LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN SEARCHING HOMES IN KABUL, LOOKING FOR WOMEN ACTIVISTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN RECENT MARCH – While we do not have the locations that are targeted for searches, we have been informed that General Directorate of Intelligence agents has been dispatched to track down women who took part (or planned) the protest marches that took place the other day. It is believed they will be brought in for questioning but arrests/detentions have not been authorized due to the proximity to the crucial United Nations meetings in Doha today. As of publication, we have not had word about anyone being taken in for questioning.
NATURAL DISASTERS PROVE TO BE DEADLY OVER PREVIOUS YEAR – The Taliban’s Disaster office released a report for the solar year 1401 which states that over 1,000 Afghans were killed and 2,000 were injured due to natural disasters. In addition, nearly 100,000 livestock were lost in these calamities. Over 40,000 homes were destroyed or damaged and the agricultural losses are expected to see roughly a 30% reduction in crops harvested this year. Flooding was the most deadly form of disaster and accounted for the majority of the casualties but the unusual cold spell that hit the region resulted in abnormally high casualty rates as well.
CHINESE EMBASSY IN KABUL PLANS TO BEGIN ISSUING VISAS ON 3 MAY – The Chinese embassy released a statement on its website announcing the intention of recommencing the process of issuing visas on 3 May. The message urged Afghan citizens to fill out the application form electronically as limited consular office hours are in place for in-person interviews.
TALIBAN SECURITY FORCES SEIZE WEAPONS IN MAIDAN WARDAK – Taliban security personnel stationed in the Province discovered a cache of weapons in a house that reputedly belonged to the militia leader, Alipur. The cache primarily contained light weapons and a local eyewitness expressed skepticism about the serviceability of the weapons, as they were in an extremely poor state when put on display.
NEXT 24 HOURS
UNITED NATIONS MEETINGS IN DOHA MAY PROMPT TERROR/RESISTANCE ACTIVITY IN AFGHANISTAN – With the high-level meetings between the United Nations and multiple envoys from the international community taking place today and tomorrow, it is possible that terrorist organizations and/or Resistance groups could launch attacks to embarrass the Taliban and illustrate a sense of insecurity to the world. Sources in Kabul have verified that security around diplomatic facilities and the airport has been increased with additional Taliban personnel on the ground and conducting vehicular patrols more frequently than before. At-risk Afghans should be aware that areas, where there are high-profile targets (those areas that would get the attention of the international news media if attacked), could be dangerous.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A police chief in Saravan City (Sistan-Baluchistan Province) was assassinated by unidentified gunmen when they opened fire on his vehicle.
The regime has dismissed the Minister for Industry for incompetence. Official announcements have continued to proclaim a significant rise in industrial capacity but most observers think it is merely propaganda.
The Iranian President announced plans to visit Syria. The visit would be the first in over a decade.
PAKISTAN
Flooding has been reported in several Provinces and many roads are currently impassible. Steady rains have combined with snow melt to flood low areas. Several casualties have been reported from different regions.
A pipeline carrying natural gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan began operations this past week.
With two reported cases of Monkeypox in the country, the government is requesting assistance from the WHO to contain the disease.
An Afghan national was detained in Sindh Province for reputedly seeking to raise funds for a terrorist organization.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Is the West preparing to sell out the Afghan people again?
By David Loyn - The Spectator
While the Taliban continues to double down against women in Afghanistan, the UN appears to be wanting to normalise relations with them. Women in the country are already blocked from almost all jobs and all education. Yet a week after the extremist group barred females from working for the UN, the organisation’s deputy secretary general Amina Mohammed said it was now time to take ‘baby steps’ towards ‘recognition (of the Taliban)’.
AFGHAN NEWS
UNHCR Official Visits Afghanistan
By TOLO News
Gillian Triggs, UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, arrived in Kabul on Sunday afternoon and stressed the importance of…
General Elections Provide Solution to the Current Afghan Crisis: NRC
By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press
In the announcement published by the council, it is stated that underestimating the massive crisis in Afghanistan does not help the…
High electricity prices: Balkhis find it hard to pay bills
By Abdul Saboor Sirat - Pajhwok Afghan News
Zabihullah, a resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, the province capital, said the price of one kilowatt electricity stood at 6.25 afghanis and heavy bills forced him…
REGIONAL NEWS
Fergana Valley Heading Toward An Explosion – OpEd
By Paul Goble - EurAsia Review
At a recent conference in Moscow, Aleksandr Knyazev of MGIMO lamented that in recent years, the problems of Fergana and their potential to…
Export of Turkmenistan Gas to Pakistan Via Afghanistan Has Begun: Officials
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
The Ministry of Finance said on Twitter that on Saturday the export of Turkmenistan gas to Pakistan through Afghanistan has…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
At least two dozen special envoys expected at Doha meeting on Afghanistan
By AMU TV
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres will on Monday meet with a number of special envoys to discuss the way forward with the Taliban and how best to continue helping the…
Open Letter Says Intl Community Should Work With Afghans Based 'In Country'
By Mujeeb Rahman Awrang Sanikzai - TOLO News
More than a dozens individuals and organizations working across sectors including civil society, humanitarian aid, human rights, media, and the private sector wrote an open letter ahead of…
THE DAILY WTF
Former UK head of coalition forces in Afghanistan: It would be a ‘travesty’ to deport hero pilot
By Kim Sengupta - The Independent
Kicking the Afghan fighter pilot out of the UK would be so ‘contrary to British instincts’, says General Lord David…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.31 AFN (as of 1 MAY 2023)