. The senior judge (unidentified as of publication) was reportedly wounded and taken to a hospital. There are scattered reports that others were wounded in the melee that lasted for approximately an hour. A source in Kabul said the security personnel was reacting to an order from Kabul to ‘find Resistance sympathizers in government offices’. It is not clear if this clash took place in Bazarak or another location.
FORMER REGIME MINISTER SCOLDS TALIBAN FOR LACK OF ETHNIC DIVERSITY – Abdul Bari Jahani, the former Minister of Information and Culture, penned a letter to the Taliban where he lambasted the regime for monopolizing the power in the hands of Pashtuns and excluding the other ethnicities in the country. He also criticized the appointments of Mullahs to Ministries and Departments with which they are unqualified. He ended with a warning that the US could cut financial support at any time.
TALIBAN SIEZE 40,000 KG OF AMMONIUM CHLORIDE IN NIMRUZ – The Afghan Digest reported in February that the Taliban were searching for a large shipment of Ammonium Nitrate which had reportedly been smuggled into the country by ISIS-K for use in a large fuel-bomb. Taliban officials in Nimruz announced they had seized 40,000 kg of Ammonium Chloride that was being transported on two trucks. 2 men have been arrested in connection with the shipment and it is not clear where the chemicals originated or what the intended use would be.
NEXT 24 HOURS
TALIBAN PREPARING FOR AN OFFENSIVE IN PANJSHIR – A source in Kabul said that plans were laid to conduct reconnaissance of two NRF bases in the Province in the next twenty-four hours. Approximately 100 Taliban members were expected to take part in the operation. The locations of the probes were not available. At-risk Afghans residing in the Province should be aware that military operations could commence at any given time.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Several judges in Iran have threatened to prosecute unveiled women in an attempt to stave off another season of protests. The Iranian President warned violators that the hijab law would be enforced.
A man was filmed throwing yogurt on the heads of two women who were in a shop for not wearing hijabs. The man and both women were arrested.
COVID has surged in 19 cities across the country, forcing the Ministry of Health to upgrade the risk assessment from moderate to high.
PAKISTAN
A reported terror attack in Balochistan claimed the lives of 4 Pakistan soldiers in the Kech region. The Army said the incident involved terrorists from Iran, but no details were given.
After mobs rushed several ‘free flour’ distribution sites and several citizens were killed, the Government has decided to shift future disbursement sites to Government facilities.
2 counter-terrorism officials were killed in an exchange of fire with militants in North Waziristan and the Mardan District.
TURKMENISTAN
Parliamentary elections closed on Wednesday and the government said there was a 91% turnout rate. Critics of the regime claimed the actual figures were far less.
Citizens were less than enthusiastic about the recently announced costs to complete the Arkadag City project. Many felt the $3-5 billion dollars should be spent on health and education.
SPOTLIGHT AID
Aid and assistance in Afghanistan: Challenges and look ahead
By Observer Research Foundation
In a controversial op-ed, the Interim Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi wrote in hyperbole about the transformation of Afghanistan under the Taliban. With the country now ruled by an “independent, powerful, united, central and responsible government” willing to positively engage with the international community, he urged the rest of the world to also ‘turn a new leaf’ and look towards the future. The new Emirate will now focus on extricating Afghanistan from its over-reliance on foreign aid through ‘Afghanising’ the country. Blatantly omitting any mention of the status and rights of women, he called on countries to assist Kabul in standing on its feet while respecting its independence.
AFGHAN NEWS
IEA special forces rescue hostage in Balkh
By Ariana News
The Ministry of Interior says the special forces from the ministry and the 209th Army Corps of Al-Fatah carried out an…
Mujahid claims Daesh is not a major threat to Afghanistan
By Ariana News
In a recent interview with Voice of America, Pashto, Mujahid said that the Afghan security forces “since August 2021, have arrested and imprisoned around…
Interior Ministry: Police Reach Nearly 200,000 Members
By Fatima Adib - TOLO News
Abdul Nafay Takur, a spokesman for the ministry, said the purpose of the recruitment is to ensure public order and fight drugs and…
Former Military Doctor Shot Dead in Afghanistan’s Parwan Province
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Former military doctor Shabir Shirzad who served former Afghan intelligence agency, was shot dead by Taliban forces in Northern Parwan province on Friday evening…
REGIONAL NEWS
Over 800,000 Afghans Returned From Iran Last Year: MoRR
By Mitra Majeedy - TOLO News
400,000 of these immigrants have been forcefully returned to the nation, according to Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, the spokesperson for…
US weapons left behind in Afghanistan boosts TTP's military power: Reports
By ANI
Arms and ammunition left behind in Afghanistan have wreaked havoc in Pakistan as the homegrown monster of Islamabad has been…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Three British men are being held by Taliban in Afghanistan
By BBC
Three British nationals are currently being held in custody by the Taliban in Afghanistan, a humanitarian organisation has told the…
USIP Expert Says Intl Aid to Afghanistan 'Slipping,' Changes Needed
By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News
William Byrd, a United States Institute of Peace (USIP) expert writing for the LAWFARE blog, said that international aid to Afghanistan is decreasing, and…
THE DAILY WTF
Moment man throws yoghurt on two women not wearing hijab in Iran
By Francesca Casonato - The Independent
Two women in Iran were attacked by a man who threw yogurt at them reportedly for not wearing the hijab in…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.94 AFN (as of 2 APR 2023)