LAST 24 HOURS
IRAN/AFGHANISTAN BORDER CLASH, 3 REPORTED DEAD – Fighting again ensued in Nimroz Province after Iranian Border Security forces once again attempted to erect a wall on the ‘zero point’ of the crossing. A similar incident last week resulted in an exchange of fire as well. The clashes started in the late morning and both countries are blaming the other for initiating the fighting. Late reporting suggests that 2 Iranian security force members were killed and 2 others were wounded. The Taliban reported 1 person killed but did not specify if it was a security force member or a non-combatant. The fighting saw both sides employ heavy and light weapons and while some media outlets claimed artillery had been used, it appears that only mortars were fired by either side. A sizable Taliban column of reinforcements was dispatched to the border area and air assets were also deployed. The fighting ceased in the afternoon and both sides say they are talking to each other about the incident.
TALIBAN DESIGNATES COMMERCIAL ATTACHES IN SEVERAL DIPLOMATIC POSTS – Aligning with the Taliban’s desire to improve economic conditions, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced it had dispatched 7 commercial attaches to 3 regional countries (Iran, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan). The mission of these men will be to foster better trade relations, attract foreign economic investment, and increase trade. Several additional appointments are expected to be announced in the coming weeks for other regional trading partners.
11 NOMADS KILLED IN MOUNTAIN CROSSING IN PAKISTAN – Members of a nomadic tribe attempted to conduct a crossing in the Gilgit-Baltistan area (near Kashmir) and an avalanche, possibly triggered by a rifle shot, swept down the mountains and killed at least 11 of the party. Rescuers worked to evacuate the remaining members of the group and over 20 additional tribal members were treated for injuries.
A SUICIDE BOMBER STRUCK A GOVERNMENT CONVOY IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, 2 DEAD AND 19 INJURED IN THE BLAST – A military convoy traveling to South Waziristan was targeted by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle on Saturday. The blast killed 2 soldiers and several among the 19 wounded soldiers were said to have serious injuries. The attack took place in the Dera Khan Ismail District.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NIMROZ BORDER COULD ERUPT AGAIN – While calm had returned overnight, it is possible that further hostilities could ensue between Iran and the Taliban. A source with direct knowledge says the materials used to erect the ‘offending wall’ on the Iranian side of the demarcation line remain in place. The current disposition of the Taliban forces who reinforced the crossing location is not known. Presumably, the Iranian side of the border was reinforced as well. Yesterday’s clash marks the third violent incident at this crossing over the past 14 days. At-risk Afghans residing in the area should be prepared if hostilities escalate.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The regime pushed back against comments made by the Ukrainian President accusing Iran of complicity with Russia in the War in Ukraine.
Advanced imaging systems reportedly captured photos of advanced air defense weapons that had appeared in Syria where the Iranian-backed militias operate.
Iranian leaders appear to have launched a political campaign amongst OPEC nations aimed at implicating the US in nefarious activities.
PAKISTAN
Perhaps sensing vulnerability within the PTI party, the Government rejected proposed talks with PTI party leaders that had been championed by the embattled ousted Prime Minister.
Counter-Terrorism Directorate officers say they have arrested a terrorist that took part in the 2013 terror attack on an Army checkpoint in the Ghalju Orakzai area as well as a number of other attacks.
Former Prime Minister Khan announced that the Vice Chancellor of the PTI party, Shah Mahmood Qureshi will lead PTI if Imran Khan gets disqualified during an upcoming court case.
SPOTLIGHT GENDER
Defying the Taliban – A stark reminder of the collapse of Afghan women’s rights
By Francis Clarke - Index on Censorship
Last Thursday, human rights organisation Anotherway Now hosted a screening of the Sky News documentary ‘Defying the Taliban: women at war in Afghanistan’. This was followed by a panel discussion hosted by Index on Censorship’s Editor-at-large Martin Bright.
AFGHAN NEWS
Locusts Invade Northern Afghan Provinces
By TOLO News
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said that the invasion of locusts has caused more than 6,000 hectares of agricultural land to…
Lack of textbooks affecting our studies: Helmand students
By Rizwan Bilal - Pajhwok Afghan News
Some of high school students in southern Helmand province complain about the shortage of textbooks and ask the…
College Graduates Turn to Driving Taxis in Balkh
By TOLO News
Young people in Balkh province who have graduated from various faculties say that due to lack of work, they have to…
REGIONAL NEWS
Iran, Taliban fight on border with Afghanistan as sound of gunfire heard
By Al Arabiya
The Taliban and Iran reportedly exchanged gunfire Saturday on the Islamic Republic’s border with Afghanistan, an advocacy group said, as…
Afghanistan-Iran issues can be resolved through talks, Muttaqi tells Qomi
By Ariana News
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), said in a meeting with Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
By Stephanie Levitz - The Toronto Star
Afghan-Canadians who worked for the Canadian military in Afghanistan are asking the Federal Court to declare a special immigration program for Ukrainians in breach of the…
EU, Central Asia special envoys unanimously call for Taliban to lift bans on women
By AMU TV
The EU and Central Asia Special Representatives for Afghanistan have reiterated calls to the Taliban to lift all bans on girls and women that restrict their rights to education, work…
THE DAILY WTF
‘I Do Not Lobby For Anyone,’ Khalilzad Responds to Pakistan’s Interior Minister Accusations
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The former US envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, on Saturday lashed out at Pakistan’s interior minister, Rana Sanaullah, for calling him a…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.57 AFN (as of 28 MAY 2023)