[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN URGES THE UN TO SET UP TEAM – President Mirziyoyev proposed the United Nations form an international group to negotiate with the Taliban. The call appears to have at least tacit support from Russia and China. Some UN observers believed the team would be redundant and pointed to the existing UNAMA mission as a ready-made solution. However, sources in both Dushanbe and Tashkent say suspicions have grown about UNAMA acting as a tool for the West.
- DISILLUSIONED UZBEK COMMANDER’S DEPARTURE FROM TALIBAN CONFIRMED – Previous source-based reporting had suggested noted Uzbek Taliban leader, Qari Salahuddin Ayubi had broken ties with the Taliban leadership over several concerns he felt were being ignored. Several press outlets confirmed that Ayubi had cut ties and returned to his home in Faryab Province. While he hasn’t signaled an intention to join the Resistance, his departure is seen as another blow to the Taliban’s desire to present a united front to the international community.
- JAPAN ANNOUNCES IT WILL CONTINUE PROVIDING AID – Japan’s commitment to health and food security will continue after discussions were held with the Foreign Minister recently. Some aid agencies had expressed fears that Japan may not fulfill commitments promised to the Afghan people but all indications point to continued relations with the Taliban to facilitate the nation’s pledge of support.
- RECENT TERROR ATTACKS GO UNCLAIMED – Terror organizations that may have executed the recent spate of bombings in the country continue to keep silent about who was responsible for the attacks. Previous to the deadly education center attack, ISIS-K and others laid claim to the attacks within days. The silence has observers concerned over the emergence of new terrorist organizations or rogue provisional factions that may have splintered from the main groups.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Takhar: An NRF squad raided a Taliban outpost in Rostaq district yesterday night. The raid killed 2 Talib fighters and wounded 1. The NRF continues to apply consistent pressure in Takhar.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- UNIVERSITY EXAMS IN KABUL BEGIN – Tens of thousands of prospective college students began their exams in Kabul. The exams are expected to take three days to complete and are being administered on four University campuses. Security has reportedly been increased at two of the campuses but the remaining two have not received additional security forces. There is the potential that the exams could be targeted by terror organizations and at-risk Afghans are advised to stay vigilant.
- PLANNED LGBTQ PROTEST CALLED OFF – Several human rights groups had reportedly been planning a protest over the recent killing of Hamed Sabouri, a young gay man by the Taliban. Thankfully, the organizers resisted the calls by some international groups to hold the protest over safety concerns. Several LGBTQ communities plan to hold vigils for Sabouri around the world.
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