[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- TALIBAN BEGIN ENFORCING BEAUTY SALON BANS – The ban officially went into effect yesterday and initial reports from locals say the shops in their neighborhoods remained shuttered. While some salon owners promised to oppose the ban and keep their shops open, the violent dispersal of protests against the ban may have caused many to remain cautious.
- RESISTANCE FORCES BECOMING MORE ACTIVE – The National Resistance Front reportedly launched three coordinated attacks spanning three Provinces yesterday and says they have launched operations in five additional Provinces over the last seven days. The NRF has adopted a more conservative approach in 2023 and does not publicize its operations as they were wont to do in 2022. It is too early to tell if the recent activity may indicate a larger campaign may be underway. There were indications in the Spring that a major campaign season was to be undertaken but the offensive never quite got off the ground. Some analysts speculate this may have been a strategic decision to let the international community take the full measure of the ‘new’ Taliban.
- JOURNALIST IRFANULLAH BIDAR RELEASED – Bidar was reportedly taken outside of a Mosque in Jalalabad on 12 July by unknown men. Information after the abduction pointed to the Taliban as the ones who had ordered his arrest. Specifically, the General Directorate of Intelligence. The circumstances leading up to his arrest are still unknown. A family member confirmed his release on either Sunday or Monday.
- US SECRETARY OF STATE CHATS WITH QATARI AND PAKISTANI COUNTERPARTS – The focus of the group call was Afghanistan and both the humanitarian crisis and the political situation were discussed.
- AFGHAN REFUGEES PROTEST UNHCR IN ISLAMABAD – Another group gathered outside of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees offices in Pakistan to protest a lack of support. The primary grievance voiced to reporters was the slow case progression and local sources say the partner NGO the UN office uses in Pakistan routinely asks for bribes to begin processing a case. Protestors said the delays in processing their cases place them in a difficult position as they are unable to work and the struggle to extend their Pakistan visas leaves them at the mercy of unscrupulous police and government officials who sometimes attempt to extort ‘fees’ from them. The Taliban continue to call on Afghans in Pakistan and elsewhere to return home but those with female family members say that is not an option.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Nuristan: NRF forces claim to have conducted an early monring operation in western Nuristan against a Taliban patrol. 3 Taliban were reportedly killed and 1 was wounded. 2 vehicles were destroyed as well.
Laghman: An action in the Char Bagh area reportedly resulted in the death of 1 Taliban fighter.
Nangarhar: An operation in the Dara-ye Noor district reportedly wounded 1 Taliban and destroyed a Taliban security vehicle.
NEXT 24 HOURS
FLOOD RISK WILL PERSIST BUT LANDSLIDES POSE ADDITIONAL THREATS – Forecasters are now predicting that rains will persist in locations across Pakistan and Afghanistan until Sunday. The prolonged saturation exponentially increases the risk of landslides along roadways and populated areas adjacent to hills and mountains. Flooding will continue to pose the primary risk of loss of property/life. However, travelers and inhabitants in areas close to hillsides/mountain slopes with steep grades remain at risk as well. Slopes that have had timber harvested over the last few decades are particularly prone to such events. The moderate geologic activity in the region could serve as a catalyst for a large slide. |