LAST 24 HOURS
MORE AFTERSHOCKS REPORTED IN HERAT/RESCUE EFFORTS CONTINUING – Minor aftershocks were reported in the Province as rescue efforts continued to attempt to recover survivors from the deadly quakes that struck on Saturday. Relief efforts were focused on approximately 12 villages in the remote Zinda Jan District and the aftershocks reportedly caused panic among inhabitants and aid workers but no additional damage or casualties were reported. The bulk of the rescue efforts relied on hand tools to remove rubble as heavy equipment had yet to reach the area. Several major NGOs called on the Taliban to provide unrestricted access to the affected areas for the supplies and equipment that were being marshaled in surrounding countries but it was not clear if the regime was prepared to walk back restrictions on aid agencies over their employment of women. As of publication, the death toll stands at approximately 2,500 people with another 2,000 or so seriously injured but those numbers are expected to continue growing. Some geologists say that the aftershocks could portend a much larger event in the coming days.
TALIBAN PUSH BACK ON CLAIMS THEY INTEND TO FIGHT WITH HAMAS – A suspect social media account posted on X that Taliban leaders were planning to send fighters to support Hamas in its operations against Israel on Saturday. The Taliban hastily denied it had any such plans and said the social media account was not tied to the regime. The Foreign Ministry released a statement that attempted to walk a fine line between supporting the Palestinian cause and disavowing any support of men, material, or funding. Any official involvement in the conflict would be in violation of the Doha agreement and would likely seal the Taliban’s fate with regard to international recognition. It could also usher in open support for the Resistance forces. At the same time, the Taliban leadership is cognizant that many of its fighters are strongly opposed to Israel and support Hamas. Again, they find themselves in a difficult situation.
PAKISTAN’S DEPORTATION THREAT MAY BE ‘ADJUSTED’ IN LIGHT OF THE HERAT DISASTER – A source in Islamabad said the regime is expecting to be assailed by members of the international community for continuing the deportation operations while Afghanistan is dealing with a fresh humanitarian crisis. The source said there was concern that promised aid for the flooding in Pakistan and anticipated compensation for global climate change effects could be cut off if the regime held its course. However, a growing minority of opposition members say they have gained traction in getting the policy delayed.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The US National Security Council Coordinator, Admiral Kirby, says that Iran is complicit in the Hamas terror attacks in Israel.
On Monday, the governments of Sudan and Iran announced they had restored diplomatic ties after a 7-year break that began after Iranian protestors stormed the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tehran in 2016.
A US Senator has called for US strikes on Iranian oil refineries should a link between Iran and Hamas’s attacks in Israel be found.
PAKISTAN
The acting Prime Minister announced Pakistan’s policy with regard to the Hamas/Israel conflict was support for the two-state solution.
October 17th is now the date for the indictments of former PM Khan and his ex-Foreign Minister (Shah Mahmood Qureshi) in the Cipher Case.
A major strike of natural gas was announced in Sindh Province yesterday. The reserves are expected to provide 1.11 million cubic feet of gas per day once the field is set up.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
Deciphering Pakistan’s Current Afghan Refugee Policy
By Ali Khan Bangash - EurAsia Review
The recent detention of Afghan citizens in Pakistan has stirred both international and domestic debates regarding the rights and treatment of refugees. It’s crucial to examine this issue from multiple angles to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
AFGHAN NEWS
Top Taliban officials visit earthquake-ravaged Herat province in Afghanistan
By Anadolu Agency
Afghanistan's acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, paid a visit to the earthquake-ravaged areas of northwest Herat province on Monday to…
Taliban Deny Claims They Are Trying to Join Hamas on the Battlefield
By VOA
The Taliban have been forced to deny claims that they are trying to join Hamas fighters, after a fake post on the X social media platform claimed the Afghan militant group…
WHO: Most of quake victims in Afghanistan are women, children
By WION
World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday (Oct 9) that most of the victims of Afghanistan earthquake were women and…
Taliban intelligence agents detain 3 Radio Nasim journalists
By Committee to Protect Journalists
On Saturday, three Taliban intelligence operatives took the independent Radio Nasim’s director, Jawadi, and two of its journalists, Rezaei and Qasemi, from Jawadi’s home in the city of…
REGIONAL NEWS
Türkiye 1st nation to dispatch aid to Afghanistan after recent earthquake
By Muhammed Nuri Erdogan - Anadolu Agency
Türkiye has dispatched its initial aircraft to deliver assistance to earthquake-stricken Afghanistan, becoming the first nation to offer aid at a…
Border ambush by Pakistani Taliban kills 7
By Fox News
A group of Pakistani Taliban ambushed troops during an operation against insurgents on the border with Afghanistan on Monday, triggering a…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
An independent inquiry opens into the alleged unlawful killings by UK special forces in Afghanistan
By Sylvia Hui - Stars and Stripes
LONDON — An independent inquiry opened Monday to examine claims that British special forces murdered dozens of Afghan men during…
Afghanistan Earthquake: Taliban And World Response
By Naseeb Ullah Achakzai - EurAsia Review
The current role of the Taliban, America, and the UNO with respect to Afghanistan where earthquake has jolted the poor Afghans is deplorable, condemnable, and…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban ‘putting pressure’ on Afghanistan’s embassies abroad
By Milad Sayar - AMU TV
Afghanistan’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad are struggling with financial and administrative challenges amid growing pressure from the Taliban’s foreign ministry, a source…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 75.75 AFN (as of 10 OCT 2023)