[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- PRINCE HARRY PISSES OFF THE ENTIRE WORLD – The Royal ignited a firestorm after quotes from his recently released memoir, “Spare,” was criticized by the Taliban and by many of his former comrades in arms. In what appears to be an honest accounting of his combat tour in Afghanistan, he writes about ‘eliminating Baddies’ with a lack of remorse that appears to have infuriated a number of his acquaintances while simultaneously extending an invitation to the Taliban leadership to call for a war crimes investigation. Some comrades who served with the Prince have also criticized the recounting and say it puts him, his family, and those he fought alongside at risk of retaliation.
- SUPREME LEADER SNUBS INTERNATIONAL MUSLIM SCHOLAR GROUP – In another sign that all is not well between Kandahar and Kabul, a delegation of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) was snubbed by the Supreme Leader, and their request for an audience was denied. The delegation had arrived in Afghanistan on a fact-finding trip to ascertain whether their organization could help the fledgling government by funding several priority areas of need. The delegation was received by the Minister of the Interior, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is rapidly assuming the mantle of a ‘moderate’ in the Taliban. A source within the Ministry of the Interior says there is already a palpable sense of division between the old-guard Taliban and the younger generation embodied by both the Minister of Defense and the Interior.
- LANDSLIDE IN BADAKHSHAN TRAPS SEVERAL MINERS – A landslide occurred at a gold mine in the Yawan District on Thursday night and at least 10 miners were reportedly trapped. It is believed the slide occurred after a moderately powerful earthquake struck the region. Rescue teams have been sent to the site and are working to free the trapped miners. The region suffers many of these catastrophes each year as artisanal mining is one of the few economic opportunities available to residents of the Province.
- UPTICK IN ANTI-CHINA SENTIMENT ON JIHADIST SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS – After the December 12th attack on a hotel used primarily by Chinese nationals in Kabul. ISIS-K published a detailed editorial about the attack in its official al-Naba newsletter (15 December). The al-Naba article has since been translated into multiple languages and shared extensively among affiliate groups. Pakistan recently had to intervene and disperse an anti-China protest at the Gwadar Port. With the announcement of the recent long-term oil deal between the Taliban and China, ISIS-K will likely target more Chinese activities in Afghanistan.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Helmand: The ALM claims to have assassinated the Taliban leader of the Musa Kala district in a targeted attack. Mullah Mudasar was said to have been killed by gunfire, and an aid was wounded.
NEXT 24 HOURS: No Known Threats Received At This Time