LAST 24 HOURS
REOPENING GIRLS’ SCHOOLS IN PAKTIA — Reports that leaders in Paktia province reopened some schools for girls above 6th grade have been confirmed by local Taliban officials and the international media. Reportedly, five or six schools have been reopened, and more are expected to follow suit later this week. Kabul and Kandahar-based Taliban leadership still seem to be in the dark, and early signals suggest the measure was not preapproved. It is not clear if senior Taliban leadership intends to close the schools again, but they have previously stated that the decision to reopen schools will be made on a national level. The incident marks the first real challenge to the regime (other than armed resistance groups) and could result in violence if Taliban fighters are sent to close the schools.
BIOMETRICS TO IDENTIFY ANDSF — Portable biometrics systems are being used on the Afghanistan–Iranian border to identify former ANDSF members. These scanning systems were reportedly used earlier this year in Panjshir and Takhar provinces as well and resulted in several arrests.
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SEARCHES IN PD12 — Searches were being conducted in Kabul’s Police District 12, possibly in response to a reported drone strike on Khalil Rahman Haqqani’s convoy. Although the attack has not been confirmed, rocket attacks reported in Kabul have been repeatedly incorrectly attributed to US drones. The use of house-to-house searches strongly indicates that the reported attack on Haqqani did not come from a drone and was more likely a rocket attack by a Resistance or terrorist group. No further information was available.
NEW RUSSIAN EMBASSY ATTACK DETAILS — A source in the Ministry of the Interior claims the suicide bomber responsible for the attack on the Russian Embassy was a Chinese national from Xinjiang province who had affiliations with ISIS-K. This information has not been confirmed yet.
NEXT 24 HOURS
RESISTANCE TO CLOSING PAKTIA SCHOOLS — If the Taliban sends troops to summarily close girls’ schools in Paktia, the local population will likely protest, which may result in a heavy-handed violent response from the Taliban. At-risk Afghans in these areas are encouraged to avoid large gatherings where Taliban security forces are present.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
What Happened in Afghanistan Isn't Staying in Afghanistan
By Sanam Naraghi Anderlini – Common Dreams
Last August, the U.S. ended its 20-year occupation of Afghanistan with a massive military withdrawal. From the outset, the White House promoted a rosy narrative as President Biden claimed it was the 'greatest airlift in history, an Englishman, with Boris Johnson's approval, evacuated 200 Afghan cats and dogs. Meanwhile countless Afghan men and especially women—who had risked their lives to be police and army officers, judges, translators, reporters, peacebuilders, and human rights advocates, were left behind.
AFGHAN NEWS
One Year On, Official Cabinet of the Islamic Emirate Still Not Announced
By TOLO News
Even though it has been more than a year since the Islamic Emirate's acting cabinet was established, the formal cabinet has still not…
Five Schools Reopened for Girls Above 6th Grade in Paktia
By TOLO News
Five schools for girls have been reopened by tribals elders in Paktia and girls now have the opportunity to attend as the school year in…
Nimroz Vice and Virtue Dept Orders that Coffee Shops Be Closed
By TOLO News
The department of Vice and Virtue of Nimroz ordered that coffee shops be closed and also ordered that wedding halls stop playing music…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan win nail-biting thriller to eliminate Afghanistan and India from Asia Cup 2022
By Akshat Gaur – Cricket Times
Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in a thrilling contest to qualify for the finals of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022. The victory also eliminated both Afghanistan and India from the multi-team…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
MoFA Criticizes Presence of US Drones in Afghan Airspace
By Farshad Daryosh – TOLO News
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed criticism over reports of US drones that are flying above Afghanistan and called on…
Homeland Security watchdog finds Afghan refugees admitted to US without proper vetting
By Madeleine Hubbard – Just the News
The Department of Homeland Security failed to vet Afghan evacuees entering the country following the U.S. military's chaotic…
THE DAILY WTF
Bride Kidnapping; Religious Scholar Abducts 17-Year-Old Girl in Central Afghanistan
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
A 40-year-old religious scholar, reportedly a Taliban member, abducted a 17-year-old girl in Bamyan province in central…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.40 AFN (as of 8 SEP 2022)