LAST 24 HOURS:
Local religious leaders in Western Kabul began warning worshipers that Taliban in the area have been forcibly taking teenagers and drafting them into the fighting forces. A 9 PM local curfew is said to be in effect.
In a surprising move, the Taliban signed an agreement with a UAE firm to run ground handling for Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat’s international airports. A source present at the negotiations between Qatar and Turkey reported that talks broke down over security, and Turkey was the first to quit the table. The details of the deal that was struck are unknown at this time, but it is believed the Taliban will retain control of all security at the airports.
The grave of Azizullah Karwan, former anti-Taliban commander of special police units in Paktia, was desecrated. Local sources say an explosive device was placed on the grave. The grave site had been previously desecrated by the Taliban in 2021, but no group has yet claimed responsibility for this act.
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck Takhar. No damage was reported in the aftermath.
There has been a lull in the fighting across the North over the past 24 hours. Multiple sources stated that both sides needed time to reconstitute their forces and resupply.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
After units are rested and resupplied, fighting in various locations of the North is expected to resume. Several reports arrived at the Ministry of Defense about Resistance sniper teams being deployed and targeting checkpoints. The Taliban have asked for air support to locate the sniper teams.
Sources in Pakistan claim that nearly 60 miles of fencing along the Durand Line has been completed without incident since many of the Taliban garrisons along the border have been ordered to Panjshir. Sources intimated the new government in Pakistan wants the fence completed by the end of August.
ANALYSIS SPOTLIGHT:
Who Is to Blame for the Collapse of Afghanistan’s Security Forces?
By Jonathan Schroden – War on the Rocks
The Taliban’s takeover of Kabul on Aug. 15 of last year cemented the complete collapse of Afghanistan’s security forces, which the United States and its partners built over twenty years at a cost of nearly $90 billion. Last week, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction placed primary blame for that collapse on the shoulders of the United States, saying that the “single most important factor” behind it “was the U.S. decision to withdraw military forces and contractors from Afghanistan through signing the U.S.-Taliban agreement in February 2020 under [President Donald Trump], followed by President [Joe] Biden’s withdrawal announcement in April 2021.”
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.32 AFN (as of 25 MAY 2022)
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban government hands over key Afghan airports to UAE company
By TRT World
Under the deal, the control and management of four international airports — Kabul, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif — will be run by a UAE…
Three Power Pylons Repair Time Takes Weeks
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
Unidentified individuals have blown up and demolished three electricity importing power pylons from Uzbekistan in Samangan province…
2 Killed, 5 Wounded in Fuel Tanker Explosion in Kabul
By Shirsah Rasooli - TOLO News
At least 2 were killed and 5 injured in an explosion that occurred near a school in a predominantly Hazara area.
REGIONAL NEWS
Saudi sets quota for Hajj, only 13,000 Afghan pilgrims will attend this year
By Ariana News
A ministry spokesman meanwhile said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has set up a committee headed by Abdul Salam Hanafi, second…
Imran Khan Says Relations Soured After Biden Blamed Him For Taliban’s Afghanistan Takeover
By News 18
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday again alleged that the United States orchestrated his ouster and corrupt leaders were foisted upon…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Six damning revelations from the UK’s Afghanistan inquiry
By The Spectator
Away from the shenanigans of partygate pictures, a rather more sobering publication has today been released by the Foreign Affairs…
How Afghan Colonel, his family found safety in Rwanda
By Felly Kimenyi – The New Times
When Colonel Dr. Nesar Ahmed Hamraz enlisted to join the Afghan military, his dream was to play a role in creating a safe space for…
