LAST 24 HOURS
BOMB BLAST REPORTED IN POLICE DISTRICT 6, KABUL – A blast was reported by multiple news outlets on Sunday evening in the Darul Aman neighborhood of Kabul. One of the outlets quoted sources who said the blast was caused by a magnetic mine that destroyed a vehicle. Taliban authorities claimed there were no casualties reported from the incident but media sources say that some deaths and injuries resulted. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast and no further information was available.
US AND UK EMBASSIES WARN CITIZENS OF POTENTIAL THREAT IN PAKISTAN – Both embassies released public announcements that describe an unspecified threat to US and UK nationals in the country. The Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was mentioned by name and Pakistani security forces have elevated the threat level in Islamabad to ‘imminent’ after reviewing the intelligence about the threat.
TALIBAN FORCIBLY CLOSE SEVERAL GIRLS’ HOSTELS IN KABUL – A video of Taliban thugs entering a private dormitory for girls/women in Kabul was posted on social media Sunday. The owners of several of the lodging establishments said they were threatened with imprisonment if they did not immediately evict the females from their establishments.
POSSIBLE INTERNAL PURGE COMING FOR THE TALIBAN – The all-powerful Ministry of Vice and Virtue has demanded all provincial departments draw up lists of government officials who are in polygamous relationships. A source in the Ministry of the Interior claimed the lists have created a ‘state of fear’ among those loyal to the Taliban.
HACKERS REPORTEDLY TARGET THE TALIBAN REGIME – Several social media sites claiming to be affiliated with the Anonymous hacking group have claimed several targeted attacks have been made against the Taliban regime. The group claims to have penetrated the Central Bank as well as gained access to the newly installed security camera system in Kabul. The group has not provided details about the nature of the attacks. However, it is possible that banking services may be disrupted for a time in the country.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POTENTIAL TERROR ATTACK IN ISLAMABAD – The situation in Islamabad may indicate that a terror attack against foreign targets is in the works. There are local reports that a TTP suicide bombing team was captured on Sunday but these reports have yet to be confirmed and it is unclear if this is the only threat American and British diplomats have communicated. Pakistani security forces are out in force in the Red Zone of Islamabad and additional reports suggest they have confirmed the identities of possible terrorists and a search operation is underway.
PAKISTAN SECURITY OPERATIONS – With news of additional reinforcements being sent to the Durand Line, there is concern that a cross-border operation targeting the TTP will begin soon. Pakistan had announced potential contingency operations against the TTP soon after the new military chief was sworn into office. According to sources in the Pakistan government, the Bannu uprising has convinced those who had been pleading for a peaceful resolution to the problem are now willing to resort to force. We assess the recent troop deployments are primarily defensive in nature and meant to counter any potential Taliban response to possible air strikes or commando raids.
SOCIAL MEDIA TARGETING OPERATION ORDERED BY TALIBAN – As protests to the Taliban’s newest restrictive decrees are being put down in cities across Afghanistan, activists have taken to social media in an effort to have their voices heard. In response, the Ministry of the Interior has called in additional analysts to assist with online targeting operations to identify people who may show sympathy to the plight of women. Two similar operations were launched over the course of 2022 and resulted in the arrests of several activists who had failed to conceal their identities. We encourage at-risk Afghans to refrain from publicly supporting the online campaigns if they have not successfully secured their identities/locations/communications information.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The regime continues to signal the nuclear deal can be restarted but most insiders believe they are simply trying to buy time while they try to quell protests.
The IRGC arrested several dual UK/Iranian citizens for reportedly supporting protests.
Several other arrests were made across the country with the majority taking place in the Western Provinces.
PAKISTAN
Local sources say that additional artillery units (4 regiments) have been deployed along the Durand line. The artillery units deployed to Kurram, Bajaur, Shawal, and Chaman.
Locals living along the border with Afghanistan have reported an uptick in the number of drones flying along the border over the last three days.
SPOTLIGHT GENDER
Return of the frightening 1990s for Afghan women
By Anwesha Ghosh - Deccan Herald
On December 20, the Taliban's de facto authorities issued a letter suspending women and girls from attending universities and getting higher education in Afghanistan. Both public and private universities in the country were instructed to suspend access to female students immediately, in compliance with the cabinet decision.
AFGHAN NEWS
International pressures on IEA will lead to instability in Afghanistan: Muttaqi
By Ariana News
“If anyone puts high pressure on Afghanistan, it means that it will lead Afghanistan to insecurity and instability, and this time no one will be able to control it…
3 foreign NGOs suspend work in Afghanistan after Taliban ban women
By ANI
Foreign aid groups have suspended their work in Afghanistan in the wake of a recent decree by the Taliban, banning women from working in international and…
'Beheading Would have Been Better': Afghan Women Speak on Ban from Attending University
By News 18
Marwa was just a few months away from becoming the first woman in her Afghan family to go to university — instead, she will watch achingly as her…
REGIONAL NEWS
‘Made-in-Pakistan Jihad’ and the TTP
By Agha Iqrar Haroon - Pakistan Today
What happened in Bannu CTD Centre has reaffirmed the skills and firepower of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that kept engaging…
Muttaqi: Clashes in Borders Not in Anyone’s Interest
By Imran Danish - TOLO News
Pakistani officials have not said anything about Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister’s…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
EU, US condemn Taliban ban on women working for NGOs in Afghanistan
By RFI
The EU on Saturday condemned the Taliban's ban on women working for NGOs in Afghanistan and said it was assessing the impact on its aid in the…
THE DAILY WTF
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IEA is not Against Youths Education: Minister
By Bakhtar News Agency
Minister, Mawlavi Nada Mohammad Nadeem, said: “The ministry and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are not against youths educations in the country, but…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.50 AFN (as of 26 DEC 2022)