LAST 24 HOURS
‘HIJAB ARRESTS’ CONTINUING – Multiple sources have reported that a recent crackdown on females failing to wear the hijab has continued and that potentially 40 women have been detained to date.
ALARM OVER REPORTED TALIBAN VISIT TO NORTH KOREA – Rahmatullah Nabil, the former Director of the Afghan intelligence service claimed at the November 2023 Herat Security Dialogue that the Taliban were searching for experts and technical assistance to develop a nuclear weapon. At the time, most dismissed the comments due to Nabil’s former position and ties to Resistance groups. However, there now appear to be several ongoing investigations into a purported visit by an 8 member delegation of senior Taliban defense officials to Pyongyang. One of the open-source investigations has named Maulvi Abdul Rasheed Munib as one of the 8 delegates to have made the journey. 6 others are thought to be from the Ministry of Defense and the final delegate’s affiliation has yet to be identified. A source in Kabul said that a member of the Russian Embassy had been offering money and visas to former members of the Afghan Intelligence apparatus who could provide information about the unconfirmed North Korea trip.
TALIBAN SAY ONLY 70-80 ISIS-K MEMBERS REMAIN IN AFGHANISTAN – The spokesman for the Taliban regime, Zabiullah Mujahid told reporters that ISIS-K has, at most, 80 viable fighters left in Afghanistan. Mujahid said that the remnants of ISIS-K are being hunted down and the Taliban have disrupted their lines of support and safe houses. The reduction in the number of ISIS-K attacks has been noticeable over 2023 but most regional and international observers believe that several hundred ISIS-K members reside in the country. Regardless of the true number, few seem inclined to believe the Taliban as they have continually downplayed any internal terrorism threats since coming to power. In Pakistan, the Interior Minister recently briefed the Senate of an increasing threat from ISIS-K and attributed the rise to Kabul’s inability/reticence in dealing with potential cross-border threats.
4.9 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES BADAKHSHAN – An earthquake struck approximately 55 miles from the Provincial capital of Badakhshan (Faizabad). No damage or casualties were reported but local eyewitnesses said the quake shook shelves in homes and shops.
SEVERAL HUNDRED COAL MINERS LET GO AS PAKISTAN REDUCES ORDERS AFTER TALIBAN IMPOSE HIGHER TARIFF – The Dara-e-Suf mine in Samangan Province said it was forced to dismiss several hundred miners due to a 60% reduction in orders from Pakistan. Some economists say the reduction in orders from Pakistan may also be related to insecurity in the country and what many are calling ‘an unpredictable’ border situation. Workers who continue to mine the coal say their wages have been severely reduced and this has caused hardships for their families. Some are hoping the Taliban revisit the tariffs and say that a return to the previous levels would allow their comrades who have been ‘let go’ could return to work.
NEXT 24 HOURS
HIJAB CRACKDOWN LIKELY TO CONTINUE – Initial reports indicated the hijab crackdown would be restricted to Herat. However, as new reports from other Provinces continue to come in, Kabul/Kandahar may intend to enforce the policy nationwide. At-risk Afghans should make sure that all family members are informed of the threat of detention and harassment that could be experienced by females.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Twin bombings in the city of Kerman that disrupted a memorial march for slain IRGC Commander, Qassem Soleimani killed approximately 100 people yesterday. It is not currently known who planned the attack. Tehran has blamed the US and Israel but no evidence linking either nation to the strike has been presented.
A bill in the US Congress that will sanction Iranian leaders is currently being held by US Senator Cardin’s office. The bill passed with significant bipartisan support in the US House.
Academics have expressed outrage over a policy put in place by Tehran which has raised the costs of ‘releasing’ degrees by nearly $650.00. Experts believe the regime is attempting to halt the ‘brain drain’ in the country by increasing these costs.
PAKISTAN
The Election Commission announced the period for appealing rulings on nomination paperwork for the upcoming election was closed yesterday.
The special court hearing arguments in the Cipher Case adjourned yesterday due to the ill-health of the presiding Judge. The trial is scheduled to begin again on 8 January.
A spokesperson for the Islamabad Police denied accusations made by Baloch protestors which claimed they had been targeted for harassment by Police and security forces personnel.
SPOTLIGHT REFUGEES
Despite Denials, Pakistan Deported Afghan Refugees Waiting for US Resettlement
By Ali Orokzai - Polygraph
Pakistan has denied targeting Afghan refugees for deportation. In October, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the country’s deportation policy affects all "illegal” refugees “no matter their nationality,” and that reports “associating” the deportations with Afghan refugees are the result of “misunderstanding or misrepresentation.”
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban Maintain Poppy Crackdown, US Fears Farmers’ Return to Cultivation
By Akmal Dawi - VOA
Afghanistan's Taliban government is touting major strides in combating drug production and trafficking over the…
1000s of Afghan Women, Girls Join Online Study Programs
By Hadia Ziaei - TOLO News
The Financial Times reported that following the ban on female education in Afghanistan, thousands of Afghan women and girls have been able to…
Being A Woman in Afghan Society is Difficult
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Fatima Jafari, a medical graduate from Balkh Medical University, was deprived of pursuing a specialization in her field after the rise of…
REGIONAL NEWS
Taliban delegation led by Shirin Akhund in Islamabad for talks
By AMU TV
A Taliban delegation led by Mullah Shirin Akhund, the governor of Kandahar, has arrived in Islamabad to hold talks with Pakistani authorities, according to…
Iran twin blasts kill 103 near grave of Guards general Soleimani
By The Jordan Times
The two explosions — unclaimed but labelled a "terrorist attack" by state media and regional authorities — came amid high Middle East tensions over the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Singers Abroad Helped Fund New Houses for Earthquake Victims
By TOLO News
Some Afghan singers abroad provided financial support for the construction of 37 houses for earthquake affected families in the…
Afghans urge UN to appoint special envoy focused on women’s rights
By AMU TV
A number of Afghans have said that based on Feridun Sinirlioglu’s assessment, the United Nations should appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan who is dedicated to…
THE DAILY WTF
By Tufail Ahmad - MEMRI
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) is caught in an international controversy after it has come to light that an eight-member official Taliban delegation secretly visited North Korea to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.00 AFN (as of 4 JAN 2024)