[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- CIVILIANS FORCED FROM HOMES IN PARYAN — Operations to clear civilian homes in areas where the Taliban are fighting the Resistance have now spread to Paryan district. There are reports that several homes have been burned down and local non-combatants have been threatened. A local source claimed that 50-100 non-combatants had been placed under arrest on Saturday for refusing to follow Taliban demands. The Taliban claim the “evacuations” are for the residents’ safety, but sources in the Ministry of Defense said it was to cut off local support to the NRF. Fighting between the NRF and Taliban began in the Paryan district at approximately 0700 local time on Sunday and continued throughout the day. It is thought the NRF is responding to calls for aid from some of the villages under duress.
- WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION OF AFGHANISTAN AT UN — The United States, Saudi Arabia, and almost all of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries expressed grave concern at this week’s United Nations General Assembly regarding the increasing terrorism in Afghanistan. Pakistan and Uzbekistan both called on the international community to increase engagement to prevent terrorist groups from becoming more entrenched and the region destabilizing. Tajikistan was more combative, blaming the Taliban for spreading radical extremism and creating a safe haven for terrorist groups. The Taliban were incensed by the accusations, and regional diplomatic relations are further strained. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s UN representative, a holdover from the previous regime, did not speak at the assembly due to their delicate status at the UN.
- SIKHS AND HINDUS FINALLY EVACUATED — 55 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus arrived in India after finally being allowed to leave Afghanistan. An Indian member of parliament claimed that the 55 evacuees were the final Sikhs and Hindus who were trying to depart Afghanistan. However, he seemed to contradict his earlier statement in later remarks when he stated that the Indian government was in touch with the relevant authorities to evacuate “…the last batch which is stranded there.” How many Sikhs and/or Hindus remain in Afghanistan is currently not known.
- EXPLOSION IN BADAKHSHAN — Early reporting indicates that an explosion occurred in the city of Faizabad, near a municipal building downtown. A Taliban spokesman said 1 person is dead and 3 others were injured. It is unclear if the explosion was an accident or terrorist attack; some say it was a roadside mine, while others say a car carrying full propane bottles was in an accident. The Afghan Digest will provide confirmed details once available.
- PAKISTANI SECURITY SEARCH AFG FOREIGN MINISTER’S HOME — Pakistani security forces and intelligence officials reportedly searched a home owned by Taliban Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi in the Khorubabad neighborhood of Quetta, Pakistan. Other homes were searched, and a bystander said the homes form an enclave for senior Taliban officials. It was unclear what Pakistani officials were looking for, and no reports of arrests have been received at the time of publication.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Takhar: A NRF unit reportedly attacked a Taliban checkpoint in the Khwaja Ghar district Saturday night, killing 2 Talib turbans and wounding 2 more. No NRF casualties have been reported.
Panjshir: The NRF engaged Taliban forces in the Paryan district early Sunday morning, with the fighting continuing throughout the day and well into the night. Taliban units began searching houses in the district Saturday, setting several ablaze. NRF forces arrived Saturday night to confront the Taliban reportedly arriving with numerical superiority, A local eyewitness said there are many casualties on both sides, but there are no accurate numbers.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- FIGHTING POSES THREATS TO CIVILIANS — While significant fighting has been reported in Takhar, Badakhshan, and Panjshir over the previous two days, the reports have not contained enough information to provide warnings to at-risk Afghans in these areas or those who may attempt travel there. At-risk Afghans are encouraged to leverage their personal networks before entering areas in these provinces where fighting is taking place. Several unconfirmed reports of non-combatant deaths and injuries have been received. We assess the fighting will likely increase in intensity and may spread among other districts as the NRF takes advantage of confusion in the Taliban ranks. Travel is strongly discouraged.
- MORE USD AUCTIONED — The Central Bank announced it will auction off $11 million USD today to bolster the Afghani.
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