LAST 24 HOURS
CLEAN WATER BECOMING A PROBLEM IN KABUL – The aquifers under Kabul have been stressed for quite some time. The ongoing drought has reduced ready supplies and the problem was acutely felt throughout 2022 when it was estimated that 79% of Kabul residents were frequently without safe drinking water. The problem has continued into 2023 and there have been several photos of long lines to get drinkable water. The issue has been raised to the Taliban authorities but a solution has yet to be found.
SIGNIFICANT UPTICK IN UNEXPLAINED KILLINGS IN 2023 – Multiple external news organizations focused on Afghanistan have been reporting mysterious killings more frequently over the course of the year. It is not clear if there is an actual increase or if citizens have found means of reporting the killings in a safer manner. While most are often blamed on the Taliban, crime has also been rising and many are desperate due to the poor economic situation in the country. With more information getting out, it should be possible to develop a better understanding of what is taking place.
IRANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS BORDER IS CALM – Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of the Interior who is wanted for his role in the bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1984, said that a few issues had occurred over the last few days but that they had been dealt with forcefully by Iran’s border security forces. It is unclear if Vahidi was referencing the border clashes from a few weeks ago or new issues. Vahidi said that Iran had warned the Taliban to train their border forces and to keep an eye on them.
THE TALIBAN RELENT, IRANIAN HYDROLOGICAL SURVEY GRANTED PERMISSION TO STUDY THE HELMAND RIVER – Iran’s envoy to Kabul said that permission had been granted for Iranian experts to visit the Helman River and conduct a survey of the water levels. The Taliban had initially rebuffed requests to measure water levels in previous overtures. The Taliban had claimed that a malfunctioning water-level measuring station had caused a misunderstanding between the two nations and that the station was now fixed and the data would be shared with their neighbor.
AUGUST 31 A NEW NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN AFGHANISTAN – The Council of Ministers for the Taliban has designated the last day for US forces to leave Afghanistan a national holiday. The proclamation was announced on Saturday.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A member of the IRGC was killed in Kurdistan on Friday when Kurdish fighters attacked an IRGC base near the city of Marivan.
During the visit by the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed the importance of keeping the Persian Gulf region free of weapons of mass destruction.
Israel’s Prime Minister says that the impending US/Iran deal would be acceptable to Israel. The announcement has dampened some enthusiasm that the deal would be a major step toward reducing the threat of nuclear tensions.
PAKISTAN
Afghans being detained in prisons across Pakistan have complained of deteriorating conditions and are appealing to the Afghan Embassy to secure their release before the upcoming Eid.
A horrifying bus accident occurred on the Lahore-Islamabad highway when a speeding bus overturned and killed at least 12 people and injured 25 others.
Pakistani refugees are believed to be among the dead who were lost when a Greek vessel capsized off the coast of Greece. 12 Pakistani nationals were confirmed to be among the 104 survivors. Hundreds are still unaccounted for.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
The West could pay a heavy price for the Taliban’s war on drugs
By Niko Vorobyov - The Spectator
The meth and heroin addicts were still gathering in their hundreds in a squalid encampment under the Pul-e-Sokhta bridge in the Afghan capital of Kabul. It was a sorry sight to see them squatting beside bonfires while stray dogs ran around them, barking. Many were homeless and had nowhere else to go.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban declares day last US soldier left Afghanistan national holiday
By Bilal Guler - Anadolu Agency
It was announced that Aug. 31, the day when US forces completely withdrew from Afghanistan, was declared a…
Afghanistan, Among Worst Countries in Human Trafficking: US
By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press
The US Department of State on Thursday published its annual report on the situation of human trafficking around the world, in which Afghanistan is among the worst…
Mujahid describes claims of human trafficking in Afghanistan as ‘baseless’
By Ariana News
In response to the annual report of the United States on human trafficking, which mentions Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said…
REGIONAL NEWS
Taliban to allow Iranian experts to assess Kajaki water reservoir
By The Tehran Times
Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the Iranian special envoy for Afghanistan, stated during a televised interview that Iran is making significant efforts to defend its rights to a…
Life in Pakistan returns to normal as cyclone Biparjoy dissipates
By Ariana News
Life was returning to normal on Saturday along the Sindh coast after days of panic and preparations ahead of cyclone Biparjoy’s landfall…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Moscow Says Australia Trying to Play Down War Crimes Committed in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
“It is absolutely clear that the ruling establishment of the Green Continent is trying its best to soft-pedal the issue of the war crimes committed by…
Zardari Calls for International Community’s Engagement with Afghanistan
By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called on the international community to maintain a pragmatic approach and constructive engagement with…
THE DAILY WTF
Hero Afghan pilot: UK commanders sent me into combat... how can you abandon me?
By The Independent
The air force lieutenant, who flew multiple combat missions planned by coalition forces, travelled to Britain in a small boat after fleeing…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.88 AFN (as of 18 JUN 2023)