LAST 24 HOURS
UN SECURITY COUNCIL ON EDGE AFTER FRIDAY MEETING – A couple of key issues were raised at the UNSC meeting on Friday that appear to be making council member-states nervous. The first issue involves the proliferation of arms trafficking from Afghanistan to other parts of the world and the second involved an assessment that ISIS-K’s strength was growing in Afghanistan and that tactical proficiency in its attacks against the Taliban was increasing. The UNSC heard reports from two senior UN counter-terrorism officials concerning these threats. It was not immediately clear if a course of action to deter either threat would be put in motion.
QATAR CALLS INTO QUESTION THE LACK OF A CLEAR POLICY FOR DEALING WITH THE TALIBAN – Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Qatari Foreign Minister raised several issues at a recent meeting at the International Institute for Strategic Studies that cast doubt on the current course when it comes to dealing with the Taliban. He complained of a lack of a roadmap or milestone list that could chart a way forward for the country and said that lacking any kind of roadmap would only succeed in helping to solve minor problems. He went on to warn that disengagement from the Taliban would lead to a vacuum and greater chaos in the country. It is important to note that Qatar was on the scene very early in the crisis and likely has a better read of the internal thinking within the Taliban than most. It is generally felt that the de facto leaders will need to reverse their gender discrimination policies before engagement can occur.
US LEADERS HONOR THE US SERVICE MEMBERS AND AFGHANS KILLED AT THE ABBEY GATE BOMBING – Several US officials released statements to mark the 2 year anniversary of the Abbey Gate terrorist bomb attack that killed 13 US military personnel and over 100 Afghans at the Kabul airport on 26 August 2021.
ACCUSATIONS OF TIES TO RESISTANCE FORCES RESULTS IN EVICTIONS FROM FAMILY HOMES – Disturbing reports received by Hasht-E Subh claim that Taliban security forces in Baghlan continue to displace families over alleged collaboration (or sympathy) with the National Resistance Front. Hasht-E Subh’s sources say that at least 15 families have been forcibly removed from their homes across the Province in recent days and that a concerted effort to force more families to leave has been ongoing for the last three days. An unknown number of families have been given a forty-eight-hour deadline to leave their homes in the villages of Khosh-Dara and Khawosh (Khust District). Sources in Kabul say the displacements often have nothing to do with support for the Resistance and that many of these operations have been undertaken to give the homes to displaced TTP members and/or as gifts to loyal Taliban supporters. Hundreds have lost their homes in the Northern Provinces over the course of 2022 and 2023.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Former President, Mohammad Khatami, told a group of Iranian political prisoners that the regime would need to adapt or that it would be removed by the people. His remarks have been characterized as the harshest to date.
An Iranian court has found the United States liable for being behind the 1980 coup attempt and is demanding $330 million in compensation.
More university professors who have been accused of supporting protests over the last year have been fired from their positions. It is not clear how many have been dismissed but more are expected as the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death approaches.
PAKISTAN
The Prime Minister will convene meetings to discuss the recent increase in charges for electricity in the coming days. Protests were launched across the country after customers received their latest bills.
Pakistani Police say they are now tracking the cell phone of a man suspected of murdering his 10-year-old daughter in the UK. Urfan Sharif, a British citizen fled the UK the day before his daughter’s body was discovered and is wanted for questioning.
Former PM Khan was questioned about his role in the Cypher Case that involved the possible unauthorized release of classified information. The interrogation occurred on Saturday in the Attock Jail complex.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Analyzing the State of Afghan Journalism
By Hasmat Vejdani & Amit Kumar - The Diplomat
Over the past two years, Afghanistan has experienced drastic changes, marked by the collapse of the republican system. The re-emergence of the Taliban has caused massive disruptions in people’s lives, leading to the abandonment of homes and jobs by many. The Taliban’s repressive rule has forced the closure of educational institutions, largely confined women to their homes, and imposed severe limitations on national and international organizations.
AFGHAN NEWS
Panjshir’s Governor Rejects Claims of Human Rights Violations
By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News
In an interview with TOLOnews, Hakim said that there have been no human rights violations in Panjshir province, and currently Panjshir is the safest…
Situation of pregnant women in Afghanistan concerning
By ANI
The situation of pregnant women in Afghanistan is concerning due to factors like economic challenges, poor nutrition, limited healthcare access…
Taliban imposes restrictions on Afghanistan's Sikh, Hindu minorities
By IANS
While Afghanistan's last-known Jew fled the country shortly after the Taliban takeover, the Sikh and Hindu communities are believed to have shrunk to just a…
REGIONAL NEWS
Iranian journalist detained by Taliban released
By Tehran Times
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian expressed optimism that diplomatic efforts resulted in the speedy release of the…
British Official Claims TTP Operating in Afghan Territory
By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News
In an interview with Pakistani Geo News, Marriott said that if the activities of these groups in Afghanistan are not stopped, they may become a threat to…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Qatari PM: Disengagement with "Taliban" Will Create "Bigger Chaos"
By Mitra Majeedy - TOLO News
“We strongly believe that disengaging with the Taliban will create a bigger chaos and will create a vacuum in the country ... we kept encouraging all the…
Mills presents resolution to impeach Austin over chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan
By AMU TV
“Despite having nearly 8 months as Secretary of Defense to prepare for and execute a smooth and orderly departure from Afghanistan, Secretary Austin failed to…
THE DAILY WTF
Women Banned From Visiting Band-e-Amir National Park
By Sayed Amin Hamta - TOLO News
Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, the acting Minister of Virtue and Vice, asked all religious clerics and security agencies to forbid women from visiting Amir Band National Park…
“The hits just keep on coming.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 83.09 AFN (as of 27 AUG 2023)