LAST 24 HOURS
Human Rights Watch released a report alleging that the Taliban have given their fighters free rein to summarily execute men accused of association with ISIS-K, leading to “abusive search operations” and the execution of over 100 men in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces alone. Locals have discovered over 100 bodies in a local waterway since the Taliban came to power in August 2021, many of which showed signs of torture and brutal killings. Community elders and victims’ family members claim that not all of those killed were associated with ISIS-K. HRW’s report is based on their viewing of 54 of the bodies and interviews with 63 relatives of victims, community elders, officials, and others. An undisclosed local group assisted with gathering evidence. The Taliban deny the claims. The report can be found HERE.
A clash took place inside the palace in Kabul. More details can be found in the Conflict Tracker below.
In a long-anticipated move, US President Joe Biden announced his intention to rescind Afghanistan’s “Major Non-NATO Ally” designation. The announcement comes as no surprise to observers, and we are currently evaluating what impact, if any, the decision will have on resettlement operations.
The Taliban have declared that the Eid-al-Adha holiday will be observed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in Afghanistan. Most government offices are expected to be closed.
Another shipment of the UN’s scheduled financial aid arrived at the Central Bank. $32 million USD were transferred to help solidify the Afghani.
NEXT 24 HOURS
An announcement finalizing the Taliban’s international agreement for the airport in Kabul is expected. The UAE is expected to assume overall authority in the contract, with Turkey and Qatar performing supporting roles.
Two large Taliban reinforcement columns were being readied to send to Panjshir (60 vehicles, 400 fighters) and Herat (40 vehicles, 250 fighters). Sources could not say why the reinforcements were being sent but thought it was in response to the ISIS-K rocket attacks on Uzbekistan. Apparently, the Taliban leadership has issued stern orders to stop ISIS-K from embarrassing the regime in front of its neighbors.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
A Dispatch From A Place Where Taliban Amnesty Holds
By Franz J. Marty – Inkstick
In the months following the Taliban takeover, the new regents’ amnesty has been a controversial topic. Various people, such as journalists, activists, and former government officials, clamored on social media that the general Taliban amnesty was a lie and that the Islamists would systematically kill their enemies who had served in the former Afghan government. The Taliban denied this, usually solely regurgitating that they had announced a general amnesty and that the latter is strictly followed. However, independent investigations by the New York Times and Human Rights Watch later documented almost 500 alleged revenge killings of former Afghan security forces. The Taliban has rejected these findings.
AFGHAN NEWS
Defense Minister Meets With Qatari Officials
By TOLONews
Some analysts said that the trip of the acting Minister of Defense will have an effect on the relations of the Islamic Emirate with the world.
Missile launcher used to fire rockets into Uzbekistan found in Afghanistan
By AKI Press
The missile launcher used to fire rockets into Termez, Uzbekistan, was found by Taliban on the territory of Afghanistan…
Taliban’s Operation in Northwestern Kabul Kills Two “Kharijites”
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
According to the Taliban officials, the event in 315 of Khair Khana neighborhood in northwestern Kabul, on Wednesday night, July 6, was an…
REGIONAL NEWS
India Returns to Afghanistan with Small Diplomatic Presence
By Anjana Pasricha – VOA
India has reestablished a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan by sending a technical team to reopen its Kabul embassy, ostensibly for humanitarian purposes, but…
NRF Leader Ahmad Massoud May Meet with the Taliban Representatives in Dushanbe
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
The date of the conference is currently undetermined, but it is planned to invite 50 participants to attend, including representatives from…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
A year after Taliban return, Canadian anti-terror law still bars NGOs
By Riley Sparks – The New Humanitarian
Because the Taliban is listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada, Ottawa has told NGOs that any transaction resulting in money flowing to its de facto…
Pakistan and US discuss to jointly resolve Afghanistan’s crisis
By Ariana News
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Wednesday on the phone and discussed the need for…
THE DAILY WTF
Afghanistan Will Not Be Used To Carry Out Military Operations: Taliban Leader
By Jet Encila – The Business Times
The Taliban supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada said that Afghan territory will not be utilized to launch military operations against other nations and urged the…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.89 AFN (as of 08 JUL 2022)