[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- REPORTS FROM KHOST PROVINCE, TALIBAN FLAGS REMOVED FROM BUILDINGS – Some scattered reports began circulating on social media that cellular communications were down in Khost and that several Taliban administrative buildings were no longer flying the IEA flag. We don’t quite know what to make of these reports and will need additional information before making an assessment.
- DRONES ARE IN THE SKIES OVER AFGHANISTAN NEARLY EVERY DAY – Buried in the list of grievances the Minister of Defense, Mullah Yaqoob read off in a recent interview was a curious statement about Afghanistan’s airspace. He demanded that the US stop violating Afghanistan’s airspace and subsequently called on Pakistan to disallow any country the use of its airspace to enter Afghanistan. While reports of drones operating in the skies over Afghanistan have been a constant since the Taliban took the reigns of power, it has faded from public attention. It is doubtful the Taliban know who is operating the drones in its skies. After the failed ISIS-K rocket attacks into both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in 2022, there were reports that both Uzbek, Tajik and even Russian drones were conducting surveillance and reconnaissance along the border and over the Northern Provinces. A few reports indicated Chinese drones had been spotted over Badakhshan in mid-2022 as well. Obviously, the US has continued to operate in Afghan airspace and will likely continue to do so. There has been no reporting about any attempt to interdict drone flights so it is likely the Taliban do not possess the technology/weaponry to do so at this point in time.
- ANOTHER MEMORANDUM ATTRIBUTED TO THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR CIRCULATED – A memorandum purportedly issued by the Ministry of the Interior has appeared on social media and warns Taliban security officials that former government employees are now joining terrorist groups. The memorandum concludes by ordering Intelligence and security officers to focus on apprehending these individuals over a twenty-day period. It is important to note that many of the documents shared on social media have turned out to be forgeries.
- IRANIAN MEDIA OUTLETS SAY THE FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS BARRED AFGHANS FROM WORKING IN KERMANSHAH PROVINCE – While the information has not been verified by the Ministry in Tehran, the report has circulated on three television channels in Iran. It was not clear if the ban on work may also indicate that a potential deportation operation could follow. At-risk Afghans in the Province should continue to monitor news reports about the situation.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- SECURITY CHECKPOINT INSPECTIONS IN KABUL VERY SPECIFIC – Reports indicate that both individual and vehicular security inspections in and around Kabul have been more thorough than in previous months. We assess this increased activity is likely due to the Muharram observance period and the associated threat of an ISIS-K attack
- YESTERDAY’S RAINS IN PAKISTAN EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL 26 JULY – Several urban areas are dealing with significant flooding as a new storm system hit Pakistan on Saturday and is expected to continue until Wednesday. While the heaviest downpours are expected in the North and Central portions of the country, emergency managers are warning that flooding along all major rivers should be expected. Adding to the threat, India is expected to begin emptying several dams that are at capacity which will exacerbate the danger. On the plus side, temperatures which had been scorchingly hot have moderated due to the wind and precipitation. Low-lying areas in cities and along major waterways will be dangerous for the better part of the coming week and should be avoided. Likewise, travel in and around the country will be risky.