[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- TALIBAN ISSUE THREAT WARNING TO LOCAL LEADERS – A leaked memorandum that has been attributed to the Taliban Ministry of the Interior is warning local leaders across all Provinces of possible impending ISIS suicide attacks. The memorandum says the leaders themselves could be targeted directly and warns of ISIS-K infiltrators who may infiltrate official ceremonies while concealing suicide vests on their persons. Provincial leaders were ordered to remain alert and put special emphasis on local security for any public events. If the document is real, it certainly puts a dent in the Taliban’s continual assertions that ISIS-K has been defeated or, does not exist in the country any longer.
- FORMER CIA OFFICIAL IN PAKISTAN CRITICIZES PAKISTAN’S INTELLIGENCE SERVICE FOR SUPPORTING THE TALIBAN – Robert Greiner, a former CIA official in Islamabad participated in an interview where he criticized Pakistan’s government for attempting to maintain ties to the Taliban and supporting them. He claimed the goal of intelligence officials in Islamabad was to ‘keep the door open’ for future options.
- PAKISTAN ENVOY’S REMARKS PUT TALIBAN IN DIFFICULT POSITION – When Asif Ali Durrani, Pakistan’s envoy to the IEA heaped praise on the relocation project to remove perceived threats from the Durand Line to the interior of Afghanistan, he inadvertently started a firestorm. The Taliban immediately fired back in an attempt to make clear that only refugees from Waziristan were being relocated in the moves. Several photos and videos have been shared on Afghan social media sites showing trucks laden with armed men, families, and personal belongings arriving in Northern Provinces. The armed men in the photos do not appear to be dressed in traditional Taliban clothing. While it is entirely possible the Taliban allowed the refugees to keep personal weapons, it is highly unlikely. However, the bigger problem here is that Pakistan’s announcement makes the Taliban look as if they are appeasing Pakistan and those TTP militants who are in Afghanistan may view this as a betrayal. Allowing these refugees to keep personal weapons while gun confiscations have accelerated under Taliban rule sends a negative message to Afghan citizens.
- AFGHAN CITIZEN AMONG THOSE ARRESTED IN FOILED TERROR PLOT IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – Azerbaijan’s security service announced they had arrested Fawzan Mosa Khan for reportedly planning a terrorist attack in the country. Apparently, his motives were to spread panic, influence political decision-making, and disrupt public order. His arrest follows on the heels of an arrest in February when an Azerbaijani man was taken into custody and charged with providing support to ISIS.
- VISA EXTENSION PROCESS FOR AFGHANS IN IRAN SIMPLIFIED – Iran has taken measures to assist Afghans in Iran with extending their visas. Up to this point, the procedures for gaining an extension have been costly and difficult. The new process is meant to make it easier and affordable. A report about the new process can be accessed HERE.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE PAKISTANI COUNTER-TERROR OPERATIONS ALONG DURAND LINE – As the TTP offensive against government forces in Pakistan continues to intensify in July, multiple reports are spreading on social media of TTP members attempting to cross back into Pakistan. Drone patrols over the border along the Durand line have intensified over the past three days and scattered reports continue to assert that Pakistan’s military forces are deploying closer to the border. While this information is not confirmed, those at-risk Afghans who live in the area could see a potential border clash.