Tehran Times: Earlier, a technical-economic delegation of the Taliban government arrived in Iran’s Chabahar port to break the ground for the construction operation of some trade and residential projects. The Taliban’s trade ministry had previously revealed the visit of the technical delegation to Iran aimed at boosting the transit cooperation and the development of economic ties. For Afghanistan, Iran’s Chabahar Port can replace ports in Pakistan that are currently used for import and export activities. Click here to read more (external link).
Sadia Bromand: The boxer fighting for all women in Afghanistan
Olympics.com: The former sprinter and sports journalist left her homeland for Germany due to fears for her safety. Inspired by Muhammad Ali, her goal is to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and represent her female compatriots that don’t have freedom. Click here to read more (external link).
The Horrific State of Women in The Taliban Prisons Across Western Afghanistan
8am: The Hasht-e Subh Daily’s investigation into the situation of female prisoners across five western provinces of Afghanistan reveals alarming conditions. Women detainees face arbitrary arrests on “baseless” charges and endure torture in Taliban-run prisons. Presently, approximately 340 women are incarcerated in these facilities across the five provinces, primarily accused of making phone calls to men. The prisons exhibit inappropriate conditions, poor nutrition, hygiene deficiencies, limited medical care, and instances of misconduct by guards. Female inmates lack professional female supervision, are shackled during medical transfers, and have restricted communication with their families. These challenges underscore the deprivation of necessities within the prison system. The report highlights that all female prisons are overseen by Taliban military commanders, with no female involvement in management. To protect identities, pseudonyms are used in the report due to security concerns. Click here to read more (external link).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in measles cases over the past two months.
Khaama: The organization stated on Sunday, March 4 that children under five years old constitute 80% of the suspected measles cases. According to the World Health Organization’s report, more than seven thousand suspected cases of measles were registered in the country in just the first two months of the current year, with 29 deaths reported. Severe winter colds and inadequate coverage of immunization programs have been cited as factors contributing to the increase in this disease. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – March 3, 2024
Rising Incidence of Pneumonia and Malnutrition in Nimruz Province
8am: As temperatures drop, pneumonia and malnutrition cases among children under five have risen in Nimruz Province. Families cite insufficient healthcare facilities and food scarcity, blaming long-standing unemployment. They contend that limited job opportunities and low incomes expose their children to illnesses. Doctors in the province emphasize that cold weather, poor nutrition, and economic hardships contribute to the spike in pneumonia and malnutrition cases among children. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Administer Public Whipping in Sar-e Pul Province
8am: The Taliban’s Supreme Court recently confirmed the administration of a public whipping as punishment for alleged “immorality” in Sar-e Pul Province. In a statement released on Sunday, March 3rd, the Taliban’s Supreme Court disclosed that the aforementioned individual underwent the whipping in the presence of local Taliban officials, relatives of the accused, and select members of the Taliban court in Sar-e Pul Province. Click here to read more (external link).
Two children killed, four injured in explosion in eastern Afghanistan
Khaama: Local officials in Paktia province report the tragic loss of two children and injuries to four others due to an explosion of a landmine in the Hesarak district of Paktia province. According to reports from Paktia province officials, the incident occurred on Sunday, in the Khilzi Khalil area of the district. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – March 2, 2024
China Afghan Dilemma: Looking for Reward Amid Ton of Risk
Michael Hughes: The Western exit from Afghanistan left the country’s neighbors to deal with the fallout from the Taliban’s grooming of and/or inability to contain transnational terrorist activities. Beijing, likely grasping it does not have the capabilities to reach the growing threat of Afghan-based terrorists targeting China, figures it can at least get something from the high-risk scenario.
However, China is unlikely to see much upside by expending cash and effort to exploit Afghanistan’s minerals, allegedly worth some $1 trillion, as many opponents of the U.S. exit have claimed. At the most, China will likely take pieces off the geopolitical chessboard for relatively EV metal-starved Western powers. At the least, they will rule out for the world the endeavors are academic due to security and cultural issues along with difficulties in doing business with the radical movement.