Exclusive Content from our open source intel analysis, Whispers.
A Bulwark Endangered: Tajikistan–Taliban Tensions Destabilize the Region
Historical tensions between the Taliban and Tajik government have reignited. Tajikistan appears to be offering support to Afghan resistance groups, and the Taliban are threatening to retaliate by supporting Tajik resistance groups. The Taliban’s poor management of security, growing energy debts, a border skirmish, and many other diplomatic pain points have only further inflamed the situation. As friction increases, regional security deteriorates, bilateral diplomatic relations worsen, and China and Russia fear losing their traditional regional bulwark.
LAST 24 HOURS
Two notable figures who served under the previous regime, Dawlat Waziri (former spokesman for the Ministry of Defense) and Hassan Mubarak Azizi (former Deputy Minister of Transport), have returned to Afghanistan after receiving invitations from the Return Commission.
Defense Minister Yaqoob visited Bamyan to try and patch divisions between ethnically aligned Taliban units in the area. Clashes between Hazara Taliban units and Red Unit members left one dead and at least one other wounded. Hazaras are fearful the Taliban is attempting to replace local leaders with Pashtuns.
Sources in Panjshir are now reporting portable biometric stations being used more frequently at checkpoints along roadways. Sources stated Taliban guards have been told to search for former military members. At this point, The Afghan Digest assesses that any former military members in Panjshir and other Northern provinces will automatically be suspected of collaboration with the Resistance.
The Taliban have begun distributing forms to students in Kabul in order to gather detailed background information primarily focused on students’ parents. The forms provided to The Afghan Digest requested students and parents’ names, IDs, current jobs, and photos of parents/guardians. We have not yet confirmed if the forms are now a part of official policy. The campaign appears to be restricted to Kabul for now but may spread to other cities and provinces.
Several verified videos were supplied to The Afghan Digest showing Taliban security force personnel purchasing Tajik clothing in markets both in Panjshir and Parwan. A local source said they predominantly wanted pakols and dastmals. This could be an attempt to infiltrate Resistance areas or to potentially send suicide bombers into NRF strongholds.
NEXT 24 HOURS
The Taliban continue to hammer away at NRF strongholds in Panjshir without showing signs of relenting, but they have not achieved a significant victory yet. More attacks are expected on the bases in the mountains. Sources in the Taliban described troop morale as low. As new units arrive, they are immediately thrown into assaults and take casualties. One source said that veteran units in the province refer to the newly arrived fighters as “peppercorns”. The Digest is unsure what the name signifies, but it seems to carry a negative connotation.
Approximately 40 additional Taliban security trucks are assembled at Bagram and are expected to be sent to Herat. The additional troops are thought to be needed to reinforce local fighters for an impending security threat. We have no information regarding the nature or timing of this threat.
AFGHAN NEWS
Zabihullah Mujahid: Religious Rights Are “Protected” in Afghanistan
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
In response to the US State Department report on religious freedom, which noted that there was a clear violation of religious freedoms in…
Questions Raised About Firing of 3 Female Professors
By TOLO News
Officials at Badakhshan University said the three female lecturers have not been at their jobs in over 10 months and…
Nuristan, Kunar forest fires put out, says official
By Ahmad Sohaib Hasrat – Pajhwok Afghan News
The Ministry of Natural Disaster Management on Sunday said forest fires in eastern Nuristan and Kunar provinces have been…
REGIONAL NEWS
By Shubhait Roy – The Indian Express
More than nine months after Afghanistan fell to the hands of the Taliban, the health and education infrastructure is crumbling but the security situation…
Muttaqi: We Have a Balanced Policy and Maintain Good Relations with Our Neighboring Countries
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
Foreign Minister Muttaqi stated at the Marble Palace (Qasr-e-Marmarin) in Kabul on Saturday, 4th June, that their foreign policy was…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
OSCE Concerned by Situation in Afghanistan
By Madina Morwat – TOLO News
The OSCE issued the statement following a meeting of the Special OSCE Asian Partners for Cooperation Group Meeting, which was…
Ireland: 528 Afghans have to wait 'months' over admission scheme
By Laura Fletcher – RTE
More than 520 Afghans who applied to a Government scheme to bring family members from Afghanistan to Ireland will have to wait…
THE DAILY WTF
Baradar asks industrialists to invest fearlessly
By Hijratullah Kakar – Pajhwok Afghan News
Deputy prime minister for economic affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has asked traders to continue their businesses and…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.98 AFN (as of 6 JUN 2022)