LAST 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE CROSS BORDER ARTILLERY STRIKE IN PAKTIKA – Unverified reports say Pakistani artillery shells fell on a suspected TTP target in Birmal, Paktika. Additional unverified reports suggest that Taliban security forces returned fire. There has been no official confirmation of either action and no reports regarding casualties. Again, this information has yet to be verified.
RECENT BOUT OF FLOODING KILLS OVER 40 AFGHANS – The rains that blanketed the country have caused at least 40 deaths and a similar number of people are reportedly missing. Those are the official numbers and local sources say the number is much higher. More rain is in the forecast for the next 24 hours. Emergency crews were dispatched to a few remote areas but have now found themselves trapped by flooded roads and two landslides.
TALIBAN BEGIN LOBBYING FOR THE SUSPENSION OF TRAVEL BANS – The Taliban’s office in Qatar has reportedly asked the United Nations Security Council to remove travel sanctions on its leaders as the 1 year anniversary of the travel bans approaches. Anonymous sources at the Security Council opined that a suspension of the bans was unlikely given the current dynamics taking place in Afghanistan.
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME FORCED TO CUT AID TO 8 MILLION IN AFGHANISTAN OVER FUNDING SHORTFALLS – The United Nations agency said it has had to halt aid programs for approximately 8 million Afghans after facing a $1.2 billion dollar shortfall from donors. They have closed down 25 mobile health and nutrition teams. After July 2023, the WFP will only be able to support 5 million Afghans based on the funding available through October of this year. The initial Humanitarian Response Plan called for $4.6 billion dollars in aid and has only received approximately 9% of that number to date.
NEXT 24 HOURS
MORE RAIN EXPECTED FOR 21 PROVINCES IN AFGHANISTAN – Forecasts are calling for as much as an additional 40mm of rainfall in Afghanistan over the next 24 hours. The additional precipitation is expected to cause significant flooding due to the near-complete saturation of the ground from previous storm systems. Authorities are urging citizens to stay at home and keep a close watch on nearby water sources if they need to evacuate. It is not clear if any emergency management services have been dispatched to assist communities facing the most significant threat.
DURAND LINE TENSIONS – If earlier reports about a possible cross-border artillery duel with Pakistan are correct, the border region could see additional strikes over the coming days. Should the violence escalate, the border may be closed until a ceasefire can be negotiated.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The Intelligence Ministry claims it has arrested people working for Israeli Intelligence in a nationwide roundup. The Ministry says the group was planning to use 43 ‘bombs’ to target various prominent sites around the country.
International news outlets are beginning to receive photos and videos of the increased presence of the Morality Police in Tehran. Eyewitnesses say the units have taken to wearing civilian clothing and often work in male/female pairs. Most wear sunglasses and COVID masks to conceal their identities.
A large Iranian internet company has been closed down after being raided by units of the Morality Police. The offices of Digikala (an e-commerce company) were closed after the company shared photos of female employees working without wearing hijabs.
PAKISTAN
Citizens are bracing for an impending price increase for fuel as a stipulation in the IMF deal will soon come into effect and will increase costs by approximately 45%.
High-level talks between US and Pakistan military leaders conclude in Rawalpindi. US General Kurilla met with General Munir to discuss mutual security concerns.
The Election Commission has issued a non-bailable warrant for former PM Khan after a recent interview. The charges were not specified in the warrant and it isn’t clear if the Police will act on behalf of the commission.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
The Cost of Uzbekistan’s ‘Pragmatic’ Taliban Policy
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza - The Diplomat
On July 18, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan signed an agreement on a tripartite trans-Afghan railway project connecting the three countries. The line will connect Pakistan’s Kurram border crossing Kharlachi with Termez in southern Uzbekistan. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, and by 2030 trains may be able to transport up to 15 million tons of cargo annually.
AFGHAN NEWS
Over 40 people dead in recent floods across Afghanistan
By AMU TV
Flash floods in at least eight provinces of Afghanistan have claimed the lives of more than 40 people over the past three days, with the Paghman district in the west of the…
UNHCR report highlights return of IDPs, refugees amidst ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
By AMU TV
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released a report detailing the cross-border situation in Afghanistan, shedding light on the displacement and…
Taliban Persistently Refute al-Zawahiri's Death By US Drone Strike, One Year On
By Ayaz Gul - VOA
Nearly a year after the United States killed al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, the country's Taliban leaders…
REGIONAL NEWS
By Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi - Dawn
ONCE again Pakistan has warned the Taliban authorities in Kabul about the consequences of attacks the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is conducting…
Death toll from weather-related incidents rises in Pakistan as landslides block key roads
By PBS
Landslides triggered by torrential rains have blocked several key roads in northern Pakistan, stranding tourists and disrupting traffic, officials said Monday, as the death toll from…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghan judge wins legal battle to stay in UK
By Scottish Legal News
An Afghan judge, known by the pseudonym “Yosra” for safety reasons, has won her two-year legal battle with the Home Office and has been granted…
Afghan girls’ education focus of Karzai and EU envoy’s meeting
By Ariana News
Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai has met with the European Union’s envoy in Afghanistan, Raffaella Iodice, to discuss the…
THE DAILY WTF
Iran’s Regime ‘Wants More Afghans’ As Base Of Support
By Maryam Sinaee - Iran International
The article suggested that the Islamic Republic might be facilitating Afghan immigration as a remedy to the problem of population…
“Seems like a bit of a reach.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.62 AFN (as of 25 JUL 2023)