LAST 24 HOURS
NATIONAL RESISTANCE FRONT ANNOUNCES START OF SPRING CAMPAIGN – A purported attack on a Taliban security checkpoint on the East side of Kabul last night is being touted on pro-NRF social media sites as the commencement of the Spring Offensive. No definitive information on possible casualties or damage inflicted has yet been reported. The NRF’s official website has not published anything regarding the incident and there is some skepticism about the NRF’s capabilities in 2023. A voice message that has been attributed to Vice President Amrullah Saleh was released on several pro-Resistance accounts. In the message, he warns Resistance forces to avoid sharing plans on social media. The admonition may lend credibility to the claims being made about the Spring Offensive.
EDUCATION ACTIVIST MATIULLAH WESA INTERROGATED FOR ‘WILLFUL ACTIONS’ – Taliban officials admitted to arresting Wesa as he left his Mosque on Monday. The allegations against the regime are centered on his organizing activities and charges that he has fomented insurrection against the state. Additional reports suggest that 2 of Wesa’s brothers have also been arrested (possibly, other family members as well) and we have been provided photos that clearly depict surveillance activity around Wesa’s home. The de facto regime has been roundly condemned by many in the international community and multiple calls have been made for his quick release.
4.3 MAGNITUDE QUAKE REPORTED 85KMS EAST OF KABUL – An early morning tremor shook the capital at approximately 0500hrs local time on Wednesday morning. Some shaking was reported by locals but no damage or casualties have yet been reported. The quake was estimated to have occurred at a depth of 10 km. The region remains on alert for seismic activity after a 6.8 quake jolted Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan.
TALIBAN CRACK DOWN ON JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT – The regime has continued to investigate and proceed against cases of corruption in certain sectors of society. Sources in Kandahar have stated that counter-corruption has been a priority for the Supreme Leader and his clique in 2023. A case in point was made in Ghor when a judge, Maulvi Mohammad Akbar Hekmat, was convicted on charges of bribery and sentenced to over 2 years in prison. As the proceedings were not publicly aired, it is not clear if Hekmat was accorded full due process but many local observers have said he continually accepted bribes in cases that were brought before him and he may have acted as a facilitator for bribery with other judges and Taliban officials. Some say the case was remarkable because he was considered to be extremely well-connected with Taliban officials in both Kabul and Kandahar. Currently, several other judicial misconduct cases are pending across the country.
HEAVY FLOODING HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OVER THE PAST WEEK – The United Nations conducted an assessment of the recent crisis and is helping to lead a response effort among other international NGOs to deliver aid to the most severely affected communities. UN officials warned that a decrease in their funding will hamper the timely delivery of the aid.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE RESISTANCE ACTIONS – If the reports concerning the National Resistance Fronts’ announcement over the resumption of offensive actions prove to be true, the group could be looking to stage a major operation in the coming days. Based on historical data, likely targets will be Taliban fixed positions (headquarters, garrisons, and security checkpoints) as well as ambushes of Taliban patrols. At-risk Afghans should avoid the fixed positions if at all possible as these are also targets commonly attacked by ISIS-K. While Resistance operations seldom involve non-combatant casualties, there is always potential for collateral losses.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Teachers protested a lack of pay and poor living conditions in several cities across the country. The protests were primarily aimed at the education departments in cities.
Legislation has been drafted which will punish women who do not wear the Hijab with a $6,000 fine as well as other penalties such as travel and driving bans. The legislation is expected to be voted on in approximately 14 days.
The US warned that further attacks against US bases in Syria by either Iraq or Iran-backed militias would be responded to with appropriate force.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan refused to attend the SCO security conference in India but participated virtually to voice concerns and suggest strategies to counter regional terror threats.
At least 11 people have been killed in a chaotic scene in Punjab when citizens mobbed several government facilities where free flour was being offered. The deaths were reported in seven of the Provinces’ districts.
The European Union has removed Pakistan from its list of High-Risk Third Countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the announcement and the EU delegation said it was a ‘positive step’ for Pakistan. The list focuses primarily on money laundering and terrorism financing controls.
SPOTLIGHT PERSONALITIES
Unseen Taliban Leader Wields Godlike Powers in Afghanistan
By Akmal Dawi - VOA
Hibatullah Akhundzada is officially referred to as the leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, commander of the faithful, and scholar of the Quran and the hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad).
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban continues to hunt Daesh despite repeated denials of group’s existence
By AMU TV
Despite the Taliban’s repeated denials of IS-K (Daesh) existence in Afghanistan, the group has clashed with the ISIS-affiliate at least eight times over a 23 day period – between…
DAB launches new banking withdrawal system for Afghans
By Ariana News
By launching a new money withdrawal program from ATMs, Da Afghanistan Bank – central bank of Afghanistan said on Wednesday, that it is committed to…
Edu ban on girls: Shortage of female medics feared
By Vida Qalandari - Pajhwok Afghan News
A number of doctors and health officials are worried about continued restrictions on higher education for girls, especially in the medical field, calling for…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan taking steps at borders to facilitate Afghans
By The Nation
Currently, Pakistan has five crossing points operational with Afghanistan, with an average daily to-and-fro movement of…
SCO security officials meet in Delhi; Afghanistan on agenda
By AMU TV
A Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting of security officials got underway in New Delhi Wednesday and will see regional national security advisors assess the…
THE DAILY WTF
Stanikzai urges US to reopen its embassy in Kabul
By Ariana News
“We take care of your security.”
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.75 AFN (as of 30 MAR 2023)