LAST 24 HOURS
KABUL SEARCH OPERATIONS, POLICE DISTRICT 9 – Early yesterday morning, Taliban security forces cordoned off an area in the Khoja Rawash neighborhood and began searching houses. The streets to the East of Camp Baron were blocked and all secondary roads into the area were closed. It is not clear what/who the Taliban are looking for but some of the vehicles that arrived to support the effort contained heavy weapons and demolition materials.
TAJIK TALIBAN COMMANDER QUESTIONS IEA LEADERSHIP IN VIDEO MESSAGE – A long-serving Taliban Commander in Panjshir, Abdul Hamid Khorasani, released a video message on social media in which he bitterly claims that non-Pashtun ethnicities are being marginalized by the Ministry of Defense. In his message, he claims his brother was dishonored when Pashtun Taliban members disarmed him. Khorasani is reputed to be a controversial figure and many in the Resistance have nicknamed him ‘The Taliban’s Slave’.
SAD NEWS, 78 AFGHANS/PAKISTANIS CONFIRMED AMONG THE DEAD IN GREEK SHIPWRECK – Identification of those who were lost in the doomed human-trafficking scheme is continuing but Greek authorities announced that 78 of those lost at sea hailed from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Authorities are interviewing the survivors to try and establish where the migrants had come from as well as investigating the transport network used by the traffickers to get the people on the ship. A source in Athens says that the migrants from Pakistan traveled through at least four different countries before embarking on the vessel and went on to say that a large investigation had been launched with international partners to find those responsible for this (and other) trafficking-related tragedies.
PHILIPPINES AFGHAN REFUGEE PLAN WILL BE DECIDED BY 15 JULY – The Philippines’ Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, said his government would probably decide whether to accept a proposal to take in Afghan Refugees by 15 July. The Ambassador was quick to stress that those under consideration were not ‘refugees’ but were former employees of the US Government. It is not clear how many Afghans the Philippines will agree to accept should the request be approved.
RECENT INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT FINDS DEFICIENCIES IN SIV EVALUATION PROCESS FOR AFGHANS – A report issued by the Department of Defense Inspector General’s Office in the US found that mistakes may have been made in the evaluation of SIV cases for other US Government agencies. The inconsistencies discovered in the investigation could have resulted in some SIV applicants being removed from consideration. It is not clear if the faults found will provide grounds for some SIV applicants to reapply. The report can be accessed HERE.
CSTO MEETING IN BELORUSSIA ISSUES STATEMENTS ON AFGHANISTAN – In a joint statement, envoys who attended the CSTO meeting in Minsk referenced the situation in Afghanistan. In the statement, the assembled diplomats urged the Taliban to; 1) Increase counter-terrorism measures in the country. 2) Halt the displacement/relocation of ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
NEXT 24 HOURS
SEARCHES MAY CONTINUE IN KABUL – Based on past experience, it is likely the recent searches conducted in Police District 9 could expand to other neighborhoods in Kabul. As of publication, there has been no word if the Taliban found what they were looking for. At-risk Afghans may experience searches of their homes over the next few days.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iranian-backed militias in Syria reportedly receive reinforcements from Al-Bokamal. Approximately 12 trucks carrying over 80 fighters were observed entering Deir Ezzor.
A criminal case was lodged in Germany that implicates Iranian lawyers and the intelligence chief.
Human rights groups are protesting the reported execution of a Kurdish prisoner in Sanandaj Central Prison over the last few days. The Kurdish man was accused of killing an IRGC member in 2012.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan announced a deal with Azerbaijan for a purchase agreement of liquid natural gas that is expected to end the domestic LNG issue in 2023.
The Rupee rose significantly against the dollar after several high-profile economic projects were announced.
A female student-led protest took place in Islamabad as several hundred Jamia Hafsa students staged a protest and blocked streets in the Blue Area and in G7.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
The Taliban’s Hatred of Women Is Fundamental to Their Hold on Power
By Lynne O’Donnell - Foreign Policy
Hatred is stalking the women of Afghanistan, pushing them further into darkness as world leaders appear to be ignoring the terrible truth that the Taliban’s efforts to disappear half the population are central to their hold on power. Taliban leaders say their misogynistic policies are steeped in religion, tradition, and respect for women. They tell Western officials that the prison-like restrictions will soon be eased, only then to tighten them further. For women who are isolated, brutalized, and desperate, Afghanistan has become that place where nobody can hear them scream.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan mission chief to Taliban: Bans on women and girls cost you legitimacy at home and abroad
By The United Nations
The multiple restrictions placed on women and girls by Afghanistan’s de facto rulers are costing the Taliban “both domestic and international…
Islamic Emirate Leader Forbids Extra-Judicial Punishment
By TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate leader has ordered that no one should be punished without a court order, and that the authority to punish is only with a Sharia court and…
Open Competition Launched in 34 Provinces to Create Jobs for Youth
By TOLO News
An organization held a nationwide competition initiative in a bid to create job opportunities for…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan To Hand Over Karachi Port to UAE To Raise Emergency Funds
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The decision to transfer control of Karachi Port is the first intergovernmental transaction authorized by a law passed last year to collect emergency funds as the…
Afghan envoy in Pakistan says UNHCR not interested in solving refugees’ issue
By Ariana News
“I also request UNHCR and related international agencies which have not yet taken any cooperative and beneficial measures to solve the problems of…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
IOC warns Afghanistan about Paris Olympics status over denying sports to women and girls
By The Daily Mail
The Afghanistan team´s status for the 2024 Paris Olympics was put in question Wednesday by the IOC over growing frustration with the…
UK parliament calls on FIFA to support Afghanistan’s exiled women’s football team
By AMU TV
More than 100 British parliamentarians and peers from other governments have written to FIFA’s chief Gianni Infantino, urging him to do more to support exiled female footballers and ensure women from…
THE DAILY WTF
Gay Afghan who fled Taliban couldn’t claim LGBTQ+ asylum in UK, John Nicolson MP writes
By John Nicolson, MP - Pink News
In a PinkNews exclusive, John Nicolson MP shares the story of a young gay Afghan who escaped the Taliban, only to be met with…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.88 AFN (as of 22 JUN 2023)