AFP: For Afghans living under Taliban rule, a Saturday market is a rare chance to cross the border into neighbouring Tajikistan and pick up food and household goods. The popular bazaar in the small town of Kalai-Khumb — about six hours’ drive east from the Tajik capital Dushanbe — has reopened after being shut down after the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021. Tajikistan, which shares a winding 1,350-kilometre (840 mile) border with Afghanistan, designates the Taliban a terrorist organisation. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban & Pakistani Border Guards Clash In Dand Wa Patan District of Paktia
Afghanistan International: Sources informed Afghanistan International that on Wednesday, the Taliban and Pakistani border forces clashed in the Dand Wa Patan district of Paktia province. According to the sources, the reason for the conflict was the construction of an outpost by Pakistani forces at the zero point between the two countries. Audio recordings obtained by Afghanistan International reveal relatively intense gunfire between the Taliban and Pakistani border forces. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – May 16, 2024
US contractors and former Afghan officials buy million-dollar properties in Dubai
Khaama: After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the United States poured billions of dollars into Afghanistan for reconstruction efforts. However, many U.S. contractors and former Afghan officials were accused of misusing these funds. Today, some contractors and former officials own luxury properties in Dubai. An investigative journalism organization has released a list revealing the assets of hundreds of current and former government officials and institutions from various countries in Dubai. This list, compiled from leaked information, includes names of ten individuals from Afghanistan, primarily consisting of former government officials or their relatives. Click here to read more (external link).
Flood Catastrophe and Citizen Desperation: Taliban Observe Flood Victims from Above
Baradar
8am: The provinces of Baghlan, Ghor, Badakhshan, and Herat have faced devastating floods, resulting in significant human casualties and extensive financial losses. Flood victims and some citizens of the country accuse the Taliban of mishandling natural disaster victims. They claim that this group lacks the ability and knowledge to manage and provide services, holding the country “hostage” and treating people with discrimination and bias. Click here to read more (external link).
Former Official Who Returned to Afghanistan at Taliban’s Invitation Forced to Flee Again
Haji Ghalib Mujahid (photo by RFE/RL)
Afghanistan International: Ghalib Mujahid, the former district governor of Bihsud in Nangarhar province, said that he returned to Afghanistan at the invitation of the Taliban’s Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities, but after being harassed by the group, he was forced to migrate again. He told Afghanistan International that after returning to Kabul, he survived four assassination attempts. This former official said, “The Taliban should abandon their vindictive behaviour, conspiracies, and bullying, and adhere to the general amnesty.” He mentioned that Taliban leaders have announced a general amnesty, but the group’s commanders do not believe in it. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Helicopter Crash Results in Multiple Deaths & Injuries
Afghanistan International: Sources told Afghanistan International that a Taliban helicopter crashed into the Firozkoh-Harirud river, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. The helicopter was reportedly on the way to Ghor province to rescue two people who had drowned in the river. The Taliban are currently “gathering information about this incident” and have not yet made an official comment. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – May 15, 2024
Has Abdul Hamid Khorasani’s Term Expired?
Khorasani
8am: Abdul Hamid Khorasani, a Tajik-origin member of the Taliban originally from Panjshir province, who has been widely supported by Serajuddin Haqqani, has always been a prominent figure within this group, frequently appearing in the media and social networks. Over the past three years, Abdul Hamid Khorasani has been actively involved in the identification and arrest of hundreds of youths from Panjshir and northern areas who were suspected of opposing the Taliban in any way. He combed the streets of Kabul and conducted raids in every alley and neighborhood. He is one of the main suspects in the capture and killing of Akmal Amir, a well-known commander opposed to the Taliban and his associates. For youths who are constantly under Taliban suspicion, the name Hamid Khorasani recalls brutality, ruthlessness, and insatiable greed. Click here to read more (external link).
Australian war crimes whistleblower sentenced to 5 years in prison
Khaama: The Guardian reported that David McBride, a former Australian army lawyer, has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for leaking “classified documents” related to the Afghan war. On Tuesday, May 13, The Guardian announced the conviction of the former lawyer, stating that he shared the classified documents with journalists after stealing them. The exposure of these classified documents by the former lawyer has brought the war crimes of Australian forces in Afghanistan into focus, initiating investigations into these matters. Following these reports, a four-year investigation by the Australian Defence Ministry led to evidence showing that Australian special forces illegally killed 39 Afghans.
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