[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- 2,400+AFGHAN REFUGEES STUCK IN UAE — Human Rights Watch reported that the United Arab Emirates has detained between 2,400-2,700 Afghans within the humanitarian city in Abu Dhabi, a processing center that was a frequent destination for Afghan evacuees. Many asylum seekers have been held without processing for 15 months in what HRW describes as “cramped, miserable conditions”. Read more HERE.
- IMRAN KHAN WARRANT PAUSED — A Pakistani court suspended the operation to arrest former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan due to the protests’ impact on a highly important upcoming international cricket match near Khan’s home. Although protests have largely dispersed for now and Khan has re-emerged from his home, the operation will resume on March 19th once the foreign cricket players depart.
- AFG STILL COUNTRY MOST IMPACTED BY TERRORISM — The Institute for Economics & Peace published a report on global terrorist deaths in 2022. Since the Taliban now control the government and are not included in terrorist attack counts, terror-related deaths in Afghanistan dropped 58% and terror attacks dropped 75%. However, Afghanistan is still considered the country in the world most impacted by terrorism. Notably, Pakistan’s terror-related death toll rose from 292 to 643 over the last year.
- MULTIPLE REPORTS REGARDING DRONE TARGETING HOUSE OF IMPORTANT TTP COMMANDER in Zanghara Khadrakhel, South Waziristan. A photo showing the bodies of two young children killed in the purported drone attack is circulating social media. However, an anonymous senior Pakistani official has said the attack was artillery and mortar fire targeting the commander’s house, not a drone.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Baghlan: A contingent of Taliban conducted door-to-door searches in the Tanghank Valley in the Baghlan district, leading to an extended clash between National Resistance Front (NRF) members and Taliban fighters. Casualty figures are unconfirmed, but most reports say that 8 Taliban fighters and 2 NRF members were killed. Supposedly it is the first NRF-Taliban lash in Andarab since the beginning of spring weather.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- REPORTED ISIS-K ATTACK — A leaked communique from the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior reported that ISIS-K is planning suicide attacks in Kabul targeting government employees collecting their salaries. Although the attacks are not planned for a specific date, they appear to be imminent.
- KHAN PROTESTS TO RESUME SOON — Pakistani protests regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest warrant should remain calmed until March 19th, when the warrant is reinstated.