LAST 24 HOURS
40 Arrested for Resisting Land Redistribution – Local eyewitnesses and family members have reported that approximately 40 local leaders were arrested by the Taliban in the Khadir district of Daikundi over their resistance to the controversial land appropriation program. The Taliban did not intervene in the violent clashes between the Kochi nomads and local Daikundi leaders earlier in September, but they appear poised to crack down now. Tensions continue to rise with authorities as Hazara locals are forced out of their homes to make room for Pashtun Kochi nomads.
Taliban Claim Pakistan Made Millions Off US Drone Strike – Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai made statements to the press claiming that Pakistan was paid millions in exchange for letting the US use its airspace to conduct drone strikes on Afghanistan. Stanekzai claimed the Taliban had abundant video evidence to support the claims, but the evidence has not been released. Stanekzai’s claims follow closely on the heels of similar accusations made by the Taliban’s Acting Minister of Defense. Pakistan denies the claims, calling them “conjectural”.
More Taliban Defections in Badakhshan – Additional reports continue to stream in from the North claiming that Taliban commanders in the province continue to defect from the Taliban, often along with their men. While Resistance sources claim that the deserters are joining the Resistance, it seems that many are not currently allied with either side and may be weighing their options. A source in Kandahar said that Taliban leadership has empowered the new governor of Badakhshan and other high-ranking officials to offer significant financial incentives for them to remain under Taliban control, given that bribes from the Resistance have been a big draw for defecting commanders. It is not clear how many units have broken ties with the Taliban, and the situation bears continued monitoring. More troop movements from Panjshir to Badakhshan have been reported over the last twenty-four hours, which may lend some credence to these claims.
Pakistan Clarifies PM’s Remarks – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent remarks at the United Nations General Assembly drew immediate criticism from the Taliban and political leaders of the former regime given his focus on terrorist groups in Afghanistan while neglecting to discuss terrorism in Pakistan. The Pakistani Charge d’Affaires at the embassy in Kabul cautioned Afghans not to take offense over the remarks, reiterating that most regional countries and a good portion of the international community share similar concerns about the threat of terrorism emanating from a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Chinese Nationals Attacked in Pakistan – 1 Chinese citizen was killed and 2 were injured when a mob attacked them in the Saddar neighborhood of Karachi. Information about what led to the violence is incomplete, but it appears that a dispute over a financial transaction (currency trading) may have led to the altercation. Pakistani police are warning the Chinese community in Karachi to stay off the streets until the situation calms down.
NEXT 24 HOURS
Land Reform Struggles—The situation in Daikundi remains perilous as more arrests are expected in other districts over the clashes between Kochi nomads and local inhabitants. Since the land redistribution program began, local civilians have seemingly put aside their differences and staged large protests collectively. The Taliban were hesitant to intervene previously and did little to stop the violence between the groups that manifested in early and mid-September. However, this new policy could result in an increase in violence and could easily provoke attacks against the Taliban.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
The U.S. Must Exercise Restraint in Central Asia
By Alex Little - The National Interest
Before the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SC) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan this month, two member states, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, clashed over territorial disputes. September 20 marked the official signing of a peace treaty and although the future of Tajik-Kyrgyz security remains unclear, the United States appears interested in engaging with Central Asian countries economically and diplomatically.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghans on Social Media Praise Stanekzai’s Call to Open Schools
By Asma Saayin - TOLO News
The remarks of the deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai regarding the reopening of girls’ schools above…
Government urged to improve access to information for the media
By Ariana News
Marking International Day for Universal Access to Information, a number of media advocates on Wednesday called on the government to do…
Film showing Americans’ atrocities screened in Kabul
By Ahmad Sohaib Hasrat – Pajhwok News
A documentary film depicting American forces’ atrocities on Afghan prisoners at the Bagram detention center screened in Kabul on Wednesday. Bagram Air Base…
REGIONAL NEWS
Tajikistan’s Concerns Baseless, Says Mujahid
By Bakhtar News Agency
While officials of Tajikistan have expressed concern about the situation in Afghanistan and claim that this country has evolve a place of operations of the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Biden keeps US target for refugee admissions at 125,000
By Ariana News
President Joe Biden on Tuesday kept the nation’s cap on refugee admissions at 125,000 for the 2023 budget year, despite pressure from…
'Our treatment is shocking': Red tape in US leaves Afghans in legal limbo
By Umar A Farooq - Middle East Eye
The lack of support has even caused some Afghans to resort to begging for money on the…
12 civilians killed by US military operations in Afghanistan in 2021, Pentagon report says
By Ellie Kaufman - CNN
Twelve civilians were killed and five civilians were injured because of US military operations in 2021, according to a congressionally mandated…
THE DAILY WTF
4 Arrested for Selling Young Girl in Northeast Afghanistan
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
The Taliban arrested 4 people – 3 men and 1 woman – on charges of selling a young girl in the northeastern Afghan province of Takhar…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.46 AFN (as of 29 SEP 2022)