Afghan Weekly (Feb 17 - Feb 23, 2017)

Pakistan has experienced one of the ferocious weeks in recent history. More than 100 people have been killed in a series of attacks across the country. In response, the country’s military launched a countrywide armed operation, named Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, on February 22 to eliminate what it claimed were terrorists found to have ties to Afghanistan’s militants after a suicide attack on a packed shrine in the southern city of Sehwan killed at least 88 worshipers. The Islamic State Khorasan, ISIS’ affiliate in Afghanistan and Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the bombing in a phone call to CNN.[1] In the aftermath, Pakistan demanded from the Afghan government to hand over 75 terrorists, who supposedly planned, directed and supported terrorism across the border.[2] All routes along the Durand Line with Afghanistan have been closed in the same connection. Authorities issued shoot-at-sight orders for those found trying to cross over the border illegally.[3] As a result, traffic and transit trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan also remained suspended.

In response, the Afghan government rejected the allegations regarding recent attacks inside Pakistan and impressed upon the necessity to work together against the menace of terrorism. This was followed by the receipt of a demarche from the Afghan Foreign Ministry demanding the arrest and handover of 85 leaders of Taliban, Haqqani Network and other terrorist groups and action against 32 alleged terrorist training centers inside Pakistan. The Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah responded to the situation saying, “Afghanistan is a victim of terrorism and it is unfair to accuse the state of supporting terror and violence”.[4] The spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Nafees Zakaria, yesterday also said that terrorism is the common enemy of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and effective border management is vital for preventing the cross-border movement of terrorists.[5] While hours after Lahore suffered its second terror attack in 11 days on February 23, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lashed out at external elements for using the Afghan soil to mount attacks on Pakistan.[6]

Amid internal political enigma of Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani played another move on the Afghan political chess board by appointing Atta Noor as new Balkh governor.[7] Ghani on Wednesday also held a consultative meeting with political and jihadi leaders on major national, security and political issues. On economic front, Afghanistan reached out for every possible economic activity. Kabul this week, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani for the inauguration of the engineering design of Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.[8] The government of Japan also pledged $3.3 million to support city resilience project in Afghanistan, including risk reduction, human and economic losses, and impacts, particularly the life of women and girls and vulnerable people in cities of Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif.[9]

Below follow other updates on the security, internal politics, international engagements and socio-economic developments in Afghanistan from the past week.

Security Overview

12 ISIS militants killed in US drone strike in Achin district of eastern province of Nangarhar on February 21.[10]
ISIS leader among 35 killed or wounded in Shaheen-25 operations in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan on February 22.[11]
4 dead and over 20 wounded in an explosion in Jani Khel district of southeastern Paktika province on February 22.[12]
Daesh has started recruiting fighters in central Logar province and dispatching hundreds of them to Achin district for training, February 22.[13]
Deadly suicide attack foiled as truck bomb destroyed in Nawa district of Ghazni during airstrike on February 22.[14]
4 policemen killed and 5 others wounded in Trinkot, the capital city of central Uruzgan province on February 22.[15]
18 ISIS loyalists killed in the past 24 hours as clearance operations continue in Haska Mina and Nazian districts of eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, February 23.[16]

Update on Afghan Refugees

Millions will head to Europe unless UK troops stay in Afghanistan

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, British Defense Minister Michael Fallon said British troops must stay in Afghanistan in order to prevent millions of Afghan migrants fleeing to European countries. “If it was right to go in, it has to be right not to leave before the job is done as well as we can do it,” Fallon said.[17]

35 Afghan nationals held for illegal stay in Quetta

Security forces on Monday arrested 35 Afghan nationals during a campaign against illegal immigrants in different areas of the provincial capital of Balochistan. Under the new security plan prepared by the provincial government, police and other forces were instructed to keep an eye on the foreigners living illegally in the province.[18]

Afghan villagers flee Pakistani cross-border firing: Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

Hundreds of Afghan families have been displaced by cross-border rocket and artillery fire by Pakistani troops as tension rose after Pakistan said militants implicated in recent attacks had taken shelter in Afghanistan. As many as 200 families have been displaced from their homes, while some civilian casualties have also been reported after Pakistani border troops fired rockets and artillery, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).[19]

UNHCR plans skills training for refugees

Under the programme, over 200 Afghan and Pakistani youths will be trained during the next three months in Quetta, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Loralai and Killa Saifullah. Vocational training will be offered to young women and men as tailors, beauticians, plumbers, electricians, masons and fridge, mobile phone and solar panel repair technicians.[20]

International Engagements

U.S. considers increasing its training force in Afghanistan

In a meeting with President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said the United States continues to assess “the increase of American troops for training their Afghan counterparts”, the Presidential Palace said in a statement.[21]

EU and Afghanistan sign cooperation agreement on partnership and development

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and the Minister of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Eklil Hakimi, signed a Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD), in the presence of the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani.[22]

General with Afghanistan experience Trump’s new Security Chief

Trump announced on Monday that Gen. HR McMaster will serve as his next National Security Adviser (NSA). The man to lead US president Donald Trump’s national security team is a military strategist who once served in Afghanistan as a corruption buster.[23]

Trump awaits intelligence review on troop levels in Afghanistan

U.S Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said that President Donald Trump is waiting for an assessment by US intelligence services before deciding whether or not to increase the number of American troops in Afghanistan.[24]

EU to investigate weapons sales to Taliban

European Union (EU) ambassador to Afghanistan, Franz-Michael Mellbin, on Tuesday told TOLO news that selling weapons of the Afghan security forces to Taliban is a tragedy and donor countries will investigate the matter.[25]

Relations with Pakistan

Pakistan closes routes with Afghanistan after deadly attacks

Pakistan closed all routes along the Durand Line with Afghanistan following a series of deadly attacks across the country..[26] Authorities issued shoot-at-sight orders for those found trying to cross over illegally. As a result, traffic and transit trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan also remained suspended.[27]

Afghanistan reacts at Pakistan terror attacks and Pak officials allegations

The Afghan government has said the regional countries specifically Afghanistan and Pakistan should reach to an agreement for complete elimination of all terror groups without making any distinction.[28] “Afghanistan has never allowed anyone to use its soil for terrorist activities against regional countries or its neighbors,” said Shah Hussain Murtazawi, deputy spokesman of president.[29] The Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah at the Council of Ministers’ meeting on Monday said “Afghanistan is a victim of terrorism and it is unfair to accuse the state of supporting terror and violence”.[30]

Pakistan’s Army wants joint anti-terror fight with Afghanistan

After days of talking tough on Afghanistan in the aftermath of recent militant attacks, the Pakistan Army on Monday spoke about fighting terrorism jointly with Afghanistan.[31] After Pakistan handed over a list of 76 Pakistani terrorists based in Afghanistan,[32] the Afghan foreign ministry also demanded the arrest and handover of 85 leaders of Taliban, Haqqani Network and other terrorist groups allegedly working in Pakistan.[33]

Stranded Afghan wedding party allowed to cross the border

Pakistani authorities on Tuesday allowed a seven-member wedding party to cross into Afghanistan after they were stranded in Landi Kotal since the closure of the Torkham border on February 17.[34]

Afghan envoy calls upon Pakistan to reopen border

Afghanistan’s Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal on Thursday called upon Pakistan to reopen the border with his country, saying the week-long closure has stifled trade and caused hardships for people in both countries.[35]

Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan, says President Mamnoon

President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said that Pakistan regards Afghanistan as its sincere friend and is keen to work with it for peace, progress and prosperity in the country, adding that Afghanistan should reject elements trying to create misgivings and misunderstandings.[36]

Afghan businessmen want Ghulam Khan Route reopened for trade

Ghulam Khan Route is the nearest way for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian republics than the Torkham and Chaman border crossings. This route has been closed since June 2014.[37]

Terrorism is the common enemy of Pakistan, Afghanistan: Foreign Office

Spokesperson for the Foreign Office, Nafees Zakaria, has said that terrorism is the common enemy of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and effective border management is vital for preventing the cross-border movement of terrorists.[38]

Afghanistan being used for proxy war against Pakistan: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lashed out at external elements for using Afghan soil to mount attacks on Pakistan; hours after Lahore suffered its second terror attack in 11 days.[39]

Internal Politics and Governance

Ghani appoints Atta Noor as new Balkh Governor

The Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) has announced that President Ashraf Ghani has ordered the appointment of Atta Mohammad Noor, as the new governor of Balkh province.[40]

Afghanistan Police surround Vice President’s house

Afghan soldiers and policemen surrounded the house of Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum on Tuesday in an apparent effort to arrest nine of his aides accused of kidnapping and raping a political opponent on his orders.

The attempt to bring about the arrests came after the attorney general complained to police authorities that they had ignored previous orders to carry out the arrests.[41]

Taliban’s Qatar Office should be closed: Ghani

President Ashraf Ghani has told Qatar’s foreign minister in Munich that it should shut down the Taliban’s offices in that country for as long as the group continued to fight in Afghanistan. The Taliban cannot fight and speak about peace at the same time, Ghani told the Qatari minister in a meeting on the sidelines of the Munich security conference.[42]

Ghani consults political, jihadi leaders on key issues

President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday held a consultative meeting with political and jihadi leaders on major national, security and political issues. A statement from the Presidential Palace said the meeting was held before noon on law enforcement, recent border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the taken by the government steps in this regard.[43]

Economy and Development

Afghanistan signs MoU to inaugurate engineering design of TAPI pipeline

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani for the inauguration of the engineering design of TAPI gas pipeline project. The MoU was signed by acting chief of Afghan Gas Company and Chief Executive of IFL Mr. Stephen.[44]

Afghanistan, Iran trade at $2.8 Billion

Afghanistan imports $2.8 billion worth of goods from Iran every year, said Nasir Ahmad Noor, Afghan envoy to Iran. “If oil exports are excluded, Afghanistan would be Iran’s biggest export destination,” he told the Iranian news agency IRNA. Optimism of the stability of the Afghan economy comes amid fresh border restrictions by Pakistan on its borders with Afghanistan.[45]

Japan pledges $3.3 million to support city resilience project in Afghanistan

The government of Japan has pledged $3.3 million to support city resilience project in Afghanistan, including risk reduction, human and economic losses, and impacts, particularly the life of women and girls and vulnerable people in cities of Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif.[46]

Prices, economy stable amid Pakistan’s adversarial border policy

Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said that Pakistan’s enforcement of new border restrictions hasn’t had significant implications for the national economy and prices of products in the local markets. Pakistan’s move to destabilize normal trade and commercial activities with Afghanistan and the central Asian countries, will only harm its own economy, the ACCI said in a statement on Tuesday.[47]

Afghan government to develop national strategy for export expansion

Officials in the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) at a session on Monday said the ministry will develop a National Strategy for Export Expansion with the help of the World Trade Organization and the European Union aimed at reducing balance deficit.[48]

Women in Afghanistan

Afghan women join ‘Complicated Operations’ in Police Special Units

“The women have a lot of interests to serve. We cannot say that females have only a symbolic role as they take part in the operations like the men and fight against the enemy,” said Roshandil, the commander of special units of the Afghan National Police (ANP). Several female snipers are also serving in the ranks of the special units of police. They carry out joint night-time military operations with their male counterparts, he added.[49]

Kazakhstan launches first ODA project in Afghanistan, supported by UNDP and Japan

The official development assistance (ODA) project seeks to strengthen the economic independence of Afghan women by providing education from Kazakhstan’s top educational institutions in public administration and health care, maternal and child health and other topics. The initiative is being funded by the UNDP and Japan.[50]

This weekly is compiled by Saddam Hussein who is a research intern at the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).

Sources

[1] http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/17/asia/pakistan-shrine-bombing/

[2] http://www.dawn.com/news/1315327

[3] http://www.khaama.com/pakistan-closes-routes-with-afghanistan-after-deadly-attacks-02905

[4] http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/unfair-accuse-afghanistan-supporting-terrorism-abdullah

[5] http://dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/24-Feb-17/terrorism-is-the-common-enemy-of-pakistan-afghanistan-fo

[6] https://tribune.com.pk/story/1337284/afghanistan-used-proxy-war-pakistan-pm/

[7] http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/ghani-appoints-atta-noor-new-balkh-governor

[8] http://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-signs-mou-to-inaugurate-engineering-design-of-tapi-pipeline-02950

[9] http://www.khaama.com/japan-pledges-3-3-million-to-support-city-resilience-project-in-afghanistan-02954

[10] http://www.khaama.com/12-isis-militants-killed-in-us-drone-strike-in-east-of-afghanistan-02939