The Week of August 5-11
Security and Conflict
ISKP Attack on Shias in Kabul – On Sunday, a bomb blast in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi area targeted a Mercedes passenger car, killing at least one person and wounding 11 others, including three women. Witnesses suggest the death toll may be higher. The explosion, caused by a magnetic mine, occurred in the Hazara/Shia neighborhood. ISKP later claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it specifically targeted Shia civilians.
Taliban Raids in Parwan – On Tuesday, the Parwan governor's spokesman reported that Taliban special forces conducted an operation in Khanaqa village, Bagram district, against alleged resistance members, resulting in the death of two individuals and the arrest of one.
Explosion in Nangarhar – Local sources in Nangarhar reported an airstrike targeting a TTP hideout in the Basol area of Mohmand Dara district on August 10th. However, Taliban spokesperson Abdul Basir Zabuli claimed the incident was a controlled detonation of explosives by Taliban fighters, not an airstrike. Additionally, drones reportedly patrolled the skies over Nangarhar and Kunar for two hours that night, but their origin remains unknown, leading to conflicting accounts of the event.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Afghanistan Provincial Council Association Report on Taliban Abuses – The Afghanistan Provincial Councils Association reports that despite a declared amnesty, the Taliban arrests and mysteriously kills at least five former military personnel, government employees, activists, and journalists daily. Over the past three years, 87 people, primarily former military and opposition figures, have died from torture in Taliban prisons. The UN documented at least 60 arbitrary arrests, 10 cases of torture, and five killings between April and June this year. The association criticized the international community's inaction despite being aware of these abuses and called on the U.S. and UN to review the Doha Agreement and push for an inclusive Afghan government. Dawood Naji, Chairman of the Political Committee of the Afghanistan Freedom Front, stated that over 500 former Afghan security personnel have been documented as killed in the past three years.
ANSF Detained and killed in Parwan – On Monday in Parwan province, Taliban members shot and killed former soldiers Fahim Jabli Qazikhani and Milad Siddiqi, who were arrested in Bagram district while en route to a relative’s house. The Taliban accused them of collaborating with IS-KP, though sources deny the claims. Additionally, three others—Fazil, Malik Shafiq, and Omid—were detained. Despite the Taliban's claims of a general amnesty for former soldiers and officials, detentions and murders of these individuals remain common.
Former ANSF General Tortured by the Taliban – In Kunar, local sources report that the Taliban arrested and tortured former government General Roz Mohammad Ghurni in Chawkai district. Detained about a week ago, Ghurni was severely beaten and tortured before being released four days ago through tribal mediation. Signs of torture were observed, and he is now receiving treatment in Kabul. The Taliban have not commented on the incident.
NGO Workers Arrested – On Thursday, the Taliban arrested 12 employees, including 6 women, of the NGO ORCA in Kabul. An employee confirmed the incident, stating families report the Taliban's refusal to respond or provide information. ORCA, established in January 2008, is an independent Afghan research center specializing in market, media, and opinion research.
Female Protestors Statement on 3rd Anniversary – As the third anniversary of the Taliban's return to power approaches, female protesters denounced the regime for inflicting widespread suffering on the Afghan people. They urged global pressure on the Taliban to end oppression, warning of potential human disasters. The statement emphasized the need for resistance against the regime’s harsh policies.
Religious Scholar Arrested in Nangarhar – On Monday in Nangarhar, the Taliban's intelligence agency arrested a religious scholar for allegedly supporting the former government's forces, confirmed by sources on August 5. The arrest followed the circulation of an audio clip in which the scholar expressed support for the former military. This scholar had previously been arrested and imprisoned by the Taliban three times. The Taliban have not commented on the incident.
Former ANSF Detained by Taliban after Deportation – Baqir Abbasi, a former Afghan government soldier, disappeared after being deported from Iran on September 25 and is reportedly missing. Witnesses claim the Taliban captured him, and his wife is seeking UN assistance for his release. This incident follows a pattern of detentions, torture, and killings of former republic soldiers and officials shortly after being deported from Iran. The Taliban have not commented on the arrest.
Floggings – On Wednesday and Thursday, the Taliban publicly flogged five individuals, including two women, in Kabul, Maidan Wardak, and Kandahar for charges such as "illicit relations," theft, and "running away from home." Each person received 32-39 lashes and was sentenced to 2.5 to 3 years in prison. Since 2021, the Taliban has incorporated corporal punishment into their judicial system. According to the UN, 179 cases occurred in the last three months, including 28 women and 4 boys.
Internal Politics
Nangarhar Intelligence Chief Dismissed for Corruption – Mullah Haibatullah, Taliban leader, has dismissed Mohammad Barai, the intelligence chief in Nangarhar, over financial corruption. Barai’s assistant, Shaheen, is accused of embezzling 30 million Afghanis and confessed that the funds were taken on Barai’s orders. The case is now in Kandahar. Despite the Taliban's anti-corruption stance, reports reveal ongoing corruption and luxurious lifestyles among members, including Barai's involvement in detainee deaths.
International Developments
New SIGAR Report released – SIGAR's latest report reveals that since the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, $20.71 billion in aid has been allocated. This includes $2.97 billion for humanitarian and development efforts, $3.50 billion to the Afghan Fund, and $8.70 billion for resettling Afghan evacuees. The report details significant funding through the Enduring Welcome account. Critics argue that halting U.S. cash assistance could pressure the Taliban. The report also highlights substantial opium stockpiles and accuses the Taliban of involvement in drug cultivation and trafficking. The Taliban's Ministry of Interior dismissed these claims as "unfounded," asserting improved drug control since their takeover. The full report can be read here
UN Official’s Statement on ISKP – Senior UN official Vladimir Voronkov has warned that ISIS-K, the Khorasan branch of Daesh, has become a significant external terrorist threat, particularly to Europe. The group has enhanced its recruitment, financial, and logistical capabilities, as evidenced by attacks like the one in Moscow that killed 145 people. As major international events approach, concerns are growing about ISIS-K's ability to carry out attacks abroad. Voronkov called for unified global action to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a terrorist hub again.
Freedom of the Press
Pro-IS Radio Stations in Afghanistan – Two radio stations, Voice of the Caliphate and Voice of Monotheism, are reportedly broadcasting in Kunduz and Takhar with content supportive of Daesh Khorasan. The broadcasts are in multiple languages, including Arabic, Uzbek, Farsi, Tajiki, Pashto, and Turkmen. Concerns have been raised by at least one Central Asian country, but the Taliban's intelligence agency denies the stations' existence. Verification of these claims is pending.
Journalist Arrested on Nangarhar – Taliban forces detained journalist Aziz Ahmad Wafa two weeks ago near the National Radio and Television Office on Pashtunistan Road in Jalalabad, Nangarhar's provincial capital. He remains in custody without any reason provided for his detention.
Two Journalists Released – Mohammad Ibrahim Mohtaj and Mohammad Yar Mujrooh were released from Taliban cuMohammad Ibrahim Mohtaj and Mohammad Yar Mujrooh were released from Taliban custody in Kandahar after being detained for one and three weeks, respectively. The Taliban stated that their detention was unrelated to their media work. Mohtaj was arrested on July 27 and Mujrooh on July 13.
Regional Developments
Iran Requests Results of Investigation of Killing Of Diplomats in 1998 – On the 26th anniversary of the 1998 attack on its consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has urged the Taliban to release the findings of their investigation. The "terrorist attack" during the Taliban's first rule resulted in the deaths of eight Iranian diplomats and a journalist. The UN condemned the incident as a breach of international laws, but the Taliban have not taken responsibility or commented on the perpetrators.
Regional meeting held in Doha – In a meeting on Monday in Doha with ambassadors and diplomats from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Australia, Afghan Acting Deputy Prime Minister Moulvi Abdul Kabir claimed that Afghanistan no longer poses a security threat. He stated that ISIS has been suppressed and highlighted the government's achievements in combating narcotics. However, neighboring countries have expressed concerns about terrorism and narcotics originating from Afghanistan, with increased drug seizures reported at borders in recent months.
Fire at Dogharoon Facility Destroys Afghan Oil Tankers – On August 5, a fire at the Dogharoon oil storage facility near the Iran-Afghanistan border destroyed 80% of oil reserves owned by Afghan traders, according to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment. The blaze, which began with three oil tankers catching fire, was attributed to Iranian officials' negligence. The Dogharoon customs facility, a key trade point, has been closed following the incident.
Afghan Refugees Protest Long Waits for Canadian Visas – Afghan refugees in Pakistan, waiting for over two years to be transferred to Canada, protested for their cases to be heard. Some reported visa rejections after long delays and expressed concerns about their children missing out on education and living in poor conditions.
TTP Members Allegedly Buried Alive Resurface in Afghanistan – The TTP has accused Pakistani security forces of "burying alive" two fighters who reportedly survived and fled to Afghanistan. Although the TTP denies its presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of harboring TTP militants. A video by pro-Taliban influencer Sherzad Muneer, showing him with the fighters, highlights the Taliban's connections with the TTP and has drawn criticism, raising questions about the Taliban’s denials and the implications of Muneer’s activities.
Miscellaneous
WFP Cuts Nutrition Aid for 600,000 Pregnant Women – The WFP has announced a budget shortfall, resulting in the removal of 600,000 pregnant women from its nutrition assistance program this summer. Although WFP continues to support 1.6 million pregnant and breastfeeding women to prevent malnutrition, funding issues persist, leading to similar cuts affecting about 10 million people last year.
Salang to Close for Repairs – he Taliban's Ministry of Public Works has announced that the Salang Highway will close to large vehicles starting August 22 for concrete work, with smaller vehicles diverted to alternate routes. The closure will last until the project is completed, echoing disruptions experienced last year during the highway's reconstruction.
NEXT WEEK
The situation in Iran is expected to remain tense following the killing of a Hamas leader last week, with high potential for retaliation or additional strikes. Anti-Afghan sentiment remains strong, leading to continued crackdowns on Afghans, and the recent injury of an Afghan teen by Iranian security forces could further escalate tensions. Afghans in Iran should avoid crowds and stay vigilant.
In Pakistan, deportations will continue. Several TTP attacks near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border occurred this week, and there may have been cross-border strikes, increasing the likelihood of cross-border tensions. Travelers should be aware of travel restrictions before moving.
This week marks the third anniversary of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. The Taliban have declared Wednesday, August 14, a public holiday. Protests over human rights are possible, and attacks by IS or resistance groups are likely. Exercise caution during travel, especially near checkpoints, government buildings, and in the evening.
The Taliban have stated that visas and passports issued by now-closed consulates in North America and Europe will be accepted. However, be aware that the Taliban do not always implement policies uniformly, and issues may arise with passports or visas, potentially involving bribes or detentions.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Afghan Teen Seriously Injured by Iranian Police – Mehdi Mousavi, a 16-year-old Afghan migrant with hearing and speech impairments, is bedridden after a brutal arrest by Iranian police in Tehran. A video shows an officer kneeling on his neck while his family’s attempts to intervene were ignored. Mousavi suffered a broken neck, and was later released when it was confirmed he had authorization to stay in Iran. The incident has sparked protests and condemnation of Iran's treatment of Afghan migrants. The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the mistreatment, urging accountability to avoid further strain on Afghanistan-Iran relations.
Crackdown on Afghan Economic Activities – Mahdi Bagheri Mojarad, head of the Chamber of Guilds in Kashan, Iran, has announced a crackdown on Afghan nationals, banning their employment in food-related businesses and prohibiting shop rentals to Afghans. This reflects ongoing discriminatory policies and abuses targeting Afghans across Iran.
PAKISTAN
TTP Clash with Pakistani Military – On Friday, Pakistani media reported an armed clash between TTP members and the Pakistan Army, resulting in the deaths of four TTP fighters and three soldiers. The confrontation occurred across three locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Valley.
Attack on Pakistani Soldiers – On Saturday, the Pakistani army announced that three soldiers and four militants were killed in attacks on three army sites near the Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Tirah Valley. A Taliban splinter group claimed responsibility, and the army is continuing its search operation in response to rising militant violence in the region.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Jacqui True, Farkhondeh Akbari
Gendered narratives are political narratives that frequently frame decisions to go to war or broker peace. Such geopolitical narratives both enable the protection of women's rights and violate them. Women's rights, specifically, have been used as a rhetorical device by security policymakers to persuade people of the urgency and legitimacy of foreign intervention or withdrawal. We explore how gendered, geopolitical narratives work to construct understandings of political reality and delimit foreign policy options, and how counter-narratives contest them, transforming the available policy options. Drawing on narrative analysis frameworks, we examine the shifting narratives invoking “Afghan women” that facilitated the change in US policy on Afghanistan between 2018 and 2021 and the consequent return of the Taliban. In response to the US withdrawal, we investigate the counter-narrative of Afghan women that emphasizes universal human rights, inclusive peace, and international recognition of the situation of “gender apartheid.” We argue that counter-narratives supported by political strategies are an effective instrument for empowering marginalized women and legitimizing their activism that protests the continuation of war against women despite the end of military war.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban says millions of Afghans returning home; IOM says millions leaving — who is right?
VOA
Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban said Tuesday that about 3.7 million former refugees have returned to the country since the Islamist group took power three years ago. The statement was a response to the International Organization for Migration, or IOM, which reported last week that more than twice as many Afghans have left the country since 2020.
Which side is correct? Possibly both.
The Taliban says people in Afghanistan on previous government’s visas can stay for now
AP
Afghanistan’s Taliban government said Monday it would allow people in the country on visas issued by the former Western-backed government to stay for now, but that they wouldn’t be allowed back in without documents from a Taliban-approved diplomatic mission.
The announcement by the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry on the social media platform X clarified its July 30 announcement that it would no longer accept documents from consulates and diplomatic missions abroad staffed by member of the former government.
Why Is Mullah Hibatullah Afraid of Kabul? Interview with Amrullah Saleh (Translated summary)
Interviewer: Andrei Serinko, head of the Contemporary Afghanistan Studies Center in Moscow, journalist, and regular columnist for the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta.
Introduction: Internal conflicts among Taliban leaders have intensified. Amrullah Saleh, former head of Afghanistan's National Security and leader of the "Green Trend of Afghanistan," is a resistance leader against the Taliban. In an exclusive interview with Andrei Serinko, he asserts that U.S. financial support has largely enabled the Taliban to maintain control in Afghanistan. Saleh emphasizes that the U.S. is the only country that commands respect from the Taliban, and the special relationship between the U.S. and the Taliban undermines regional countries' efforts to resolve the Afghan issue.
Summary:
Internal Conflict in Taliban:
Factions: There is a significant conflict between Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban Interior Minister, and Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme Leader.
Tribal Rivalry: The Durrani (Kandahari) and Ghilzai tribes are competing for dominance. Historically, this rivalry has been intense, such as during the 1978 coup and the 1980s jihad when Ghilzai leaders were prominent.
Pakistan's Role: Pakistan supported Ghilzai leaders during the anti-Soviet jihad to avoid exacerbating border disputes with the Durrani tribe.
Current Dynamics: Mullah Hibatullah, a Durrani, is consolidating power in Kandahar and marginalizing Kabul, initially expected to be the political center.
Current Taliban Leadership:
Durrani Dominance: Key positions in the Taliban are held by the Durrani tribe. For instance, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson, and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the first deputy to Mullah Hassan, are Durrani.
Ghilzai Representation: Sirajuddin Haqqani represents the Ghilzai tribe. Recent appointments by Mullah Hibatullah of Durrani members to positions in Khost (Haqqani’s homeland) have strained internal relations.
Political Capital of Afghanistan:
De Facto Capital: Kandahar is now considered the effective capital, with Mullah Hibatullah avoiding Kabul due to fears of protests and opposition.
Kabul's Role: Kabul's significance has diminished as Mullah Hibatullah seeks to consolidate power in his tribal stronghold.
Potential for Reform in Taliban Governance:
Resistance to Change: The Taliban’s governance structure is rigid and fanatical, making substantial reforms unlikely.
Monarchy: The prospect of restoring a monarchy is considered implausible as the current Taliban system is even more autocratic than past monarchies.
Governance Structure: The Taliban’s power is a vertical hierarchy under the absolute control of a single leader, making systemic changes improbable without external intervention.
Regional Competition for Afghanistan:
Types of Engagement:
Security and Economic Interests: Some countries view Afghanistan primarily for economic gains and security benefits.
Civilizational Perspective: Others see the Taliban's exclusionary policies as a threat to Afghanistan's ethnic and cultural diversity.
Geopolitical View: Countries like Russia view Afghanistan through a Soviet-era lens and are concerned about their own strategic interests.
U.S. Dominance: The Taliban mainly respond to the U.S. and the Doha Agreement, which has been a key factor in their governance.
Influence of Regional Powers:
Indirect Influence: While Russia, China, and Iran have some influence through negotiations, the Taliban's primary response is to U.S. engagement.
Effectiveness: Regional countries’ efforts are seen as ineffective compared to the direct influence the U.S. has over the Taliban. The U.S. remains the central player in shaping the Taliban's actions and decisions.
Female university lecturers face uncertainty in Afghanistan
Amu TV
KABUL, Afghanistan — Female university lecturers in Afghanistan are facing an uncertain future due to oppressive restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Despite the country’s need for qualified academic figures, Taliban has banned all women from teaching in universities.
The ban has raised significant concerns among students and educators alike. They point out that the prohibition exacerbates the existing shortage of professors in universities, forcing female lecturers to remain at home.
Amu spoke with Adela Hameedi Azin, a former lecturer at Parwan University who taught there for 12 years before being barred from teaching following the Taliban’s takeover. Azin emphasized that preventing female lecturers from teaching is detrimental to Afghanistan’s educational system and will lead to further setbacks for the country.
REGIONAL NEWS
Iranian Official Announces Crackdown on Illegal Afghan Immigrants In Shahriar County
Afghanistan International
Alireza Fatehinejad, the governor of Shahriar County in Tehran Province, Iran, has announced the commencement of a "plan to apprehend illegal immigrants" in the county.
During a meeting with Iranian officials in Tehran, Fatehinejad emphasised that under this plan, undocumented Afghans will be deported to their home country.
Tasnim News Agency reported that officials from Tehran's Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs also attended the meeting.
Fatehinejad called this process of apprehending illegal Afghans as a significant challenge.
Iran Hangs 20 Afghan Nationals in Months Amid Surge in Death Penalties
Kabul Now
Iranian authorities have reportedly executed 20 Afghan nationals across the country in the first seven months of this year, a nongovernmental organization said.
According to a report released by Iran Human Rights Organization, a nonprofit that monitors rights violations in Iran, the Islamic Republic’s judicial system carried out a total of 300 executions during this period.
Other than 20 Afghan nationals, the executions by hanging involved 42 prisoners from the oppressed Baloch community, 20 ethnic Kurds, and 15 women prisoners.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UN experts urge Australia to compensate Afghanistan war crime victims
Amu TV
A group of independent experts, including UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, called on Australia on Wednesday to immediately compensate the families of 39 victims of war crimes committed by the Australian military in Afghanistan.
In 2020, a military inquiry found that Australian soldiers, while deployed in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, killed 39 unarmed prisoners in Afghanistan. Some of these victims were tortured before being killed.
“Together with my UN special procedures colleagues, I am calling on Australia to fulfill its duty to compensate the families of 39 murdered victims of war crimes committed by the Australian military in Afghanistan,” Bennett said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
US is Concerned About Well-being of Americans Detained by Taliban, Says State Department
Besmellah Zahidi
Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, expressed concern about the well-being of three US citizens who are “wrongfully” detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
During a press briefing on Thursday, August 8, Mr. Miller said that the US consistently raises the issue with Taliban authorities and will continue to work through diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the detained individuals.
“This weekend, on August 10th, marks two years since Mahmood Habibi and Ryan Corbett were taken captive in separate incidents in Afghanistan,” Miller said.
Olympic breaking athlete disqualified for ‘free Afghan women’ cape
CNN
Refugee athlete Manizha Talash was disqualified from the B-Girl breaking competition at the Olympics for wearing a cape with the words “Free Afghan Women” during her breaking battle on Friday.
The 21-year-old, who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban began seizing control in 2021, now lives in Spain and represents the Refugee Team at the games as B-girl Talash.
As she made her debut during the pre-qualifier battle, Talash revealed a baby blue cape under her jumper emblazoned with the words calling for Afghan women’s emancipation.
WEEKLY WTF
Taliban’s Haqqani swears by their amnesty—you can’t prove we killed anyone
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.76 AFN (as of 11 August 2024)
