LAST 24 HOURS
ASHURA MOURNERS DISPERSED IN WESTERN KABUL – Taliban security personnel used gunfire to disperse Shiite mourners who attempted to observe Ashura in several neighborhoods in Western Kabul on Friday. There were reports of similar events in Ghazni and Herat. Mobile networks were reportedly cut in Western Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat, and Ghazni sometime on Thursday night. There was an unconfirmed report that a child was killed when Taliban forces fired in the air at an unidentified location in Ghazni to disperse a crowd of mourners.
PAKISTAN’S COUNTER-TERRORISM DEPARTMENT ARRESTS 10, SAYS THEY WERE PLOTTING TERROR ATTACK AGAINST FOREIGNERS – Police say they arrested the 10 suspected terrorists in multiple Provinces as part of a nationwide roundup. Police say the cell was planning several attacks but had specifically targeted Chinese nationals. The arrested individuals were said to belong to several different terror groups and at least 4 had ties to both TTP and ISIS. Several explosive devices and bomb-making materials were seized during the arrests.
TALIBAN DEPUTY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS SAYS ‘WOMEN MUST CONFORM’ TO RECEIVE RIGHTS – Mohammad Yunus Rashid, the Deputy of Youth Affairs in the Ministry of Information and Culture said that women and girls will not be granted rights until they conform to the Taliban’s ‘established framework’. Rashid made the remarks at an event in Khost on Thursday. Sources in Kabul say that Rashid is widely considered to be one of the less intelligent appointed leaders in the Taliban regime, but that he is extraordinarily well connected to Kandahar which allows him to continue holding his post.
US LAWYERS FORM GROUP TO TRY AN RESCUE 1,500 AFGHAN PROSECUTORS AND THEIR FAMILIES – The group calls itself the Prosecutors for Prosecutors Campaign and appears to be based in Utah. However, the group is supported by several organizations. The group is looking to raise $15 million dollars in order to finance the plan.
NEXT 24 HOURS
SECURITY FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN ARE ON EDGE — After the recent round of civil disturbances from both women’s groups protesting the closing of beauty salons and the Shiite mourners who are attempting to observe their religious traditions, the Taliban security forces are definitely on edge. A source in Kabul said it has been difficult to maintain control of units that kept asking to be given permission to fire into crowds at three different locations in Kabul. Mercifully, leaders forbade any such actions. The situation in Shiite areas may see further gatherings which could provoke the Taliban.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The parliament released details about a new proposed hijab law that transfers authorities to intelligence agencies to assist police with enforcing the laws. The bill also calls for more significant gender segregation in government places and even in hospitals.
To commemorate the Eternal Light campaign carried out in 1988 by the National Liberation Army of Iran against the IRGC, youth groups targeted several government facilities, courthouses, and religious seminaries tied to the regime.
The Mahsa Act was introduced to the US Senate on Thursday and the bill calls for more sanctions on Iran’s leaders and their inner circles.
PAKISTAN
Private business organizations are calling on the government to halt the controversial ‘free electricity’ program for government officials and staff. The business communities say the program is abused and seen as ‘official corruption’ by citizens.
An assortment of Pakistan petroleum companies have signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Aramco for a $10bn refinery project.
A van carrying 16 tourists plunged into a ravine in the Diamer District after hitting a car. 8 people were reportedly killed and the others suffered various injuries.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Fear, Disillusionment Undermine Taliban's Efforts To Woo Exiled Former Afghan Officials
By Mustafa Sarwar - RFE
The Taliban created a special commission last year to help convince exiled former officials from the deposed Western-backed Afghan government to return to their homeland.
A spokesman for the commission this month claimed that more than 600 political figures, ex-officials, and other prominent Afghans who were promised amnesty had returned to Afghanistan since March 2022.
But dozens of returnees told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that they left Afghanistan again over their disillusionment with the Taliban and fears for their safety.
AFGHAN NEWS
People say Ashura commemorations affected by Taliban restrictions
By AMU TV
The Taliban’s directives prohibited the raising of Muharram flags in cities, the establishment of Muharram mosques and gates, and in some areas, they prevented women from…
Taliban use stun guns, fire hoses and gunfire on Afghan women protesting beauty salon ban
By NBC News
Dozens of Afghan women protested a beauty salon ban on Wednesday after the Taliban ordered their closure…
Women, girls in Kandahar demand unconditional removal of Taliban restrictions
By AMU TV
Women and girls in Kandahar, who have been subjected to bans on working and attending school under the Taliban’s rule, voiced their opposition and demanded the…
REGIONAL NEWS
Kazakhstan Advocates Uniting International Efforts to Assist Afghanistan
By The Astana Times
Kazakhstan is advocating to combine international efforts to assist Afghanistan and address the country’s complex humanitarian crisis, said Kazakh First Deputy…
Kuwait releases 3 Afghan prisoners
By Ariana News
The Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has recently announced an agreement with the government of…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
By Lighthouse Reports
Following the chaotic withdrawal of Western countries from Kabul in August 2021, Germany was quick to promise that it wouldn’t leave its local Afghan staff…
‘China Will Probably Get Access to Bagram’: McCaul
By Banafsha Binesh - TOLO News
US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, at a hearing examining the Biden administration’s planning for the US military…
THE DAILY WTF
Afghans Fleeing Taliban Were Promised Home in US but Pak Police is Forcibly Deporting Them
By Shankhyaneel Sarkar - News 18
The Afghans whom the Americans promised resettlement in the US after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban say they have waited for too long and are now forcibly being sent back to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.65 AFN (as of 29 JUL 2023)