[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- EXPLOSION IN BAGH-E-BALA NEIGHBORHOOD – Yesterday evening at approximately 1800hrs local, an explosion was reported in the area. No details were yet available and it is not clear if any casualties resulted from the blast. Taliban security forces established a perimeter around the area to keep locals out. No further information was available.
- TTP COMMANDER REPORTEDLY ASSASSINATED IN AFGHANISTAN – A TTP Commander known as Zakerin was said to have been killed by unknown gunmen in Paktia Province. The circumstances behind the killing are unknown and this information has not been verified yet.
- MOSCOW REGIONAL SUMMIT CONCLUDES – The regional summit on Afghanistan closed in Moscow yesterday. Delegates made several of the same calls for security, stability, inclusiveness, and economic development. The exclusion of Taliban representatives at the summit has rankled the senior leadership in Afghanistan but the snub has been smoothed over in light of Afghanistan’s precarious fiscal situation.
- CHINA REITERATES SUPPORT FOR IEA – China’s Ambassador to Kabul, Wang Yu, passed along messages of support to the Foreign Minister in a meeting on Wednesday. The Ambassador announced intentions to provide a shipment of aid to help prepare for the coming Winter.
- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN DUBAI FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT SPURS RUMORS – Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was flown to Dubai for an unspecified medical condition. Rumors immediately began to circulate on social media that he had been the victim of poisoning. It is thought that Baradar and Haqqani have a rivalry and are often said to be at odds over the direction the IEA should take. At this point, we do not believe Baradar was poisoned and all signs point to a legitimate health condition that prompted his trip.
- NOTED CLERIC AND 2 FOLLOWERS KILLED IN KABUL – A group of unidentified gunmen reportedly shot and killed Qari Najibullah Azizi and 2 unidentified worshipers at the Abu Bakr Siddiq Mosque early Thursday morning. The incident occurred during Fajir and the motive for the attack is not clear. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killings and no further information was available.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Nangarhar: Taliban forces launched a raid on an NRF base in Umaraz. The fighting continued into the early morning, when the raid was reportedly repulsed. An unknown number of casualties have been reported.
Panjshir: NRF fighters targeted a home in the Hesseh Awal district that was being used by the Taliban as a command post. The NRF deployed several BM1 rockets and then hit the facility with heavy and light machine guns. Hostilities began around midnight local time, and lasted for several hours. There has been no word on casualties incurred from the military action on either side.
NEXT 24 HOURS
JOINT AFGHAN/PAKISTAN COMMITTEE FORMED TO INVESTIGATE CROSS BORDER INCIDENT AT CHAMAN – Yesterday’s announcement about the formation of a bi-lateral committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the clashes at Spin Boldak-Chaman gate is seen as a positive sign. Clearly, the tensions along the border merit a de-escalation effort by both countries before things get out of hand. While no announcement has been made to reopen the crossing site, we assess an announcement will be made soon.
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