8am: The relationship between the Taliban and the media is defined by the interests of this group. During the Taliban’s first emirate, they shut down all visual, audio, and written media outlets, except for one or two Taliban-affiliated outlets like “Voice of Sharia,” to control public opinion. Even those who owned televisions and satellite dishes
Ariana: Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Asif Durrani has said Islamabad has evidence that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is getting money from India through Afghan proxies, estimating that 5,000 to 6,000 TTP militants have taken shelter in Afghanistan. “If we include their families, then the number goes up to 70,000,” Durrani said on Saturday
Tolo News: The Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community has stated that the near-term prospects for regime-threatening resistance in Afghanistan remain low. The annual report reads that, large swathes of the Afghan public being weary of war and fearful of “Taliban” reprisals, and since armed remnants lack strong leadership and external support, the
8am: Over the past two years, the Taliban have consistently claimed to improve Afghanistan’s economic situation and foster investment opportunities. They have sought to minimize the economic crisis among the populace and the global community by disseminating engineered information. However, the World Bank has reported an economic recession in Afghanistan, attributed to reduced economic activities
Tolo News: The head of Tajikistan’s Drug Control Agency stated that drugs from the large reserves in northern Afghanistan are being trafficked to Central Asian countries and the European Union. “The threat to Central Asian countries, especially those bordering Afghanistan, is gradually increasing because the methamphetamine discovered in the region is produced in Afghanistan,” said
Ariana: At least 21 people were killed and 38 others were injured in a traffic incident involving three vehicles in southern Helmand province on Sunday, officials said. The incident took place on the Herat-Kandahar highway in Yakchal area of Gershak district of Helmand. Click here to read more (external link).
8am: Taliban, facing armed resistance in Panjshir and Andarab after Seizing control of Afghanistan, has been accused of widespread harassment and persecution of residents in these regions over the past nearly three years. According to sources, the group has detained and tortured hundreds of young men and adults from Panjshir province and Andarab regions. Sources
Al Jazeera: Trading guns for hair clippers and dumbbells, they’ve had to desert their dreams, as their government deserted them. Click here to read more (external link).