[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- ROADS FROM KABUL TO THE NORTH HAVE ADDED SECURITY – Several local sources have described increased security measures that have been implemented along many of the roadways that lead to the Northern Provinces over the past three days. While some reports say that roads have been closed completely to travel, we have not been able to verify if this is true. We have verified that Taliban security checkpoints along the Northern routes are using biometric systems to screen travelers and are also subjecting people to significant screening questions about their travel. A source close to the Ministry of Defense says the additional screening is an attempt to thwart potential Resistance incursions into Kabul.
- HIBATULLAH SPEAKS (MAYBE) – A video message was released on Twitter purporting to be the supreme leader. It was billed as a recent message to the nation but observers have found that it actually contains excerpts from a speech delivered to a group of Taliban judges in February 2023.
- PAKISTAN DOUBLES DOWN ON ITS THREAT TO CONDUCT COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN – Recently, Pakistan’s Minister of Defense warned the Taliban leadership that Pakistan’s armed forces would take action against suspected terrorist elements in Afghanistan unless the Taliban can bring them to heel. The Taliban responded with its continued insistence that no terrorist groups operating within the boundaries of Afghanistan.
- TALIBAN FM ALLOWED A SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR CONFERENCE IN UZBEKISTAN – After initially rebuffing FM Muttaqi’s requests to join the 4th regional security conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan it appears the 7 nations in attendance relented and allowed him to speak. The representative of Pakistan warned her counterparts that the refugee situation would likely grow and predicted that Western groups were looking for an ‘excuse’ to walk away from the problem. Muttaqi used his time at the podium to hammer the West for the current conditions in the country, press Afghanistan’s neighbors for more economic development, and to recognize the Taliban as a strong central government. The other representatives voiced a consensus that Afghanistan requires an inclusive government and a lifting of restrictive policies on women. Apparently, Uzbekistan invited Muttaqi at the last moment and, as hosts of the conference, allowed him to speak.
- CANADA RECEIVES AN ADDITIONAL 350 REFUGEES YESTERDAY – It is believed the latest flight originated from Pakistan and contained mainly refugees who had worked for the Canadian forces and/or government under the previous regime. Canada has vowed to evacuate 40,000 Afghan refugees and is hoping to reach this goal by the end of 2023.
- RESISTANCE FORCES PLEDGE UNITY AND COOPERATION – Two of the largest and best-equipped Resistance forces have formed an alliance to cooperate and coordinate in their struggle against the Taliban. The Freedom Front released a document yesterday that pledged full cooperation and unity with the National Resistance Front (NRF). It is rumored that other Resistance groups are considering similar alliances with the NRF. While the Taliban have ridiculed the threat posed by the various Resistance organizations since they rose to power, they have been able to capitalize on the lack of coordination among the groups to mass their military operations against primarily NRF bases in Panjshir and the other Northern Provinces. Should an all-encompassing alliance be struck, the Taliban will face a very different enemy in 2023.
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SWEDISH EMBASSY CLOSURE IN ISLAMABAD – According to a source familiar with the situation, the closure was ordered based on a threat to Swedish diplomatic personnel and facilities by suspected terrorist groups over the burning of the Quran outside of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm in January 2023. It was not immediately apparent which group(s) made the threats.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kabul: Taliban security forces say they engaged militants in the Kart-e Naw neighborhood of Kabul. The Taliban claim to have killed 2 militants in the operation. The security forces spokesman did not say which group may belong to.
NEXT 24 HOURS
TRAVEL TO NORTHERN PROVINCES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY – With the recent reports of increased security checks along routes from Kabul to Panjshir, Takhar, and other Northern Provinces, we recommend that at-risk Afghans contemplating the journey wait until more information is available on the new checks. While we have not received information of any arrests or violence yet, we feel it is prudent to check with those who have made the trip or who may have knowledge of what kind of information is being collected at the checkpoints. |