LAST 24 HOURS
2 BLASTS REPORTED IN KABUL – Two separate bombings reportedly occurred in Kabul on Saturday:
An IED was detonated in Police District 2 on Saturday evening, injuring two unidentified Taliban members traveling in a light truck. The blast occurred at the Pashtunian intersection, near the Ministry of Telecommunications and Technology.
A large explosion was reported near a hospital in the Qawa area (Kyle). There were no details available about this blast.
No group has claimed responsibility for either incident and no further information was provided.
SECURITY IN KABUL INCREASED – Several eyewitnesses have reported that Taliban security forces were on the streets of Kabul in force on Saturday and well into the night. The increased security was noticed prior to either of the two blasts that had been reported. Multiple rumors were spreading on social media but nothing had been confirmed that would account for the heightened measures. There were rumors that some foreign diplomatic facilities had closed and their staff had departed the country but these are currently unverified. While we do not have any valid information about a potential threat, we recommend that at-risk Afghans avoid going out if at all possible while the situation remains tense.
NETHERLANDS AGREE TO PAY SURVIVORS OF 2007 ATTACK THAT KILLED 20 NON-COMBATANTS – The Dutch government said it would not appeal a court ruling that held the country liable for the death of 20 people in a late-night attack in 2007, perpetrated by Dutch troops.
A 4.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRUCK IN PAKTIKA – An earthquake struck Paktika on Saturday morning at approximately 0900hrs local. Reports on any damage/casualties have yet to come in.
MORE INFO ON PAKISTAN’S AFGHAN ROUNDUP ON THURSDAY – After 20-30 male Afghan refugees were taken from their homes on Thursday and processed at local police stations. In many cases, a bribe was paid to secure their release. A public outcry occurred on social media and officials in Pakistan released statements to the effect that counter-terrorism operations were ongoing throughout the twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad). While that is likely true, there were clearly some low-level entrepreneurial activities taking place by some in the police. A source said a caution had been issued to the police services from leaders in the government after reports of the social-media backlash were shown to the leadership.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POLICE SEARCHES/DETENTIONS IN PAKISTAN MAY CONTINUE – While it appears the government has warned police from unlawfully arresting Afghan refugees in security sweeps across Islamabad/Rawalpindi. The economic crisis in the country may still mean at-risk Afghans could see the illicit activity take place. We advise at-risk Afghans to remain calm if they have their residences searched and cooperate with the authorities. As the searches are carried out, take note of police insignia and markings and make a mental note of any precinct or division numbers/names that may be on their uniforms. After the search has occurred and if anyone from their family was detained or property is taken, they should reach out to their case managers and report any information they have collected.
Priority Information can include:
Unit name/number of the police conducting the search
Any names visible on a nametag
Property searched
Questions asked
Any information provided about why and where a family member might be taken and what is the process for their release
Time/Date/Location/Duration of the search
We strongly advise against trying to take photos, arguing with the Police forcefully, live streaming, or otherwise threatening the officials in any way. It is our belief that such actions will only worsen the situation.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A prominent opposition leader (Musavi) has called for a referendum on the government.
The regime pushed back against the IAEA report on the Fordow uranium enrichment plan and claimed the figures in the report were vastly overstated.
Microsoft Corporation says that an Iranian-backed hacker group was behind the attack on the French journal - Charlie Hebdo.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan has reportedly banned Wikipedia in the country over claims it engages in blasphemy.
A bill is being prepared which would call for 5-year jail sentences for those who ridicule the Army and Judiciary branches.
The death toll from the Peshawar Mosque bombing was revised downwards to 84 after having been reported at over 100.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
The Impact of the Taliban’s Takeover of Afghanistan on the Middle East and Europe
By Dr. Joshua Sinai - European Eye on Radicalization
Under the Taliban’s harsh rule, Afghanistan continues to experience a state of general lawlessness, instability and human rights abuses. In fact, the takeover sparked one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, engulfing the country’s population. The country’s economy has practically collapsed, with an estimated 23 million people (out of a population of 38.9 million in 2020) facing acute hunger. The level of violent internal conflict has decreased compared to the situation prior to August 2021 when the Taliban were the primary insurgency. However, recent targeted killings and systematic attacks by the Islamic State in Afghanistan (Daesh-Khorasan, IS-KP) against religious and ethnic minorities, such as the Shia Hazara community, and revenge killings by the Taliban against former government and military officials, have significantly increased.
AFGHAN NEWS
Mujahid: 300 Passport Employees Detained or Fired for Corruption
By Banafsha Binesh - TOLO News
Residents of Kabul said that receiving a passport is a fundamental right and that the Islamic Emirate should…
Taliban ‘set price’ for opium in western province of Afghanistan
By AMU TV
According to the sources, the Taliban has driven up the price – in fact the group, along with drug traffickers, have a set price list on the walls of markets for opium in…
ACCI Concerned Over Safety of Traders
By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News
According to the ACCI, the abductors misuse the clothes and appearance of the forces of the Islamic…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistani Police Detains Scores of Afghan Refugees in Islamabad
By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press
As part of the wide range of initiatives to combat growing militancy, the Pakistani police has commenced a unique “search operation” across the…
Pakistan to Appeal to Taliban Leader Over Peshawar Mosque Bombing
By News 18
Islamabad will ask the secretive supreme leader of Afghanistan’s Taliban to rein in militants in Pakistan after a suicide bombing killed scores of police in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Pakistan-US to Initiate ‘Counter-Terrorism Conference’ Next Month: FM Bilawal
By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday said that Pakistan and the United States will initiate talks in March to explore possibilities to jointly combat…
By WHO
The decision by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to ban women from working in humanitarian nongovernmental organizations is a major blow for vulnerable communities, for women, for…
THE DAILY WTF
‘Leaked’ document designed to discredit Qatar in Afghanistan is a fake
By Doha News
A document that was leaked online in an apparent bid to discredit Qatar’s diplomatic role in Afghanistan was forged, analysts said on Friday, forcing…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.68 AFN (as of 5 FEB 2023)