LAST 24 HOURS
At-risk Afghans who plan on returning to Afghanistan via Torkham are advised to not attempt to bring unregistered SIM cards back with them. The security forces at the gate are actively searching for SIM cards, and several arrests have been made.
13 onlookers were injured when a grenade exploded at a cricket match in a Kabul arena. Most reports indicate a hand grenade had been tossed into the stands by an unknown party. A local hospital announced that it was treating 12 people for injuries related to the blast and another man was released after receiving minor care. No deaths have been reported and no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Taliban have pushed back against Russian envoy Zamir Kabalove’s claim that ISIS fighters’ presence in Afghanistan has tripled to 6,000 under Taliban rule. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the statement and said that 1,000 fighters had been arrested in recent security operations. The Taliban has continually downplayed the numbers but did recently admit that nearly 2,000 suspected ISIS-K members had been released from prison after the takeover. Multiple estimates have been made by various institutions over the past year, but the actual numbers remain unclear and, like the rest of the world, the Taliban seem to be in the dark over how many members are currently operating in Afghanistan.
Taliban and Pakistani border security forces exchanged fire on Thursday at the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing. Reports state the Taliban opened fire when Pakistani border forces rebuilt a shelter that had been washed away in the flooding. The Taliban say the new building was built in Afghanistan territory and fired warning shots. The Pakistani forces returned fire, leading to a clash that lasted approximately 10 minutes before both sides ceased firing. No casualties have been reported, but tensions continue to rise between the two countries as Taliban security forces were filmed destroying a minaret in Kabul that had been a gift of the Pakistani Army.
10 Taliban fighters were killed and 3 others injured during a flash flood in the Qarabagh district of Ghazni during the night. No further information was available.
NEXT 24 HOURS
As floodwaters recede over the next three days, the Taliban intends to launch new attacks in Baghlan and Panjshir. The heavy rains have interrupted both Resistance and Taliban operations over the last 24 hours, but observers claim there are indications that both are preparing for operations.
Sources in the Palace say Taliban Supreme Leader Akhundzada and his staff are growing impatient with the lack of action against ISIS-K. Reputedly, they are frustrated with the inability to effectively deal with the threat. One unnamed advisor has suggested infiltrating some of Akhundzada’s loyalists into the Ministry of the Interior in order to provide inside reports on their operations directly to Kandahar. If true, it highlights the rumored deep suspicions between the Taliban’s factions.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Will Afghanistan Pass the Test of Peace?
By Ulugbek Khasanov – Valdai Discussion Club
Modern international relations have earmarked Central Asia as a region that is once again opening up to the outside world; first of all against the backdrop of hopes for peace and stability after decades of war and suffering in Afghanistan. The country has real opportunities to emerge from its long-term internal crisis, socio-economic devastation and transition to the construction of a full-fledged state.
AFGHAN NEWS
Kabul hospital says explosion at cricket game wounded 13
By Rahim Faiez – Associated Press
A grenade exploded on Friday during a cricket game in Kabul, wounding 13 spectators at the stadium, an emergency hospital in the Afghan capital said…
Anas Haqqani meets with his prison interrogator who recently returned home
By Ariana News
A former security force member, Rahmani, who had interrogated and investigated Anas Haqqani while he was in a Kabul prison returned to…
Kabulov: Around '6,000' Daesh Militants in Afghanistan
By Imran Danish – TOLO News
Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said at a briefing on Thursday that since the Islamic Emirate came to power, the number of ISIS…
REGIONAL NEWS
SCO Council Starts in Tashkent, Situation in Afghanistan Discussed
By TOLOnews
The two-day Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) began Friday in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Some countries in the SCO expressed their concern…
Videos on social media showing Taliban destroying Pakistan-built minaret: report
By ANI
Exposing the rift between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a new video surfaced on social media showing members of the Taliban destroying a minaret built by the Pakistani Army in…
China to resume visa issuance to Afghans, exempt imports from tax
By ATN News
China will resume issuing visas to Afghans from August 1 and allow 98 percent of Afghan imports to enter tax free, it was reported on…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
DHS hamstrung by lack of volunteers for Afghan evacuation effort: watchdog
By Rebecca Beitsch – The Hill
A lack of volunteers from within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hamstrung its effectiveness in managing a surge of Afghan evacuees brought to the U.S. and other…
Foreign Office admits multiple errors in UK’s exit from Afghanistan
By Patrick Wintour – The Guardian
Officials say they can not provide hope of resettlement for Afghans who worked for UK civilian schemes and have shut the door on many Afghans…
THE DAILY WTF
Hanafi Called On Japan to Resume Its Mission In Afghanistan
By Bakhtar News Agency
“Afghanistan has historical and good relations with Japan, and we hope that the Japanese embassy in Afghanistan will resume its mission, as far the security is ensured in the country…”
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.78 AFN (as of 30 JUL 2022)