[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- TALIBAN URGES TALKS TO RESUME BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND THE TTP – The Afghan Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi called for a new round of talks between the TTP and the Pakistani Government after the conclusion of the Trilateral conference in Islamabad. Muttaqi reiterated that the Taliban do not have as much influence over the TTP as many seem to think. Whether this is true or not, the Afghan Taliban did play an important role in talks during the ceasefire and are justifiably terrified of having a regional or international terrorism event traced back to the country.
- AFGHANISTAN’S FROZEN FUNDS REMAIN A LIGHTENING ROD – China and Russia continue to press the US administration for the release of the frozen Afghan funds. Their respective motivations likely have nothing to do with the welfare of Afghans and more to do with sniping at the US for sanctions and flexing its economic muscle. Such was the case after the Trilateral conference in Pakistan where both the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and China used their turns at the podium to once again demand the funds be released. The US appears unwilling to do so for a myriad of reasons, the main one being it represents leverage over the Taliban. However, a geopolitical factor that is likely influencing the US stance is the recent diplomatic triumph China achieved by brokering the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The announcement of the deal in Beijing sent shockwaves through Washington DC and is largely considered an embarrassment for US prestige abroad. The bottom line is, the US is unlikely to bow to these demands in the near future, no matter how many calls are made.
- IRANIAN BORDER FORCES SHOOT AND KILL AFGHAN TEENAGER IN NIMROZ PROVINCE – Several news outlets reported an incident that occurred on 7 May in the Province where Iranian border guards fired at a group of Afghans who were reputedly attempting to cross the border illegally at night. The young man who was killed, named Najib and from Badghis Province, was killed by a stray bullet. Local sources say that illegal crossings have become increasingly dangerous in 2023.
- MAN SETS HIMSELF ON FIRE IN KANDAHAR OVER FINANCIAL DESPAIR – A 25-year-old man poured fuel on himself and set himself on fire near the Patyal cemetery in Kandahar City on Monday, 8 May. Friends of the man said he was distraught over his economic situation and the lack of prospects for work. The man was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kabul: Pro-Taliban reports on Twitter say that Taliban security forces have engaged suspected ISIS-K militants in or two districts north of Kabul (Shakar Dara or Mir Bacha Kor). No official confirmation of the operation(s) has been provided and there are no current reports of casualties,
Baghlan: Several reports of a clash between Taliban and NRF forces in Khost district have been received, It is thought the latest clashes are a continuation of the fighting that was reported yesterday. Sources reported that 4 NRF fighters had been killed and 8 Taliban personnel were also killed in the clashes that lasted approximately 16 hours.
NEXT 24 HOURS
TALIBAN SECURITY OPERATIONS/SEARCHES TO CONTINUE IN BAGHLAN – As hostilities between the NRF and Taliban have reportedly concluded, Taliban GDI agents are expected to widen searches in and around the Khost District. Early reports indicate the searches are intended to find weapons caches and to intimidate local citizens so they report Resistance sympathizers. Scattered reports say that between 50-100 men and boys had been rounded up and taken to an undisclosed location in the Province. Based on the intensity and duration of the clashes, we expect the searches to continue throughout the week. Activity on pro-Resistance social media accounts has picked up significantly over the last two weeks and many observers expect an increase in Resistance combat operations in May and June.