LAST 24 HOURS
PRINCE HARRY PISSES OFF THE ENTIRE WORLD – The Royal ignited a firestorm after quotes from his recently released memoir, “Spare,” was criticized by the Taliban and by many of his former comrades in arms. In what appears to be an honest accounting of his combat tour in Afghanistan, he writes about ‘eliminating Baddies’ with a lack of remorse that appears to have infuriated a number of his acquaintances while simultaneously extending an invitation to the Taliban leadership to call for a war crimes investigation. Some comrades who served with the Prince have also criticized the recounting and say it puts him, his family, and those he fought alongside at risk of retaliation.
SUPREME LEADER SNUBS INTERNATIONAL MUSLIM SCHOLAR GROUP – In another sign that all is not well between Kandahar and Kabul, a delegation of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) was snubbed by the Supreme Leader, and their request for an audience was denied. The delegation had arrived in Afghanistan on a fact-finding trip to ascertain whether their organization could help the fledgling government by funding several priority areas of need. The delegation was received by the Minister of the Interior, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is rapidly assuming the mantle of a ‘moderate’ in the Taliban. A source within the Ministry of the Interior says there is already a palpable sense of division between the old-guard Taliban and the younger generation embodied by both the Minister of Defense and the Interior.
LANDSLIDE IN BADAKHSHAN TRAPS SEVERAL MINERS – A landslide occurred at a gold mine in the Yawan District on Thursday night and at least 10 miners were reportedly trapped. It is believed the slide occurred after a moderately powerful earthquake struck the region. Rescue teams have been sent to the site and are working to free the trapped miners. The region suffers many of these catastrophes each year as artisanal mining is one of the few economic opportunities available to residents of the Province.
UPTICK IN ANTI-CHINA SENTIMENT ON JIHADIST SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS – After the December 12th attack on a hotel used primarily by Chinese nationals in Kabul. ISIS-K published a detailed editorial about the attack in its official al-Naba newsletter (15 December). The al-Naba article has since been translated into multiple languages and shared extensively among affiliate groups. Pakistan recently had to intervene and disperse an anti-China protest at the Gwadar Port. With the announcement of the recent long-term oil deal between the Taliban and China, ISIS-K will likely target more Chinese activities in Afghanistan.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO KNOWN THREATS RECEIVED AT THIS TIME
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The regime says it will accept more Afghan female students in its universities.
Additional protestors have received death sentences in recent days. At last count, 14 protestors await hanging across the country.
A proposal to change the Hijab dress code is reportedly being considered but few country observers believe it has a chance of adoption.
PAKISTAN
The US Embassy in Islamabad announced that the US had provided nearly $60 million to Pakistan in 2022 to help alleviate costs associated with the Afghan refugee crisis.
The IMF plans to visit Pakistan for the ninth review of the economic aid package it has been discussing for nearly a year.
Defense Minister recommends closing markets earlier in the day to assist with ‘population control’. Says places where markets close at 8 pm see fewer births.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbek authorities have arrested 4 people over the death of children that are thought to be related to a children’s cough syrup imported from India. 2 of those arrested worked for the national testing agency and 2 are senior directors of the company responsible for importing the medicine (Quramax Medical LLC).
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Where exactly is the TTP-Pakistan war headed?
By Devvrat Pandey - India Today
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatists have announced their government in the northern region and declared various ministers in an attempt to break Pakistan into two nations. It is the largest militant organization that is fighting against Pakistani border security personnel. Many of them are operating from Afghanistan. These militant groups have a strong hold on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border. The TTP wants to establish a strong political hold through armed struggle, and follow Sharia laws.
AFGHAN NEWS
Badakhshan landslide: 3 workers yet to rescued
By Ahmad Farzam - Pajhwok Afghan News
Some workers have been buried under soil as a result of a landslide incident in the gold reserve site in the…
By Gabriel Hays - Fox News
A New York Times report on the investigation into how the U.S. military conducted a drone strike that killed several civilians, including children, in Afghanistan last…
Efforts underway to resume state-owned companies’ operations: finance ministry
By Ariana News
According to MoF, efforts are underway to collect debts from government departments because a number of government departments owe billions of…
REGIONAL NEWS
China’s oil deal with Taliban signals its move into Afghanistan, the ‘Graveyard of Empires’
By Michael Day - I-news UK
Afghanistan has signed a contract with a Chinese firm to drill for oil in the north of the country’s – its first major energy deal with a foreign…
Plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan's prisons: Report
By ANI
Many illegal Afghan immigrants are kept in Pakistani prisons, their deportation is prolonged and their cases are stuck in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Taliban leader accuses Prince Harry of killing innocent Afghans
By Al Jazeera
“We checked and found that the days on which Prince Harry is mentioning the killing of 25 mujaheddin, we did not have any casualties…
Haqqani Seeks Unity among Muslim Nations in Meeting with Clerics
By TOLO News
The acting interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, stressed the need for unity among Muslim nations as he met with…
THE DAILY WTF
Afghanistan’s deputy PM says every Afghan has the right to education
By Ariana News
Potzel in turn said: “UNAMA has the status of a bridge between the Afghan government and the international community and…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.20 AFN (as of 7 JAN 2023)