LAST 24 HOURS
Taliban security forces disrupted a scheduled women’s rally in Kabul near the Ministry of Education. Several videos of the Taliban’s response are circulating on social media and news sites; rifle fire can be heard and Taliban soldiers can be seen chasing women and striking them with the butts of their rifles. Many of the women were shouting the slogan, “Work, bread, and freedom”, and several of the protestors refused to wear veils.
A source with the Ministry of the Interior claimed several local leaders who helped plan the protest were warned to “stay off the streets” by Taliban Intelligence officials. Unconfirmed reports have been received that the protest was organized by international NGOs.
10 journalists have reputedly been arrested and are being held. Our analysis indicates that known participants will likely be targeted for arrest in the coming days.
A bomb believed to be attached to a motorcycle was remotely detonated in Police District 13 near the Dasht Barchi branch (electronic ID card center), wounding 2 Taliban security guards and 2 civilians. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
US government officials’ announcement about the upcoming $150 million aid package is a strong indicator that the recent drone strike on the al-Qaeda leader was sanctioned by the Taliban leadership. A source present at the recent Tashkent conference in Uzbekistan suggested a private meeting took place between US and select Taliban delegates to negotiate the deal. Historically, an easing of sanctions or an aid package follows such agreements.
Several news sources are beginning to report that the killing of the TTP commander last week was the result of a Pakistan drone strike. Sources in Pakistan have not confirmed the method used but have suggested that the attack was sanctioned by senior leaders of the TTP as the deceased commander was thought to be organizing a terror campaign that would violate the current ceasefire. No further information was available.
NEXT 24 HOURS
The Taliban are expected to attack the NRF in Panjshir, including Shaba Base and one unidentified base. Sources in the Ministry of Defense say local Taliban commanders initially rejected orders to attack the NRF but were overruled by senior leaders in the Ministry. At-risk Afghans can expect fighting in the province for the next 48hrs.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan: One year on from fall of Kabul, little hope for female athletes
By Deutsche Welle
"I knew if I stayed, the Taliban would find me, beat me and burn me alive. So, I thought if I got killed by a bullet or I was crushed at the airport while waiting to escape the country, it would be an easier death."
AFGHAN NEWS
4 People Wounded in Kabul Blast
By TOLO News
Abdul Rahman Nafay, commander of PD13, told TOLOnews that the blast was due to explosives placed in a…
Taliban fire warning shots amid rare women's protest in Afghan capital
By EURONEWS
Dramatic video footage shows armed men firing gunshots into the air, causing demonstrators to flee on…
Thirteen people killed in flash floods in Afghanistan
By Ariana News
Thirteen people including women and children have been killed in flash floods caused by heavy rains over the past two days in…
REGIONAL NEWS
100 Sikhs, Hindus waiting to come to India: Afghan Sikh leader
By The New Indian Express
Around 100 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus want to come to India but are unable to as some of their family members are yet to receive their e-visas from the…
Iran, Taliban call for security cooperation to fight Daesh: special envoy
By The Tehran Times
“In these meetings, the two sides stressed the need for promotion of positive interaction and expansion of relations in various fields, particularly the…”
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US commits $150 million in aid for Afghans
By Ariana News
The United States announced Friday $150 million in new aid for Afghanistan to improve food security and support women and…
Afghanistan’s Recognition Problem
By Reveal News
“Do you recognize the Taliban?” The U.S. government, other countries and individual Afghans grapple with the question that will determine…
THE DAILY WTF
Children for sale in Afghanistan
By Deutsche Welle
Poverty is rampant in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. So much so that ever more Afghan parents have little choice but to sell own children: be it to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.17 AFN (as of 14 AUG 2022)