LAST 24 HOURS
REPORTS OF A ‘QUIET’ CURFEW IN KABUL, NANGARHAR, KUNAR, AND LAGHMAN PROVINCES – Residents of these Provinces say that Taliban patrols have increased in certain areas and that citizens are being told that no one is to leave their houses after 2100hrs local time. Some reports that individuals who have been stopped for a second time in select areas of Nangarhar have been arrested. It is not clear what threat the Taliban may be responding to and there are reports that the unofficial curfews are actually being put in place by local Taliban commanders who are under orders to reduce crime in their areas of responsibility.
TALIBAN REGISTER COMPLAINT WITH CHINA OVER AFGHAN FEMALE ATHLETES ALLOWED TO COMPETE IN ASIAN GAMES ON 26 SEPTEMBER – A source in Kabul said that Taliban leadership was miffed upon hearing the news that 17 Afghan female athletes would be allowed to compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games that is scheduled to start next week. The women athletes are expected to represent Afghanistan in the sporting competition and all are currently living abroad and are not sanctioned by the Taliban. Approximately 130 male athletes from Afghanistan are expected to take part in the games. The source said that an official response from China about the women’s participation had not yet been received and the Taliban Foreign Ministry was concerned that negative press would mar the Taliban’s image and would be used by critics of the regime to point out the continued gender disparity under the de facto regime.
FORMER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND MEMBERS OF THE AFGHAN MILITARY SAY THEIR HOMES ARE BEING CONFISCATED BY THE TALIBAN IN NANGARHAR – Several sources from among officials of the former regime say the Taliban’s ‘3rd Brigage’ had begun confiscating property given to them while working/serving under the former regime. It is not clear how many homes had already been seized and there are conflicting reports about who is receiving the homes. Some sources say that families of TTP members have received the lion’s share while others say they are being taken by members of the Taliban security forces.
NEXT 24 HOURS
HEAVY RAINS EXPECTED IN THE NORTHEAST OF AFGHANISTAN – Up to 30mm’s of rain is in the forecast for parts of Badakhshan, Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman, Kapisa, Nangarhar, Logar, Paktia, Khost, and Paktika Provinces today. The rainfall is expected to cause flooding in low-lying areas and will disrupt travel. Strong winds and dust storms will affect much of the rest of the country for the next two days. Travel should be planned with these unpredictable weather systems in mind.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran announced it had restored diplomatic ties to the Maldives after a 7-year hiatus that began when the island nation showed support for Saudi Arabia.
Iran expressed skepticism that Kurdish militias have been disarmed in Iraq and said it will eventually take action. What form of action Tehran will take has not been announced.
The UN’s High Commission for Human Rights has criticized the new Hijab law recently passed by the Iranian parliament calling it ‘degrading’.
PAKISTAN
Police in Islamabad arrested 2 men suspected of having ties to terrorism near Rawalpindi and seized a motorcycle, weapons, and explosives. Acting on a tip, the men were arrested in separate operations. It is not known to which group the men may be affiliated.
The IMF has called upon the government to enact further reforms aimed at reducing the number of impoverished people living in the country. The percentage of Pakistani citizens living in poverty rose 5% from the previous year.
The acting Prime Minister refuted claims by opposition parties that the military would interfere in the coming elections in order to stifle PTI voter turnout. The PM called the accusations ‘absurd’ and promised fair and transparent elections.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Far But Present: Israel’s Three Major Threats Coming From Afghanistan – Analysis
By Ido Gadi Raz - EurAsia Review
While the world was concerned about the Taliban’s Intentions to violate human rights, remove women from the public sphere, and hurt minorities as it did in its previous tenure, America and Afghanistan’s neighbors were deeply threatened that Afghanistan would return to being a safe haven for terrorists. Unfortunately, all concerns were fulfilled. The Taliban banned girls from schools and universities, attacked minorities, and supported global terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaida, in contrast to its commitments in the Doha Accord signed with the USA. Furthermore, the Taliban have failed to counter the Islamic State’s cell in Afghanistan, also known as ISIS-K (Khurasan), which has expanded dramatically under the new regime in Kabul.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan ranks 2nd in world on emergency levels of hunger chart: WFP
By AMU TV
According to a graphic chart, which WFP Afghanistan released on its X account, Sudan with 6.26 million people facing 4th phase hunger by early…
Afghanistan in a New Light: Through The Lens
By Elena Becatoros & Rodrigo Abd - Pulitzer Center
The curious-looking device resembles little more than a large black box on a…
Islamic Emirate Seeks to Participate in China's Belt and Road Initiative
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
“Afghanistan's joining the Belt and Road Initiative will integrate Afghanistan's economy into the regional and world economies and will…
REGIONAL NEWS
Qatari prime minister opens up about talks with Taliban’s supreme leader
By AMU TV
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says he met with the Taliban’s reclusive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, earlier this…
Arrested facilitators reveal TTP's extortion collection methods
By Usman Khan - Samaa
The arrested suspects were providing assistance to the TTP for many years by collecting extortion on the group’s…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
17 Afghan female athletes participate in Asian games hosted by China
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
A group of Afghan female athletes living abroad are participating in the 19th Asian Games, which are being held…
Nonprofit helps Afghan women share stories of journeys to Canada
By Shanga Karim - Saskatchewan Today
Afghan activist Farzana Sarwari delivered a speech about justice in 2016 that was viewed online by more than 350,000…
THE DAILY WTF
Rina Amira says ‘Taliban says one thing and does another’
By AMU TV
“There is no country in the world that denies women an education; we have over 50 edicts and decrees and systemic discrimination is on the basis of…
“Damn right!” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 78.86 AFN (as of 24 SEP 2023)