LAST 24 HOURS
REPORT BY REFUGEE NGO SLAMS EUROPE OVER AFGHAN REFUGEES – A widely reported analysis from the International Rescue Council claims that Europe has settled less than 300 Afghan refugees over the course of 2022. The report went on to castigate European countries for not providing safety and opportunities for those Afghans residing in their countries. Our analysis suggests the numbers cited in the IRC report are likely low and may be misleading. Those organizations working in the Afghanistan refugee evacuation space have reported significantly higher numbers of at-risk Afghans who were moved to Europe in 2022. However, IRC may be using selective criteria to categorize those it calls ‘resettled’.
IRAN’S INTERIOR MINISTER DEMANDS TALIBAN AVOID FURTHER BORDER CONFLICTS WITH HIS COUNTRY – Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s Interior Minister, called on the Taliban authorities to do a better job of reigning in their security forces along the border during a press conference on Wednesday. He blamed the recent clashes on the Taliban border guards but said the issue had been resolved. The Taliban maintains that Iranian border guards fired first in the most recent clash. Both countries have reinforced their military presence along the border and both have significant troops and equipment arrayed along the Islam Qala border crossing point.
SECRET TALKS BETWEEN PM OF QATAR AND TALIBAN’S SUPREME LEADER REPORTED – Haibatullah Akhunzada and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Qatari PM) reputedly met in private to discuss the future of Afghanistan. The meeting reportedly took place in Kandahar and involved several different topics. Some have theorized that Qatar’s involvement is seen as an implement for Western powers to force the Taliban to relent on some of their more restrictive domestic policies. While no official statements have yet been made about the meeting, it is thought to be the first time the Taliban leader has met with any foreigner since assuming the role.
TALIBAN FOREIGN MINISTER AGAIN CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY TO STOP FACILITATING THE EXODUS OF AFGHANS – Amir Khan Muttaqi was speaking to the families of the 18 Afghan refugees who died in a trafficking situation in Bulgaria when he told reporters that the international community should stop offering asylum to Afghans. He went on to say that all Afghans are free to travel abroad but that they should not use the system to secure asylum.
NEXT 24 HOURS
RUMORS OF IMPENDING VIOLENCE AT IRAN/AFGHANISTAN BORDER – Social media has been buzzing with multiple rumors about the state of tension at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat. Officials from both countries have issued statements that all is well at the site and that no threat exists. However, several local eyewitnesses have told journalists that they were warned by both Taliban and Iranian border security elements to leave the area. Apparently, Iran intends to continue the construction of a checkpoint (possibly a wall) along the demarcation line. The construction project has reportedly caused two previous incidents of cross-border violence as the Taliban in the area have warned Iran about further construction efforts. Photos of the construction material were supplied to the Afghan Digest and were said to have been taken on Wednesday night. The photos depict a significant amount of building materials in what looks to be the side of the border crossing itself. Again, we do not have any definitive information that combat actions are imminent but we recommend Afghans in the area exercise prudent decision-making and caution if they intend to remain.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A recording has surfaced of President Trump discussing alleged classified information concerning Iran and possible US plans for attacking the country.
According to human rights groups, Iran executed 144 people during the month of May. 3 were executed over the last ten days.
IAEA inspectors reported that Iran has cleared up two significant questions regarding its uranium enrichment program. The announcement may take some pressure off the regime and gives hope to some that a nuclear deal may not be dead.
PAKISTAN
The government issued new threats to TV and radio stations that broadcast messages from former PM, Imran Khan.
Gunmen opened fire on a polio vaccination team and its security escorts in Waziristan, killing 1 soldier and injuring others in the party.
A roadside bomb in the Khadi area of North Waziristan detonated and wounded 5 Pakistani army personnel and at least 1 non-combatant (a child).
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghan Opposition Struggles Against Taliban Rule
By Ali Ahmad Safi - The Diplomat
Afghanistan was at the center of global attention for two decades, but now it is left only to the Afghan people, both within the country and among the diaspora, to find solutions to their problems and the country’s many crises. But in the nearly two years since the Taliban re-established their rule over Afghanistan, the lack of unity among opposition groups has been a major obstacle in their efforts to resist the Taliban.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan: University lecturers warned against criticizing Taliban
By ANI
Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education has through a letter warned university lecturers to avoid cricicizing the Taliban regime in their research work, sources…
Taliban Deploys Heavy Military Equipment To Border With Iran
By Iran International
Amid the tensions between Iran and the Taliban over water, the militant group has reportedly deployed a convoy of tanks from Herat to Islam Qala on…
Taliban sitting on a treasure trove of lithium as China lurks
By La Prensa Latina
The Taliban government is sitting on vast mineral reserves in Afghanistan in the form of lithium deposits which remain untapped due to decades of conflict in the country, drawing the interest of…
REGIONAL NEWS
Unofficial border gate opens to ease congestion at Spin Boldak crossing
By Ariana News
Following an agreement between Kabul and Islamabad, an unofficial gate has been opened only for trucks in the Wesh-Chaman border crossing area…
Taliban’s supreme leader holds secret talks with Qatar PM in Afghanistan
By The Telegraph
Haibatullah Akhunzada, a former cleric in the Islamist movement who rose to power after endorsing the use of suicide bombs, is not known to…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
By CNN
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said European Union states have “consistently neglected the needs of Afghans” in a report published…
By Patrick Hauf - Fox News
Several Republican senators on Wednesday were preparing to introduce a bill to impose tough new sanctions on the Taliban for human rights abuses in…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban bans lecturers from using certain Persian words
By AMU TV
The letter, dated 27 May, 2023, confirmed by a source from the office of Taliban spokesman for the Ministry of Higher Education, said Persian words for instance for…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.16 AFN (as of 1 JUN 2023)