[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- 40 Arrested for Resisting Land Redistribution – Local eyewitnesses and family members have reported that approximately 40 local leaders were arrested by the Taliban in the Khadir district of Daikundi over their resistance to the controversial land appropriation program. The Taliban did not intervene in the violent clashes between the Kochi nomads and local Daikundi leaders earlier in September, but they appear poised to crack down now. Tensions continue to rise with authorities as Hazara locals are forced out of their homes to make room for Pashtun Kochi nomads.
- Taliban Claim Pakistan Made Millions Off US Drone Strike – Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai made statements to the press claiming that Pakistan was paid millions in exchange for letting the US use its airspace to conduct drone strikes on Afghanistan. Stanekzai claimed the Taliban had abundant video evidence to support the claims, but the evidence has not been released. Stanekzai’s claims follow closely on the heels of similar accusations made by the Taliban’s Acting Minister of Defense. Pakistan denies the claims, calling them “conjectural”.
- More Taliban Defections in Badakhshan – Additional reports continue to stream in from the North claiming that Taliban commanders in the province continue to defect from the Taliban, often along with their men. While Resistance sources claim that the deserters are joining the Resistance, it seems that many are not currently allied with either side and may be weighing their options. A source in Kandahar said that Taliban leadership has empowered the new governor of Badakhshan and other high-ranking officials to offer significant financial incentives for them to remain under Taliban control, given that bribes from the Resistance have been a big draw for defecting commanders. It is not clear how many units have broken ties with the Taliban, and the situation bears continued monitoring. More troop movements from Panjshir to Badakhshan have been reported over the last twenty-four hours, which may lend some credence to these claims.
- Pakistan Clarifies PM’s Remarks – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent remarks at the United Nations General Assembly drew immediate criticism from the Taliban and political leaders of the former regime given his focus on terrorist groups in Afghanistan while neglecting to discuss terrorism in Pakistan. The Pakistani Charge d’Affaires at the embassy in Kabul cautioned Afghans not to take offense over the remarks, reiterating that most regional countries and a good portion of the international community share similar concerns about the threat of terrorism emanating from a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kabul: Multiple reports of light and heavy weapons firing near the Red Bridge area.
Takhar: Fighting between Taliban and Resistance forces continued in Takhar. A clash in an undisclosed location is said to have resulted in 5 Talibs killed and 3 maimed. A second unconfirmed report claims the Taliban executed 4 non-combatants after the clash for reputed links to the NRF. No information on Resistance casualties.
NEXT 24 HOURS
Land Reform Struggles—The situation in Daikundi remains perilous as more arrests are expected in other districts over the clashes between Kochi nomads and local inhabitants. Since the land redistribution program began, local civilians have seemingly put aside their differences and staged large protests collectively. The Taliban were hesitant to intervene previously and did little to stop the violence between the groups that manifested in early and mid-September. However, this new policy could result in an increase in violence and could easily provoke attacks against the Taliban. |