LAST 24 HOURS
NEW REPORT DOCUMENTS RISING CASES OF FEMICIDE UNDER THE TALIBAN – Afghan Witness produced the report and noted hundreds of cases of women being murdered by the Taliban. Some are beheaded and their bodies have been reputedly dumped in rivers and on the streets. The study recorded 188 cases of women who were murdered from January thru July of 2023 alone. A copy of the report can be accessed by clicking HERE.
PAKISTAN MEDIA CONFIDENT TTP LEADER KILLED IN AIRSTRIKE ON 14 AUGUST – Citing anonymous government sources, several mainstream journalism outlets in Pakistan began reporting that Dost Muhammad (aka Asad Afridi), a key leader in the TTP, was killed in a drone strike carried out on a hotel in Khost. While several rumors had been circulating that he had been targeted, few news sites published the accusations until yesterday. The stories also referenced the use of a drone to carry out the attack on the hotel. If true, it is likely the Government of Pakistan sanctioned the attack.
MARSHAL DOSTUM THREATENS ACTION – The exiled politician made the comments during a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Resistance on 17 August. In the meeting, Dostum listed the many overtures that had been made to the Taliban over the previous two years and opined that the regime is incapable of compromise. He then stated that his fighters who remain in Afghanistan are ready to oust the Taliban from power. While the Taliban have made light of Dostum’s remarks in the past, a source in Kabul says that he is probably the only exiled leader who the Taliban fears. It is not clear if his comments were mere saber rattling or if a strategy to intervene is on the table.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A senior cleric, Ayatollah Seyed Ahmad Khatami, claimed that the US and Israel were behind the recent Shah Cheraq terror attack in Shiraz. Although Khatami is widely regarded as an imbecile, his comments are being echoed across state-run media outlets.
The Foreign Minister extended his meeting to Saudi Arabia in order to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Salman. Their discussions centered on improving the recently reestablished ties.
Another well-respected scholar has been sacked for supporting protestors. Mahdi Khoei, a sociology professor at Tehran’s Allameh University was fired from his post on 17 August.
PAKISTAN
The wife of former PM, Imran Khan warns that her husband could be poisoned or have an ‘accident’ while being held in prison and calls for his release.
Official government figures for the anti-Christian protest damage now stand at 80 homes and 19 churches burned. It is believed that approximately 150-190 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
Police arrested 2 Christians accused of blasphemy under mysterious circumstances after the men reputedly left pages of a Quran with derogatory comments scrawled on them and their names, addresses, and national ID card numbers written in the margins.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
What is happening inside the Afghan resistance?
By Jeff Schogol - Task & Purpose
Today, the Taliban has control over the entire country, but they continue to face armed opposition from groups such as the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, NRF, and Afghanistan Freedom Front, AFF. These remaining resistance groups have made little demonstrable progress though.
AFGHAN NEWS
Last Round of Kankor Exam Helds Without Girls’ Participation
By Asma Saayin - TOLO News
The National Examination Authority (NEXA) said that the entrance exam was held in Kabul for one day and fifteen thousand graduates of the twelfth grade participated…
The former Afghan soldiers turning to gem mining to survive
By Kern Hendricks - Al Jazeera
Like a crack of thunder, a deep blast echoes down a tree-lined valley a few kilometres from Parun, the capital of the…
Taliban takeover, Afghan women and girls are still fighting for basic human rights
By Xanthe Scharff - The Fuller Project
“I studied to build the future, but in the end I had nothing. I don’t even have hope now. Every day we witness the…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghan Refugees Pose A Major Challenge In Iran, Ex-Lawmaker Says
By Iran International
Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh told Faraz Daily website that "every day some 10,000 Afghans arrive in Iran as illegal immigrants and surprisingly, they get a job and a place to live within two…
Afghan, Pakistani officials hold talk in Islamabad to address bilateral trade issues
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The Afghanistan Embassy in Pakistan tweeted that the meeting addressed the challenges faced by Afghan businessmen and drivers at Torkham and Kharlachi ports and the concerns related to Afghan business…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
British ulama visit Afghanistan: A hypocritical storm in teacup
By 5 Pillars
In recent weeks, a delegation of ulama from Britain travelled to Afghanistan on a fact-finding journey to better understand the humanitarian condition of…
Airlines Continue To Avoid Afghan Airspace Though FAA Allows It
By Gaurav Joshi - Simple Flying
The US Federal Aviation Administration recently revised its rules regarding airlines flying over the airspace of…
THE DAILY WTF
Women’s ‘Value Decreases’ if Men Look At Her in Public Without a Hijab, Taliban Official Claims
By The Messenger
A woman has her own value and that value decreases by men looking at…
“A fine example of Deobandist intellect.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 84.82 AFN (as of 19 AUG 2023)