[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- THE TTP ANNOUNCE THEIR BREAK WITH PAKISTAN AND SET UP A PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT – The TTP took to its official press outlet, The Khorasan Diary, to announce it had formed a government with appointments of several Ministers in Northern Pakistan. A source in Pakistan said the announcement was prompted by counsel from Taliban officials in Afghanistan who have decided their presence in Afghanistan is counterproductive. While estimates about the TTP’s true strength vary widely, most analysts believe they command approximately 7,000 fighters. The government of Pakistan has yet to respond to the announcement but seems intent on eradicating the movement.
- MORE TO THE FOILED KIDNAPPING ATTEMPT THAN MEETS THE EYE – Police officials announced they had foiled a plot to kidnap a businessman in Kabul on Monday. Security forces gunned the would-be kidnappers down and rescued the businessman. However, a source in the Taliban said the identification cards and documents found on the bodies of the kidnappers indicated that at least two were serving members in the Ministry of Defense and the other two are thought to be employed by other government agencies. The Minister of Defense addressed the security forces and called for greater discipline and instructed the members to prevent ‘unpleasant activities’ in the ranks. It is not clear if his remarks were in response to the kidnapping event or were focused more generally.
- ULEMA COUNCIL MEETS WITH AKHUNDZADA – Supreme Leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, met with several officials from the standing Ulema council in Kandahar. The subject of the meeting included several references to the work of scholars to validate the Taliban edicts regarding education in the country. However, some observers noted that the attendees included Ulema representatives from Provinces that have historically been allied with Kandahar and other leaders that are thought to be more closely associated with Kabul were excluded. It is possible that Akhundzada was interested in consolidating his support should he face a challenge from either the Minister of Defense or the Interior.
- CONTROVERSIAL ‘LAND REFORM’ PROGRAM CONTINUES – On 3 January, a Taliban commission gifted approximately 80 acres of agricultural land in Sar-e-Pul Province to residents from Maidan Wardak Province. The Tajik and Uzbek communities in Sar-e-Pul were told that any protests over the move would be dealt with harshly. The land reform program under the Taliban has resulted in a few cases where justice was served but overwhelmingly is viewed by minorities as a method of ethnic cleansing.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- PASSPORT DIRECTORATE MAY REOPEN SOON – In response to a public outcry and significant press coverage, it is believed that the Passport Directorate will be forced to open its doors and begin processing passport applications soon.
- TENSIONS WITH PAKISTAN ALONG BORDER WILL CONTINUE – We are advising our subscribers that conflict could occur at any time between Pakistan and the Taliban along the border. It is likely this threat will continue for some time and at-risk Afghans should be mindful as they make plans to travel. We will not continue to run this threat in future Daily Evacuation Briefs.
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