LAST 24 HOURS
RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE – General Mubeen Khan, a former Taliban spokesman and leader of police shared a social media post where he openly mocks the Iranian President over escalating tensions about water rights. In the video, Khan fills a jug of water and tells his followers he will send it to the Iranian President. Such gibes appear to be resonating in Tehran where government leaders are under pressure from the agrarian sector to replenish drought-stricken land in the Eastern portion of the country. For its part, Tehran ratcheted up pressure on the Taliban when the Foreign Minister flatly rejected any talk of recognition for the regime until it forms an inclusive government. While Iran has staunchly maintained its call for inclusivity, the Taliban now could be at risk of losing a sometimes ally in its search for legitimacy. Bizarrely, the standoff over the water rights could alienate Iran and cause it to, if not support the tough line taken by the international community, at least not oppose it.
PAKISTAN CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH SPIKE IN TERRORIST ATTACKS – Yesterday in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provinces, Pakistan’s Police and Military forces engaged with various terror groups. At least three operations were conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two were reported in Balochistan. At least 3 police were killed and an unknown number of military personnel have been wounded in the operations. A source in Peshawar says a prisoner that had been captured in the wake of the attack on a Hungarian oil facility may have provided vital information regarding those who participated in the attack and that Police and Military forces were busy tracking down the suspects when the clashes took place.
THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN HAS PLACED THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER AND HIS WIFE ON THE NO-FLY LIST – A spokesman explained the move was taken after a meeting of the various prosecutors involved in a multitude of cases came to a consensus that the couple presented a flight risk.
HOUSE SEARCHES REPORTED IN POLICE DISTRICTS 17 AND 4 – Several bystanders in the neighborhood reported active Taliban searches along secondary roads in the Districts and some noted that a few roads had been blocked off by Taliban security vehicles. The searches began yesterday evening and continued well into the night. It was not clear what the Taliban were looking for and a few residents complained that some had asked for bribes while the searches were conducted. Some locals say the searches are related to the Spring Festival of Badam Bagh and that Taliban units were told to look for places playing music and/or serving alcohol but this has not been confirmed.
WOMEN’S PROTEST IN TAKHAR DISPERSED – A protest called The Unity and Solidarity Wave of Takhar Women took place on Thursday and was attended by a mix of former University professors, activists, and businesswomen. The marchers chanted slogans related to employment opportunities, education, and better overall gender equity. Taliban security personnel blocked the route of the marchers and eventually dispersed the crowd by force. There were no reports of casualties or injuries as of publication time.
NEXT 24 HOURS
HOUSE SEARCHES TO CONTINUE IN KABUL – Taliban searches are expected to spread to other Police Districts today after operations in PD 17 and 4 that continued overnight. We have no information about what the searches are focused on but approximately 100 Taliban personnel and 30 vehicles are involved. At-risk Afghans in Kabul should be cognizant of the operations that are taking place.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Several Iranian girls who had previously been arrested for posting a viral dance video earlier in the year have reportedly made confessions. Several human rights groups working on their cases say the confessions were likely coerced.
The head of Iran’s judiciary, Mohseni Ajeei, announced on Monday that 22,000 people accused of crimes related to the protest that rocked the country have been pardoned.
Iran tested a ballistic missile with a 1,250-mile range that is capable of targeting Israel.
PAKISTAN
Former PM Khan is reportedly considering holding a rally in Lahore on Sunday. Local sources say organizers are trying to whip up support for the embattled politician.
A court has cleared the way for the first 16 protestors to be tried in military tribunals. Several suits have been filed to try and counter the move by the regime.
Another former member of the National Assembly, Maleeka Bokhari, has cut ties with the PTI over the 9 May riots. A source in Rawalpindi says a video of the destruction caused by the rioters is being circulated and may be a reason why so many have quit the party.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Taliban strategy and collapse of ANDSF
By Inam Ul Haque - The Express Tribune
We revert back to explore the reasons behind the collapse of Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) in August 2022, as reasoned in February 2023 report by SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction), a US government entity.
AFGHAN NEWS
Earthquake of 4.3 Magnitude Rocks Afghanistan’s Badakhshan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The quake of 4.3 occurred at 10: 00 am local time today with a depth of 26 Km south of Isqashim, Tajikistan, the Indian National for…
Taliban Effort To Resurrect Afghan Air Force Runs Into Turbulence
By Abubakar Siddique - RFE
Afghanistan's hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers are keen on showcasing their government's military prowess by frequently displaying repaired…
Four die of suffocation in Baghlan coal mine accident
By Ariana News
On May 23, two separate gas explosions in the Tale Barfak and Jalgah districts of Afghanistan’s Baghlan province resulted in the deaths of…
REGIONAL NEWS
We will not recognize Taliban, Iran’s FM says
By Tehran Times
We will not recognize the current rulers of Afghanistan and insist on the need to establish an inclusive government in Afghanistan,” Amir Abdollahian told…
66 Afghan prisoners released from Pakistan prisons return home
By Ariana News
As a result of the efforts of the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Karachi, 66 Afghan prisoners were released from the prisons of Sindh province…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
$449.9 Million Needed For Healthcare Services in Afghanistan: UN
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The organization also warned that failure to invest in life-saving health services would lead to increased mortality and morbidity among the…
Taliban Agrees To Consider Allowing Afghan Women To Resume Aid Agency Work In Kandahar
By Outlook India
The head of a major aid organisation said Thursday that the Taliban have agreed to consider allowing Afghan women to resume work at the agency in the…
THE DAILY WTF
U.S. seeks to use Afghan terrorists' potential to destabilize region - Russian DM
By Interfax
The United States seeks to use the potential of illegal armed groups in Afghanistan to destabilize the region, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu…
‘There is normal governmental functionary dumb. Then there is Russian governmental functionary dumb.’ TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.50 AFN (as of 26 MAY 2023)