LAST 24 HOURS
PROTESTS AT REFUGEE CAMPS — Afghan refugees languishing in the Humanitarian City in the UAE held protests over the lack of movement on their immigration cases, most of which are pending with the United States. Rumors about impending deportations have been escalating over the past month, and many of the families who are stuck in the country have expressed deep concern they will be forced back into danger under the Taliban.
NEW TALIBAN STRATEGY IN THE NORTH — Recent military movements in northern Afghanistan suggest the Taliban’s newly appointed special commander for the region, Abdul Qayyum Zakir, is shifting forces around in an attempt to launch a new offensive. A source in the Ministry of Defense has said the new strategy will no longer include direct assaults on NRF strongholds but will instead employ a “side strategy”. The source could not elaborate on what this strategy entails.
ADDITIONAL FLOODING DEATHS — Flooding reportedly killed another 32 people over the last 24 hours, and floodwaters have been slow to recede in the east and southeast of the country. Travel is said to be extremely dangerous, and many vehicles have been lost to fast-flowing water.
BORDER CLASHES — Two separate border incidents have been reported over the last 36 hours, one on the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan border in Balkh and one on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Paktia. See the Conflict Tracker below for details.
NEXT 24 HOURS
Taliban forces in Panjshir will continue their retrograde operations in an attempt to concentrate their forces in preparation for a shift in their objectives in the province. Fighting is expected, but it will likely be light and spread across a wide front.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
By Carla Babb – VOA
The United States is not safer following the pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and President Donald Trump's and President Joe Biden's determination to withdraw all U.S. forces from there led to Kabul's fall, according to the last commanders to oversee a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
"I do not believe we are safer as a result of our withdrawal from Afghanistan," McKenzie, who advised American presidents to keep a minimum of 2,500 U.S. troops in the country, told VOA.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghan Delegation Visits Turkey to Discuss Refugee Situation
By TOLOnews
According to reports, hundreds of Afghan refugees were deported from Turkey to Kabul daily.
Residents Given 10 Days to Leave 'Govt Land' in PD 17: Kabul Municipality
By TOLOnews
According to the Kabul Municipality, the residences which are located alongside the Sarai-Shamali and Kotal-e-Khairkhana streets must be destroyed to pave the ground…
How the Taliban’s more effective and ‘fairer’ tax system helped it win control of Afghanistan
By The Conversation
Long before the withdrawal of US troops, the Taliban had developed a remarkably state-like system of taxing citizens on everyday goods like…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghan refugees, migrants protest once again in UAE over resettlement woes
By The New Arab
Afghan refugees and migrants living in limbo at a United Arab Emirates facility for nearly a year since being evacuated from Afghanistan held fresh protests this…
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and govt talks reach impasse amid economic crisis
By The Hindustan Times
With terror incidents continuing unabated, the ongoing talks between the Pakistani government and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
In a rare move, Japan grants asylum to 98 Afghans
By Ariana News
According to the Japanese news agency, the newly recognized refugees comprise staff who worked at the Japanese…
Canada’s spy agency concerned Afghanistan will be ‘safe haven’ for extremists: docs
By Alex Boutillier & Marc-Andre Cossette – Global News
Canada’s domestic spy agency warned the government in October that the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan could increase the risk of…
THE DAILY WTF
Running Away from Home: Taliban Arrests Three Girls in Western Afghanistan
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
These three girls were reportedly taken into custody from the 6th district of Herat city, the provincial capital, according…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.59 AFN (as of 24 AUG 2022)