[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- SAMARKAND CONFERENCE CONCLUDES IN UZBEKISTAN – The regional conference of 7 nations ended yesterday in Uzbekistan. The meeting is the fourth dialogue between the concerned nations since the Taliban rose to power in 2021. Unlike previous meetings, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister was allowed to participate in the discourse. Several statements at the conclusion indicated a rough general consensus over the topic of forming an inclusive government. However, Russia and China appeared to differ in their approaches in that, Russia stated the repeal of the gender bans was conditional for any recognition while China seemed to pull back from calling it a condition. Interestingly, there were multiple private bilateral and multi-lateral discussions that excluded the Taliban. Of primary concern to all parties was the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. While the Taliban Foreign Minister attempted to brush off the concerns, the other envoys were adamant they expected a report on what the Taliban has/will do to combat terrorism. The next conference is tentatively scheduled to convene in approximately 6 months.
- RESIDENTS IN PARWAN REMAIN IN TALIBAN DETENTION AFTER CLASHES WITH RESISTANCE FORCES – Multiple arrests were reported after several fierce clashes with the Afghanistan Freedom Front took place last week. According to local sources between 80 and 110, people remain in custody in several different locations. The bulk of those imprisoned were picked up in the Salang District and most seem to be accused of harboring Resistance forces or, sympathizing with their cause.
- GOVERNMENT RETIREES PROTEST OVER NON-PAYMENT OF PENSIONS – A group of protestors demonstrated on Thursday in Kabul over a lack of progress in re-establishing their pensions. Many said they have not received benefits for all of 2022 and 2023. A spokesman for the Taliban Finance Ministry said the funds have been set aside for the retirees but the authorization has not been given by the leadership of the regime. In total, it is believed that nearly 150,000 retirees across the country are facing this predicament.
- THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENSE CHIEF SAYS MORE WAR CRIMES CHARGES LIKELY – General Angus Campbell, Chief of Defense for Australia’s military spoke candidly about investigations of some of the soldiers who had deployed to Afghanistan and may be implicated in war crimes. In March, Australia charged a soldier with several crimes related to his service in Afghanistan where multiple allegations say the unit he was serving with commonly killed Afghans without cause or provocation. It is thought that General Campbell was referring to 25 members of a Special Forces team who are suspected of participating in unlawful killings.
- SWISS-MANAGED AFGHAN TRUST FUND EARNS $100 MILLION IN INTEREST – A member of the board of the Swiss-managed fund, Shah Mohammad Mehrabi, said the fund had earned a significant amount of interest while on deposit and those funds would be used to stabilize the national currency. Upon hearing the news, the Taliban again called for the funds to be released. Most analysts agree the funds will remain in trust until the Taliban accept several conditions put in place by the US and others concerning anti-money laundering and financing terrorism. As the Taliban have not shown any signs they will agree to the conditions, the funds are expected to remain in trust for some time.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Badakhshan: NRF forces are said to have launched an attack against a Taliban security outpost in Shahr Bozor. 4 Taliban were reportedly killed in the engagement and a vehicle was destroyed.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PARWAN HOUSE SEARCHES – The Taliban reinforcements that were sent to the Salang District in the wake of last week’s fighting are engaged in searches of private homes in an attempt to ferret out possible Afghanistan Freedom Front collaborators/sympathizers. Several families have reputedly departed from their homes for fear of being accused of collaboration. Three arrests were reported on Friday but sources later said the men were released by a Taliban Commander. We assess the searches and additional scrutiny applied to non-combatants in the District are focused on raising fears rather than any solid intelligence. The Taliban have used the tactic before and we believe they are hoping to frighten the local populace into turning in neighbors or friends. At-risk Afghans residing in the District should expect searches and also increased questioning and scrutiny at pedestrian/vehicular checkpoints for the next week. |