LAST 24 HOURS
A source in Kunduz claims that the Taliban invited local elders to a meeting in the Qala Zaal district on Monday in order to inform them that the Taliban were no longer capable of providing security in the district and urge the elders to form local militias to deal with ISIS-K threats. No further information was available.
Local sources in Panjshir say the Taliban death toll from recent fighting is approximately 60. The number of wounded is currently unknown, and there has been no word about casualties the NRF may have sustained. Several towns were reportedly liberated and are thought to be under NRF control. Sources in the Ministry of Defense claim a massive response is being planned.
It appears that reports concerning the capture of approximately 50 Taliban fighters from recent fighting in Panjshir may be true. Several social media users have shared video footage of a large number of prisoners being marched up mountain paths and medical care being provided to Taliban fighters who were said to be wounded in the fighting.
Although details are scant, the NRF is reported to have arrested Qari Mujahid, the chief of intelligence in the Farkhar district of Takhar province, as punishment for “womanizing”. Mujahid was filmed being taken into custody by unidentified gunmen after he was detained in his car with his supposed girlfriend. Mujahid is said to be a protégé of Maulvi Mohsin, the deputy of logistics for the Ministry of the Interior. We have not yet confirmed this information.
NEXT 24 HOURS
More rain is expected to cause flooding in eastern provinces over the next 24 hours. Flood warnings have been issued for the following provinces: Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, Panjshir, Kapisa, Parwan, Kabul, Maidan Wardak, Bamyan, Logar, Paktia, Khost, Paktika, Ghazni, Zabul, Uruzgan, Daikundi, and Kandahar. Afghans wishing to travel should check conditions before setting out.
The Taliban are considering sending nearly 1,000 additional fighters to Panjshir to deal with the recent NRF offensive. There was a heated argument in the Ministry of Defense over who would take command of the situation in the province, and those who witnessed the dispute say it nearly ended in a fistfight. A source in the Ministry said that Kandahar is unhappy with the lack of progress in Panjshir and is refusing to accept reports the NRF has achieved some successes.
The Central Bank will auction $12 million USD on Wednesday in order to bolster the Afghani.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Under Taliban Rule, Afghanistan Will Never Have an Inclusive Government
By Fawad Poya – The Diplomat
Within a year of beginning their second stint in control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have systematically caused and entrenched an egregious regression of civil liberties and human rights, especially women’s rights. The Taliban have stonewalled every effort to engender an inclusive, representative government and political system that ensures equal rights for all, especially women. They have also continued to support and cooperate with terrorist outfits, especially al-Qaida, as evidenced by the recent killing of al-Qaida Chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in a safe-house in Kabul.
AFGHAN NEWS
The Taliban’s Islamic Emirate: An Exclusive Mullah Government
By Weeda Mehran – The Diplomat
One year after the Taliban’s victory over its democratically elected predecessor, the Islamic Emirate is struggling with internal and external…
‘They Can’t Overcome This’: Why The Taliban Can’t Agree On Anything
By Mohammed Rasool – Vice
A year after they seized power, the Taliban is plagued by internal arguments about what an Islamic government in Afghanistan should…
Taliban add more compulsory religion classes to Afghan universities
By RTE
Many conservative Afghan clerics in the hardline Islamist Taliban, which swept back into power a year ago, are sceptical of modern…
REGIONAL NEWS
Russia foreign ministry is concerned that helicopters flown from Afghanistan can get into Ukraine
By Asia-Plus
Russia would not like to see about a hundred planes and helicopters, flown by U.S.-trained Afghan pilots to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in…
Seven Afghans reportedly obtain fake British passports in Tajikistan
By Asia-Plus
Seven Afghans have been removed from Tashkent-London flight on August 5 this year for having forged British…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Five infographics to show impact of Taliban takeover on Europe
By Joshua Askew – EuroNews
A year ago the Taliban swept back into power in Afghanistan, triggering a mass exodus of Afghans fearing their lives would be worse under…
Australia Urged to Speed Up Afghan Humanitarian Resettlement Process
By Phil Mercer – VOA
Australia’s immigration minister Andrew Giles is reviewing Canberra’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan a year…
THE DAILY WTF
We Commit Defending Every Inch of Our Country Territory: Mujahid
By Bakhtar News Agency
Minister Mujahid ensured complete security in Afghanistan and asked national and international organizations to start their projects and…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.62 AFN (as of 17 AUG 2022)