[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- A MYSTERIOUS DRONE — An unidentified drone was filmed while reportedly loitering over the Abdullahkhel area of Dara District in Panjshir. Several videos have been posted, lending credibility to the reports. The drone appeared to loiter for a couple of hours before it was observed moving off to the north. It is unclear which country or group owns and operated the drone.
- FACEBOOK CRACKDOWN? — Several members of the small ulema who met in Kandahar recently made calls to shut down access to Facebook access in Afghanistan. Two unnamed advisors to Supreme Leader Hibatullah declared that the social media site is corrosive to morality. Leading religious figures have also stated that Afghans should be spending their money on necessities, not Facebook, despite no evidence that Afghans are directing income toward the site.
- CONTROVERSIAL LAND REFORM — The Taliban began a land reform program in Takhar province that mirrors operations that began in Herat earlier this year. Local sources stated that a controversial program began on Monday to settle recently arrived nomads, reportedly from Pakistan, in the province on plots of land owned by local inhabitants with minority backgrounds. Local inhabitants are concerned the Taliban’s strategy is to displace ethnic/religious minorities with populations who are perceived to be loyal to the Pashtun factions of the Taliban. The local communities have protested the program to Taliban authorities but have not received any indication that the program will be halted. Historically, land reform programs have resulted in violence.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Panjshir: 2nd roadside bomb in Rukha district kabooms Talib Ranger truck causing casualties. Yesterday’s IED was claimed by NRF, possibly the reason several yoots were arrested in Mullah Khel aea.
NEXT 24 HOURS
A NEW TALIBAN STRATEGY IN THE NORTH — The new special military commander for Panjshir, Abdul Qayyum Zakir, has called a meeting with local commanders in order to discuss a new strategy for how Taliban forces in the north can more effectively deal with Resistance forces. A source in the Ministry of Defense says that several of the current commanders will be relieved at this meeting and replaced. Security at the meeting has been increased, and there is an expectation of violence.
Interesting articles: Afghanistan: How the UAE-Haqqani link trumped Qatar’s Taliban relationship
[Middle East Eye] Abu Dhabi emerged as another broker in Afghanistan to rival Qatar’s influence, as part of a grand strategy to become a key player in Central Asia
Taliban circulates video of Haqqanis plotting 2010 suicide raid against U.S. troops
[The Long War Journal] A video showing deputy Taliban emir and interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and other top terrorist commanders finishing…
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