LAST 24 HOURS
SIGNIFICANT FIGHTING REPORTED IN NORTHERN KABUL – Fighting erupted in several neighborhoods of Northern Kabul between the Taliban and an unidentified group that appears to be spread across several Police Districts late yesterday night. Several explosions have been reported and both heavy weapons and small arms fire continue to be heard in select neighborhoods. The explosions were noted in the Panjsad Famili, Shahr-e Naw, and Kotel Khair Khaneh neighborhoods but the fighting has spread further than these areas. Military traffic continues to respond to the incident and the roadways are dangerous as convoys are traveling at high speeds throughout the city. Observers have reported seeing many Taliban being rushed to local hospitals. It is not clear who initiated hostilities and who exactly the Taliban are engaging at this point. At-risk Afghans are advised to shelter in place, avoid windows and doorways, and keep interior lights off until the clashes are over.
2 BLASTS ROCK KABUL – The initial blast was reported at approximately noon and is said to have occurred in the Charahi Sedarat area. The second blast took place about two hours later near the Jamhuriat hospital in the 4th Police District. Police confirmed the second explosion but made no comment about the first. No information about potential casualties or what/who may have caused the blast has been provided.
DRONES SPOTTED OVER TAKHAR – Locals in the Darqad District reported seeing two drones patrolling the skies very early Saturday morning. The drones had no visible markings and the low light made identification impossible. Drones reportedly struck the District several months ago and caused some damage and casualties.
GDI RAIDS IN KABUL AND SAR-E-PUL FIND WEAPONS CACHES – Two independent search operations in both locations produced almost forty weapons that are thought to have belonged to both ISIS-K and Resistance factions. While the seizures were not large, it illustrates the Ministry of Interior’s continued efforts to disarm both combatants and non-combatants alike.
NEXT 24 HOURS
EXPECT THE CLEARING OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN KABUL TO CONTINUE – It is likely the military clearing operations will continue throughout the day on Sunday and more fighting could occur. Military vehicular traffic will continue to use the roads and travel is strongly discouraged. At-risk Afghans are advised to shelter in place and avoid windows and doorways. If possible, keep interior lighting off until the fighting has ceased.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Several of the Mahsa Amini protestors announced they had begun a hunger strike in protest of the regime. It is not clear how many are participating in the protest.
Several foreigners have been reportedly arrested for supporting the protests. France confirmed that 2 more of her citizens had been picked up and that a total of 7 French citizens are in Iranian jails on suspicion of supporting the protestors.
The head of the UNHCR in Iran said her offices are continuing to provide services to Afghan refugees despite the sanctions on the country.
PAKISTAN
The much-anticipated visit of the Saudi Crown Prince has now been postponed. While a scheduling conflict was given as the official reason, several sources suggested the Saudi Ambassador asked for a postponement over potential security issues and the Long March.
Security around the former Prime Minister has significantly increased. Police and PTI private security are reportedly clashing over who should manage all security decisions.
The current Prime Minister is in Great Britain for consultations with his brother over the appointment of the next Military Chief. Several candidates have been named so far but the PTI have said they will vigorously oppose any General recommended by the current government.
TURKMENISTAN
In a highly unpopular move, the Government has barred students from traveling abroad to continue their studies until after the national census has been completed.
The Government has offered to begin exporting electricity to Afghanistan.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Taliban regime under siege, within and without
By Salman Rafi Sheikh - Himal Magazine
Afghanistan is far from stable, more than a year after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021. As various reports from the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) sanctions monitoring team concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaeda, and other associated individuals and entities have shown, transnational jihadi groups have had more space to operate following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. This is a worrying situation for many neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan, where the Taliban victory has strengthened the position of banned groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as outlined in a previous edition of Himal Briefs. But this is equally threatening for the Afghan Taliban regime itself, which came to power promising stability and peace to its people. As it stands, the regime is under attack from groups that rival it both ideologically and politically.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan, the Taliban and the Pursuit of Muscle
By Thomas Mutch - Men’s Health
After the Taliban was toppled in 2001, the sport of bodybuilding exploded in…
UNHCR warns of extreme hardship for forcibly displaced families this winter
By Ariana News
Millions of people from Ukraine, Afghanistan and across the Middle East displaced by conflict or persecution could face a…
Taliban Denies Claims of Desecrating Tomb of Late Jihadi Commander
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
The local Taliban government authorities in Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan denied the allegations of desecrating the tomb of…
REGIONAL NEWS
Turkey Deports Nearly 57,000 Illegal Afghan Immigrants
By 8AM Media
The Ministry of Interior of Turkey has announced that since the beginning of this year, it has deported more than 57 thousand Afghan citizens who…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
‘No Single Group’ in Afghanistan Should Hold Power by Itself ‘Alone’
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
The establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan based on a constitution is the “only way” for the country to escape its current…
‘Afghan issue should be viewed comprehensively’ as China abstains from UN vote
By The Global Times
China has always hoped that the UN General Assembly resolutions will reflect the situation in Afghanistan in a comprehensive and…
THE DAILY WTF
Collected Beggars from Around Kabul Reached 17,262 so Far
By Bakhtar News
Among these collected beggars, 10,145 are women, after evaluating the number of 3,980, found eligible and 6,200 found as professional beggars…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.99 AFN (as of 13 NOV 2022)