LAST 24 HOURS
PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT YET TO DECIDE ON HOSTING AFGHAN REFUGEES – Previously, a spokesman for the government in Manilla said that a decision to accept a US request to host as many as 50,000 Afghan refugees would be made by 17 July. The government announced it was still weighing the request and would not hold itself to any self-imposed deadline. Several in the Philippine government have questioned the validity of the US request and have stated concerns that some of the people it is being asked to host may not have been former US government employees. It is not clear if the program will proceed but there are rumors that some work was being done at a former US Air Base as well as rumors that additional US State Department personnel were either scheduled to arrive in the country or, were already present. There are also rumors that a massive financial incentive package is being discussed and some say the delay in the decision process is due to haggling over how much the US will pay for the cooperation.
PAKISTAN USING SOFTWARE AT HOTELS TO IDENTIFY SUSPECTED CRIMINALS – Hotel Eye, a software program that is activated when a guest checks into a hotel will instantaneously notify law enforcement of people who may be wanted for crimes. The system is linked to three federal databases (NADRA, PSRMS, and CRO) and is mandatory in some cities. The system uploads the Computerised National Identity Cards of guests (or passports) and cross-references the information with federal agencies. Prior to the adoption of Hotel Eye, the police would receive a list of guests on a weekly basis which hindered the timely apprehension of suspects. To date, the system has been responsible for the arrests of over 93 wanted criminals. Currently, the system is used in over 600 hotels across the country. It is not clear if the software is/can be used to track Afghan nationals. Since the system is tied to the NADRA database, we assume it is possible but have not yet had a report where it was used to arrest/detain an Afghan refugee.
GERMAN CITIZEN FROM AFGHANISTAN ARRESTED IN HAMBURG TRAIN STATION AFTER WEAPONS FOUND IN LUGGAGE – German police arrested a German citizen from Afghanistan after a routine check of his luggage showed he had several weapons packed in his bag. Among the weapons discovered were large machetes, knives, a hand axe, and a retractable baton. Authorities say the man was known to security officials and has been considered an Islamist threat. The man, who is twenty years old, is currently being held by authorities and a subsequent search of his home turned up several hard drives and USB sticks that were being reviewed.
‘LORD MILES’ UPDATE LANDS ON TWITTER – Someone claiming to be a friend of the British man who uses the name ‘Lord Miles’ and makes trips to dangerous locations put out a Twitter update claiming that the (reputedly) detained man has now spent four months in Taliban custody and is being treated well, has several servants, lots of movies on his laptop, and goes on picnics with the Taliban Government. The message contained a photo of the man with several Taliban security personnel giving a thumbs-up gesture. The post ends by saying the man ‘still loves Afghanistan’.
HASIBA NOURI, AFGHAN SINGER WHO WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN KILLED, APPEARS ON TWITTER – The artist posted a video on Twitter telling her fans that she was very much alive and the earlier reports about her death were incorrect. She attributed a picture that reportedly launched many of the rumors about her death was actually taken after an accident.
TALIBAN REQUESTS SHIITES OBSERVE MUHARRAM IN SELECT LOCATIONS – The Taliban have asked Shiite leaders to adhere to observing Muharram in a limited number of spaces. The Taliban leadership foresees potential security implications that could come from ISIS-K terror cells. While the Taliban didn’t specifically name ISIS-K as a threat, the message appears to be understood by the Shia community.
NEXT 24 HOURS
TALIBAN MAY TARGET PANJSHIRIS IN KABUL – A letter that is purportedly a directive to Kabul-based Taliban security forces orders the targeting of Panjshiris in Kabul. The letter identifies an ‘alley’ in the 4th Police District as being home to several Panjshiri families and tells the group that clearing operations should commence there. The specific location was not provided in the letter.
ISIS-K THREATS DURING MUHARRAM – A source in Kabul says that intelligence gathered from a recent raid on an ISIS-K safe house indicates that a terror operation was being planned to disrupt the Muharram period and was aimed at Shiite worshippers. At-risk Afghans will likely see an increased security presence in many of the cities and particularly in areas where Shiites gather.
MONSOON RAIN EXPECTED FOR SINDH PROVINCE TODAY – Heavy rains were forecasted today in Karachi. The storm front is expected to lash the coastal areas for the next 3 to 4 days. No flood warnings have yet been issued but emergency managers are watching the forecast closely.
ALERTS
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran has closed an education center in Tehran over accusations the staff incited the riots of last year. The Gaj Center was told it would not be allowed to admit students as of yesterday.
The United States announced it was sending an additional naval vessel and F-35 fighter jets to counter Iranian threats to shipping in the region.
The regime has found the explanation for Russia’s statement on several disputed islands that are claimed by the UAE unsatisfactory and has called the Russian Ambassador to appear before the Foreign Ministry to discuss the situation.
PAKISTAN
The government announced it would be deploying additional security forces to guard Hindu temples in Sindh. The move is being taken after a public backlash over the marriage of a Pakistani woman to a Hindu man she met online. A rocket attack against a Hindu temple in the Kashmore District occurred shortly after the wedding.
A Pakistani Army patrol came under fire in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan by suspected TTP militants. 5 soldiers were wounded in the attack, and 2 of them suffered critical injuries.
Tempers continue to rise in Islamabad as the retorts from the Taliban over the Doha Deal have riled many decision-makers. Yesterday, many leaders from Pakistan’s political parties expressed concerns over the Taliban’s seriousness in tackling terrorism.
SPOTLIGHT HUMAN RIGHTS
Human Rights situation in Afghanistan: May - June 2023 Update
By UNAMA
Latest UN update on the Human rights Situation in Afghanistan covering the May and June 2023.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan's Shi'ite Minority Suffers 'Systematic Discrimination' Under Taliban Rule
By RFE
When the Taliban seized power in 2021, Afghanistan’s Shi’ite Hazara minority feared that the historically persecuted community would once again become the main target of…
No foreign currency in Transactions, Violators will be Dealt with Legally: Uruzgan
By Bakhtar News Agency
They asks all the citizens of their province to avoid using foreign currencies in their transactions, urging that they should use Afghanis currency…
Afghan Women Complain Of Harassment, Threats By Taliban's Morality Police
By RFE
Women in the western Afghan city of Herat say they have been harassed and threatened by members of the Taliban’s notorious morality police for not wearing the…
Taliban prime minister resumes work after three-month break
By La Prensa Latina
The prime minister of the Taliban interim government in Afghanistan, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, on Monday returned to office after a three-month break for…
REGIONAL NEWS
Iran insists readiness to back regional effort to address Afghanistan issue
By Tehran Times
Amir Abdollahian made the comments on Monday while speaking with Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu, the UN Special Coordinator for the Independent Assessment Process on…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Taliban Hand in Smuggling of US Arms Clear, Despite Denials
By William Echols - Polygraph
U.S. weapons seized by the Taliban following the August 2021 withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan continue to show up outside the…
Muttaqi Says Countries Moving Toward Positive Engagement With Kabul
By TOLO News
Speaking at a gathering inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Muttaqi said that the world failed to implement its goals through pressure during the…
THE DAILY WTF
Refusing to submit to a virginity test, one bride risks death
By UNPF
Sahar*, 22, and Abdul Baseer*, 28, in Guzara District of Afghanistan’s Herat Province, did not choose to marry one…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.04 AFN (as of 18 JUL 2023)