LAST 24 HOURS
AN EXPLOSION OCCURED FRIDAY EVENING IN KABUL – The blast took place at approximately 2100hrs local time near the Spin Kalay traffic intersection. The Taliban checkpoint that has stood at this circle since September of 2021 was targeted and 3 Taliban security forces personnel were killed while another 4 were wounded. The Afghanistan Freedom Front claimed responsibility for the attack and reputedly used an IED to target the Taliban. Police leaders from Police District 5 say an investigation has begun and claimed to be looking for a white Toyota sedan that is thought to be associated with the attack.
EXPLOSION IN JALALABAD RATTLES CITIZENS, GAS CYLINDER TO BLAME – A blast close to the bus station (near the Gomrak Mosque) was reported on Friday evening. The blast was eventually discovered to have come from a propane tank that had ignited. Residents of the city panicked and there were some injuries reported from people attempting to flee from the area after the blast. However, no deaths or injuries directly related to the explosion were reported.
FAMILIES OF 8 SLAIN IN MAZAR-I-SHARIF CLEARING OPERATIONS PROTESTED AT UNAMA – Some family members of the 8 men who were slain in a recent security operation in Mazar-i-Sharif protested in front of the UNAMA headquarters on Friday. The Taliban characterized the men as ‘kidnappers’ and ‘rebels’ after the operation had concluded and a series of photographs were released that show the men surrounded by weapons. However, the weapons in the photos were extremely clean and many have opined the scene looked as if it had been staged. A source who was present for the operation said that he did not witness any return fire from the home where the men were killed. The family is calling for an investigation and said the young men were involved in a business and had no criminal past.
SEVERAL TALIBAN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IN BALKH PROVINCE QUESTIONED ABOUT BOMBING OF GOVERNOR’S OFFICE – GDI agents and police have been questioning employees of the Provincial government offices in Mazar-i-Sharif over the bombing incident. A man who was scheduled to work, but had called in sick was being sought after. Apparently, two of the employees have been detained and are undergoing more thorough interrogation in the matter. In addition, four of the security personnel who were responsible for guarding the building have had their weapons taken from them and may be ejected from the force.
NEXT 24 HOURS
SUSPECT IN BALKH GOVERNOR’S DEATH SOUGHT IN MAZAR-I-SHARIF – A source with access to the investigation into the death of the Governor says that GDI agents have been given several names from anonymous tips and that one of the names is a known ISIS-K collaborator who is thought to be staying in one of the Police Districts near the airport. Source said that two houses and one apartment building were currently under surveillance and a response team is staged and ready to act if the individual is identified. At-risk Afghans residing in Mazar-i-Sharif are advised to avoid the areas around the airport if at all possible.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
In a surprise move, Saudi Arabia announced it had restored diplomatic relations with Iran under a deal brokered by China.
The US Secretary of Defense, General Loyd Austin, reiterated President Biden’s statement that the US would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. He made the statement in a joint press conference with the Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant.
Several Iranian dissidents who have fled the country and are living abroad report constant threats to their safety made by loyalists to the regime and Iranian agents.
PAKISTAN
Former PM Khan’s arrest warrants have been suspended for 14 days after a court heard arguments regarding security concerns from his legal team.
Counter-terrorism operations in both North and South Waziristan resulted in the deaths of 5 men. The Pakistani military failed to disclose information about the terror groups the men may have belonged to.
An investigation into the former ISI Director, General Faiz Hamid, was announced by the Interior Minister on Friday. The General faces charges of corruption and it is not yet clear whether the case would be handled by a military court martial or in civil court.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
How The US Lost The Plot In Afghanistan – Analysis
By Luke Coffey - EurAsia Review
The new Republican-controlled House of Representatives has begun its investigation into America’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mike McCaul, best summed up the logic behind the investigation: “What happened in Afghanistan was a systemic breakdown of the federal government at every level — and a stunning failure of leadership by the Biden administration,” he said. He is correct.
AFGHAN NEWS
Explosion Rocks Kabul City, Two People Injured
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The blast occurred at the intersection of Spin Kelly in the Khushal Khan Mina area, fifth district of Kabul, where two…
Families of 8 Killed in Balkh Demand Justice
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
Family members of eight people who were shot and killed in Mazar-e-Sharif by Islamic Emirate forces for "being involved in kidnapping," protested in front of…
Afghanistan: Alleged rape by Taliban members must be investigated and prosecuted immediately
By Amnesty International
Responding to reports in local media yesterday on the alleged horrific rape of a woman and her two minor daughters in Sar-i-Pul province in…
REGIONAL NEWS
US Intelligence Community Fears Increased India-China Tension and Conflict
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The increased military postures adopted by India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) increase the likelihood of an armed conflict between the…
181 Afghan Inmates Handed Over to Islamic Emirate
By TOLO News
The deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, said that including these prisoners the total number of inmates transferred from Iranian…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
New Banknotes Printed in France to Arrive in May: Mehrabi
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
Shah Mohammad Mehrabi, Central Bank supreme council member and board member of the Afghan Trust Fund in Switzerland, said the…
Canada introduces legislation to facilitate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
By AMU TV
In a statement released on Thursday, the Canadian Government said that the Canadian Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino, on Thursday introduced legislation to facilitate humanitarian aid – as well as…
China leaps into Saudi-Iran diplomacy as nuclear talks move
By Andrew Parasiliti - Al Monitor
China has until now had a business- and energy-first approach to the Middle East, preferring to abstain from the diplomatic and security charge…
THE DAILY WTF
Ex-British Council teacher still hiding from Taliban nine months after UK resettlement application
By Joe Duggan - I News
A former British Council teacher in hiding in Afghanistan and fearing Taliban retribution said he feels “betrayed” by the Government following a nine-month wait…
More work, less tea Prime Minister. TAD STAFF
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.03 AFN (as of 11 MAR 2023)