[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- FRESH OUTRAGE AFTER MORE SCHOOLS CLOSED IN SOUTHERN PROVINCES – Taliban authorities ordered all NGO-supported schools in both Helmand and Kandahar Provinces to close while their curriculums are reviewed. The majority of the programs that have been shuttered provided education to females although some boys attended the classes as well. A spokesman for the Kandahar education department blamed the closure on complaints received by citizens. Few believe this to be the case and see it as simply another means of implementing backward Deobandist principles across society. The closure is expected to affect tens of thousands across both Provinces.
- SOME IN TALIBAN LEADERSHIP CONCERNED OVER STOPPAGE OF CASH AID SHIPMENTS – While the Taliban are supposedly cut out of the economic aid program, there are suspicions that the aid has made its way into Taliban accounts virtually from the inception of the program. While the United Nations has strenuously objected to accusations asserting the aid has been mishandled, many question the organizations’ ability to account for the funds accurately. Regardless, the shipments have reputedly been stopped since March 14th and sources in both Kabul and Kandahar claim that some Taliban leaders have lodged complaints with Ministers. If these reports are correct, it may indicate that the aid was indeed being misdirected.
- FARYAB INCIDENT, 6 WOUNDED IN SCUFFLE WITH TALIBAN – At least 6 people were wounded after Taliban security forces in the Dawlat Abad District attempted to halt herders and farmers from grazing their animals and working their fields. The people injured are rumored to be of Turkmeni ethnicity and at least 2 were said to have received ‘life threatening’ injuries.
- CHILD MURDERED WITH SCYTHE IN LOGAR PROVINCE – Taliban officials confirmed that an 11-year-old child was killed by a man wielding a scythe near Pol-e Alam on Monday. Local eyewitnesses say that an altercation led to the murder and the man has been arrested by the Taliban. It is not known what started the altercation.
- ASSOCIATES OF GULBUDDIN HEKMATYAR SAY REPORTS OF HOUSE ARREST ARE FALSE – Several friends and family members of the controversial political figure say the rumors that began circulating on 17 April stating Hekmatyar was under house arrest and barred from political activity are completely false.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Faryab: Taliban security forces reportedly beat and fired upon a group of herders and farmers in the Dawlat Abad district on Monday. 6 non-combatants were injured in the fray.
NEXT 24 HOURS
MODERATE FLOODING REPORTED IN SOME PROVINCES – Four Provinces have reported floodwaters that have closed several roads and others are expected to announce road closures in the next 12 hrs. No deaths have yet been reported but there are reports of several vehicles that had been washed away in Badakhshan Province. Travel conditions will remain perilous in Central, Eastern, and Northeastern Afghanistan for the next few days. |