Michael Hughes: The U.S. exit from Afghanistan was partially based on rolling the dice that the reconstitution of al-Qaeda under the Taliban would be a problem for the neighbors in Central and South Asia, not the Western powers. This was also based on the supposition that should al-Qaeda begin to plot another 9-11-style attack, U.S. counterterrorism organizations would not be asleep at the switch. The U.S. has more antiterror capabilities today, so goes this argument, hence the al-Qaeda threat is not seen as imminent. Al-Qaeda, for its part, may not have its eyes on the American homeland, yet, but it is certainly getting stronger by the day, including by securing millions worth of straight profit from mining proceeds and stealing aid funds. Click here to read more.
Installation of CCTV cameras underway in Baghlan province
Ariana: The Ministry of Interior said on Thursday that the process of installing security cameras has started in Pul-e-Khumri city of Baghlan province. Faridullah Abid, who is heading up the installation process, says so far 20 security cameras have been installed in different parts of the city and at the entrance gates to ensure security. Click here to read more (external link).
Pakistan army’s reckless behavior turns ‘Good Taliban’ into ‘Bad Taliban’: Report
Taliban (file photo)
Khaama: The Pakistani newspaper Dawn wrote in an analytical piece that with the resurgence of the Afghan Taliban, the forces of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have become more daring and active. The newspaper wrote, “Hafiz Gul Bahadur, once known as the ‘good Taliban,’ has turned into the ‘bad Taliban.’” In the analytical piece published on Thursday, March 21, it is stated, “The ruthless tactics of the Pakistani army, besides killing Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s relatives, have helped his growing animosity towards the Pakistani government.” Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari- March 22, 2024
Finland remains happiest country in the world for 7th year, Afghanistan at bottom
Ariana: Since 2012, Afghanistan has ranked among the most unhappy nations in the world. However, Finland has been the happiest country in the world for seven consecutive years. The survey asks people in 143 countries and territories to evaluate their life on a scale from zero to 10, taking into account factors such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption. Click here to read more (external link).
50% of Afghans Live in Poverty: Advocacy Advisor of NRC
Tolo News: Becky Roby, advocacy adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council Afghanistan (NRC), quoted the World Bank, as saying that 50% of Afghan citizens live in poverty.”Under current conditions, the level of unemployment and poverty in the country is high. In this situation, delivering humanitarian aid by the World Food Programme to the Afghan people and distributing it transparently to needy families is very essential,” said Mir Shekib Mir, an economic analyst. The World Food Programme statistics showed that nearly 16 million people in Afghanistan are facing food insecurity. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan and India play out goalless draw in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Ariana: The Indian men’s football team was held to a goalless draw by Afghanistan in its Group A match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers at the Damac Club Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia on Friday. Courtesy the result, India, 117th in the FIFA Rankings, moved up to the second place in Group A with four points from three matches, leapfrogging Kuwait who have three points. World No. 158 Afghanistan are bottom of the four-team group with one point, Olympics.com reported. The Afghan men’s football team will again play India in its next match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers on March 26 in Guwahati. Click here to read more (external link).
Suicide Bomber Hits Taliban’s Political Base in Southern Afghanistan
Ayaz Gul
VOA News
March 21, 2024
ISLAMABAD — A rare suicide bombing in Afghanistan’s southern city of Kandahar, known as the Taliban’s political headquarters, killed at least three people and injured more than a dozen early Thursday.
Taliban authorities said the victims had gathered outside the officially run New Kabul Bank to receive their salaries when a suicide bomber detonated explosives strapped to his body.
Witnesses and local officials reported that the wounded were taken to a local hospital, with some sustaining serious injuries. A Taliban Interior Ministry spokesperson in the Afghan capital, Kabul, said the attack was under investigation.
A regional Islamic State affiliate, known as IS-Khorasan, claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing.
The reclusive Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, lives in Kandahar, the historical birthplace of his fundamentalist group, and effectively governs Afghanistan from there.
The men-only Taliban government in Kabul merely implements decrees that Akhundzada routinely issues from Kandahar. He rarely leaves the city.
Akhundzada has banned Afghan girls from receiving an education beyond the sixth grade and has barred many women from public and private workplaces and public life at large.
The Taliban waged an insurgency and reclaimed power in August 2021 when the United States-led foreign forces withdrew from the country after 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war.
The de facto rulers have effectively suppressed or cornered Afghan opposition groups, but IS-Khorasan routinely plots and claims attacks targeting members of the Taliban and the country’s minority Shiite community.
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Tolo News in Dari – March 21, 2024
Etisalat signs deal to support Afghanistan national Cricket team
Khaama: The telecommunications company Etisalat has announced the signing of a contract with the Afghanistan national cricket team and stated that under this agreement, Etisalat will be the official financial supporter of the national cricket team in 2024. This contract between Abdullah Jabar, the commercial head of Etisalat Afghanistan, and Mirwais Ashraf, the head of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, was signed on March 18, 2024, in the United Arab Emirates. Click here to read more (external link).
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