LAST 24 HOURS
SEVERAL REGIONAL COUNTRIES REMOVE TALIBAN FROM TERROR GROUPS LISTS – Kazakhstan formally notified the Taliban’s Foreign Minister that it had removed the group from its list of terror organizations and/or sponsors of terrorism. Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey are following suit. The actions prompted a strong response from various Resistance groups who claim the Taliban will be emboldened by such moves and that many of the terrorist organizations currently said to be sheltering in the country will likewise be strengthened.
KYRGYZSTAN CLAIMS TO HAVE FOILED ISIS-K TERROR PLOT – Kyrgyz officials announced yesterday that they had disrupted a planned terror attack in the country that was scheduled to take place during the New Year’s celebrations. The ISIS-K plotters were arrested in Southern Kyrgyzstan (Jalal-Abad) by Special Services agents and their plans involved using IEDs in the city’s central square on New Year’s Eve and then planned to attack an unidentified church in the city. Considerable intelligence was captured during the raid on the group’s house and Kyrgyz officials say they are following up leads to identify where the funding and weaponry had come from for the mission. A source in Bishkek said there was little doubt that the orders originated from within Afghanistan.
PAKISTAN ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO CLAIMS OF AFGHAN REFUGEE ABUSE BY POLICE – An inquiry is underway into police harassment claims made by Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The investigation was prompted by the Taliban’s chief diplomat in Islamabad who had presented Pakistani officials with proof of irregularities and harassment carried out by security personnel. While Islamabad said it would empower investigating authorities to hold police accountable, there is not much hope among the Afghan community in Pakistan that this will be the case. A source in Rawalpindi said the investigation would be ‘swallowed’ by the news cycle during the upcoming elections and expressed little hope that anyone would be held accountable for alleged abuses.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
An airstrike on the Damascus International Airport reportedly killed 11 Iranian military officers yesterday. Iran denied the incident and no nation has yet claimed credit for the strikes.
The US government revealed that an Iranian national with ties to terrorism was caught trying to cross into the US from Canada in October and was sent back to Canada in November.
The latest inflation index in Iran reached 44.4%, above the annual average prediction of 25%.
PAKISTAN
India has asked Pakistan to extradite Hafiz Saeed, a cleric who is suspected of involvement in a money laundering scheme but has also been implicated in the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people.
Pakistan has banned New Year celebrations to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Violators of the ban could be prosecuted by police.
The Islamabad High Court criticized the caretaker regime for perceived bias in the upcoming election cycle.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan has economic self-sustaining potential but how?
By Qais Alamdar - Medium
With over 65% of its population under 25, Afghanistan stands as one of the youngest countries globally. This demographic potential, however, is overshadowed by persistent challenges like violence, instability, and radicalisation. Afghanistan’s youthful energy could be a driving force for progress, but the country’s turbulent environment often hampers its potential.
AFGHAN NEWS
Over 60 journalists arrested in Afghanistan this year, report says
By AMU TV
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) says in an annual report that in 2023, 168 incidents of journalists’ rights violations occurred in Afghanistan, including the arrest of 61 journalists…
More than 400,000 Tazkiras Distributed in One Month: Officials
By TOLO News
The National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) announced the distribution of more than 400,000 electronic national identity cards…
Azerbaijan to open embassy in Kabul next year
By Ariana News
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry has announced that the country will open an embassy in Afghan capital Kabul next year, Azerbaijan’s Report…
REGIONAL NEWS
Islamabad to continue talks with Kabul, says Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan says that it continues to engage in communications and negotiations with officials of the Taliban government regarding border…
Kazakhstan Removes Islamic Emirate From Banned Group List
By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News
Kazakhstan ambassador to Afghanistan Alim Khan Yasin Galdiev in a meeting with the acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said that his country has taken the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UN Security Council calls for increased engagement with Taliban through special envoy
By The Journal
The UNITED NATIONS Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for the appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan to increase engagement with the…
Switzerland pledges $4.25 million in aid to Afghanistan
By AMU TV
The aid aims to support Afghan families returning from Pakistan and those affected by the recent earthquakes in Herat province, according to a statement…
THE DAILY WTF
One third of Afghan children engaged in hard labor, reports IRC
By Ariana News
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has reported that the needs of 40% of children in Afghanistan are unmet, and that…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.63 AFN (as of 30 DEC 2023)