LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR’S REMARKS ILLUSTRATE THE NAIVETY OF THE REGIME – Sirajuddin Haqqani reputedly said that the ‘basic human needs of Afghans should be evaluated separately from political issues’ during discussions with Tadamichi Yamamoto, a former head of the UNAMA yesterday. If the remarks were captured accurately, they represent an astounding lack of understanding of modern geopolitics. There is not a crisis in the world today where politics don’t enter into the humanitarian intervention. Haqqani is not reputed to be stupid, nor is his Defense counterpart, Yaqoob. However, they have had their necks pressed down upon by Kandahar and by the Cabal who surrounds the ‘Supreme Leader’ and appear to be forced into uttering such Deobandist talking points whenever a microphone is put in front of them. Previous remarks by both Ministers show they are not naive to how the modern world works. However, Kandahar continues to adhere to medieval policies under the mistaken belief that it can ‘have its cake and eat it too’ when it comes to the necessary injection of humanitarian aid. No modern nation appears willing to accept the draconian gender policies currently put in place and has tied recognition, economic interaction, and future cooperation to their eventual repeal.
PAKISTANI TROOPS ACCUSED OF FIRING ON CIVILIANS AT BORDER, 2 AFGHANS REPORTEDLY KILLED AND 4 WOUNDED – A border incident reportedly took place in Zabul Province yesterday when Pakistani border security forces are said to have opened fire on Afghans attempting to enter Pakistan. The incident took place in the Shamalzoi District and all of the victims were said to be non-combatants by eyewitnesses. Several videos of Taliban helicopters landing in the District have been shared on social media and eyewitness accounts say they were transporting the dead and wounded to an unidentified hospital.
TALIBAN BROKERED TALKS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND TTP STALL – Confirming earlier reporting about secret talks between the TTP and Islamabad, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister reportedly told an Iranian Senator that the talks had stalled after Islamabad backed out over issues of concern in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Indirect sources in Kabul who claim to have monitored the negotiations said that Kabul seemed unwilling to give in to Pakistan’s demand to ‘hand over’ TTP terrorists and that this may have played a part in the talks breaking down.
TALIBAN ‘FLOAT’ RETURNING HINDU FORT OVER TO AFGHAN HINDUS/SIKHS IN KHOST PROVINCE – Prem Nagar (Village of Love) is considered to be an important ancestral Hindu/Sikh location in Khost Province for centuries. According to Taliban media, outreach is being conducted to members of the Hindu/Sikh communities in neighboring countries to discuss returning the historic location to Afghans of Hindu/Sikh descent who left the country after the Taliban rose to power. According to select media sources, the offer has been greeted warmly by the expatriate communities but there are concerns that ‘warlords’ have taken over the 52-acre compound and have used it for nefarious activities. It was not clear if Afghan Hindus/Sikhs believed the offer to be credible and genuine or if there was faith that the Taliban could remove the gunmen who had taken up residence in Prem Nagar.
NEXT 24 HOURS
RUMORS CIRCULATE OF 5 ATTACKS BY POSSIBLE RESISTANCE GROUPS TOOK PLACE OVER THE LAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS – While unconfirmed, some are reporting on social media that 5 attacks against Taliban forces occurred in the past twenty-four hours. The rumors state that Taliban forces were aggressed in Kabul, Panjshir, Baghlan, and Badakhshan Provinces as well as the confirmed attack in Balkh. While these additional attacks have yet to be confirmed there is enough chatter on social media to issue a warning about possible home searches and potential Taliban military responses in these areas. At-risk Afghans should be aware of potential reprisals. In addition, the Foreign Minister’s remarks about the Taliban’s eradication of Resistance forces could provoke Resistance responses to Taliban security and government forces over the coming days. We do not have enough information on all of the clashes to include them in today’s Conflict Tracker.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported yesterday that Iran had increased production of enriched uranium at two sites. Some Iran observers say the increases had been delayed while the US and Iran negotiated prisoner swaps.
Iraq complained after US airstrikes hit a pro-Iranian group in the country yesterday and reportedly killed 1 security force member and injured several civilians. The US strikes reportedly targeted Hashed Al Shaabi militias in both Wassit and Babylon Provinces.
India’s Navy increased maritime patrols in the Arabian and Red Seas after last week’s attack on 2 India-bound vessels in both maritime theatres. Both vessels were crewed by Indian nationals. India has deployed 4 destroyers, surveillance aircraft, drones, and helicopters in the area.
PAKISTAN
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a member of a religious worker party in Karachi’s Korangi area yesterday, killing the man. The man was identified as only ‘Saleem’ and is said to be a resident of Chakwal. An investigation was launched after the man’s death.
The Election Commission of Pakistan accepted nomination paperwork for both the former Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) and the former Foreign Minister (Bilawal Bhutto) to stand in the upcoming election.
Islamabad is reportedly planning to institute multi-year ‘budget ceilings’ starting in 2024 which follow recommendations by the IMF.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Central Asia’s Gradual Economic Repositioning – Analysis
By Richard Pomfret - EurAsia Review
In 2023, the Central Asian leaders showed increased willingness to institutionalise cooperation through annual summits and unified approaches to third countries. Despite foreign policy challenges associated with the Russia–Ukraine war, water disputes with Afghanistan and clashes on the Kyrgyz–Tajik border, the focus of these meetings remained economic.
AFGHAN NEWS
Haqqani: Restrictions Imposed by Foreigners Causing Humanitarian Tragedy
By TOLO News
The spokesman of interior ministry, Abdul Mateen Qani, said that during the meeting Haqqani noted that the basic human needs of Afghans should be evaluated separately from…
Calls intensify for release of activists from Taliban custody
By Zabihullah Doorandish - AMU TV
Calls for the release of imprisoned human rights and women’s rights activists from Taliban custody are amplifying worldwide as reactions pour in against the continued…
Islamic Emirate: Efforts Underway to Build New Tunnel on Salang Highway
By TOLO News
The spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that the Salang tunnel is insufficient for the movement of both…
REGIONAL NEWS
By The Statesman
Indications of the Afghanistan trained terrorists’ presence in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have come to the fore with the brutal manner in which bodies of four soldiers were mutilated after…
Pakistan calls its ambassadors in key capitals for consultations on Afghanistan, Gaza
By Ariana News
The Pakistani government has summoned its ambassadors in key capitals for a three-day in-house consultation on foreign policy challenges including the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Air Arabia Resumes Kabul Flights
By Aurora Welch - Travel Radar
Air Arabia, a budget airline headquartered in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is set to resume flights to Kabul International Airport (KBL) from its primary base at…
Afghanistan: MoUs signed with NGOs to boost small businesses
By AMU TV
The memoranda of understanding entail collaborative efforts across various Afghan provinces in sectors including industry, vocational training, marketing enhancement for entrepreneurs, family…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban’s foreign minister claims freedom for Afghan people amid activist criticisms
By AMU TV
At an event in Mashhad, Iran, Taliban’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, asserted that people in Afghanistan live freely, insisting that “no one has anything to do with…
“The bigger the lie…” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.08 AFN (as of 27 DEC 2023)