[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- RELEASE OF US REPORT ON AFGHANISTAN PAINTS A BLEAK PICTURE OF THE CENTRAL BANK – The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) delivered the quarterly report to the US Congress yesterday and one of its major findings was that major issues remain in the leadership and functioning of the Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB). Basically, there were not sufficient safeguards/controls in place to ensure the DAB could not be used to launder money and there are signs the bank does not operate free and clear from political influence. The report is important because it plays a central role in the question of the possible return of over $3bn of frozen funds that sits in a Swiss-based trust.
- IRANIAN DELEGATION WRAPS UP VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN OVER WATER RIGHTS – Very little information was provided to the public after the 11 Iranian analysts/negotiators concluded their assessment visit to the country. A source in Kabul opined that the discussions over diverted water from the Helmand River became heated at times and the Iranian delegation had Russian satellite imagery in their possession to use as leverage during the talks. The source went on to say that the Iranian team warned that it could not be held responsible for possible actions taken by residents in its Southern Provinces should drout conditions continue. The Iranian Foreign Ministry refused to comment on details of the discussions when pressed by members of the Iranian press.
- PAKISTAN’S HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER SAYS THE IEA IS NOT SUPPORTING TERROR ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN – Minister Riaz Pirzada broke with others in the government and stated the Afghan Taliban are not actively supporting the TTP, but did say that some of the attacks had taken place without their knowledge. The Minister did not go so far as to refute others in the regime and/or the Army but he flatly rejected the notion the IEA had a hand in the recent surge in terror attacks.
- IRAN STRIKES A NEW TONE WITH THE TALIBAN – For the first time, Iran has placed blame on the Taliban for the attack on Iranian diplomats that took place in Mazar-i-Sharif that killed 8 diplomatic personnel and 1 journalist. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, shared a social media post to commemorate the tragedy and laid the blame on the Taliban. Previous to this admission, Iran has blamed regional or international intelligence agencies for the attack. There are many theories as to why the shift has taken place with some blaming the water issue while others say that Tehran is suspicious the Taliban is actively cooperating with the US on counter-terrorism operations.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Nangarhar: 2 unidentified men tossed hand grenades into a house, killing 2 children and wounding 3 adults. It is not clear what prompted the attack or which group many have been involved.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN TO DISSOLVE ASSEMBLIES – While no threats have currently been reported, it is important to note that both Khan’s arrest and the expected announcement that elections will be delayed could push the PTI party faithful to launch demonstrations. The crackdown on Afghan refugees in Pakistan appears to be continuing as 6 more were detained in Karachi and an unknown number had been rounded up in Islamabad. At-risk Afghans sheltering in Pakistan are urged to avoid any potential flashpoints between demonstrators and police.
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