LAST 24 HOURS
THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS ON TALIBAN TO REVERSE GENDER POLICIES – The UNSC met on Friday and released a signed statement from several members that demanded the Taliban reverse their discriminatory practices. The tone of the statement was remarkably harsher than in previous statements about Afghanistan. Predictably, Russia and China refused to sign the statement.
THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR SAYS DRUG TRAFFICKING REDUCED, NEIGHBORS DISAGREE – Hasibullah Ahmadi, head of the counter-narcotics department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that significant reductions had been made, but admitted that some Provinces continue to export opium. He claimed that nearly 4,500 people had been arrested for trafficking-related charges. Officials in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and India claimed that 2022 saw a significant increase in drug trafficking from Afghanistan. Some of this marked increase is thought to have been caused by the exportation of excess supply after the Taliban had swept into power.
AUSTRALIA CRICKET FIRES BACK AT THE ACB OVER CANCELLED MATCHES – The CEO of Cricket Australia responded to the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s condemnation of the canceled event, where the ACB expressed frustration that politics had influenced Australia’s decision. Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia, said in a riposte that “Basic human rights is not politics.” Human rights advocates celebrated his response.
TALIBAN SAY THEY WELCOME THE OIC CRITICISMS, SAY THE GENDER BANS ON EDUCATION ARE ONLY TEMPORARY – Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said on Thursday that the Taliban welcomed the remarks made by OIC members but warned against internal interference in Afghan affairs. He went on to say that the education bans were only a temporary measure and were prompted by a lack of capacity. However, statements made repeatedly by the Supreme Leader and others in the regime continue to espouse Deobandian principles and most observers see the excuses about capacity as merely an attempt to sidestep the problem. Ultimately, there are very few in the international community who trust the de facto regime.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTANI SECURITY FORCES CONTINUE COUNTER-TERRORISM SWEEPS – In the run-up to the elections on Sunday in Karachi, Pakistani police and counter-terrorism organizations have been working frantically to ferret out several terrorist cells known to be operating in Sindh Province. Reports from local sources say some of these efforts have targeted Afghans because Police have been informed that at least 2 of the terrorist cells are TTP members who arrived from Afghanistan in the last two months. At-risk Afghans residing in the area can expect additional scrutiny from security forces until after the elections. It is advisable to avoid polling locations and public transport on Sunday if at all possible.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The family of a dual British/Iranian citizen who was sentenced to death say the Iranian officials are preparing to carry out the sentence. Britain has warned Iran not to execute him.
Protests commenced again in Southeast Iran with several thousand people taking to the streets in Zahedan (the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan).
Great Britain is currently debating whether to declare the IRGC a terrorist organization.
PAKISTAN
Several law enforcement agencies have warned citizens in Karachi of possible terrorist attacks in Sunday’s upcoming election. The warning cited intelligence stating that attacks had already been planned.
Adverse weather conditions have caused disruptions to major airports and roadways across the country.
TAJIKISTAN
The government announced it would lift the power rationing restrictions in the coming week.
A major drug trafficker was arrested in Dushanbe and nearly 100 kilograms of opium was seized. The opium was said to have originated in Afghanistan.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
By The Atlantic Council
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have high stakes in post-occupation Afghanistan. From the potential for international terrorist organizations—such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP)—to exploit the country’s security vacuum to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions of the Afghan people, Afghan troubles pose direct and indirect security threats to Gulf Arab states.
AFGHAN NEWS
Victims of Kabul suicide bombing laid to rest
By AMU TV
Victims of Wednesday’s blast outside the Taliban-run foreign ministry, in which dozens of people were killed and wounded, were buried in…
Pakistan Warns Cash-Strapped Taliban Fighters May Join ISIS Amid Unrest
By Tom O’Connor - Newsweek
Pakistan's envoy to the United Nations has told Newsweek that, unless the economic situation improves in Afghanistan, the ruling Taliban may…
Former Afghan Minister’s House Caught Fire in Panjshir
By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press
Local officials in Panjshir province reported that former Minister of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Fazal Ahmad Manavi’s house…
REGIONAL NEWS
Iranian engineers rescued in Herat after being stranded in heavy snowstorm
By Ariana News
The Ministry of National Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), said Thursday that four Iranian engineers who had entered…
Iranians Urged to Invest in Afghanistan’s Mining Sector
By Financial Tribune
Afghan nationals are responsible for half of Iran’s foreign Investment in 2022 alone, the Iranian envoy said…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Islamic Emirate’s Actions Inconsistent with Its Pledges: Price
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
Referring to recent bans on female aid workers and women's education, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said…
GOP officially launches probe into chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal
By Brad Dress - The Hill
A top House Republican has officially launched a probe into the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in…
THE DAILY WTF
Why Is Russia Recruiting Former Afghan Soldiers for Its War Against Ukraine?
By Syed Fazl-e-Haider - Eurasia Daily Monitor
According to multiple reports, Russia is recruiting Afghan security personnel, who were previously trained by the…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 90.03 AFN (as of 14 JAN 2023)