LAST 24 HOURS
EXPLOSION IN JALALABAD – A blast was reported in Jalalabad’s fourth district on Saturday, near the Sikh Temple (Darmsal). 6 non-combatants were reportedly injured. The circumstances around the explosion are not currently known and no further information was available.
SUSPECT IN PAKISTAN EMBASSY ATTACK REPORTEDLY DETAINED – Sources in Pakistan have confirmed that a man who is thought to have participated in the attacks on the Pakistan Charge d’Affaires and its diplomatic facilities was arrested by Taliban authorities. The Taliban used a phone number to track the man’s location and raided a building adjacent to the Embassy. Upon entry, they discovered the man attempting to escape and quickly arrested him. The room was on the 8th floor of the building and was wired with three separate explosives and contained multiple weapons. In an unconfirmed report, Taliban Police are said to have arrested another co-conspirator but no details were provided. In both situations, the electronic devices of both men were said to be recovered intact and may lead to further arrests.
FORMER PRESIDENT KARZAI TRAVELS TO THE UAE AND GERMANY – This is Karzai’s first international trip since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. There was some controversy over earlier trips that had reportedly been planned by the former President. In those instances, the Taliban reputedly denied his request to travel for unspecified reasons. Karzai is traveling to seek medical treatment in Germany and his purpose for visiting the UAE is not known.
BERGDAHL EXCHANGE SITE TO BE MADE INTO A MONUMENT – The Taliban held a ceremony and the Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, laid the first stone of a proposed monument to freedom that is expected to be built on the site. The 5 prisoners the Obama administration exchanged for US Army Sergeant Bergdahl are all currently serving in high positions in the nascent regime.
CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS MAKE THEIR CASE FOR THE TALIBAN AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY – Conferences were held in Herat and Nimroz with hundreds of civil society activists and leaders in attendance. At least half of the attendees at both gatherings were women. The activists used the events to voice their concerns about several issues facing the civil population. The chief complaint focused on the Taliban’s stance with regard to women. The Taliban’s response to the events was muted and neutral. A series of similarly-themed nationwide gatherings have been planned.
NEXT 24 HOURS
SECURITY OPERATIONS IN KABUL TO CONTINUE – Interrogations of the two men the Taliban have taken into custody are expected to reveal others who may have been involved in the plot. As a result, additional clearing operations are expected to take place in and around Kabul.
WINTER SLOWS DOWN RESISTANCE ACTIVITIES – Sources close to the NRF and two other Resistance groups claim they will limit operations as winter descends on the country. While some operations are expected to continue, they will likely focus on limited objectives and serve as a means of harassing Taliban forces. The majority of these operations are expected to take place in mainly urban areas. A source in the Ministry of Defense has suggested the Taliban security forces in the North have focused on improving defensive positions around their garrisons in the North and do not anticipate launching major offensive operations over the course of the colder months. Poor weather will limit the ability to use air assets to support attacks and/or respond to Resistance incursions. Terrorism activity is expected to continue throughout the Winter months and is expected to focus on high-priority targets located in urban areas and power distribution networks.
CENTRAL BANK AUCTION – Da Afghanistan Bank has nearly doubled the frequency with which it is auctioning US dollars. On Sunday, it will auction approximately $15 million dollars.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
In what is seen as a potential thawing of the regime, officials are reviewing the Hijab Law and may recommend changes to quell protests.
Iranian actress, Mitra Hajjar, who had posted a controversial video on her social media intended to show support for the protestors in the country was reportedly arrested by authorities and is being questioned.
The regime announced it was starting construction on a new nuclear power plant.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan has summoned the Afghan representative and expressed official discontent with the attacks on their diplomatic facilities in Kabul.
Quetta Police have issued a notification of a pending attack by a female suicide bomber affiliated with ISIS. No details of potential targets or timing were included.
The Foreign Ministry announced they do not intend to pull Pakistan’s diplomats out of Afghanistan. Consular operations are expected to resume normally on Monday.
TAJIKISTAN
A clash between Kyrgyz and Tajik non-combatants occurred along the border and gunfire was heard. Border officials immediately intervened and held a joint meeting on Saturday to lower tensions. The incident took place in the Batken Region. Investigations were launched on both sides of the border.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Pakistan-Afghan Taliban relations face mounting challenges
By Vinay Kaura - Middle East Institute
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul continue to rise. While Pakistan has made efforts to smooth over the growing rift, reopening a key border crossing at Spin Boldak-Chaman closed following cross-border gunfire that killed a Pakistani security guard on Nov. 13 and sending its minister of state for foreign affairs on an official visit to the Afghan capital at the end of November, there are clear signs that Pakistan’s leverage with the Afghan Taliban seems to be slipping fast.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan Commits Investigation; Pakistan Says No Plan to Evacuate Diplomats after Attack
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
The Afghan administration pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack on the Pakistani embassy in Afghanistan on Friday, and Islamabad stated it had no plans to…
Under Taliban, lives of former Afghanistan security forces under grave threat: Report
By ANI
In Afghanistan, the Taliban continue to torture and detainment forcefully security officials who had worked under the preveious…
Continued Power Cuts Irk Kabul Residents
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
The residents expressed frustrations and said that they have electricuty for 7 to 8 hours a day, which…
REGIONAL NEWS
IEA defense minister leaves Kabul for UAE
By Ariana News
The defense ministry stated that the purpose of the trip is to meet with the leaders of the UAE and Afghans based in the country…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Ministers decline request to testify on why Canada won’t allow Afghan aid work
By Dylan Robertson - Global News
Three Liberal ministers have declined invitations to testify at the Senate as the upper chamber probes why Canada still won’t allow…
West Discusses Afghan Political Dialogue with Japan Officials
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, said that in his two-day visit to Japan he discussed the way ahead on…
THE DAILY WTF
TTP has no hideout in Afghanistan, track it down inside Pakistan
By the Kabul Times
Pakistan has once again made the assertion that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was using Afghan territory against…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.21 AFN (as of 4 DEC 2022)
