LAST 24 HOURS
US SAYS IT WILL BEGIN PROCESSING ASYLUM APPLICATIONS MORE QUICKLY – The US Department of Homeland Security has reportedly agreed to review applications of Afghans who came to the US more quickly. It didn’t do so willingly. The announcement was made after a settlement in a class-action lawsuit was reached on 6 September. The class-action suit was filed on behalf of 7 Afghans and alleged their cases were unlawfully delayed. The Department has been widely criticized for its abysmal performance throughout the Afghanistan crisis and several additional class-action suits are expected to be filed soon. Many Afghans and evacuating groups were bilked out of money that was never returned for the disastrous Humanitarian Parole offer that was made early in the evacuation.
BADAKHSHAN OPERATIONS – Several unconfirmed reports suggest that more arrests have been made in the Province as the Taliban has launched an unspecified round-up operation that seems to be targeting possible supporters of Resistance groups. The most recent report claimed that over thirty people are now under arrest and are primarily composed of former government officials and former military personnel. It is said that all have been taken to Kabul. It is not clear what threat the Taliban is responding to and further information is eagerly awaited.
ACTIVIST/POET ZABIH AYAR RELEASED FROM PRISON – Yesterday evening, the writer, poet, and civil rights activist Zabih Ayar was reportedly released from prison after a four-month stay. Several members of Ayar’s family posted the news of his release on their social media accounts. His release spurred calls for the Taliban to release other political prisoners who have been in detention in Afghanistan.
TORKHAM STILL CLOSED – Negotiations have stalled between the Taliban and Islamabad over the situation at Torkham Gate and it was closed for a third day yesterday. It is not clear what is holding up the talks and several thousand people have queued on both sides of the border in anticipation of its reopening. An anonymous official in Kabul said the negotiations are being carried out at the ‘highest levels’ but would not divulge any further details.
NEXT 24 HOURS
BADAKHSHAN SECURITY OPERATION – If recent reports about large-scale arrests in Badakhshan prove to be true, at-risk Afghans in the Northern Province would be wise to maintain a low profile until more is known about the spate of recent arrests that locals have said are taking place. To date, the arrests are said to have occurred in Yaftal, Faizabad, Shuhada, Arghanjukhah, and Baharak Districts. It is believed that all those arrested had ties to the former regime and many had served in the military.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The Gulf Cooperation Council has ruled on the territorial spat between Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia over the Durra petroleum reserves and rejected Iran’s claims of ownership.
Iran has censured a recent statement by the third Arab-Japan forum in Cairo that called for mediation in the territorial spat between Iran and the UAE over three islands in the Persian Gulf.
The August inflation rate was adjusted to 39.8% and the cost of living in most cities is now far above the average wages paid to employees. The loss in value of the Rial and the fact the country relies heavily on imports have many concerned that the economy could spiral further out of control.
PAKISTAN
Counter Terrorism units confirmed they had killed 4 TTP terrorists and arrested 1 (who later died from his wounds) in Quetta yesterday morning. The operation took place in the Aghberg area.
The acting Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, told reporters that the recent Chitral attack by the TTP had not been sanctioned by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
Former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has called on the government to hold elections within the constitutionally mandated 90-day period after the National Assembly was dissolved. He leads the Pakistan People’s Party.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Border Clashes And Closures Mark Deteriorating Pakistan-Taliban Ties
By Abubakar Siddique - RFE
Pakistani border guards and Afghan Taliban fighters exchanged fire on September 6, the latest flare-up along the disputed border. Both sides accused each other of starting the firefight.
AFGHAN NEWS
By Natasha Bertrand & Katie Bo Lillis - CNN
New US intelligence assessments suggest that is “unlikely” al Qaeda will revive in Afghanistan and Pakistan and that counterterrorism operations by the Taliban in Afghanistan have degraded the…
Haqqani Asks Mohaqiq, Khalili to Return to Afghanistan
By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News
“Those influential leaders who are living abroad, such as Instructor (Mohammad Mohaqiq) and Mr. Karim Khalili -- I would say that it is…
Gen. McKenzie calls delayed Afghanistan exit as ‘American Arrogance’
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
During an interview with Fox News, General Frank McKenzie, the head of United States Central Command during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, expressed regret over the U.S. decision to remain in…
REGIONAL NEWS
Torkham crossing stays shut for 3rd day
By Ariana News
After clashes on Wednesday between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistani border guards at Torkham crossing, the border is still closed for third consecutive day to…
Terrorist threat from Afghanistan may spread to SCO countries - National Security Committee
By Temirgaliyeva Arailym - Inform Kazakhstan
Today, at the 40th session of the SCO RATS Council in Astana, Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee Ruslan Seissembayev spoke about terrorist organizations functioning in the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Homeland Security agrees to hasten asylum for resettled Afghans
By Molly Weisner - Federal Times
Tens of thousands of asylum seekers who fled Afghanistan will see applications reviewed more quickly after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reached a…
Delegation of Afghan Businesspeople To Visit Japan in Near Future: ACCI
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
A delegation of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) and traders is expected to travel to Japan, said the acting head of the…
THE DAILY WTF
‘World is failing women and girls’: Gender equality by 2030 impossible, UN says
By Edith M. Lederer - The Independent Tribune
The U.N. goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible to attain because of deeply rooted biases against women around the…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 74.17 AFN (as of 9 SEP 2023)