LAST 24 HOURS
- DOHA MEETINGS – Afghanistan observers are closely watching for information concerning the US/Taliban talks that began in Qatar yesterday. Several insiders opined that the Taliban delegation would press for three priorities: 1) Recognition 2) Unfreezing funds in Switzerland 3) Lifting of the travel ban on its leaders. The US has made its position known and said that human/gender rights would be a focus as well as security. Few details from the talks have emerged but most are not expecting any significant breakthroughs.
- KARZAI CONDEMNS RECENT PAKISTANI ARTILLERY STRIKES IN PAKTIKA – The artillery exchange that we reported on in the 25 July Evacuation Brief was confirmed by the former President’s office. The former President condemned the attack and called it an ‘invasion of Afghan soil’ in a strongly worded statement. According to sources, Pakistan had targeted a suspected TTP hideout and had received information from a Taliban source that a high-ranking TTP leader was meeting with other cell leaders to disburse funds and possibly plan operations. Both Islamabad and Kabul have kept quiet about the attacks and neither side has reported casualties resulting from the incident.
- TALOQAN CHIEF OF POLICE DETAINED OVER RAPE CHARGES – The Taliban have reportedly arrested Mawlawi Nasrullah Huzaifa, the Chief of Police in Takhar’s capital after hearing allegations of rape by 2 women. Sources say Huzaifa was taken to Kandahar and that an investigation was underway.
- US HEARINGS ON THE WITHDRAWAL DESCRIBE CHAOTIC ENVIRONMENT IN KABUL, LACK OF LEADERSHIP – The hearings held yesterday in Washington showcased testimony from senior leaders who were present during the operation that described a lack of planning and a lack of leadership that contributed to the chaos on the ground in Kabul in August 2021. The hearings clearly have a political agenda but provide those interested in what happened with insight into what was going on at the time.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kabul: Agents from the Ministry of the Interior reportedly carried out an operation against a suspected ISIS-K cell in Police District 1 yesterday afternoon. Initial deports suggest that a short shootout took place but the agents quickly overpowered the suspects and arrested 3 on the spot. Eyewitnesses said some of the men who were in the building managed to flee.l,
NEXT 24 HOURS
COUNTER ISIS-K OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE IN AFGHANISTAN – While there have been rumors of potential counter-ISIS clearing operations in the lead-up to Muharram, yesterday’s clash in Police District 1 indicates the Taliban finally felt confident to act. There are scattered reports from other Provinces that counter-ISIS operations are being carried out by local commanders. A source in Kabul says a possible counter-ISIS operation is planned in or near Jalalabad and may have already taken place. Additional security personnel continue to man local checkpoints and patrols have increased in the major cities since Muharram began. At-risk Afghans should remain cognizant that these operations are ongoing and should try to avoid any concentration of Taliban security vehicles/personnel which could be indicative of an impending operation. |