LAST 24 HOURS
US ADMINISTRATION DECLASSIFIES INTELLIGENCE SHOWING IRAN’S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE HOUTHI ATTACKS IN RED SEA – The White House released information that purportedly illustrates Iranian complicity in the Red Sea attacks on commercial maritime vessels. While the news is certainly not revelatory or new, it does indicate a possible shift in the US administration’s stance when it comes to dealing with Tehran. The White House said that Iran is providing weapons, funding, training, and tactical intelligence to proxies in Yemen that enable the attacks.
TALIBAN SAID IT NEEDS MORE INFORMATION BEFORE IT CAN COMMENT ON PAKISTAN’S CLAIMS OF AFGHAN INVOLVEMENT IN TERROR ATTACKS – The Taliban’s spokesman said that Kabul had not received detailed information about any Afghan citizens that Pakistan says it is holding over involvement in recent terror attacks. Therefore, Kabul could not comment on the claims. He went on to remind Islamabad that the Taliban have both arrested and killed Pakistani citizens who were members of ISIS in Afghanistan but that Kabul refrained from blaming Pakistan for the individual actions of the ISIS terrorists. Based on statements coming from both regimes, it appears that communication remains challenging for both sides.
GERMANY TAKES ACTION AGAINST SANCTIONED AFGHAN MP – The US sanctions on Mir Rahman Rahmani and his son, Ajmal Rahmani prompted German authorities to step in and halt projects the Rahmanis are involved with. Germany hosts several of the companies the Rahmanis either control or have financial interests in. Several German agencies have reportedly launched investigations into the Rahmani’s dealings in the country.
TALIBAN’S FOREIGN MINISTER CLAIMS FOREIGN RELATION’S PROSPECTS IMPROVING – In a speech to graduating students (all males) at Jamia Riazululoom Kabul, the Foreign Minister said that the international community was warming up to the Taliban over its commitment to combatting corruption. He seemed to conflate the fact that the global community was accepting Afghan visas and passports with actual diplomatic recognition. While China has received the Taliban’s envoy and accepted its credentials, it has not granted full recognition of the Taliban regime as the rightful leader of the country. To date, no country has yet granted recognition to the Islamic Emirate.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The Iranian Foreign Minister spoke with his Russian counterpart on Friday and the issue of three disputed islands was once again brought up. The Iranian Minister stressed that the islands are considered Iranian territory. Russia had held with earlier statements that the islands belong to other Gulf nations.
Youth groups have been active over the past week and targeted several Basij facilities across the country. Fires were set, Molotov cocktails were thrown at entrances, and vehicles entering and leaving the bases were pelted with rocks.
Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq claim to have attacked Israel’s Karish Natural Gas drilling platform in the Mediterranean. A drone was reportedly used in the attack and Israel claimed to have shot down a drone that had come from Lebanon.
PAKISTAN
Former PM Khan filed his application to stand in the upcoming elections. Having been disqualified due to a conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case, the Islamabad High Court rejected his plea. His party has now appealed his case to the Supreme Court.
Islamabad has initiated a crackdown on transportation companies who are accused of charging passengers ‘excessive fares’. Commercial transport vehicles are being stopped and the passengers are asked what fares they paid for their trips. If the fare is deemed excessive, the company is fined on the spot.
The Indian Army is continuing a manhunt in connection with Thursday’s attack in Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday. India has accused Pakistan of attempting to ‘revive’ terrorism in the troubled region.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Aid Cuts Disproportionately Affect Women-Led Households in Afghanistan
By Joel James - Council on Foreign Relations
Severe food aid cuts in Afghanistan are leading many mothers to undertake desperate measures, including sedation with antihistamines, to calm their hungry children. Over ten million Afghans have stopped receiving emergency food from the United Nations World Food Program and other agencies due to funding shortfalls. Now, more than three million children are suffering from malnutrition, and over twelve million people are experiencing acute hunger. The two million households run by women in Afghanistan are disproportionately impacted by these aid cuts because the Taliban prohibits women from working, leading many women to rely on donations to feed their families. Many women are now using antihistamines and other drugs that involve sedation as a side effect to help their hungry children sleep. One woman said, “I give it so that she doesn’t wake up and ask for milk because I have no milk to give her. After giving her the medicine, she sleeps from one morning to the next.” She continued, “Sometimes I check to see if she’s alive or dead.”
AFGHAN NEWS
Children in Afghanistan face increased risks amid limited access to services: UN report
By AMU TV
Despite a decrease in severe violations, Afghan children continue to face heightened vulnerabilities, the United Nations Secretary-General’s report on Children and Armed Conflict in…
Mujahid Responds to UNAMA Head About Madrassas
By TOLO News
The spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, responded to comments made by Roza Otunbayeva, the head of UNAMA, about the…
Qalandar Ebad: 150,000 Women Contribute to Health Sector of Afghanistan
By TOLO News
The acting minister of public health of the Islamic Emirate said that 150,000 women are currently employed in the health sector in Afghanistan and that experienced women have…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan downplays Fazl-ur-Rehman’s visit to Kabul
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Pakistan’s foreign ministry downplayed the significance of Kabul’s invitation to Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), suggesting it was…
Mujahid Reacts to Claims of Afghans Involved in Pakistan Attacks
By Mitra Majeedy - TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate in response to the detention of Afghan citizens who are accused of involvement in the terrorist attack in Pakistan, said that the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Engineer heads to Afghanistan to finish water plan of slain doctor
By Yusuke Ogawa - The Asahi Shimbun
A retired Japanese engineer has traveled to Afghanistan to help revive and continue the humanitarian work of Tetsu Nakamura, a doctor from…
Migration to Europe Increases as Syrians, Afghans Top Asylum-Seekers
By Akmal Dawi - VOA
The number of people seeking asylum in European countries this year is projected to surpass 1 million, reaching levels not seen since 2016 when 1.16 million…
THE DAILY WTF
The youth of Afghanistan are trapped in the Taliban’s darkness
By Sola Mahfouz - The Hill
Abandoned by the world, Afghanistan’s youth are trapped in a…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 69.94 AFN (as of 23 DEC 2023)