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Afghanistan
Afghan Digest: Week of October 21-27
2024-11-10
It seem that while we weren’t working, the Afghan Digest went from daily to irregularly weekly reports. Here are a few highlights — go to the link to read the rest.
The Afghan Digest archive can be explored here, for those who don’t want to wait for me to get around to working up another post in a few weeks or months — or you can work up a post yourself, dear Reader, and then we all can enjoy the result. ;-)
SECURITY AND CONFLICT
House to House Searches Kabul – Beginning on Monday, various sources confirmed that the Taliban conducted house-to-house searches in Kabul's PD 4, PD 11, and PD 17. The Taliban stated that they were looking for ISKP members, criminals, and narcotics. Locals reported that the Taliban prevented any filming during the searches. The areas selected suggest the searches may be targeting individuals suspected of sympathizing with resistance fighters.

House to House Searches in Nimroz – This week, the Taliban began conducting house-to-house searches in several provinces, including Nimroz, which has sparked strong reactions from residents. In Khang district, protests erupted after Taliban forces entered a home occupied solely by women and children, leading to the detention of at least 50 protesters, some of whom were reportedly beaten. The Taliban claimed these searches aimed to target drug dealers.

Taliban Fire on Protestors in Ghor – On Saturday, in Feroz Koh, Ghor province, at least six people were injured when Taliban forces opened fire on protesters who were opposing body searches conducted on local women. Demonstrators had gathered to demand an end to these invasive searches, highlighting mounting public anger over the Taliban’s treatment of women. Witnesses described a tense atmosphere as the Taliban used firearms to disperse the crowd, underscoring the growing unrest with their restrictive policies and prompting similar protests across Afghanistan.

IS Attack in Ghor – On October 20, Taliban forces clashed with ISIS fighters in the Nurkoh area of Ghor province. The fighting, which lasted several hours, involved both light and heavy weaponry. The Taliban later claimed they attacked an ISIS hideout, killing two members, although they did not disclose any of their own casualties. Photos circulated online of Engineer Saifullah, a Taliban fighter killed in the clash. Taliban officials allege that ISIS in Ghor operates from Balochistan, Pakistan, where it recruits and trains fighters. ISIS activity has increased in central and western Afghanistan, complicating Taliban efforts to maintain security and targeting civilians in areas beyond Taliban control.

Explosion in Pamir Cinema Market – On Wednesday, an explosion occurred around 2:00 p.m. local time in the Pamir Cinema area of Kabul, targeting the crowded Lailami Market, known for selling second-hand clothes. The blast killed one child and injured 11 people, including a three-year-old girl, a four-year-old boy, a sixteen-year-old boy, two women, and six men, one of whom is in critical condition. The attack struck one of Kabul's most densely populated and impoverished neighborhoods. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
Further Bans on Women's Voices – Taliban minister Khalid Hanafi recently declared it forbidden for adult women in Afghanistan to let their voices be heard by other adult women, specifically prohibiting them from reciting the Quran or performing the Takbir aloud. This new directive, which is part of broader restrictions on women’s rights, mandates full-body covering, including the face. Hanafi’s comments have sparked significant backlash from Afghan women, who are advocating for their rights against what many see as increasingly oppressive Taliban policies. It remains unclear how this extreme directive will be enforced or if it is an official policy.

Political Analyst Detained – On October 19, Jawed Momand, a university professor and political analyst, was detained by Taliban intelligence agents in Kabul's Karte Naw district. The Taliban have not provided any statement regarding his detention.

Women Prevented from Riding Buses Without Masks – The Taliban’s vice and virtue police in Kabul have barred women and girls from boarding city buses if they are not wearing masks, according to multiple local sources.

Retirees Protest unpaid Pensions – On Saturday, retirees in Kabul protested three years of unpaid pensions, blocking the street leading to the Ministry of Finance. The Taliban dissolved the pension system and cut retiree salaries, exacerbating economic hardships for many. During the protest, one retiree was arrested, underscoring the widespread discontent amid ongoing financial struggles.

Floggings – On Monday, a man and a woman were flogged in Logar province, with similar punishments meted out in Bamiyan the same day. On Wednesday, 17 people were flogged in Khost, followed by the flogging of one man in Kabul on Thursday and one individual in Faryab on Sunday.

INTERNAL POLITICS
Acting Minister Of Education Statement on Jihadi Madrassas – The Taliban's acting minister for higher education, Neda Mohammad Nadim, emphasized the role of jihadi madrasas in maintaining the jihadist mindset in Afghanistan. In the past 40 days, 16 new madrasas have been established across 10 provinces at a cost of 54 million Afghanis. Afghanistan now has 21,000 madrasas, surpassing the 18,000 schools in the country. Critics, including Afghan citizens and international observers, express concerns that this increase could promote extremism and radicalization, further destabilizing the nation.

Dissent on Banning Living Images – TTaliban officials in Kabul, including Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Acting Defense Minister Yaqoob Mujahid, and three Acting Deputy Prime Ministers, oppose Mullah Hibatullah’s ban on broadcasting images of living beings. They argue that the law undermines the Taliban's interests, particularly in media and diplomacy. The Haqqani network, which manages propaganda centers, also criticizes the restrictions. Despite Mullah Hibatullah’s orders, enforcement has been inconsistent, with some officials permitting audio recordings and defying full implementation.

Saleh Statement on Doha Process – On Friday, former Vice President Amrullah Saleh claimed that the Doha process, backed by NATO, effectively constituted a coup against Afghanistan’s Republic. He argued that it was a carefully orchestrated effort to sideline Ashraf Ghani and destabilize the government. Saleh asserted that many Afghan political leaders supported anti-republicanism, viewing it as a means of securing personal gain, under the assumption that the U.S. would integrate the Taliban into the government. Instead, he contended, this strategy resulted in national disgrace and authoritarian rule.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
NYT Publishes Interview with Haqqani – On Thursday, the New York Times published an interview with Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's acting interior minister and a wanted terrorist. In the interview, Haqqani portrays himself as a dissident within the Taliban and attempts to present himself as a diplomat. He has a $10 million bounty on his head from the U.S. for orchestrating terrorist attacks against international forces, Afghan officials, and civilians.

CSTO Approves Plan to Strengthen Afghan-Tajik Border – On Saturday, Imangali Tasmagambetov, secretary general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), announced plans to enhance Tajikistan's border security with Afghanistan at an upcoming CSTO meeting in Astana. The draft plan has been reviewed and agreed upon by CSTO member states. The organization has expressed ongoing concerns about the potential spread of extremism from Afghanistan to Central Asia over the past three years. Representatives from over 40 countries recently warned that rising extremism and radical teachings could lead to catastrophic consequences.

OCHA report on Projects in Afghanistan – The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that in September 2024, 83 humanitarian projects were temporarily suspended due to 173 incidents, 98% of which were attributed to Taliban interference. This marks a 66% increase from last year. The incidents involved disruptions to operations, violence against staff, and movement restrictions. The Taliban also imposed illegal taxes, seized aid, delayed document processing, and enforced strict regulations on female staff, threatening the safety of humanitarian workers.

Afghan Consulate in Germany to Close – On Thursday, Germany requested that Afghanistan’s ambassador in Berlin and its consul in Bonn step down, refusing to accept Taliban-appointed representatives. However, technical staff will continue to provide consular services at the embassy and consulate, according to a diplomatic source. The German government maintains its position against recognizing Taliban officials.

BRICS Statement on Afghanistan – At the Kazan summit on Thursday, BRICS leaders, including those from China and Russia, urged the Taliban to lift the ban on girls' and women's education. They emphasized the need to respect the fundamental rights of Afghan citizens, including women and ethnic groups, and called for immediate humanitarian aid. The leaders also stressed the importance of taking action against terrorism in Afghanistan and highlighted the role of regional platforms in addressing the country’s challenges. BRICS reaffirmed its support for a peaceful, independent Afghanistan.

Afghan Representative Speaks at UN – On Wednesday, Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan's acting representative to the UN, urged the international community to take decisive action regarding Afghanistan’s crisis. Speaking to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, he emphasized the Taliban’s oppressive policies, particularly gender apartheid, and called for its criminalization under international law. Faiq highlighted the Taliban’s focus on extremism in education and the erosion of fundamental rights, especially for women and girls.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Ban on Living Images and TV Station Shutdowns – Television stations in Badghis province have ceased operations following a Taliban directive banning live images, according to the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC). Both state-run and private TV stations are now limited to written and audio content. The ban, enforced under the "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law, extends to other provinces, posing a significant threat to press freedom. On Thursday, sources reported that the Taliban have expanded the ban on broadcasting images of living beings to at least 10 provinces, including Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Kunar, Khost, Takhar, Badghis, Panjshir, and Laghman.

400 Books Banned in Kabul – The Taliban have banned 400 books in libraries across Kabul, mandating their removal if they conflict with Taliban principles, according to local librarians. The ban targets works related to Shia Islam, democracy, political freedoms, civil rights, art, and prominent figures such as Ahmad Shah Massoud. Librarians report that the Taliban have already begun collecting these titles and promoting works deemed acceptable by the regime. Booksellers fear financial losses and potential crackdowns as enforcement is expected to intensify starting in November.

MISCELLANEOUS
Report on Afghan Migration – Between July and September 2024, 786,769 Afghan citizens left Afghanistan while 973,696 returned, according to the IOM. The report, Mobility Dynamics at Afghanistan’s Borders, highlights migration driven by economic opportunities, healthcare access, family visits, and safety concerns. Nearly six million Afghans now reside in Iran and Pakistan, with 3.75 million in Iran and 2.05 million in Pakistan, making Afghans the world’s largest refugee population, surpassing Syrians. The full report can be accessed here

Lack of Electricity at Mes Aynak – Afghanistan’s Aynak copper mine faces setbacks due to unreliable electricity, according to the Chinese company Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC). During a recent meeting, MCC emphasized that insufficient power could hinder progress on the project, despite a $2.5 billion investment agreement. Persistent delays, mainly due to security concerns, have stalled significant work on the mine, which holds one of the world’s largest untapped copper reserves.
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.

    • 1. A Revamped Strategy - ISIS-K has rejected the notion that it will be able to compete with the Taliban militarily. Apparently, this was an early hope in late 2021 and early 2022 but the efforts to mass-recruit followers resulted in significant losses at the hands of the Taliban. Thus, it has now pivoted to a more traditional role of targeting the Taliban hierarchy and critical infrastructure in a prolonged terror campaign. There was a schism between senior leaders within ISIS-K at the outset of the Taliban’s rise to power and those voices that felt that public opinion/sympathy would swell the ranks of the organization and, more importantly, would drive many Taliban and Resistance fighters to bring weapons, vehicles, and material into the crusade won out over those who preferred the more traditional footing. Also discussed at the meeting was the inclusion of Chinese targets in future operations as a perception persists that China is assisting the Taliban with counter-terrorism training and intelligence activities. However, specific targets were not discussed. The reversal in strategy signals a return to its historic role.

    2. Recruitment Within the Taliban - The organization has prioritized recruiting mid-level Taliban members to gain access/information about the Taliban hierarchy. In a meeting that took place in Jalalabad in late March 2023, several proponents of this technique pointed out that senior Taliban leaders were becoming more openly corrupt and that mid-level leaders were fast becoming disillusioned with the direction of the regime. ISIS-K apparently had access to financial records from contacts within the Da Afghanistan Bank that detailed several questionable accounts and transfers on behalf of certain Ministers and those with ties to the Taliban which suggested some were involved in corruption. Consensus to adopt this strategy was reportedly achieved at the Jalalabad meeting.

    3. Recruitment of Resistance Forces - Also discussed at the meeting in Jalalabad were overtures that had been made to the various Resistance forces over the course of 2022. Apparently, this was the key component of the organization’s initial strategy, as most felt the technical competence of former Afghan military personnel would be critical to engage with the Taliban in direct operations. Many of those in attendance at the meeting complained that the offers they had made to members of the Resistance had been rebuffed. It was decided to keep a few channels of communication open with two (unidentified) Resistance groups but that active recruiting efforts would be dropped.

    INTEL SUMMARY: While much has recently been reported about the strength and capabilities of ISIS-K in Afghanistan, it is not clear what is fact and what is fiction. It appears the group has learned several painful lessons from the early adoption of mass recruitment and they have suffered significant losses from a far more effective than anticipated General Directorate of Intelligence over the course of 2022-23. If the information gleaned from the March Jalalabad meeting is accurate, it seems logical to presume that the group will focus on targeted assassinations of senior Taliban personnel throughout the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. To accomplish this, they will attempt to recruit disillusioned mid-level Taliban functionaries to aid them in their goal.

  • 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


Afghanistan
Interview: Young lion of Panjshir fights Afghanistan’s 'epic prison'
2023-04-29
A taste:
[TheNationalNews] Ahmad Massoud tells The National he is trying to convince the West that his people need support to defy Taliban
...Arabic for students...
 rule.
National Resistance Front
Ahmad Massoud was only 12 when his father, one of Afghanistan’s greatest leaders, was assassinated by Al Qaeda jacket wallahs.

Since then the Taliban has been banished, followed by 20 years of democracy only to be demolished by the bully boys’ resurgence in 2021.

But during that time the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud gained military experience at Britannia’s Sandhurst military academy and studied for a master's degree in international politics.

His aura of authority was evident when, as the youngest person on the platform of a conference on Afghanistan in Vienna, it appeared that he had inherited his father’s stature to lead.

Asked in an interview with The National for his thoughts on western overtures to the Taliban, Mr Massoud, now 33, offered a resigned smile, one perhaps reserved for admonishing a child.

"You cannot wash dirt with dirt," he suggested to emphasise that if the international community thought it co-opt the Taliban with money and hints of diplomatic ties to resist forces like ISIS, it was gravely mistaken.

The faceless myrmidons who seized Afghanistan 20 months ago are deeply attached to a brutal autocratic government that uses hard drugs for income and harbours a number of terrorist groups yet to be unleashed on the wider world.

Until now there has been little internal opposition to their harsh rule. But the capable Mr Massoud has managed to pull together a diverse coalition of Afghans that represent a more palatable alternative government.

That unity was demonstrated in Vienna this week when Tajiks shared a platform with Pashtuns, Uzbeks and Hazaris at a three-day conference on Afghanistan.

As leader of the National Resistance® Front (NRF), Mr Massoud — sometimes referred to as the "Young Lion of Panjshir" — leads the largest group that is showing signs of forming a resilient military and political opposition.

With its attention diverted by Ukraine and still humiliated by defeat in Afghanistan, he warned the West it must not ignore Afghanistan's plight.

"Afghanistan has become an epic prison for its people and a safe haven for terrorist groups" and was also a country that could also revisit the "catastrophic" events of the past, he said.

SON OF PANJSHIR
When the Taliban crushed government forces in 2021 they swept through the formerly impregnable Panjshir valley. That aura of invincibility was born under the enigmatic leadership of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the "Lion of Panjshir", who had defeated the Soviets and repulsed the first Taliban regime.

Sharing the same looks as his father and the recognisable brown woollen pakol headdress, Mr Massoud possesses a sharp intelligence and polite charisma.

During his interview at a large Austrian town house, where armed police stood guard outside, he said he was not embittered by the West’s lack of interest in the Taliban's opposition but added that the US and its allies should pay heed.

Therefore, did it surprise him that no agencies from any western powers had been in contact?

"Of course it is a surprise because if they think that they can trust the Taliban over the democratic forces," he said.

"It's like cleaning ISIS with the Taliban, then what are you going to do with the Taliban? It’s the same ideology and the same problem. It’s not going to work and will demoralise all our democratic forces who will then lose respect to the West."
Related:
Ahmad Massoud: 2023-04-10 Daily Evacuation Brief April 8 - 10, 2023
Ahmad Massoud: 2023-04-01 Attack on Kabul Security Compound Kills Two, Injures Another
Ahmad Massoud: 2023-02-23 Fresh $40 Million Cash Reaches Kabul: Afghanistan Central Bank
Related:
National Resistance Front: 2023-04-20 Daily Evacuation Brief April 20, 2023
National Resistance Front: 2023-04-19 Daily Evacuation Brief April 19, 2023
National Resistance Front: 2023-04-14 Daily Evacuation Brief April 14, 2023
Link


Afghanistan
Female Doctor Shot Dead by Unknown Gunmen in Takhar, Suspected Taliban Involvement
2023-04-16
More on this story from yesterday.
[8am] According to local sources in the Takhar province, unknown button men have killed a female doctor in the area.

Sources reported on Friday, 14 April, that the incident took place in the evening on the previous day near the village of Chanzi on the Takhar-Kunduz highway as the doctor was traveling from Kunduz to Takhar.

The victim was identified as Zakera Rahmani.

Sources further stated that the unidentified button men stopped the vehicle carrying the doctor and opened fire on her.

Some sources, who wish to remain anonymous, claim that the doctor was targeted by the Taliban
...Arabic for students...
The husband of the victim, Dr. Sarwar, was also severely maimed in the incident.

The Taliban have warned the victim’s family not to share any details of the incident with the media.

Dr. Rahmani had been working as a midwife and obstetrician for several years at the health clinic in Chal district of Takhar and at the Shaheed Ahmad Shah Massoud Hospital in Takhar province.

This comes as last month a female health worker was mysteriously killed in Werduj district of Badakhshan province.
Related:
Takhar: 2023-04-15 Lady doctor gunned down in Takhar
Takhar: 2023-04-14 Daily Evacuation Brief April 14, 2023
Takhar: 2023-04-11 Daily Evacuation Brief April 11, 2023
Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Tajikistan: Taliban take control of consulate
2023-03-28
[EurasiaNet] The embassy in Dushanbe, which is still run by the anti-Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
 opposition, is said to be considering its position.

The Afghan consulate in the eastern Tajikistan city of Khorog has passed under the control of the Taliban regime, while staff at the main embassy in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, are still considering their options, a diplomatic source has said.

A representative of the Dushanbe embassy, who spoke to Eurasianet on condition of anonymity on March 27, said the Khorog consulate is issuing Afghan passports and that staff have been receiving salaries from the Taliban for the last two months.

"Formally, the consulate is part of the embassy itself, but informally, it is not under our control, and it is directly linked to the Taliban," the source said.

The Dushanbe embassy has to date refused to acknowledge the Taliban government and has instead pledged allegiance to the former Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh.

Khorog residents have said that the premises of the consulate was destroyed in an avalanche in February but that staff are still working. The Taliban-run Foreign Ministry said in a statement over the weekend that one of its senior representatives has visited the city, which lies across the Panj River from Afghanistan, to check on the activities of the mission and to inspect repair works.

That visit indicates that the takeover of the consulate has some degree of blessing from the Tajik government, which has otherwise adopted a largely frosty stance toward the Taliban since it overthrew the government of President Ashraf Ghani
...former chancellor of Kabul University, now president of Afghanistan. Before returning to Afghanistan in 2002 he was a scholar of political science and anthropology. He worked at the World Bank working on international development assistance. As Finance Minister of Afghanistan between July 2002 and December 2004, he led Afghanistan's attempted economic recovery until the Karzais stole all the money...
 in 2021. The source at the Afghan Embassy in Dushanbe said he was uncertain if the Taliban delegation met with any Tajik officials.

"Despite the fact that no one has yet recognized the Taliban government, 16 countries have already allowed Taliban representatives to work in embassies. And so we would not be surprised if our embassy is also handed over to the Taliban," he said.

The Taliban is deemed a terrorist organization by Tajikistan by virtue of a Supreme Court ruling issued in March 2006.

Despite the frostiness in ties, Afghanistan and Tajikistan have continued to trade. Official data shows that trade turnover last year reached $111 million — almost all of which is Tajik exports to Afghanistan — which was around one-third more than in 2021. The main export items are cement and electricity.

President Emomali Rahmon has been openly hostile in his public statements about the Taliban. In August 2021, he stated his government would not recognize the Taliban’s rule over Afghanistan unless the country’s ethnic Tajik minority, which he claimed accounted for 46 percent of the total population, was accorded a "worthy role" in the running of the country.

He has demonstrated his anti-Taliban bona fides in other ways, such as when he granted posthumous state awards to the late Northern Alliance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud and Burhanuddin Rabbani
... the gentlemanly murdered legitimate president of Afghanistan...
, a one-time Afghan president who was killed by Taliban assassins in September 2011. Since the Taliban’s most recent ascendancy, Rahmon has offered sanctuary to Massoud’s son, Ahmad, who has positioned himself as the figurehead of an armed opposition to the Taliban.
Link


Afghanistan
Resistance Against the Taliban (IEA) Continues in Afghanistan
2023-01-11
[KhaamaPress] The recent gender-based decrees issued by the Supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan restricting women from working for NGOs and getting university and higher education, culminated the tensions among the Afghan people.

The implementation of the ban completely erased Afghan women and girls from society, which prompted severe condemnations from the international community and the people of Afghanistan. Although some foreign governments, aid organizations, and other stakeholders called the de facto authorities to reverse the decision, nothing has changed so far.

On the contrary, these gender apartheid policies fueled the fire of hatred and resistance against the country’s ruling regime. The notion of embracing everyone to form an inclusive government where people could see them represented in the government has long died. Discrimination against women, religious minorities, and ethnicities has been witnessed since the Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...
’s return to power. The IEA authorities have been accused of monopolizing the power while giving no chance to others participating in the Islamic regime.

The integration of all these issues causes people to resist the Taliban administration on different fronts, be it through social movements (protests), military resistance, or opposing the group through spreading anti-regime propaganda.

Recently, reports about intensive fighting between the Taliban and the forces of the National Resistance® Front (NRF) in the last week of December surfaced online. The NRF is one of the only groups militarily resisting the Taliban administration. Concentrated in the Andarab, the NRF forces repelled both ground and air attacks from the Taliban with both sides facing heavy casualties.

The group headed by Ahmad Massoud, the late Ahmad Shah Massoud’s son, aims to set up a federal, decentralized, and democratic government in Afghanistan. The NRF currently pushes to drain the enemy, conduct targeted strikes and liberate more regions and accumulate resources so that they could cause further threats to the Taliban in the long term.

Since the Taliban’s return to power several other gangs have announced their presence in Afghanistan including the Afghanistan Islamic National and Liberation Movement, Soldiers of Hazaristan, Freedom Corps, the Liberation Front of Afghanistan, etc. Not much is known about their members or their presence on the ground, with their social media handles their propaganda against the Taliban regime.

Despite all the odds, the resistance against the Taliban regime, be it social media propaganda, armed resistance, or protests, continues at different levels, leading to further tensions and chaos in the country in the long term.
Link


Afghanistan
Resistance Front Commander Allegedly Surrenders to Authorities in Afghanistan
2022-12-02
[KhaamaPress] A resistance front commander, resisting the current administration in Afghanistan, reportedly surrendered and joined the government along with 12 of his men.

The state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported on Thursday, December 1, citing security sources in Panjshir province of northern Afghanistan that a National Resistance® Front (NRF) commander relinquished to the new government.

"Twelve rebels led by commander Baz Mohammad and his brothers Mohammad Arez and Nek Mohammad joined the Islamic Emirate," Bakhtar reported quoting security officials in Panjshir province.

Mawlawi Mohammad Mohsen Hashemi, the governor of Panjshir province, hailed the surrender of the resistance front commander and stated that the current administration does not favor "bloodshed."

The authorities in Afghanistan refer to the current administration adversaries as "rebels", especially the NRF. The NRF is led under the leadership of Ahmad Massoud, the son of the late resistance front commander Ahmad Shah Massoud when the Afghan capital collapsed in mid-August last year.

The Ahmad Massoud-led NRF has yet to confirm and respond to the surrender of the NRF commander to the NRF’s opponent, the current administration in Afghanistan.
Related:
NRF: 2022-11-26 Daily Evacuation Brief November 26, 2022
NRF: 2022-11-23 Biden COVID Minion Tells Americans
NRF: 2022-11-23 The Afghan National Resistance Front Outlines Its Strategy: Implications For US Foreign Policy
Link


Afghanistan
Daily Evacuation Brief November 23, 2022
2022-11-23
[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
  • CONFUSION OVER RECENT KABUL BOMBING – Taliban authorities casually dismissed the vehicle bombing in Police District 4 that occurred on Sunday. However, several independent media outlets have attributed the attack to the NRF and claimed those killed in the blast were members of the Taliban’s intelligence unit (GDI). Taliban police say the investigation is ongoing and have not provided additional information as of publication.

  • TALIBAN GOVERNOR TO PANJSHIR VISITS MASSOUD’S TOMB – Mohammad Mohsen Hashemi visited the tomb of the martyred leader, Ahmad Shah Massoud, on Monday in an attempt to disprove allegations that the tomb had been defiled by Taliban forces. However, the tomb was known to have been desecrated on at least two occasions. The Taliban claim the acts were done by Resistance elements to incite northerners while the Resistance claims it was done out of disrespect for the former leader.

  • POWER OUTAGES AND ‘BROWN OUTS’ IN KABUL – As a result of the Uzbek decision to lower power exports, outages have affected businesses and inhabitants alike. The decision was prompted by a technical issue and there has been no word on how long the situation may continue.

  • CHINA AND RUSSIA COURTING TAJIKISTAN – Over the past week, Tajikistan has entered into discussions with regional heavies China and Russia. The discussions were bilateral but the timing seemed to be coordinated and was likely meant as an alternative to a recent visit by a US-led delegation. The Government of Tajikistan discussed the following issues:

    • Chinese-Tajik military cooperation focused on countering terrorism.

    • The Russian intelligence chief proposed greater intelligence cooperation/sharing.

  • POSSIBLE TALIBAN RIVALRY RESULTS IN DEATH OF KUNAR OFFICIAL – The Taliban confirmed that the Agricultural Director of the Province, Mawlavi Ezzatullah Hedayat, died in his office on Tuesday from a heart attack. However, local sources say he was killed by gunmen and that a long-running dispute with an unidentified rival Taliban official in the Province was the cause for the attack.

  • PAKISTAN/TALIBAN COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS BORDER ISSUES IN PAKTIA FORMED – A purported road-building project has caused several clashes along a section of the Durand Line over the past week that has resulted in casualties on both sides of the border. Mimicking a strategy to defuse the Spin Boldak-Chaman situation, both sides agreed to establish a committee to attempt to de-escalate tensions along the border.


NEXT 24 HOURS
CENTRAL BANK TO AUCTION $17 MILLION DOLLARS TOMORROW – Recent fluctuations of the Afghani have spurred the Central Bank’s decision to increase the amounts put up for auction.
Link


Afghanistan
Taliban Denies Claims of Desecrating Tomb of Late Jihadi Commander
2022-11-13
[KHAAMAPRESS] The local Taliban
...Arabic for students...
 government authorities in Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan denied the allegations.
No, no! Certainly not!
of desecrating the tomb of Mullah Naqibullah Akhund, a former Jihadi commander.

Reactions have followed the desecration of Mullah Naqibullah Akhund’s burial. He was one of the previous Jamaat-e-Islami
...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores...
 jihadist commanders, and his gravesite is in Kandahar’s Arghandab district.

Photographs that demonstrate the destruction of the commander’s tomb have been shared on social media, which the social media users claim constitutes intentional vandalism and flagrant desecration.

The mausoleum of Mullah Naqibullah was allegedly disrespected by hurtful people, according to the Jamaat-e-Islami Party led by Salahuddin Rabbani, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.

Atta Mohammad Noor, a former governor of the Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, reacted to this destruction of the tomb by accusing the Taliban of desecration and asserting that they offended moral and ethical norms.

Ahmad Masoud, the leader of the National Resistance® Front (NRF), an armed opposition force against the Taliban, also asserted that the armed Taliban had destroyed Mullah Naqibullah Mullah’s grave, which is against the principles and values of Islam.

However,
there's more than one way to stuff a chicken...
 the spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Kandahar province claims that the reports of Mullah Naqibullah’s grave being destroyed are false and untrue.

This comes as the tombstone of the late resistance commander, Ahmad Shah Massoud, was vandalized and desecrated, which caused a stir and infuriated the public.
Related:
Arghandab district: 2021-07-09 Heavy Fighting Around Ghazni City Reported
Arghandab district: 2021-06-14 MoI Arrests Mediators Helping Hand Over ANDSF Outposts to Taliban
Arghandab district: 2021-05-09 Violence Grips Several Provinces as Afghans Mourn Blast in Kabul
Related:
Ahmad Shah Massoud: 2022-11-07 Taliban reveal burial place of founder Mullah Omar, nine years after death
Ahmad Shah Massoud: 2022-11-06 Desecration of Late Commander of Resistance Front's Tombstone Sparks Reactions
Ahmad Shah Massoud: 2022-09-22 Uzbek leader 'Dostum' criticizes Hazara leader 'Khalili' for his secret ties with Pakistan
Related:
Mullah Naqibullah Akhund: 2005-06-21 Afghan and U.S. forces kill 32 Taliban, retake town
Related:
Mullah Naqibullah: 2016-08-18 Taliban checkpoint overrun in Logar
Mullah Naqibullah: 2008-05-26 Foreign soldier among 16 killed in Afghan clash
Mullah Naqibullah: 2008-04-01 Taliban chief held after clash
Link


Afghanistan
Taliban reveal burial place of founder Mullah Omar, nine years after death
2022-11-07
[La Belle France24] The Taliban on Sunday revealed the final resting place of the movement's founder, Mullah Omar, whose death and burial they kept secret for years.

Rumours surrounding Omar's health and whereabouts abounded after the Taliban
...Arabic for students...
 were kicked out of power in 2001 by a US-led invasion, and they only admitted in April 2015 that he had died two years earlier.

Taliban front man Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP Sunday that big shots of the movement attended a ceremony at his gravesite earlier in the day near Omarzo, in Suri district of Zabul province.

The Taliban returned to power in August last year, routing government forces as the US-led military that propped up the regime ended a 20-year occupation.

"Since a lot of enemies were around and the country was occupied, to avoid damage to the tomb it was kept secret," Mujahid said.

"Only the close family members were aware of the place," he added.

Pictures released by officials showed Taliban leaders gathered around a simple white brick tomb, covered with what appears to be gravel and enclosed in a green metal cage.

"Now the decision has been made... there are no issues for the people to visit the tomb," Mujahid said.

Omar, who was aged around 55 when he died, founded the Taliban in 1993 as an antidote to the internecine civil war that erupted following the decade-long Soviet occupation.

Under his leadership the Taliban introduced an extremely austere version of Islamic rule, barring women from public life and introducing harsh public punishments -- including executions and floggings.

MASSOUD TOMB REPORTED VANDALISED
Omar's ceremony comes a day after provincial Taliban officials denied reports that the Panjshir Valley tomb of resistance hero Ahmad Shah Massoud had been vandalised, an act Mujahid said would be "punished" if true.

Massoud has a mixed legacy in the country, where he is hailed by ordinary Afghans for leading the resistance against the Soviet occupation, but loathed by the Taliban he also fought until his 2001 liquidation by al-Qaeda.

His tomb is in an imposing granite and marble mausoleum overlooking the picturesque Panjshir Valley, and guarded by Taliban fighters since their takeover of the country in August last year.

Local residents said a newly arrived contingent of fighters smashed the tombstone, and video of the desecrated grave -- which could not be verified -- was published by local media and circulating widely on social channels.

"It happened when the new forces entered Panjshir. The new forces from Helmand
...an Afghan province populated mostly by Pashtuns, adjacent to Injun country in Pak Balochistan...
 and Kandahar destroyed the tombstone of the national hero," one resident told AFP.

Nasrullah Malakzada, head of information and culture of Panjshir, province, denied the tomb had been damaged and issued a video purporting to show it intact.

The clip, however, pointedly did not display the entire structure -- particularly the part seen damaged in the original video.

Malakzada refused requests by journalists to visit or photograph the tomb for themselves.

Mujahid told news hounds that nobody had the right to insult the dead.

"Previously we had punished those who committed such acts," he said, adding "this will be investigated as well and necessary action will be taken"
Related:
Mullah Omar: 2022-10-23 Taliban delegation meets with prominent Yemeni Islah Party official in Turkey
Mullah Omar: 2022-10-10 Intelligence Head Wasiq Meets Deputy CIA Head in Doha: Source
Mullah Omar: 2022-10-09 US, Taliban hold first in-person meeting since Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed
Link


Afghanistan
Desecration of Late Commander of Resistance Front's Tombstone Sparks Reactions
2022-11-06
[KHAAMAPRESS] The desecration and vandalism of the tombstone of the late resistance front commander, Ahmad Shah Massoud, in his mausoleum, in the northern Afghan province of Panjshir, caused a stir once again and infuriated the people.

The former government’s Supreme Council for National Reconciliation head, Abdullah Abdullah
...the former foreign minister of the Northern Alliance government, advisor to Masood, and candidate for president against both Karzai and Ghani. Dr. Abdullah was born in Kabul and is half Tadjik and half Pashtun. He also held the meaningless salaried sop position as CEO of Afghanistan, while Ghani was president...
, responded angrily to the vandalism of Ahmad Shah Massoud’s gravestone by describing the offenders as "villainous and irresponsible."

Pictures that have been made public reveal that the recently restored headstone of the late resistance front leader has once more been desecrated and broken, with pieces scattered all over the place.

The tombstone of the resistance front commander has previously been disrespectfully and hatefully destroyed by Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
 government fighters. Videos of Taliban dancing and stomping in Ahmad Shah Massoud’s tomb have been circulated throughout the past year.

In response to the outrage and protests of the public, the Taliban restructured Massoud’s mausoleum, but recent reports indicate that the tomb has once more been damaged.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a front man for the Taliban government, claimed on Saturday, November 5, that Taliban forces were not responsible for destroying Ahmad Shah Massoud’s tombstone. He dismissed the claims and stated that the rumors of the Taliban members desecrating the tombstone is untrue.
Related:
Ahmad Shah Massoud: 2022-09-22 Uzbek leader 'Dostum' criticizes Hazara leader 'Khalili' for his secret ties with Pakistan
Ahmad Shah Massoud: 2022-09-21 Daily Evacuation Brief September 21, 2022
Ahmad Shah Massoud: 2022-09-15 Taliban are “looking into” a video circulating on social media that appears to show its fighters executing captured members of an Afghan insurgent group
Link


Afghanistan
Uzbek leader 'Dostum' criticizes Hazara leader 'Khalili' for his secret ties with Pakistan
2022-09-22
[Khaama (Afghanistan)] Abdul Rashid Dostum
...ethnic Uzbek warlord who distinguished himself fighting the Soviets and the Taliban. The story that he had a bad guy run over with a tank is an exaggeration. It was an armored personnel carrier...
, political figure and leader of Uzbek community in Afghanistan accuses Mohammad Karim Khalili, a Hazara
...a grouping of Dari-speaking people of Sino-Tibetan descent inhabiting Afghanistan and Pakistain. They are predominantly Shia Moslems and not particularly warlike, which makes them favored targets...
 leader for having secret ties with Pakistain.

In an online meeting among the anti-Taliban
...Arabic for students...
 figures, Abdul Rashid Dostum criticized the absence of Mohammad Karim Khalili in the meeting and accused him for having secret ties with Pakistain.

Mohammad Karim Khalili has received money from Pakistain to stay ’silent’ against the Taliban, Abdul Rashid Dostum said in the meeting which was held on the death anniversary of former Afghanistan's Caped President, Burhanuddin Rabbani
... the gentlemanly murdered legitimate president of Afghanistan...
Mohammad Karim Khalili has shown reactions to Dostum’s statement and has asked the Uzbek leader to apologize for his words.

Khalili has written on his Facebook page that his political party believes that war and violence is not the solution of Afghanistan’s crisis and the country needs to switch from a centralized system to a fully decentralized administration system through negotiations.

This comes as the majority of political figures in Afghanistan are living outside after the intra-Afghan peace negotiations failed and the country fell in the hands of Taliban last August.

The world did not recognize the Taliban’s government which was taken by force and asked the Taliban to form an inclusive administration having all other ethnic and religious groups in the circle, but the Taliban has not showed any positive intention to include others in the government.

The political parties and figures who are not included in the Taliban’s administration and the majority of them live outside Afghanistan are trying to form an anti-Taliban alliance with the presence of the National Resistance® Front led by Ahmad Massoud, the son of the former Jihadi leader Ahmad Shah Massoud.
Related:
Dostum: 2022-06-27 Kabul Should Create Inclusive Govt: Qaisari
Dostum: 2022-06-15 From Occupying High-Ranking Positions in the Government of Afghanistan to Living in Luxury and Extravagance Abroad
Dostum: 2022-06-12 Afghan ‘Fighting Season’ Ushers in New Anti-Taliban Groups
Related:
Mohammad Karim Khalili: 2020-03-08 ISIS release details of assailants involved in attack on Dr Abdullah
Mohammad Karim Khalili: 2019-06-27 Khalili Says Islamic Emirate Not Acceptable For Afghans
Mohammad Karim Khalili: 2019-04-28 Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar boycotts consultative peace Jirga
Link



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