LAST 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN TERROR GROUPS BECOMING MORE ACTIVE – Taking advantage of the political turmoil between the political parties in the country, terror groups have launched a series of attacks and bombings in recent days. The brazen attack on an oil facility in North Waziristan was carried out by a force numbering approximately 50 men. A subsequent attack against an Iranian border installation was reputed to be initiated by a force of over 20 men. While terrorist actions have been a daily way of life in Pakistan, the numbers reported could signify a change in strategy and a decision to force more direct action. For months, TTP fighters were said to be returning to Pakistan from Afghanistan hoping to take advantage of a weakened state to press for an emirate-style Islamic system at home. While the incident on the border with Iran was not related to the TTP, it is possible that coordination between the disparate groups is taking place. Observers are closely scrutinizing the situation to see if the latest attacks have become a trend.
DEFENSE MINISTER IN PAKISTAN SAYS GOV MAY BAN PTI PARTY – Political analysts in Pakistan say they were not surprised by the Defense Minister’s revelation and most believe the former Prime Minister’s party may have made a fatal error when it chose to launch country-wide protests earlier in May. Khan’s party has seen many defections of high-ranking leaders since the 9th of May with the vice president of the party, Fawad Chaudhry, announcing that he too has severed ties with Khan. If the ban goes ahead, many believe it will be immediately nullified by the Supreme Court, setting the stage for another battle between the judicial system and lawmakers.
CLASHES ON BORDER WITH IRAN – A protracted firefight took place on the border with Iran yesterday near Dost Muhammad. The conflict lasted over four hours as border security forces exchanged small arms fire. It is not clear what led to the fighting and there have been no reports of casualties yet. In another incident in Nimroz Province, an Afghan boy was killed after Iranian border elements opened fire on a group of Afghans who attempted to cross into Iran.
FLIGHTS RESUME BETWEEN CHINA AND AFGHANISTAN – Ariana Airlines is now operating a direct flight to Urumqi, China after a three-year hiatus. The first flight departed yesterday and Ariana announced it had plans to purchase more planes in the near future.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS RECEIVED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The grave of Mahsa Amini, the young Kurdish woman who was killed in September of 2022 and whose death sparked a series of protests that continue to this day, was reportedly vandalized in Kurdistan.
The chief executive officer of Russia’s Central Bank visited his counterpart in Tehran to discuss banking ties and determine how best to avoid sanctions imposed on both countries.
The IRGC claims to have ambushed a ‘terrorist team’ in Sistan and Balochistan just before they were about to attack a target.
PAKISTAN
A counter-terrorism operation in South Waziristan has resulted in the deaths of 6 reputed terrorists.
A suicide bombing in North Waziristan resulted in the deaths of 4 people (3 of whom were confirmed to be police or military).
The government announced it plans to release its new budget on 9 June and warned citizens and economic interests that it intends to expand the tax base.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Bedlam in Afghanistan and Pakistan
By Brahma Chellaney - Project Syndicate
Afghanistan and Pakistan are sinking deeper into disarray, and the United States bears a significant share of the blame. As long as this long-troubled region remains mired in turmoil, Islamist terrorism will continue to thrive, with grave implications for international security.
AFGHAN NEWS
Bodies Of Migrants Who Died In Bulgaria Returned To Afghanistan, Taliban Says
By RFE
Afghanistan's Taliban-controlled Foreign Ministry says the bodies of 18 Afghan migrants who died of suffocation while attempting to cross into…
Women-Only Restaurant Starts in Kabul
By TOLO News
Samira Mohammadi, a woman in Kabul, has started a special restaurant for women and has provided work for more than 20 female…
Helmand Residents Say Crops Dying as Musa Qala River is Dry
By Najibullah Sahil - TOLO News
The residents of Musa Qala district in southeastern Helmand province are facing a dire situation as the only river in the…
REGIONAL NEWS
Iran to seek arbitration if water share negotiations fail with Taliban: Vice president
By Iran Front Page
Dehqan told reporters on Wednesday that a 1973 accord between Iran and Afghanistan over water shares from Helmand River was…
4 Pakistani Soldiers, 1 Citizen Killed In Suicide Blast in KP
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Authorities reported that three security personnel and one citizen were killed after a suicide blast occurred at a checkpoint in the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghans who fled to the US hope that Congress will fix their status
By Valerie Plesch - The World
“I cannot go back to Afghanistan because they [will] target me,” Fazlullah Safi, 28, said, speaking from an iftar gathering hosted by the Afghan American…
Iran, Indonesia voice support for female education in Afghanistan
By Ariana News
Iran and Indonesia’s presidents on Tuesday voiced support for the right to education for females in Afghanistan and expressed…
THE DAILY WTF
By Caitlin Doombos - The New York Post
After sending Afghanistan $8 billion since the chaotic 2021 US withdrawal from Kabul, the Biden administration is obstructing an internal investigation into…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.48 AFN (as of 25 MAY 2023)