LAST 24 HOURS
SOME IRANIAN PROVINCES CRACKING DOWN ON AFGHAN CITIZENS – Photos of signs that have been put in place by Iranian security forces in certain towns and cities across Iran have been surfacing on social media sites. The signs say that the movement of Afghan nationals in these countries has been prohibited. Many of the signs began appearing on Saturday and banners were hung in markets. It is not clear if the new rules apply only to transportation or cover a wider breadth of activities (business, trade, health care, etc.).
AUSTRIAN POLICE ARREST 4 ‘TAJIKS’ UNDER SUSPICION OF INVOLVEMENT WITH ISIS-K IN AFGHANISTAN – The arrests took place on Saturday in Vienna and Austrian officials were quick to point out that no evidence of an imminent attack had been received. However, locals have reported a noticeable increased security presence around churches and Christmas-themed public venues. An additional arrest was reported in Germany but it was not clear if the suspect was related to ISIS-K. Spain has also increased its security posture, citing unidentified threats in Madrid.
RELIGIOUS CLEANSING REPORTED IN BAMYAN – A letter that has been attributed to the Taliban’s intelligence department is being circulated on social media and calls on Taliban officials to remove all images and symbols related to Abdul Ali Mazari in the Province. The letter has not been verified and may be a forgery. However, the statue of Abdul Ali Mazari in Bamyan was reportedly obliterated earlier in the year.
NARCOTICS ARRESTS IN BADAKHSHAN REPORTEDLY NET A SON OF A LOCAL TALIBAN COMMANDER – 4 arrests were reportedly made on Sunday in Takhar Province and one of the accused is said to be the eldest son of a Badakhshan Taliban Commander. The suspects were said to have been traveling in a Taliban security force truck and were armed with US-made weapons when the Taliban security elements in Takhar stopped them. The son of the Badakhshan Commander (Mohammad Yaser) was transferred back to Badakhshan but his three compatriots remained confined in Takhar.
FEMALE STUDENTS REPORTEDLY POISONED IN FARAH PROVINCE – Another case of poisoning was reported at a girl’s school in the Shib-e Kuh District of Farah. 13 young girls reported symptoms of poisoning and some have been sent to a local hospital for treatment. An earlier incident was reported on 21 December at the same school but details were not available about the case.
NEXT 24 HOURS
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SPOTLIGHT EDUCATION
Stolen education: What’s happened since Taliban banned women from university in Afghanistan
By Touria Izri & Shogofa Danish - Global News
The 20-year-old from Kabul is one of millions of Afghan women and girls deprived of their right to learn. This week marks one year since the Taliban abruptly banned women from universities, making Afghanistan the world’s only country with restrictions on female education.
AFGHAN NEWS
One year on: Job restrictions for women in Afghanistan continues
By AMU TV
The ban, initially announced on December 24, 2022, alongside other prohibitions, including on women’s education at universities, has endured, with new orders further limiting women’s roles in the…
IEA rejects UN report on violence against children, says its false and propaganda
By Ariana News
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), said in reaction to the UN report claiming that there were 4,519 cases of violence against children in…
Heather Barr urges against using madrassas as school substitutes
By AMU TV
Responding to remarks by Taliban Ministry of Education spokesperson regarding the absence of an age limit for girls in madrassas, Heather Barr, Assistant Director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that…
REGIONAL NEWS
Taliban official calls for dialogue to resolve Tehran-Kabul issues
By Tehran Times
During the Sunday meeting, the Iranian envoy underscored Tehran's support for the current Afghan government, stating that Iran had staunchly defended…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Serbian police arrest two Afghans near border with Croatia over migrant smuggling suspicion
By Hina - N1 Info
Two Afghan nationals were arrested on Saturday by the Serbian police near the border crossing of Batrovci, close to the border with Croatia, on the suspicion that…
THE DAILY WTF
By Lynne O’Donnell - Air Mail
“Talibros.” That’s how self-styled British adventurer and incel pinup Miles Routledge refers to the Taliban gunmen who held him…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 69.94 AFN (as of 25 DEC 2023)