LAST 24 HOURS
THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL SANCTIONS 2 ADDITIONAL ISIS-K LEADERS FOR ROLES IN KABUL AIRPORT BOMBING IN 2021 – ISIS-K spokesman Aziz Azam and Maulawi Rajab (a leader) were sanctioned on Wednesday during a UNSC committee meeting. Both are Afghan nationals and their current locations are unknown.
A SERIES OF ATTACKS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA SEEN AS A RIPOSTE TO GOVERNMENT COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATIONS – In the span of an hour, 6 separate attacks took place in Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Tank, and North Waziristan Districts. The timing and targets of the attacks suggest a coordinated and detailed planning effort among the TTP and potentially other terrorist organizations. Sources in Pakistan say the barrage was meant to send a message to the people of Pakistan that these groups were far from being defeated. Several casualties have been reported on both sides but the information is jumbled and will take some time to unravel. Security forces remained active throughout the night and a source says they have cornered approximately 15 militants (said to be TTP) in an undisclosed location.
CSTO WORKING GROUP ON AFGHANISTAN MEETING CONCLUDES – The member states released a joint statement that voiced concerns over ‘unfavorable trends in the security situation’ in Afghanistan. Of particular concern was the perceived growth of both terrorist and narcotics organizations. The chief spokesman for the Taliban rejected the statement by the CSTO and contends the country is now safer than at any time in recent history. The meeting marked the 37th time the nations have met to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
RESISTANCE OPERATION REPORTED YESTERDAY IN NANGARHAR ATTRIBUTED TO THE AFGHANISTAN LIBERATION MOVEMENT – The operation reported in yesterday’s Conflict Tracker that is thought to have taken place near Torkham and which resulted in the deaths of 6 Taliban (5 others wounded) was planned and carried out by the ALM. The group is said to be currently conducting follow-up operations against several Taliban security checkpoints in the Province. The ALM has been fairly successful with its military operations so far in 2023 and appears to be the most active Resistance group since January.
COVID-19 RESURGENCE A CONCERN FOR HEALTH WORKERS – Some independent sources have alleged that 1,500 cases were lodged in the past week alone. A resurgence of the pandemic in Afghanistan is thought to be a worst-case scenario for the populace as nutrition has suffered from the precarious economic situation in the country over the past 19 months and many believe that people are more vulnerable. The situation could rapidly worsen as health workers are in short supply and treatment facilities have been described as ‘hollow buildings that are more like morgues than hospitals’. The ban on female aid workers has severely hobbled the abilities of international aid agencies to respond to a new and deadly wave of the virus.
NEXT 24 HOURS
RESISTANCE GROUPS FOCUSING EFFORTS ON TALIBAN SECURITY CHECKPOINTS – Some Resistance groups have stated intentions to launch fresh attacks against Taliban security checkpoints in the coming days. It is believed that most of these attacks will focus on vehicle checkpoints along roads and will not take place in urban areas. A source with one Resistance group says the Taliban have become complacent in many of these postings and have not made security improvements over the winter months. The source went on to say that many of the security vehicles in use have begun to break down and a shortage of batteries had caused the Taliban to steal batteries from non-combatants in some areas. A decision had been made to conduct hit-and-run operations against these dispersed locations. At-risk Afghans who may be traveling along these routes should avoid stopping at the checkpoints for a prolonged period of time.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Following in Russia’s footsteps when it dealt with a mass poisoning situation in 2015, the Iranian intelligence services announced that mass hysteria was the culprit behind the cases in Iran.
A US spokesperson announced that Panama had taken the decision to ‘de-flag’ approximately 30 Iranian vessels in response to updates to a special list maintained by the US Treasury Department.
Iran has aired videos of its Navy forces seizing a Chinese owned oil tanker that was bound for Texas on Thursday. Some international analysts believe that Iran targeted the wrong ship and may have inadvertently caused a diplomatic row with China.
PAKISTAN
Former PM Khan was granted bail on a case of mutiny lodged against him and will remain under his own recognizance until 3 May.
The Chinese national who had been arrested and held on blasphemy charges was released on Friday after a court granted him bail.
Indian police announced the terrorists who carried out the Poonch attacks in Jammu/Kashmir had received the weapons and explosives through drones that had been launched in Pakistan. 6 have been arrested in the Province for sheltering the attackers.
Pakistan authorities approved a request to raise the price of drugs across the country by 20% to deal with inflation. Drug makers said the increase was not nearly high enough and have been lobbying for a 39% increase.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
IN-DEPTH: What’s Behind the UN Rhetoric of Recognizing Taliban?
By Venus Upadhayaya - The Epoch Times
Experts allege the buzz about the upcoming meeting may be deliberate and could actually facilitate the Taliban’s participation. They believe that U.N. recognition will not actually happen. However, there is concern that Taliban representatives may be invited to the Doha meeting. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, would not confirm that at the press conference on April 19.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban reacts to UNSC resolution, says ban on UN female employees ‘an internal matter’
By AMU TV
Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Friday reacted to a resolution of the United Nations Security Council that calls for the return of women to their jobs in UN offices in Afghanistan and…
No Restrictions Imposed on Former Govt Officials: Mujahid
By Mohammad Farshad Daryosh - TOLO News
A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that former government officials can meet other…
Saur 8 Marks 31st Anniversary of Mujahideen Takeover of Country
By Mohammad Farshad Daryosh - TOLO News
31 years ago today, on Saur 8, 1371 (April 28, 1992), the Mujahideen came to power and the government of Dr. Najibullah…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan militant attack kills three troops, officials say
By Ariana News
Militants in northwest Pakistan set off a bomb while targeting a temporary military camp with rockets and guns, in an incident that killed at least…
CSTO on Afghanistan: 'Unfavorable Trends' in 'Security Situation'
By Banafsha Binesh - TOLO News
The participants noted the persistence of unfavorable trends in the security situation, including the growth of terrorist and drug threats emanating from the territory of…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US Secretary of State meets Guterres ahead of Doha meeting on Afghanistan
By Ariana News
At the meeting, Antony Blinken said that they will closely discuss the situation in Afghanistan with the UN and…
By Peter Aitken - Fox News
Some House Foreign Affairs Committee members appeared grossly dissatisfied with a briefing on the State Department’s Afghanistan dissent cable, with one…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban leader says ‘pressure’ won’t work after UN blasts its treatment of women
By The Times of Israel
A senior Taliban leader warned the United Nations Security Council Friday to give up its “failed policy of pressure” after members adopted a resolution condemning…
‘An island of obstinance stuck in the dark ages’ TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.31 AFN (as of 29 APR 2023)