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Recent Appearances...

Afghanistan

35 years ago: 'We were the last to leave Kabul airfield'

2024-02-14

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[RedStar] February 15 is the Day of Remembrance of Russians who performed their official duties outside the Fatherland.

by Alexander Kolotil

All wars come to an end. 35 years ago, Soviet troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan. This military campaign lasted 3,341 days - just under nine years and two months. At one time, the author of these lines had the opportunity to interview a famous military leader, former commander of the 40th Army (in 1982–1984), Army General Viktor Fedorovich Ermakov, Chairman of the Council of the All-Russian Public Organization of Veterans of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. They started talking about the withdrawal of the limited Soviet contingent.

I asked Viktor Fedorovich a question:
“The Soviet troops were sometimes accused of leaving weapons and military equipment for the Afghan army, which were then used by the Taliban...

“This is nonsense,” answered Army General Viktor Ermakov. – Such statements have no basis in reality. Let me start with the fact that the limited Soviet contingent was equipped with weapons that were modern by the standards of that time. Afghan government troops also had Soviet weapons, but, as a rule, one step lower.

If, for example, we had T-62 tanks, then the Afghans had T-55. When the 40th Army left Afghanistan, it left in full force, with its standard weapons and equipment. And the weapons and military equipment that later ended up with the Taliban came to them from the Afghan government troops. This was easy to notice even from television reports.

Thus, the 40th Army “did not give anything to the dushmans,” and blaming us for this is completely unjustified. We left only prepared and equipped residential camps and administrative buildings, which for the most part were looted in the very first days after the signing of the acts on their transfer. We also took property from our warehouses, which were mainly located in Puli-Khumri and Termez...

***

Five years ago, I had the opportunity to publish an interview with the former commander of the 40th Combined Arms Army, Hero of the Soviet Union, full holder of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, Colonel General Boris Vsevolodovich Gromov. I will give a fragment regarding the withdrawal of troops.

I asked the following question:
“You said that the withdrawal of troops from Kabul began on January 2, 1989.” When did the last unit leave the Afghan capital?

“The last unit of the 40th Army left Kabul on February 4,” Colonel General Boris Gromov answered me. – On January 25, 1989, there were still 30,000 soldiers and officers of the Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces in Afghanistan. At the final stage of the withdrawal, the 40th Army was still a fairly powerful formation. While ensuring the withdrawal of troops, units of the 40th Army continued to carry out tasks to protect communications, sensitive zones and other facilities. In particular, 26 battalions were deployed to guard roads in the eastern direction.

More than 4,500 military personnel served at 199 outposts and posts. As before, the command of the 40th Army paid great attention to the protection of Kabul. One hundred and two outposts surrounded the city within a radius of twenty-five kilometers. In addition, special forces units and the 103rd Airborne Division conducted search and reconnaissance operations along the probable routes of movement of the Mujahideen.

Twenty-seven outposts and outposts were used to protect and defend the capital's airfield. In total, more than four and a half thousand people operated in the vicinity of Kabul. As I already said, the last unit of the 40th Army left Kabul on February 4th. And on February 8, the sequential removal of the personnel of the 40th Army from the outposts on the Kabul-Salang Pass road was completed. Two days later, our units were completely withdrawn from the pass section, and the route itself was transferred to the protection of government troops. And on February 15, 1989, the withdrawal of units of the 40th Army from the territory of Afghanistan was completed. Thus, the Soviet Union fully complied with the Geneva Agreements.

***

I will focus on this phrase of the military commander: “Twenty-seven outposts and outposts were used to protect and defend the capital’s airfield.” The last military units of the 40th Army were already at the State Border of the USSR, and in Kabul, at the airfield, the paratroopers of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division still remained until the end of the day - February 14th.

***

The other day I met with two colonels, veterans of the Airborne Forces - Alexander Grigorievich Golota and Vladimir Petrovich Savitsky. I had the opportunity to participate with Colonel Vladimir Savitsky in the entry of troops on December 25, 1979. Then he commanded the 105th separate anti-aircraft missile artillery division. But Colonel Alexander Golota participated in the withdrawal of troops. From September 1987 to January 1989, he performed international duty in Afghanistan. Both officers have military awards: Colonel Savitsky - the Order of the Red Star and "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree, and Colonel Golota - the Order of the Red Star and "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree, as well as the medal "For military merits."

I asked Colonel Alexander Golot to talk about how the personnel of the 3rd Parachute Battalion of the 357th Guards Parachute Regiment of the 103rd Airborne Division, who were the last to leave, were withdrawn from the Kabul airfield.

“I served as the deputy commander of this battalion for political affairs, at that time my military rank was guard captain,” Alexander Grigorievich began his story. – I was no longer at the Kabul airfield that day – February 14th. The fact is that on January 18, 1989, the bulk of the personnel under my leadership left for the territory of the Soviet Union. First it was the Uzbek city of Fergana, and then we arrived at the permanent location of the 357th Guards Parachute Regiment - in the Belarusian settlement of Borovukha-1. But everything connected with the final withdrawal of my battalion is known to me down to the very last detail.

It should be noted that our battalion for a long time carried out tasks to ensure the daily safe operation of the international airport in Kabul and the military airfield located in direct contact with it. The most important task was to prevent the Mujahideen from shelling them with MLRS and various artillery pieces from the north-eastern side of the outskirts of Kabul. The daily combat activities of the battalion at outposts, mainly mountain ones, also included the elimination of any possibility of illegal armed groups entering its area of responsibility - Deh-Sabz, which means “Green Village” - to carry out terrorist and subversive activities among the civilian population.

Each village, mountain range and land plots of farmers, as well as caravan routes were under the supervision of battalion personnel. All points of possible penetration of the Mujahideen into the area of responsibility and delivery of rockets for shelling the airfield and Kabul airport were targeted. Together with the armed units of the Afghan army, enormous explanatory and propaganda work was carried out with the local population. All this allowed the international airport of Kabul to function for a long time - without emergencies.

At the beginning of January 1989, the second and final phase of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan began. Units of the 3rd battalion also began the phased transfer of outposts, buildings located there, some property and equipment to units of the Army of the Republic of Afghanistan.

It was the 3rd Parachute Battalion, commanded by Guard Major Vladimir Viktorovich Boltikov, as the most well-coordinated and combat-ready unit, whose personnel knew all the features of the terrain around the airfield and airport, and had the opportunity to protect and defend them. In addition, until January 15, 1989, the battalion was supposed to ensure the daily evacuation of the management of the Limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, as well as civilian specialists. Based on the assigned tasks, it was necessary to supplement and strengthen the battalion with other units of the 357th Guards Parachute
Regiment.

The battalion tactical group, in addition to three understaffed parachute companies (company commanders - guard captains Vasily Semyonov, Alexander Zhadan, guard senior lieutenant Nikolai Nikulnikov), included artillerymen, sappers, fire fighters, and reconnaissance officers.

This tactical group was headed by the chief of staff of the 357th Guards Parachute Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Mikhailovich Voitko.

For almost a month, the personnel of this battalion tactical group successfully carried out tasks to ensure the smooth operation of Kabul airport. One more thing needs to be noted. At the beginning of February 1989, this battalion group was left alone at the airport, without regimental support. The main units of the Guards 357th Parachute Regiment, as part of a convoy or by air, left the territory of Afghanistan. Until the last days of this battalion's stay in Afghanistan, its personnel continued to serve at the 17th, 18th and 19th outposts located near the Paymunar pass, on the mountain ridge running along the airport.

From these “high-rise buildings” he was visible as if in the palm of his hand.

Finally, it’s time for “H”. Morning of February 14, 1989. From 9.00, all the armored vehicles remaining in the battalion were handed over to the Afghan side, and to demonstrate the departure of the last Soviet OKSVA soldiers from the Republic of Afghanistan, two dozen of the most photogenic paratroopers were selected and presented to Soviet and Western correspondents of various media. Right on the runway of the Kabul airfield, in front of the opened ramp of the An-26 aircraft, the commander of the 8th parachute company of the guard, Captain Alexander Zhadan, reported to the senior commander about the readiness of the personnel to leave for the territory of the Soviet Union.

At 12.00, the personnel were solemnly thanked for their military work and international assistance to the Afghan people and, boarding the plane, were sent to the territory of the USSR. The last Soviet soldier to leave Afghan soil in this long-term war was Junior Sergeant Sergei Ryabinin from the 8th Airborne Company. His photo from the An-26 plane spread all over the world. Due to the fact that each fighter of the battalion group was accountable and had his own combat mission, the plane was supposed to circle over the territory of Afghanistan and return back after the press left...

But something went wrong again... Seeing that the press representatives did not leave runway and airport territory, and watching the circling plane, the pilots headed for the airfield of the city of Osh, located on the territory of the Kyrgyz SSR.

This is how driver-mechanic of BMP No. 782 Alexander Poryadin from the 8th parachute company told me about the last minutes of his stay in Afghanistan:

“I handed over my car to representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan (tsaranda) literally a few minutes before takeoff. It was a pity to the point of tears. This was the last military equipment of our battalion transferred to the local military. We boarded the IL-76 directly with weapons. The “bras” (unloading), as well as the RD-54 (paratrooper’s backpack) with full ammunition, were with us and were located directly on the floor of the aircraft.”

WE WERE THE LAST TO LEAVE KABUL AIRFIELD
By evening, the loading and mooring of vehicles with special communications on one of the sides of the Il-76 was completed. The staff serving it were also there. The other two airships housed the personnel of the battalion tactical group, their weapons, equipment and ammunition.

And this is how the former deputy commander of the 3rd parachute battalion for armament of the guard, Major Kurbon Gupronovich Yusupov, recalled those last minutes of being on the territory of the Afghan airport: “When the loading of equipment and weapons, property, ammunition and personnel was completed, it began to get dark.

Aircraft technicians began to close the ramps of their winged machines. Running from plane to plane, I suddenly saw that right on the runway, near the landing gear wheel, there was a button accordion left by someone! I just felt sorry for the musical instrument. Grabbing him and hugging him to me, I jumped onto the ramp of the plane and began to squeeze inside with difficulty. The ship’s flight engineer turned on the lift mechanism, and the ramp began to slowly rise upward, hiding the lights of the Kabul airport from us forever.”

At 18:10 local time, the planes, one after another, began to take to the sky and head for the State Border of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. A few minutes later, all three aircraft flew over that ominous place where nine years ago the Afghan mountains forever took the lives of forty-seven people who were the first on the “Afghan Frontier” to defend the southern borders of our Motherland...

Colonel Vladimir Savitsky enters the conversation:
- Yes, We recently opened a memorial to these heroes, on the day of the 44th anniversary of the entry of troops, in Borovukha-1, Vitebsk region... It is very noteworthy that it was from the Kabul airfield on December 25, 1979 that the main stage of Operation Baikal began for the 103rd Guards Airborne Division -79,” here, at the Kabul airport, nine years later, the military stay of the Vitebsk paratroopers on Afghan soil ended...

I’ll add a little to Alexander Grigorievich’s story.

It is clear that the paratroopers returning home to their native land still did not believe that the time had come for the end of hostilities and that the war was over for them. After some time, the ship’s commander announced via loudspeaker that the plane had crossed the border of the USSR. Joy lit up on the faces of the fighters. Everyone rejoiced... Already late in the evening the paratroopers flew to the city of Fergana, in the Uzbek SSR. A new, as it seemed to many, peaceful stage was approaching in the life of the personnel of the 3rd battalion of the 357th Guards Parachute Regiment.

Upon the arrival of the battalion on Soviet soil, measures began to pass border and then customs control. All other issues were immediately resolved - storage of existing weapons and equipment, equipment, availability and accounting of ammunition, temporary accommodation of military personnel on the territory of a military camp. This is how the former commander of the 9th parachute company, who in the future will become the commander of the 31st Guards Airborne Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, holder of six military orders, reserve colonel Nikolai Sergeevich Nikulnikov, recalls the events of 35 years ago:

“Immediately after landing the aircraft on the runway of the Fergana airfield, we had to solve a lot of “unusual”, or rather, half-forgotten issues of the life and activities of military units in peaceful conditions during the Afghan war. This lasted for several hours. When the company sergeant major, after placing weapons in the gun room and checking personnel, gave the command “all clear,” the clock showed half past twelve on the night of February 15, 1989.”

And the battalion headquarters, under the control of Guard Major Viktor Vladimirovich Yasonov, continued to work, sum up the results of the withdrawal, and clarify the tasks for the upcoming transfer of the battalion to the point of permanent deployment. However, in the morning, the commander of the 3rd battalion was informed of an unexpected decision by the command of the Airborne Forces - the personnel would be involved in conducting a military operation to assist the government of the Republic of Afghanistan in the event of an aggravation of the situation in general in the country and in particular in the city of Jalalabad.

Units of the Fergana 387th separate training parachute regiment of the Airborne Forces (regiment commander - Hero of the Soviet Union, then Guard Colonel Alexander Petrovich Soluyanov) were also on high alert. It was on the basis of this regiment that the 3rd Parachute Battalion of the Guards 357th Parachute Regiment had to be located and prepare to carry out the assigned task.

For almost a month and a half, the battalion tactical group was actively engaged in combat training and was in readiness “number one” for its immediate transfer again to the territory of Afghanistan.

Psychologically, it was very, very difficult for everyone to withstand this. Especially against the backdrop of the fact that all the media reported the reaction of both the world community and the Soviet people to the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the territory of Afghanistan.

However, after the withdrawal of Soviet troops, the Afghan government still managed to keep the internal political and military situation in the country under its control, and the battalion personnel finally received an order to leave for their permanent deployment point.

On March 25, 1989, three Il-76 aircraft, taking off from the Fergana airfield, headed for the Borovtsy airfield, which is located a few kilometers from the Belarusian military town of Borovukha-1. Towards evening, having softly landed and turned around, they froze on the airfield runway. The side ramps began to slowly open. The first to be seen by the soldiers who returned from the war were the commander of the 357th Guards Parachute Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Sergeevich Filippov, and the deputy regiment commander for the political part of the Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Evgenievich Ivanov. Like two fathers, they greeted their soldier sons, who had finally returned to their homeland “from that undeclared Afghan war.” For the 3rd Parachute Battalion of the Guards 357th Parachute Regiment, wartime life is finally over.

During the withdrawal of troops on the Battle Banner of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division, among the front-line awards was the Order of Lenin, which the personnel of the illustrious formation were awarded for valiantly performing combat missions, and one of the division’s regiments - the Guards 350th Parachute Airborne Division - was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. The 345th Separate Guards Parachute Regiment was also awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

Link

Britain

Radicalised Birmingham brothers who prepared to join terrorist group in Afghanistan sentenced

2023-11-28

[ITV News] Two radicalised Birmingham brothers who applied to join a terrorist group and planned to travel to Afghanistan to join terror activities, have been given custodial sentences for terrorism offences.

Muhammad Abdul Haleem Heyder Khan, 21, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and four years on license.

Muhammad Hamzah Heyder Khan, 18, was handed an eight year sentence in a youth detention centre, with four years on license.

The brothers made plans to travel to Afghanistan by buying clothes and equipment, obtaining documents and even completing application forms, from the bedroom they shared at St. Josephs Road in Ward End.

When they were arrested on 2 November 2022, they both claimed the bully boy material found on their phones and computers was for 'research purposes' because they were investigative journalists.

The brothers, referred to as Haleem and Hamzah, went on trial earlier this year but ended up pleading guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorism.

During the trial, Prosecutor Harpeet Sandhu Kc said: "Over the course of 2022 these two brothers became increasingly radicalised and prepared to travel to Afghanistan so they could join in and support terrorist activity. They intended to be part of terrorist organization Islamic State

...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear western pols talk they're not really Moslems....
Khorasan Province (ISKP).
"That organization was recognised by Islamic State as one of its regional branches. It received support and direction from Islamic State's core leadership."

In 2015 ISKP publicly declared its allegiance to Islamic State, which was prescribed as a terrorist organization the previous year.

Mr Sandhu continued: "The defendants had a keen interest in Islamic State activities. They sympathised with Islamic State issues. They intended to become deaders."

Hundreds of files were flagged on the brothers' mobile phones, computers and storage devices. Mr Sandhu said: "The defendants' preparations for joining and supporting terrorist activity included the purchase of clothing and equipment, conducting research into how they might travel to Afghanistan, obtaining documents so they could travel and completing application forms to join Islamic State. Their plans were advanced."

The brothers used messaging app Telegram to share bully boy views and also used browsers designed to hide their search history. Mr Sandhu added: "They discussed preparations for Jihad. There was mutual encouragement."

Link

Afghanistan

Over 100 Afghan Security Outposts Built Along Durand Line

2023-09-20

[TOLONEWS] The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has established more than 100 security outposts alongside the Durand Line in the eastern parts of the country.

These outposts were built by the order of acting Minister of Defense Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob.

In close vicinity to the outposts, several roads are also being built in addition to the outposts themselves. One of these roads is being built in the Salaleh neighborhood of Nangarhar
The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country..
province's Goshta district.

"Previously, the border outposts were very far away. We have established more than 100 outposts in the eastern provinces on the Zero Line. These outposts have been established in Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan provinces," said Qari Meraj, commander of the border brigade of the eastern zone.

"In the previous government, the road near the Durand Line either did not exist, or if it did, it was destroyed. The people who live in these areas and the forces who were in the outposts in these areas were facing problems," said Wahidullah Mohammadi, front man of the 201 Khalid bin Walid Army Corps.

The residents of Salalah area, are also happy about the construction of this road.

"Before, we had many problems here. There was no road, and people were shooting from the neighboring areas, and people were moving from this area," said Imran, a resident of Goshta district.

According to officials of 201 Khalid bin Walid Army Corps in the eastern zone, efforts are still being made to provide facilities for both the military and people.

"We try our best to provide services to our people," said Qudratullah Barkat, the head of the engineering department of the 201 Khalid bin Walid Army Corps.

The news of the construction of military outposts along the Durand Line comes just two weeks after festivities broke out at the Torkham crossing between Pak border guards and Islamic Emirate forces. An event that caused the Torkham crossing to be closed for nine days.

Link

Afghanistan

Daily Evacuation Brief September 18-19, 2023: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s political party Hizb-e-Islami shut down

2023-09-19

Daily Evacuation Brief | September 19, 2023

[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS

TALIBAN EXPECTS SANCTIONS TO BE LIFTED AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK – Bilal Karimi, a spokesman for the regime says the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) expects the UN to remove sanctions and to recognize the defacto regime based on its record of success over the past two years during this week’s meeting of the General Assembly in New York. No representative from Afghanistan has been invited to the meeting but there are rumors that some states may lobby on their behalf in the corridors between sessions. The topic of gender discrimination in Afghanistan is scheduled to be discussed but there were no indications that sanctions relief or recognition would be on the table. Even if it were, it does not appear likely that any real support would be forthcoming while the Taliban policies remain in place. Clearly, the Taliban brain trust believes that limited success against ISIS-K and incremental economic advances are enough to outweigh the draconian domestic policies they have instituted. Ultimately, this regime has been imposed on the people in an undemocratic transfer of power, is not ethnically/religiously/gender inclusive, and has relegated half of the population to a faceless existence. Even nations that are prone to overlooking such flaws will be loathe to support recognition.

KABUL-JALALABAD HIGHWAY STILL CLOSED, ALTERNATE ROUTE ESTABLISHED – The Taliban Ministry of Defense said it had opened an alternative route to Jalalabad from Kabul and was directing traffic that has been backed up for several days due to a landslide to use the new route. We are waiting on details about the new route and there are rumors that busses that normally make the daily runs between the two cities have instituted temporary price hikes for fees in order to offset the additional fuel required to negotiate the new detour.

AFGHAN COMMANDER IN SYRIA ARRESTED FOR COOPERATING WITH COALITION FORCES – An unidentified Afghan citizen who is reputedly a Commander of a militia in the Idlib Province of Syria was taken into custody along with 2 unidentified companions and stands accused of working for the Coalition forces. The Afghan Commander was arrested by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militia forces which have ties to al-Qaeda and evolved from the Nusra Front. It is not clear where the men are being held and what their disposition is.

BODY OF AFGHAN MINER DISCOVERED IN BALOCHISTAN – The body of a man identified only as Saifullah who was reportedly an Afghan coal miner working in the Duki District was discovered Sunday near the Malizai coal mine. The man’s body had been mutilated and his feet and hands had been tied behind his back. Authorities took the body to a hospital in Duki and an investigation has been launched.

CONFLICT TRACKER

Parwan: The Afghanistan Liberation Front (ALF) has claimed credit for an attack on a Taliban facility in Parwan that reportedly took place Sunday night. Sources said that 3 Tqliban were killed and 6 others wounded in the attack.
Bagram: An AFF strike team launched two operations in two separate locations in the province, claiming to have inflicted 5 casualties among the Taliban on Sunday night. The attack reportedly began at approximately 2030hrs local and continued for nearly an hour.

NEXT 24 HOURS: No Threats Reported

Daily Evacuation Brief | September 18, 2023

[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS

TALIBAN MOVES TO ERADICATE GULBUDDIN HIKMATYAR’S POLITICAL PARTY – Several reports on social media show Taliban security forces removing office equipment and forcing employees out of Hikmatyar’s political party offices. The Hizb-e-Islami party was blacklisted by the Ministry of Justice earlier in 2023 but the day-to-day operations had continued.

INDIA ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF 1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS DESIGNATED FOR AFGHAN STUDENTS – The Indian Council for Cultural Relations announced a new initiative to offer 1,000 scholarships for both graduate and undergraduate students from Afghanistan. To be considered for the scholarships, applicants must:

Be Afghan nationals;

Have an age between 18 and 35 years as of July 1, 2023;

Possess adequate English language proficiency;

Meet the minimum academic qualifications required by the respective Indian Universities/Institutes for their chosen program or course.

TALIBAN TO CRACK DOWN ON YOUTUBERS – A source in Kabul said that Taliban Ministers were alarmed at the recent spike in YouTube accounts that had been registered in Afghanistan over the past four months and intended to establish a procedure to regulate the accounts by mid-October. Many of the accounts have released content that is critical of the Taliban and subscriptions for some of the more popular channels have exceeded 100,000 people. The Taliban have been largely unsuccessful at controlling online social media activity and the source said that China has failed to provide assistance in this regard but things could change soon.

MINISTRY OF VICE AND VIRTUE HALTS SALE OF ‘THIN, TIGHT, SHORT’ CLOTHING IN BAMYAN – Shopkeepers in the Province received notification from the Provincial Vice and Virtue offices to remove any women’s clothing that was deemed to be ‘too revealing’. The Department has been ordering residents to stop wearing such clothing in public. It is not clear what penalties will be imposed for ignoring the new rules.

CONFLICT TRACKER

Laghman: An AFF offensive in the Garhran valley (Daulat Shah district) took place on Sunday evening. The Taliban guard post referred to as Shalom was hit by a strong force. 2 Taliban were reportedly killed and 4 others were wounded, Among the dead was said to be the local commander.

NEXT 24 HOURS

KABUL - JALALABAD HIGHWAY CLOSED TEMPORARILY – A rockslide occurred on the thoroughfare and blocked traffic in both directions. Work crews have arrived and are using heavy equipment to clear the road. Any considering travel between the two cities should consult local sources before embarking on travel.

Link

Afghanistan

Former Jihadist Commander Assassinated in Nangarhar Province Amid Escalating Targeted Killings

2023-09-12

[8am] Unknown assailants have reportedly assassinated a former jihadist commander in front of his wife in Nangarhar
The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country..
, according to local sources.

Sources in Nangarhar have informed Hasht-e Subh that the individual in question was known as "Sheikh Muqaddas Bilal," and unidentified button men killed him on Saturday, September 9th, in the seventh district of Jalalabad city.

According to these sources, the former jihadist commander was ambushed while he was inside his personal vehicle with his wife and children. He was a prominent figure in the Rodat district of Nangarhar province.

The motive behind the liquidation remains unclear at this time, and the Taliban
Taliban

...mindless ferocity in a turban...
have not yet commented on the incident.

Link

Afghanistan

Heaven of Foreign Militants: The Taliban Are Extensively Hosting Extremist Groups

2023-09-10

[8am] The Doha Agreement obligated the Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...
to cut their connections with regional and international terrorist groups. Despite this commitment, with the Taliban’s return to power, concerns have been raised by the United Nations
...where theory meets practice and practice loses...
Security Council, United States, Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and other security bodies regarding the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. A report from the Hasht-e Subh Daily, two years after the Taliban’s resurgence, reveals that a considerable number of regional jihadists, along with their families, are actively operating within Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

These findings indicate that approximately 300 families linked to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and Ansarullah of Tajikistan have settled in the northeastern region, particularly in Badakhshan province. Reliable sources in eastern Afghanistan further verify that thousands of families associated with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) murderous Moslems are currently residing under Taliban governance. Moreover, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) fighters, despite China’s backing of the Taliban, are capitalizing on the benefits of their presence in Afghanistan. Many of these murderous Moslems maintain ties not only with the Taliban but also with al-Qaeda.

Moreover, the Taliban not only incorporate certain jihadists into their own ranks but also furnish them with Afghan identification documents and passports, dispersing them across different regions of the nation. Intriguingly, these murderous Moslems have also formed familial connections with Afghan households to strengthen their foothold under Taliban governance in Afghanistan.

UNVEILING AL-QAEDA: THE PRESENCE EXPOSED BY AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI
One of the groups that causes widespread concern among many countries is al-Qaeda, which they believe should not be present in Afghanistan. The Doha Agreement directly addresses this issue, with the United States securing a commitment from the Taliban to sever ties with this group. However,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri
...Formerly second in command of al-Qaeda, now the head cheese, occasionally described as the real brains of the outfit. Formerly the Mister Big of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Bumped off Abdullah Azzam with a car boom in the course of one of their little disputes. Is thought to have composed bin Laden's fatwa entitled World Islamic Front Against Jews and Crusaders. Currently residing in the North Wazoo area assuming he's not dead like Mullah Omar. He lost major face when he ordered the nascent Islamic State to cease and desist and merge with the orthodox al-Qaeda spring, al-Nusra...
in Afghanistan exposed a remarkably close relationship between the Taliban and al-Qaeda—one that not even the Doha Agreement managed to break. Even prior to al-Zawahiri’s demise, suspicions lingered about the Taliban’s intentions. The United Nations Security Council repeatedly asserted that the Taliban maintained connections with al-Qaeda hard boys. During that time, reports indicated that al-Qaeda operated in 15 provinces across Afghanistan. al-Qaeda members usually assumed a secondary role in battles alongside the Taliban, primarily focusing on offering guidance and training. Now, with the Taliban’s resurgence to power, this group’s members are inclined to rejuvenate their network and leverage the Taliban’s rule.

Zawahiri’s Letter to bin Laden, discussed in the Hasht-e Subh Daily during the reexamination of the Abbottabad
... A pleasant city located only 30 convenient miles from Islamabad. The city is noted for its nice weather and good schools. It is the site of Pakistain's military academy, which was within comfortable walking distance of the residence of the late Osama bin Laden....
case, indicates that al-Qaeda does not intend to leave the Afghan geographical sphere under any circumstances. In the letter, Zawahiri states that al-Qaeda must remain close to the Taliban leadership and work on building trust. Conversely, the letter also demonstrates the commitment of the Taliban leadership to preserve and support al-Qaeda. While the undeniable presence of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan is evident, determining the exact number of individuals in this network remains challenging. The Taliban even deny the presence of a single al-Qaeda member and have made significant efforts to conceal the identities of these individuals.

However,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
the National Directorate of Security
...the Afghan national intel agency...
(NDS) of the previous government recently reported that around 300 al-Qaeda members are fighting alongside the Taliban in their conflict. The UN Security Council Sanctions Committee, on the other hand, has cited estimates ranging from 400 to 600 hard boys. Despite the Taliban’s concerted efforts over the years, particularly in the past two years, to avoid exposing the identities and locations of al-Qaeda members, their active presence within the Taliban’s structures as advisors is a detail that the Taliban cannot conceal.

TTP AND SANCTUARIES ON THIS SIDE OF THE BORDER
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) is also one of the murderous Moslem groups aligned with the Taliban. These two groups share a deep bond, and their recent activities have demonstrated that both, adhering to a common ideology, have been collaborating against the republic system. In the past, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) provided refuge to the Afghan Taliban, but now the hosting role has shifted to the Afghan Taliban. Among all jihadist groups worldwide, they are the sole entity with territorial control. Alongside their close interaction and alignment with the Taliban, the Pak government has repeatedly urged the Taliban to deny sanctuary to the TTP within Afghan soil. In response, the Taliban asserts that no foreign jihadist group has a place in Afghanistan and poses no threat to other countries.

However,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
the findings of the Hasht-e Subh Daily indicate that around 10,000 Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) murderous Moslems are present in Afghanistan with their families. Most of these hard boys, along with their families, reside in the districts of Goshta, Bati Kot, and Lal Pur in Nangarhar
The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country..
province; areas close to the Durand Line, which provide convenient movement for TTP. According to local sources, while many TTP murderous Moslems have been in these areas, particularly in the Salalah region, for several years, their numbers have increased after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. Sources state that TTP murderous Moslems and their families are present in regions like Salalah, Mama Khel, Ziarat-e Dagh, Zharai, and Ograi of the Goshta district, where they fulfill their basic needs from the markets of the Goshta district.

Most of these hard boys, who are also believed to be part of the Taliban’s reserve forces, have traveled from Lal Pur district in Nangarhar to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistain to wage war against the Pak government. An informed source, who prefers anonymity in the report, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily: "Many of them have gone from Lal Pur mainly to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. I know a commander who recently went with 30 individuals. The commander is known as Naaser, with the pseudonym Qahraman, he is for the Spin Tankai area in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Other commanders are named Bismillah and Enayatullah. Another one is known as Mullah Piran, originally from Swat, who is currently residing in Kashkot and Gaurik areas. Now the Emirates (Afghan Taliban) members also take the TTP’s seal of approval and head to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, claiming to wage jihad. This was a statement from a TTP commander who was saying that the Afghan Taliban have declared jihad against Pakistain."

On January 4, 2023, Pakistain conducted an aerial attack on the Salala area, but its Foreign Ministry denied responsibility. However,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
local sources and non-governmental individuals in the Goshta district confirm Pakistain’s ~~Arclight~~ airstrike
...KABOOM!...
s on the positions of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP). According to them, the attack took place in an area where families of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) were residing. Local sources stated that after the bombing, flames and smoke were observed in the region. The exact casualties of this event were not publicly disclosed, as the Taliban warned people not to discuss the matter among themselves. A source informed the Hasht-e Subh Daily, "No one can raise their voice out of fear, and [people] don’t talk about it among themselves."

Nonetheless, a recorded audio tape came into the possession of the Hasht-e Subh Daily in which members of the Taliban discuss the attack on TTP positions in the Arazi bazaar. The United Nations Security Council also confirmed the presence of TTP murderous Moslems on Afghan soil in a report. The monitoring committee of the UN Security Council referred to the TTP as the "largest constituent" of the Taliban. According to the report, the TTP has between 3,000 to 4,000 murderous Moslems in Afghanistan. The report identifies Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud as the current leader of the TTP and based on that, the TTP has become stronger and can pose a bigger threat in the region. However,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
Fazal Ur Rehman Khattak, the leader of the National Awami Party (NAP), in a conversation with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, regards the TTP as an inseparable part of the Afghan Taliban. He states, "The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) is an inseparable part of the Afghan Taliban. This organizational distinction between them required intelligence games so that the international community would not see their bases within Pakistain as the Afghan Taliban’s region. Like before, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) exists in Afghanistan." Khattak also confirms the presence of thousands of TTP murderous Moslems in Afghanistan, saying, "Regarding their numbers, it’s difficult to be certain, but their count is not less than a few thousand." Last year, this Pak politician mentioned in a special interview with the Hasht-e Subh Daily that most ISIS members are murderous Moslems of the TTP. Meanwhile,
...back at the barn, Bossy's udder had begun to ache...
Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) of Afghanistan, mentioned the presence of TTP murderous Moslems in Afghanistan in his speech at the Herat
...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns...
Security Conference which was held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. In his speech, Mr. Nabil stated: "Currently, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP), under the leadership of Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, are active along the Durand Line, with six to six and a half thousand hard boys."

NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN: BASE OF OPERATIONS FOR TAJIK AND UZBEK MILITANTS
The presence of Central Asian murderous Moslems in the northern part of the country was a contentious issue in the former government. Security sources claimed the presence of dozens of foreign murderous Moslem groups in Badakhshan province. At that time, the Khostak Valley in the Jurm District of Badakhshan province hosted around 300 Central Asian hard boy families. However,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
after the collapse of the Republic system, most of these foreign groups redirected toward the central parts of districts and cities in the northeastern region of Afghanistan. A source informed the Hasht-e Subh Daily, "During the Republic regime, [foreign hard boys] were here in Khostak, and now they’ve all moved down to the valley. The majority of their families have gone to the province of Takhār. Another group has gone to the forests of Imam Sahib district in Kunduz province. About 20 to 30 families have gone to Baharak district. A few families are located in Fayzabad City. Five families have gone to Jurm District. Similarly, they’ve moved away from the Khostak Valley because no one is dealing with them, so they’re not causing any disturbances. They operate freely and conduct their activities normally. Another group of them has gone to Kalafgan District in Balkh province."

Meanwhile,
...back at the barn, Bossy's udder had begun to ache...
according to another informed source from Badakhshan province, the number of foreign murderous Moslems present in the Ragh district of Badakhshan province, along with their families, amounts to around 200 to 250 individuals. This source states that the conditions for living and operations have been established for these groups in various districts and urban centers, and as a result, they are attempting to spread out across different densely populated areas. The source adds, "The number of foreign murderous Moslems in Ragh has reached around 200 individuals. They are Tajiks, they are Uzbeks. Khostak Valley used to be their center, but now they have dispersed; they have come to the district of Raghistan, and they are seeking refuge. Some of them have gone to the Imam Sahib district in Kunduz province with their families. They are also present in Fayzabad city. A group of them is in the Maimay area too."

Another source confirmed to the Hasht-e Subh Daily that a significant number of these groups have received support from the Taliban and have established family ties. This source adds, "Most of them have obtained Afghan identity cards with the help of the Taliban. Several Tajiks [Tajikistani hard boys] have obtained ID cards in Fayzabad City. A number of them have obtained ID cards in various districts." The source states that around 20 families of Tajikistani Taliban members are living in three villages in the Ragh district. The source elaborates, "Two families among them have married locally, giving and taking daughters of each other. They are living in areas like Sefidab, Dahn Shala, and Khonilar. Similarly, they have dispersed across various areas of Badakhshan province. They have a strong interest in Ragh district due to its gold resources. These people [foreign hard boys] possess resources and capital. Their true intentions and plans remain unknown. The situation is quite complex." The source further revealed, "Before the fall of Badakhshan province to the hands of the Taliban, the center of foreign murderous Moslems was in Khostak valley. A person named Gul Heidar Shafaq has conducted major coordination. Another person named Abdul Rahim is involved. These two Tajiks have plans in this region, but it’s unclear what they are doing."

Referring to the killing of a commander from the Tajikistan border forces at the Afghanistan border, a source states, "A group of them, who were in Maimay, around 6 to 8 individuals, intended to intimidate the Tajiks, transfer their substances [drugs], and monitor the situation. They went for sabotage but clashed with Tajik security forces, resulting in the death of two and the return of four. Foreign murderous Moslems who were in Badakhshan province have mostly gone to Imam Sahib district in Kunduz province, where they have established training centers. Their number exceeds a thousand. They have centralized their operations there, focusing on training and procuring military equipment. It appears significant plans have been laid for Central Asia, but no one dares to voice concern."

Another source tells the Hasht-e Subh Daily that those families of foreign murderous Moslems who have come to Faizabad City, the center of Badakhshan province, live in the area close to the "former national army recruitment center". Additionally, according to the source, foreign murderous Moslems who previously collaborated with the Taliban against former security forces are now in command of the former National Army recruitment center. The source adds, "Foreigners have their base in the same recruitment and mobilization center. Foreign groups that were with the Taliban, of them are now in the former recruitment and mobilization center. They have a very limited presence within the city. They go out during the evening and night." The source further states that some families of foreign murderous Moslems in Badakhshan province are involved in arms trading and gold mining activities.

Meanwhile,
...back at the barn, Bossy's udder had begun to ache...
one of the residents of Badakhshan province has shared his observation with the Hasht-e Subh Daily regarding the presence of foreign murderous Moslems in Kunduz province. They report seeing individuals who cannot speak languages like Persian, Pashto, Uzbek, and Turkmen. According to this source, "It was a few months after the fall [of the previous government]. Our vehicle’s diesel pump was broken. They had just opened a square in the city of Kunduz. There was an automobile repair shop nearby. There were two vehicles packed with individuals. One of their vehicles was broken, so they took it inside the shop. They had a model of a fielder vehicle without a license plate with Left Hand Traffic (LHT). They were dressed in white clothes and wearing handmade traditional skullcaps. They were speaking among themselves, and we couldn’t comprehend. I think they might have been Uighur or Kazakh because they sounded similar to Russian or Kazakh. They had long beards, and their hair was machine-cut. They resembled local Turkmen, but they weren’t Turkmen because it was clear they had no familiarity with the people or the region. Everyone was saying that these are foreign Taliban."

Simultaneously, sources in Badakhshan province reveal that most of the Tajikistani murderous Moslems have gone to the forests of the Imam Sahib district, where they are engaged in training and planning. An informed source estimates the number of Tajik murderous Moslems in this district to be around 30. According to them, the Taliban use these individuals as a means of pressuring Tajikistan. The source adds, "Their number is not more than 30. They have a couple of tanks. Some days, they go to Shir Khan Bandar with the Taliban. There, they showcase themselves to the Tajik trucks passing through the border. They engage in fishing in the Shir Khan Bandar River. Everyone knows them there because they are well-armed and possess American weapons. Tajiks believe they can conquer their country in a day. The Taliban employ them for psychological warfare and pressuring the Tajiks."

A former government official with an in-depth understanding of the northeastern region of the country also informed the Hasht-e Subh Daily that all jihadist groups, including ISIS, Ansar Allah, and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), are active in northern provinces, particularly the provinces of Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar, Balkh, and Sar-e Pol. They added, "Under the Taliban’s protection, they have bases in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province in Spin Zar housing schemes, Shah Ron area, and other locations."

Regarding the presence of leaders from ISIS, Ansar Allah, and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the source stated, "Sheikh Abdul Haq Uighuri, responsible for the military network of ISIS, and Mullah Ibraheem, head of Ansar Allah hard boy group have military bases in Baghlan province. Furqan (one of their commanders) lives in the house of Commander Gul Ahmad in the vicinity of Central Silo in the city of Pul-e Khumri, the center of the province."

Meanwhile,
...back at the barn, Bossy's udder had begun to ache...
Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) of the former government of Afghanistan, stated that the Tajikistan Ansar Allah group, Jundallah
..."Soldiers of God," a name used by ~~two~~ multiple separate terror outfits, one active in Iran and the other in Pakistain. Both are Sunni organizations that target Shiites. The Pak version has close relations with al-Qaeda and the Pak Talibs and is probably a false nose and mustache for Lashkar-e-Jhangvi...
group, and the Islamic Jihad
...created after many members of the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood decided the organization was becoming too moderate. Operations were conducted out of Egypt until 1981 when the group was exiled after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. They worked out of Gaza until they were exiled to Lebanon in 1987, where they clove tightly to Hezbollah. In 1989 they moved to Damascus, where they remain a subsidiary of Hezbollah...
group led by Alim Beg Mohammadov and the Tajik Taliban led by Mehdi Arsalan/Mohammad Sharifov are also present in northeastern Afghanistan, with around 200 to 300 hard boys. Informed and local sources in Badakhshan province also confirm the number of murderous Moslems in these groups and state that they are mainly stationed in border areas with Tajikistan.

THE PRESENCE OF THE EAST TURKESTAN ISLAMIC MOVEMENT (ETIM) IN AFGHANISTAN
According to the findings of the Hasht-e Subh Daily, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is also actively present in Afghanistan. Haji Furqan, the overall commander of the military fronts of this group, spends most of his time in Faizabad City, the center of Badakhshan province. Informed and reliable sources confirm to the Hasht-e Subh Daily that this member of the leadership of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is currently residing in Faizabad city and his security is ensured by the Taliban. He has married in Badakhshan province and has acquired a forged identity and passport. This matter has also been confirmed by the United Nations Security Council’s monitoring committee report. The United Nations report states that Badakhshan province serves as the main base for this group. An individual named Abdul Haq al-Turkistani is responsible for leading this group.

Sources continue to confirm that this group is currently rebuilding its strongholds in the Wurduj district of Badakhshan province. A source tells the Hasht-e Subh Daily: "They have occupied the area and are reinforcing their strongholds. They control the region entirely." The United Nations Security Council’s monitoring committee report also states that this group has reconstructed several strongholds in Badakhshan province and expanded its operational area. According to the report, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) has clandestinely procured arms to enhance its military capabilities.

Meanwhile,
...back at the barn, Bossy's udder had begun to ache...
Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) of the former government of Afghanistan, estimates the number of murderous Moslems in the Turkestan Islamic Party

...... Uighur jihadi group based in Badakshan, Afghanistan and listed under Tehrik-e-Taliban in the Al Qaeda organization table. Their Syria subsidiary currently reports to Al Nusra in the Idlib-Latakia region, where the Russians and Americans have been taking turns shooting them — they’re on their third Number 1 in three years......
(TIP/ETIM) to be around 700 to 800 individuals. Mr. Nabil has stated that the Uighur murderous Moslems are led by Haji Furqan and Sheikh Abuzar, who are mostly active in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. Mr. Nabil also mentions that this group is active in the provinces of Badghis and Ghor, with an estimated 100 to 150 hard boys.

According to the United Nations Security Council’s Monitoring Committee report, it has been mentioned that this group is actively engaged in exchanging military experiences and manufacturing kabooms in collaboration with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) and Ansarullah group. The Security Council’s report states that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is focusing its attacks on China’s interests in Afghanistan. The East Turkestan Islamic Movement’s (ETIM) primary goal is to establish an independent Islamic state for Uighurs in China and other Turkic-speaking groups in East China and Central Asia. While this group was previously listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, Washington removed it from the list last year.

Sources speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily claim that Haji Furqan is between 65 to 70 years old. One source states: "[Haji Furqan] mostly resembles Afghan Turkmens. He has a long beard, and a strong build, and is considered a religious scholar. He possesses eloquence and fluency, speaking fluent Persian. His preaching has had a significant impact in the areas he has operated in, attracting a larger following. The Taliban hold him in high respect. He has also trained the Taliban in using mines, explosives, and tanks during their fight against the former Afghan government."

Another source, speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, stated that Haji Furqan spent most of his time during the Republic era in the village of "Keyu" in the Jurm district, near the Khostak and Warduj valleys. This source added, "During the Republic era, Haji Furqan was a primary financial supporter of Qari Fasihuddin [the chief of staff of the armed forces of the Taliban]. To the extent that Furqan gave money to the Taliban in Badakhshan province, the Taliban themselves [the Taliban regime] did not provide financial assistance." This source mentioned, "Furqan is currently on the move. He is mostly in Fayzabad. He has a close relationship with a drug smuggler and the third-ranking member of the Taliban in this province, and he spends most of his time at his house. He has taken a wife and established personal connections."
Furthermore, this source mentions another Taliban member who monitors the security situation of Haji Furqan, but due to security issues, the name of this Taliban member is not disclosed.

It is noteworthy that according to the claims of sources, Haji Furqan has also been involved in the Kharooq uprisings in Tajikistan’s Badakhshan province. According to one source, some members of this group operate under different aliases in a secretive manner in Tajikistan, and their financial resources are provided by drug smugglers. It is mentioned that Haji Furqan has spent some time with the al-Qaeda network and currently maintains close ties with that network as well. However,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
the Hasht-e Subh Daily cannot independently confirm Haji Furqan’s role in the Kharooq uprisings in Tajikistan’s Badakhshan province.

Members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) have also attempted to establish familial ties in Afghanistan. Some members of this group have obtained Afghan identity cards and passports with the help of the Taliban. The United Nations Security Council report states that this group seeks to establish a presence in Afghanistan through various methods, including marriage, acquiring identities through fraudulent documents, and portraying their members as Afghan residents.

Earlier, Ramazon Rahimzoda, the Interior Minister of Tajikistan, had stated that the Taliban had distributed passports to around 3,000 members of "terrorist groups." He added that terrorist groups in northern Afghanistan are located near the Tajikistan border. Rahimzoda also asserted that over 20 terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan.

Previously, the Taliban have repeatedly declared that they have severed ties with terrorist groups in the region and denied the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan. This group, which interacts with regional countries, has also provided written assurances to China that it will not support the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and other groups opposing the government of China in Afghanistan. However,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
it is noteworthy that the leadership members of this group (ETIM) in northeastern Afghanistan receive protection and identity documents under the stringent security management of the Taliban. Rahmatullah Nabil has also confirmed that foreign terrorist groups, due to their deep and ideological connections with the Taliban, have obtained Afghan identities and have settled in various parts of the country under different names.

It should be noted that alongside the United States, China, Pakistain, and Central Asian countries, Russia has also expressed serious concerns about the infiltration of murderous Moslem groups in Central Asia. Although Vladimir Putin
...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances...
, the President of Russia, handed over the Afghan embassy in Moscow to the Taliban, he has issued warnings about the presence of terror groups in Afghanistan. He stated that these terrorist groups pose a threat to the stability and security of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. It remains unclear how long these concerns will persist, but documents and evidence indicate that the relationship between the Taliban and regional and global jihadist groups is not conclusively terminated. It appears that in any case, the group will either protect them within their structures or under their support.

Link

Afghanistan

Daily Evacuation Brief September 8, 2023

2023-09-09

[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS

1 TALIBAN BORDER GUARD KILLED IN WEDNESDAY’S TORKHAM CLASHES – Taliban authorities said that 1 border security member had been killed and 2 others were wounded in the gun battle that erupted on Wednesday at the border crossing. Pakistani authorities added that at least 4 Afghan children who had been acting as porters at the crossing had also been killed and 4 Pakistani nationals had been wounded. The Taliban claim that Pakistani border forces initiated the melee and several eyewitness accounts in the press seem to support this contention. The crossing remained closed for the second day after the events and both sides were negotiating to reopen the commercial transit point.

SITUATION IN CHITRAL REMAINS CONFUSED – Rumors continue to swirl on social media and in the press about the developments in North Waziristan’s Chitral after a large-scale attack by TTP militants on Pakistani security forces manning two outposts reputedly repulsed an attack. Many pro-TTP accounts contend that nearly 100 Pakistani soldiers/police have been taken prisoner and several towns have been ‘liberated’. Several photos of men in Pakistani Army uniforms who appear to be in restraints have surfaced on many websites. Pakistani reports claim that a major search operation is underway to try and capture those members of the TTP who were attempting to recross back into Afghanistan. A few videos were shared on social media that purportedly were taken in Chitral yesterday and depicted a TTP commander (Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud) calling on his followers to fight the Pakistani military.

AHMAD MASSOUD ADDRESSES THE UK PARLIAMENT, WARNS WORLD OF THREAT OF TERRORISM – The leader of the National Resistance Front and son of noted leader Ahmad Shah Massoud addressed members of the UK parliament on the anniversary of his father’s murder. He warned those in attendance that Afghanistan has become a sanctuary for both international and regional terrorist groups.

TALIBAN CLAIM TO HAVE ARRESTED A JAMIAT-E ISLAMI COMMANDER IN BADAKHSHAN – Local sources reported the news that Taliban security personnel raided the house of Sayed Abdul Hamd yesterday evening and placed him under arrest. Hamd is reputedly a senior commander of the ethnically Tajik group.

INTERNATIONAL EVACUATION EFFORTS RAMPING UP – Pakistan announced it had accepted an offer from Canada to evacuate as many as 6,000 Afghans who were living in the country. It appears Canada intends to resettle these people by the end of the year. France recently received several Afghan women and is being pressed to accept more under a program that would offer asylum to females from Afghanistan based on the policies the Taliban have implemented which curtail their human rights.

CONFLICT TRACKER

Parwan: An action attributed to the Front of the Unknown Soldiers was reported in Ghorband district yesterday morning. A force from this resistance group reportedly ambushed a potrol of Taliban militia and claimed to have killed 3 while a fourth man escaped.
Jalalabad: A night operation was reportedly undertaken by and ALM strike force against a Taliban position near Adel Khel. The post was manned by 6 Taliban personnel. Ir is presumed they were killed in the action.

NEXT 24 HOURS: No Threats Reported

Highlights of the Daily Evacuation Brief September 7, 2023

TORKHAM BORDER CLASHES, CROSSING CLOSED – Early reports suggest an exchange of fire took place between Taliban and Pakistani border security personnel on Wednesday. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Pakistan may have initiated the firing when Taliban border guards attempted to erect a checkpoint in the demarcation zone. As of publication, the gate remains closed and shops on both sides of the border were shuttered. There were no officially reported casualties. Local eyewitnesses say that both sides were negotiating to reopen the border. Pakistan is said to have sent reinforcements to the border crossing as an additional security measure.

TTP LAUNCHES LARGE ATTACK IN CHITRAL – A spokesman for the Pakistani military said that two of its security outposts in the Kalash Valley had been attacked by a large force of TTP militants. The spokesman confirmed that 4 Pakistani soldiers had been killed and that 12 TTP fighters also lost their lives in the action. Of note, the spokesman claimed that Pakistan had conducted surveillance of the forces as they moved from Afghanistan to aggress the Pakistani bases. For its part, the TTP claimed to have inflicted ‘heavy casualties’ on the Pakistani military and also claimed to have captured the outposts during the attack. Several rumors have circulated online that the TTP had occupied several villages and towns in the area and that they had taken approximately 100 prisoners during the melee. However, no evidence has yet been provided to confirm this information. Additional clarity will likely be forthcoming over the next twenty-four hours.

TAJIKISTAN BORDER GUARDS KILL 3 INFILTRATORS AT BORDER – A spokesman for the Tajik government said that its border security forces had engaged and killed 3 members of a terrorist group who had infiltrated the country from Afghanistan. The men were killed yesterday but Tajik authorities said they had crossed into Tajikistan on 30 August and were planning a terror attack that would coincide with the September 9th national holiday. It is important to note that the 3 men were identified as Tajik nationals. It was not clear which terrorist organization the 3 may have been a part of.

NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN COULD LAUNCH AIR OR ARTILLERY STRIKES – As many leaders in Pakistan have stated that yesterday’s TTP attack in Chitral likely originated in Afghanistan, it is entirely possible that Pakistan may launch punitive strikes on suspected TTP bases across the border. In the past, such incidences have forced a closure of the entire border and Spin Boldak Gate could be closed (Torkham remains closed due to a separate incident). Pakistani military forces were already repositioning along the border to reinforce outposts and military convoy traffic had reportedly doubled over the last twelve hours. While no definitive information has been received that an impending strike was being planned, we assess there is a reasonable chance it could occur.

Highlights from Daily Evacuation Brief September 6, 2023

POSSIBLE ARRESTS OF 2 AID WORKERS IN GHOR PROVINCE – Several rumors have been circulating that Taliban security personnel may have arrested 2 aid workers from the International Assistance Mission in Ghor yesterday. 1 of the workers was said to be an Afghan and the other was thought to be a foreign national. This information has yet to be confirmed.

FRANCE SPIRITS 5 AFGHAN WOMEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY – The 5 Afghan women arrived in France on Monday and were evacuated as part of a new program that was established by a presidential order that mandates special consideration be given to women who held important positions and/or who may have had close contact with Westerners. Women in these categories are considered to be especially at risk, not from arrest at the hands of the Taliban, but for having no future in the tyrannical system due to past work/associations. At least one of the women arrived with accompanying children. Organizers of the program say that France will likely evacuate more women in similar circumstances. The program was said to have been developed after an Afghan refugee NGO in France, Accueillir les Afghanes, called on the government to establish a protocol for women in dire straits.

SEVERAL ACTIVISTS IN THE UK CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE UK-BASED ISLAMIC SCHOLARS WHO RECENTLY VISITED AFGHANISTAN – About 50 activists representing academia, journalism, human rights, and civil society penned a letter to the British government decrying the visit as a Taliban-backed propaganda stunt that was intended to soften criticism of the regime. The signatories went on to call for an investigation into future trips made by such groups. It is not clear if there is a means of preventing such trips under current British law.

MORE JOURNALISTS SET FREE – After a widespread crackdown on the media in August 2023, the Taliban have slowly begun releasing those who found themselves under arrest. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) announced yesterday that 3 of the journalists had been released over the weekend and that 9 had been released since the August roundup began. The IFJ welcomed the news and called on the Taliban to release all others still in custody.

Highlights from Daily Evacuation Brief | September 5, 2023

CONCERNS RAISED IN IRAN ABOUT A RUMORED DEAL BETWEEN TALIBAN AND 2 TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS TO CONDUCT SECURITY IN WESTERN PROVINCES – Security in Herat, Farah, and Nimruz Provinces could soon fall under the responsibility of Jaish al-Adl and the Rigi Network (two terror organizations) if reports from the Iranian newspaper, Jumohri-e-Islami are correct. Journalists for the paper said sources had indicated that a recent deal had been struck between the Taliban and both organizations to provide security in the three Provinces. It is not clear if their roles would be to augment Taliban security forces or to manage all security on behalf of the Taliban. Regardless of their roles, the news will likely make Tehran nervous as both organizations have been accused of planning and carrying out terror operations in Iran.

MORE CHINESE WORKERS TARGETED IN IED ATTACK IN PAKISTAN – The Balochistan Liberation Front has claimed credit for an IED blast that reportedly targeted a vehicle carrying several Chinese workers along the Karachi-Quetta highway Sunday evening. It is not immediately known whether any casualties occurred as a result of the incident.

PAKISTAN’S ANTI-CRIME OPERATION ACHIEVING RESULTS – The large-scale police/military operation across Sindh Province has turned in some impressive results since launching a few days ago. Street crime has reportedly dropped significantly and police have seized significant amounts of narcotics from several raids over the last forty-eight hours alone. Weapons, foreign currency, fake medications, and stolen cell phones have also been recovered. Citizens interviewed in Karachi appear to be grateful and are largely supportive of the operation.

GENERAL AMNESTY MUST BE HONORED - HANAFI SAYS – Abdul Salam Hanafi warned the Taliban rank and file that anyone found guilty of violating the amnesty for former government officials would be prosecuted on Sunday. The Taliban have been under scrutiny for reported violations of amnesty since virtually taking power in 2021. Several procedures to prosecute Taliban members who have sought retribution against former officials are being discussed at the International Criminal Court and in other judicial bodies around the world. A definitive report issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) last month claimed credible proof of serious human rights abuses against hundreds of former government/military members as well as 218 extrajudicial killings. While the Taliban has repeatedly claimed its members observe all the rights and privileges extended under the amnesty program, very few of its personnel have ever been prosecuted for these crimes.

A man shot and wounded a Christian priest in Eastern Pakistan after a Muslim man stopped him after a sermon and demanded he recite a Muslim religious text. The priest chose to recite a Christian prayer in response and was shot in the arm.

Highlights from Daily Evacuation Brief | September 4, 2023

TALIBAN CRACKS DOWN ON PRIVATE VEHICLE USE AS TAXIS – Thousands of Afghan citizens have used their personal vehicles to supplement their income by providing taxi-like services throughout the country. The Taliban’s Ministry of the Interior plans to put a stop to the practice and warned citizens yesterday that a vehicle owner must obtain a license to conduct such business or face legal consequences. The edict presents a conundrum for the Taliban as many of their own security forces members have ‘confiscated’ vehicles owned by those from the previous government and often engage in the scheme to make additional money for themselves.

IRAN SAYS THAT APPROXIMATELY 6,000 AFGHAN NATIONALS REMAIN IMPRISONED IN THE COUNTRY – Iran’s Foreign Ministry made the announcement yesterday after several international NGOs called on the country to provide statistical information about those being held. The official report was unavailable but a spokesman for the Ministry said that over half of those in prisons had been convicted of petty crimes while the other half consisted of serious offenders and those awaiting trial.

CONFLICT TRACKER

Laghman: Members of the Afghan Liberation Front resistance group claim to have launched a night attack on a Taliban facility (possibly a courthouse) in the Daulat Shah district. The fighting reportedly continued for several hours. An ALF spokesman claimed that 5 Taliban were killed and 2 others were wounded during the fray.

Highlights from Daily Evacuation Brief | September 3, 2023

4,000 PROSPECTIVE MEDICAL STUDENTS TAKE THE FINAL EXAM, ZERO WOMEN – As Afghanistan struggles with a ‘brain-drain’ of health care professionals, Universities are pushing to add more doctors into the ranks of the nation’s health care system. However, only men are allowed to compete for the positions. The head of the Afghanistan Medical Council said that it did not have a procedure that would allow women to take the exam and that a recommendation had been submitted to the supreme leader but was still not approved. Few believe the hard-liner Akundhzada intends to reverse the self-defeating policies regarding women’s roles in Afghan society.

AFTER RECENT TERROR INCIDENTS ALONG THE BORDER, PAKISTAN AGAIN CALLS ON THE TALIBAN TO TAKE ACTION – Pakistan said it had communicated to the Taliban that they must police the TTP on its side of the border. Officials at the Foreign Ministry invoked the tripartite agreement between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China to drive the point home to Taliban officials. Reports from Pakistan indicated that the Taliban had recently detained as many as 6 TTP suspects. The Taliban subsequently rejected these claims and the Foreign Ministry felt the regime needed to be reminded of their obligations under the trilateral agreement.

6 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN MAZAR-I-SHARIF FOR PLAYING MUSIC – The Ministry of Vice and Virtue announced it had arrested 6 people for reportedly playing music during a circumcision ceremony on Friday night. The 6 unidentified men were apparently still in Taliban detention facilities as of publication.

Security forces disarmed an IED that had been placed on a railroad track in the Sehrish Nagar area of Qasimabad on Saturday. Locals reported two masked men who were seen planting the device to police. Arrests have not yet been made.

Counter-terrorism officers arrested 5 female members suspected of colluding with ISIS-K in Lahore on Saturday.

Highlights from the Daily Evacuation Brief | September 2, 2023

STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT SAYS THAT OVER 840,000 AFGHANS WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR RESETTLEMENT ARE STILL WAITING – The US Department of State released a report on Thursday that broke down the challenges the Department has faced in dealing with the massive backlog as well as describing new procedures it was forced to adopt. The institution showed the sizable increase in applications it was forced to deal with and said that roughly 30,000 cases were pending prior to the withdrawal which has now skyrocketed to over 840,000 cases. The Department said that approximately 50% of the cases are rejected because they do not meet the requirements of the special immigrant visa program. The report concludes with several recommendations to improve the program.

MANY AFGHAN REFUGEES IN THE US NERVOUS ABOUT THE EXTENSION OF THEIR TEMPORARY IMMIGRATION STATUS – Many Afghans who were brought to the United States under the Humanitarian Parole program are being told their status will affect their employability if authorities do not act in the coming weeks. In addition to facing termination from their jobs, many will be forced to reapply for driver’s licenses which could disrupt their ability to support themselves and their families. Apparently, there was a significant amount of confusion after conflicting forms were sent to the parolees that were difficult to understand. State agencies are rushing to assist those requiring assistance but many states do not have systems in place to rapidly issue new state licenses and identification cards.

CONFLICT TRACKER

Kapisa: An NRF strike team struck the Taliban base in Pozeh Khamzargar last night, claiming to have wounded 2 Taliban security forces members.
Kabul: AFF fighters claim to have killed 2 Taliban intelligence agents yesterday evening in the Shakradara area of Kabul.

Daily Evacuation Brief | September 1, 2023

THE ISIS-K RECRUITMENT STRATEGY IN AFGHANISTAN – Several sources in Afghanistan have assisted with providing clarity on how ISIS-K intends to destabilize the Taliban regime over the coming year.

Jalalabad

SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS 9 PAKISTANI SOLDIERS IN KP – A suicide bomber riding a motorcycle rigged with explosives targeted a military convoy in Bannu. At least 9 soldiers were killed and 20 more were wounded in the blast. Reinforcements were ordered into the District and a search for possible accomplices was underway but authorities have remained tight-lipped about the tragedy so far.

Pakistani officials say that a senior TTP leader (Sharka Din aka Umar Khalid) and 3 additional TTP militants were killed in a clash with counter-terrorism forces in an Afghan refugee camp in Pishin. 21 other suspects were arrested in the operation.

Highlights from the Daily Evacuation Brief | August 31, 2023
CONFLICT TRACKER

Logar: ALM fighters claim to have attacked a Taliban convoy and a Taliban security checkpoint yesterday afternoon in undisclosed locations in the province. They claim to have inflicted an unknown number of casualties and to have burned three Taliban vehicles.

Link

India-Pakistan

Torkham border crossing closed for 2nd day after clashes between border forces

2023-09-08

[Dawn] The Torkham border crossing between Pakistain and Afghanistan was closed for a second day on Thursday, leading to a build-up of trucks laden with goods, after festivities between security forces from the two countries.

The busy border crossing had closed on Wednesday after Pak and Afghan Taliban
Taliban

...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
forces started firing at each other, according to local officials.

Officials in Pakistain had blamed the other side for starting the midday firefight, which lasted for around two hours and came after the Afghan authorities started building a checkpoint on their side in a prohibited area, close to the main border crossing.

The officials said the Afghan authorities already had a checkpoint in the vicinity, commonly known as the Larram Post, but they started building another post over a small hill without discussing it with the Pak side.

They said border security officials had also held a meeting minutes before the crossfire began. However,
death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate...
it could not be ascertained what the meeting’s agenda was and what prompted both countries’ border forces to open fire.

Apart from the FC official, a Customs clearing agent had also been critically injured when he was hit by a speeding vehicle pulling back to safety after the firing started.

Abdul Basir Zabuli, a front man for the Taliban-led police in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar
The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country..
province, where the crossing lies, said today that authorities from both countries were trying to determine the reason for the clash.

Irshad Mohmand, a local administration official in Pakistain, told AFP that Afghan forces tried to establish a checkpoint in an area where it was agreed that both sides would not establish a post.

"After an objection from the Pakistain side, the Afghan forces opened fire," he said, adding that Pakistain border forces responded with "retaliatory fire".

However,
death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate...
the Afghan Taliban government had blamed Pakistain.

"Pak forces attacked the Afghan side when Afghan forces wanted to reactivate their old outpost with an excavator," said Quraishi Badloon, an official for the information and culture directorate in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province.

"The attack has resulted in casualties, but the exact figures are not known yet," he said.

A local Pakistain police official told the news agency that the shooting stopped by late Wednesday afternoon, but the border remained shut, he said. "The atmosphere is tense" and "forces on both sides are alert", he said.

Another local government official said light and heavy weapons, as well as mortars, were used in the incident.

The crossing has been closed several times in recent years, including a closure in February that saw thousands of trucks laden with goods stranded on each side of the border for days.

It was also temporarily closed last month after a scuffle between the border guards of Pakistain and Afghanistan.

Both nations are in dire economic straits, with Afghanistan reeling from a drop-off in aid following the end of the US-backed occupation and Pakistain crippled by a domestic downturn and runaway inflation.

Since Political Change, Nearly 50 Clashes Happened on Border Areas: MoI

[ToloNews] Nearly 50 festivities have happened in border areas with the neighboring countries within the past two-years, a front man for the Ministry of Interior said.

MoI front man Abdul Matin Qani called on the neighboring countries to observe the border rules with Afghanistan.

"There have been some small and big festivities. You know that there have been festivities with Pakistain, Iran, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The total number is less than 50," he said.

Qani said that the festivities were first started by the neighboring countries and then faced reactions by the Islamic Emirate’s forces. According to him, at least 15 incidents of missile firing on Afghanistan by the neighboring countries have been recorded within the past two years.

"There are some problems from some sides. We call on the neighbors to not violate the land illusory sovereignty and airspace of Afghanistan. We don’t want to have negative relations with them. Some of the missiles which were fired (on us), we had a good reaction against it," he said.

Meanwhile,
...back at the railroad tracks, Little Nell tried to kick her bound feet and scream post the snotty handkerchief Scarface Al had stuff into her mouth...
the military analysts believe that the border festivities do not benefit Afghanistan and that the problems should be addressed through negotiations.

"If every country stays in line which is marked and doesn't come forward, there will be no border clash," said Mohammad Matin Mohammad Khail, a military analyst.

"The Afghanistan border forces have tried a lot to improve vibes particularly with Uzbekistan and Iran

...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for spontaneously taking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet militias to extend the regime's influence. The word Iran is a cognate form of Aryan. The abbreviation IRGC is the same idea as Stürmabteilung (or SA). The term Supreme Guide is a the modern version form of either Duce or Führer or maybe both. They hate ~~Jews~~ ~~Zionists~~ Jews. Their economy is based on the production of oil and vitriol...
and Pakistain. I think these problems are being solved gradually and will not happen in the future," said Kamran Aman, a military analyst.

Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, many festivities took place with the neighboring countries—an issue which has been also discussed at the senior level between the governments.

Link

Afghanistan

Clash Erupts at Torkham Crossing

2023-09-07

[TOLONEWS] A clash happened between the Islamic Emirate’s forces and Pak military at the Torkham crossing on Wednesday, local officials confirmed.

The head of the information department of the department of Information and Culture of Nangarhar
The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country..
, Qureshi Badlon, said in a statement that the Pak military opened fire first.

He said that the clash was stopped and that there is no information about casualties.

The residents said that the clash happened after the Pak military reacted to the building of checkpoints by Islamic Emirate forces.

Link

Afghanistan

Resurgence and Realities: Afghanistan’s Shifting Terror Threats

2023-08-27

Key bits:

[GeopoliticalMonitor] As the world observed the second anniversary of the Taliban
Taliban

...Arabic for students...
’s takeover of Afghanistan on August 15th, attention has shifted to the changing landscape of terrorism in the region. The two years since Kabul’s fall have raised concerns about the impact on regional stability and security. A complex picture of resurgent murderous Moslem groups, human rights
...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions...
abuses, and geopolitical challenges with Afghanistan’s de facto rulers has emerged.

President Biden recently claimed that al-Qaeda is no longer in Afghanistan and that the Taliban is aiding the US in countering terrorism. However,
there's no worse danger than telling a mother her baby is ugly...
the situation on the ground doesn’t seem to align with this assertion. Biden’s sentiment was echoed by US diplomats following their first official meeting with Taliban representatives in July this year. While the US State Department acknowledged decreased large-scale attacks in Afghanistan, supporting the Taliban’s counterterrorism efforts may be overlooking broader transnational threats.

THE PERCEPTION OF SECURITY IN AFGHANISTAN
The Taliban’s military victory in Afghanistan has emboldened various Death Eater groups in the region, many of which were displaced before 2021. This triumph has granted these groups the freedom to move across the region with complete impunity. According to a report from the UN Sanctions Monitoring Team, al-Qaeda remains active in Afghanistan with an estimated strength of 2,000 fighters, albeit with a discreet presence. In a display of solidarity with al-Qaeda, the Taliban has assigned al-Qaeda members to important administrative and military positions. Notably, Qari Esanhanullah and Agha Hakeem, both al-Qaeda veterans, have been made governors of crucial eastern provinces—Kapisa and Nuristan, respectively. The most disconcerting appointment is that of Tajmir Jawad Hafizallah, who now serves as the Deputy Chief of the Taliban’s Intelligence wing, GDI. Hafizallah’s association with the infamous Kabul Attack Group, a joint special-operations unit led by al-Qaeda and the Haqqani Network with support from Pakistain’s Inter-Services Intelligence
...the Pak military intelligence agency that controls the military -- heads of ISI typically get promoted into the Chief of Army Staff position. It serves as a general command center for favored turban groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, tries to influence the politix of neighboring countries, and carries out a (usually) low-level war against India in Kashmir...
, is a cause for concern. This elevation alone should prompt the Biden administration to reconsider its stance on Afghanistan.

Similarly, the Afghan branch of the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear western pols talk they're not really Moslems....
(ISKP) maintains a significant presence in various pockets of Afghanistan’s eastern and northeastern provinces. Established in 2015, this group is notorious for executing large-scale, intricate attacks in urban areas. Their targets encompass religious and ethnic minorities, as well as high-profile Taliban officials. As seen in the targeting of a senior Taliban leader’s funeral service in the northern province of Badakhshan, which resulted in over 30 casualties, including a provincial police chief.

In addition to countering ISKP, the Taliban also contends with resistance forces within Afghanistan. Recently, groups like the National Resistance® Force and the Afghanistan Freedom Front have substantially escalated their operations. Their focus has been on targeting the Taliban’s military infrastructure and eliminating senior Taliban commanders. Despite lacking the necessary operational capabilities to pose a grave threat to the Taliban regime, these groups persist in challenging the Taliban’s narrative of a peaceful Afghanistan.

REGIONAL THREAT LANDSCAPE
Following the fall of Kabul, Pakistain has experienced a notable surge in attacks, primarily attributed to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP), an offshoot of the Taliban. TTP’s operational capabilities have been significantly enhanced and the group has established new support bases as evidenced by attacks extending beyond their traditional strongholds, such as the recent assault on a military garrison in Zhob, Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
Province. Moreover, the TTP has successfully united more than 35 fragmented groups and smaller terrorist entities allowing it to diversify targets and escalate kinetic activities within a short timeframe. Despite Taliban disavowals of harboring terrorists, substantial evidence points to the Taliban’s influence over the TTP, including facilitating the movement of TTP leaders across borders. Notably, several senior TTP commanders, starting with the killing of Omar Khorasani, the criminal mastermind behind the 2014 Beautiful Downtown Peshawar
...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistain's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire...
Army School Attack, have been killed under mysterious circumstances inside Afghanistan. Additionally, TTP Chief Noor Wali Mehsood made a narrow escape during an attack in Nangarhar
The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country..
province in Afghanistan where he was meeting with the Taliban’s provincial council. The presence of high-ranking TTP operatives in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan sheds light on the Taliban’s connection to the TTP and reveals the TTP’s restructuring with ambitions mirroring the Taliban’s success in Kabul. Concurrently, while the Afghan Taliban’s primary adversary remains the Islamic State’s Afghan affiliate (ISKP), the latter has shifted its focus towards Pakistain. This strategic shift is evident in the escalation of attacks on civilians, as evident in the tragic suicide kaboom in Bajaur district of northwestern Pakistain resulting in over 50 casualties.

Beyond Pakistain, other transnational terrorist groups in Central and South Asia have similarly restructured their ranks and revitalized their operational capacities. A UN report from July highlights that East Turkestan Islamic Movement, a Uighur Death Eater group aspiring to gain control over Xinjiang province in China, has established bases across northern and northeastern Afghanistan. Furthermore, the Taliban has facilitated the transfer of Uighur gunnies from Chinese border areas to different Afghan provinces for training, indicating renewed alliances between the Taliban and various al-Qaeda-affiliated entities. The Afghan Taliban has also relocated more than 200 Tajik gunnies from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jamaat Ansarullah (JAU) group in Tajikistan to Afghanistan. Additionally, foreign Tajik fighters from JAU have been incorporated into the Afghan Taliban’s ranks.

Link

Afghanistan

'Forced To Dress Like a Muslim': Taliban Imposes Restrictions On Afghanistan's Sikh, Hindu Minorities

2023-08-23

[RFERL] When the Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...
seized power in 2021, there were concerns that some of Afghanistan's tiny non-Moslem minorities could vanish.

Two years on, those fears are becoming realized. Afghanistan's last-known Jew fled the country shortly after the Taliban takeover. Meanwhile,
...back at the Hubba Hubba Club, Big Shirley was still trying to snatch Nunzio bald-headed. She was already halfway there...
the Sikh and Hindu communities are believed to have shrunk to just a handful of families.

Under the Taliban, Sikhs and Hindus have faced severe restrictions, including on their appearances, and have been banned from marking their religious holidays in public, leaving many with no choice but to escape their homeland.

"I cannot go anywhere freely," Fari Kaur, one of the last remaining Sikhs in the capital, Kabul, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

"When I go out, I'm forced to dress like a Moslem so that I can't be identified as a Sikh," she said, in reference to the Taliban's order that all women must wear the all-encompassing burqa or niqab.

Kaur's father was killed in a suicide kaboom targeting Sikhs and Hindus in the eastern city of Jalalabad in 2018. The attack reportedly led as many as 1,500 Sikhs to leave the country, including Kaur's mother and sisters.

But Kaur refused to leave and stayed in Kabul to fulfil her father's dream that she finish school.
Refusal to face reality. Courageous, but not real smart
In March 2020, 25 worshipers were killed when Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear western pols talk they're not really Moslems....
-Khorasan (IS-K) gunnies stormed a Sikh temple in Kabul. Following the attack, most of the remaining members of the minority left Afghanistan.

Again, Kaur refused to leave. But now, more than two years after the Taliban seized power, she said the lack of religious freedom under the gunnies has left her no choice but to seek refuge abroad.

"We have not celebrated our key festivals since the Taliban returned to power," she said. "We have very few community members left behind in Afghanistan. We cannot even look after our temples."

HISTORY OF PERSECUTION
There were up to 100,000 Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan in the 1980s. But the war that broke out in 1979 and the onset of growing persecution pushed many out.

During the civil war of the 1990s, the Taliban and rival Islamist groups pledged to protect minorities. But many Sikhs and Hindus lost their homes and businesses and fled to India.

During its first stint in power from 1996-2001, the Taliban caused an international uproar after the gunnies announced that all Sikhs and Hindus in the country would be required to wear yellow badges.

The Taliban prohibited Sikhs and Hindus from building new temples. They were also forced to pay a special tax called jizya, which was historically imposed by Moslem rulers on their non-Moslem subjects.

Following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, Sikhs and Hindus were granted the same rights as other Afghans and also received seats in the parliament.

When the Taliban regained power in August 2021, it attempted to assuage the fears of non-Moslem Afghans. The gunnies visited Sikh and Hindu temples to try and assure the remaining members of the communities of their commitment to their safety and well-being.

But the Taliban's draconian restrictions on Sikhs and Hindus have forced many to seek a way out of their homeland.

'EXTREME DESPERATION'
Many of the Afghan Sikhs and Hindus who have left the country have moved to India, where most face a life of poverty.

"We abandoned our country out of extreme desperation," said Chabul Singh, a 57-year-old Sikh man who left Afghanistan with his wife and two sons several years ago.

The family now lives outside the Indian capital, New Delhi, where Singh and his young sons eke out a living by doing menial jobs.

"In Afghanistan, our distinctive turbans gave us away, and we were killed both by the Taliban and ISIS," he told Radio Azadi, referring to IS-K by its Arabic acronym. Sikhs often wrap their hair, which they are not supposed to cut, in a turban.

Despite his family's struggles in India, Singh said returning to Afghanistan is not an option.

"In Afghanistan, our Moslem brothers often asked us, 'Why have you come from India?'" he said. "But here in India, they ask us, 'Why don't you go back to Afghanistan?'"

Niala Mohammad, the director of policy and strategy at the nonprofit Moslem Public Affairs Council in Washington, said the situation for religious minorities in Afghanistan -- including Hindus, Sikhs, Bahai's, Christians, Ahmadis, and Shi'ite Moslems -- has tanked sharply under Taliban rule.

"The situation continues to tank as political bad boy factions that claim to represent Islam, such as the Taliban, ascend to power in the region," said Mohammad, who was previously the South Asia analyst for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. "This exodus of diverse religious groups has left a void in the country's social fabric."

Link

Afghanistan

Prominent TTP Commander Assassinated in Airstrike in Nangarhar

2023-08-20

[8am] Local sources in Nangarhar
The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country..
have reported the liquidation of Asad Afridi, a prominent commander of the Tehrik-e-Taliban
...Arabic for students...
Pakistain (TTP), in an aerial attack conducted by Pak forces within the province.

Pakistan, you say? Fascinating!

Sources revealed to Hasht-e Subh on Saturday, August 19, that the ~~Arclight~~ airstrike
<del>Arclight</del> airstrike

...KABOOM!...
occurred around 9:00 AM last Thursday in the Rina Parchaw area of Lalpoor district in Nangarhar, near the Durand border.

The sources further confirmed that Asad Afridi’s guards were also among the casualties of this attack.

Both the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain and the Pak government have yet to issue statements regarding this incident.

However,
death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate...
Pak media outlets have corroborated this development.

Rina Parchaw is situated in the vicinity of the Durand border and remains an active area for TTP fighters.

This incident follows another airstrike by Pak forces in the Khost province
... across the border from Miranshah, within commuting distance of Haqqani hangouts such as Datta Khel and probably within sight of Mordor. Khost is populated by six different tribes of Pashtuns, the largest probably being the Khostwal, from which it takes its name...
approximately six days ago.

Link

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