WHO reports surge in measles cases among women and children in Afghanistan
Khaama: The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that from January to July 20 of this year, nearly 40,000 suspected cases of measles, particularly among women and children, have been recorded across Afghanistan. On Wednesday, July 24, the WHO released a report stating that among the 39,826 suspected measles cases, 170 deaths related to the disease have been registered in Afghanistan. Previously, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) expressed concern over the rise in measles among children and infants in Afghanistan, particularly in Balkh, Herat, and Helmand provinces. The organization reported that many children in Afghanistan’s provinces are not receiving the necessary measles vaccination to prevent the disease. Click here to read more (external link).
Iran demands Kamal Khan dam redesign for water rights, contradicting Helmand River Accord
The Helmand river stretches for 1,150 km from the Hindu Kush mountains into Hamoun wetlands which once supported great plant and animal diversity in Iran’s Sistan Basin.
Khaama: Iranian officials have announced that negotiations with representatives of the Taliban administration regarding Iran’s water rights from the Helmand River are ongoing and have entered a new phase. According to IRNA on Thursday, July 25th, 2024, Issa Bozorgzadeh, a spokesperson for Iran’s Water Industry, reported that the Kamal Khan Dam needs to be modified to ensure Iran’s water rights are met. Bozorgzadeh emphasized, “Iran’s request is for the Kamal Khan Dam to be re-engineered.” The Iranian negotiating team has presented this demand during their meetings with officials from the de facto authorities. Click here to read more (external link).
Minister of defense claims Afghanistan will claim ‘sovereignty of airspace soon’
Yaqoob Mujahid
Ariana: The acting Minister of Defense Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid said Thursday just as there is terrestrial sovereignty, airspace sovereignty will be secured soon. Addressing an “appreciation ceremony” for security forces, Yaqoob said that if anyone looks at Afghanistan with disrespect, the Islamic Emirate will respond using available means and will not accept anyone’s orders in this regard. Click here to read more (external link).
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Central Asian military spending surges amid border tension, regional conflict fears
VOA News: Military spending is surging in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, a development officials link to regional conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, although experts doubt the buildup will increase stability. While Russia was the dominant arms supplier to these countries for more than three decades, other countries including Turkey, China and the United States have now entered the market. Click here to read more (external link).
Only Four Percent of Afghans Want Recognition of Taliban, Says UNAMA
Taliban militants (file photo)
Afghanistan International: UNAMA has republished a survey from April highlighting that only four percent of Afghans want the Taliban government to be recognised. According to the survey, 45 percent of respondents said that to improve the situation for women in the country, the international community should facilitate direct dialogue between them and the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
Pakistan Reopens Key Border Point With Afghanistan After Months Of Closure
RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal: Pakistan after a nine-month closure that resulted in financial losses and rising anger on both sides. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – July 24, 2024
Iran begins major border sealing project to secure Northeast frontier with Afghanistan
Khaama: According to the Iranian Mehr News Agency on Tuesday, July 23, General Akbari reported that the project to seal the shared borders between the Khorasan Razavi region and Herat province spans 300 kilometres and is currently underway. Akbari emphasized that the walls of this project will be 4 meters high, 3 meters and 70 centimetres long, and 1 meter and 10 centimetres thick. Click here to read more (external link).
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AFF Claims Attack on Taliban Intelligence Officers in Kabul
Afghanistan International: On Monday, the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) stated that its members had attacked a “convoy of Taliban intelligence militia” in the Karte Sakhi area of Kabul city. The AFF claimed that four Taliban members had been killed and another individual had been injured in this attack. This is the second attack by this group in the past two days. The Afghanistan Freedom Front also claimed on Monday that it had targeted the director of Taliban transportation in Baghlan province. Click here to read more (external link).