[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- HEKMATYAR MAY BE UNDER HOUSE ARREST – A few reports are beginning to arrive suggesting that Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the Hezb-e-Islami party, was placed under house arrest by the supreme leader. He is also reputedly banned from making any public statements or political action. This information has not been confirmed yet and a local source said security around his home and party headquarters appeared to be unchanged. It is not clear what would have provoked the supreme leader to take such actions. We are waiting on additional information.
- DISTURBING REPORT FROM PAKISTAN CLAIMS EVIDENCE OF AFGHAN/PAKISTAN COOPERATION IN ANTI-POLICE ATTACKS – The Express Tribune has issued a report that is said to have originated from a senior Pakistani Intelligence official says that between 35%-50% of those participating in terrorist acts in Pakistan are Afghan citizens. The report went on to say that over the past three months, 51 militants killed in clashes were Afghans. Their source reputedly said that diplomatic notes are flying between Islamabad and Kabul. Our analysis indicates that Pakistan is using such leaks to build a case for eventual cross-border operations.
- MORE RAIN AND SNOW PREDICTED – A strong storm system is expected to cause heavy rains and snowfall across the Central and Eastern portions of Afghanistan. Some Provinces have already reported rain and there is concern that flooding will wipe out four major bridges which were undergoing repairs from the previous flooding. Flooding is expected to affect communities and roadways as early as Monday afternoon.
- DIRECTORATE IN CHARGE OF NGOS IN AFGHANISTAN MAY SUSPEND EDUCATION IN SELECT PROVINCES – A letter shared on social media is being attributed to the ‘Directorate of Coordination of Projects, NGOs, and Funding’ which is ordering the education departments in Kandahar and Helmand to suspend classes of all education centers until further notice. The letter has yet to be verified and the reason for any potential suspension was not provided.
- RESISTANCE UNITS REPORTEDLY RECEIVING RECRUITS AFTER THE DEATH OF AKMAL AMIR – Sources with two prominent Resistance forces say they have taken on several recruits after the 10 April operation that resulted in the death of Commander Amir and 11 of his fighters. One of the sources says that no recruiting call had been communicated to people and that the recruits actively sought out contacts to join the struggle. It is not clear how many new recruits have volunteered so far.
- PAKISTAN PLANS TO RELEASE REMAINING AFGHANS DETAINED IN PAKISTAN BEFORE EID – In a conversation between both Foreign Ministers, a deal was purportedly struck for Pakistan to release Afghans who have been imprisoned by the end of Ramadan. It is not clear if the deal can be achieved in such a short amount of time.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POTENTIAL FLOODING RISK WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS – With this new round of storms, flooding will likely paralyze transport across much of Central, Eastern, and Northern Afghanistan. At-risk Afghans should consider delaying any potential travel plans if at all possible. |