Afghan Weekly (Dec 17 – Dec 23, 2016)

Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the UN, Nabeel Munir, while speaking in a debate about the situation in Afghanistan in the UN Security Council this week, stated that sanctuaries of terrorists have shifted to Afghanistan due to the successful operation of Zarbe-Azb, the results of which are widely acknowledged by the international community.[1] Kandahar’s police Chief General Abdul Raziq, too, confirmed that at least six Taliban leaders left the Quetta city of Pakistan along with their family members this week and have shifted to the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Some of the Taliban leaders who were attempting to leave Quetta were arrested and jailed by the Pakistani military.[2] Below follow other key updates on the security, politics, international engagements and socio-economic developments occurring in Afghanistan in the past week.

Security Overview

16 loyalists of the ISIS killed in a US airstrike in Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province late night on December 16.[3]
5 female workers of the Kandahar airport killed by unknown gunmen in Kandahar city earlier on December 17.[4]
3 people killed and 3 others sustained injuries in an attack by gunmen in Kabul late on December 17.[5]
Nearly 100 people killed or wounded in two separate traffic incidents in western Farah and Nimroz provinces of Afghanistan after a bus collided with a truck on December 18.[6]
5 militants were killed and 6 others were wounded after the Afghan forces repulsed a coordinated attack on security check posts in eastern Nangarhar province on December 18.[7]
Pentagon confirmed the death of two Al Qaeda leaders, named Bilal al-Utabi and Abd al-Wahid al-Junabi, in a US strike in Afghanistan in a statement on December 19.[8]
5 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group killed in the premature explosion of improvised explosives devices (IEDs) in the Asmar district of Kunar province in Afghanistan on December 19.[9]
Zardad Faryadi, a former Hizb-e-Islami commander, was released on December 19 after being taken into custody by security forces on his return to Kabul last week.[10]
1 killed and at least 22 people wounded in an IED explosion in Kunduz city on December 19.[11]
8 loyalists of the ISIS killed while at least two others wounded in a US airstrike conducted in Haska Mina district in eastern Nangarhar province on December 20.[12]
Security forces advanced at least six kilometers in their military operation against the Taliban on the outskirts of Lashkargah city, Helmand local officials said on December 20.[13]
9 insurgents and 1 soldier killed during a newly launched operation codenamed ‘Pamir 1’ in northern Kunduz province, an official said on December 20.[14]
30 Taliban militants, including a suicide bomber, killed and 40 others wounded as a result of a latest clearing operation in central Uruzgan province, an official said on December 20.[15]
8 Daesh militants killed in the Haska Mena district of eastern Nangarhar province while 3 Taliban arrested in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, officials said on December 20.[16]
19, out of the 76, detained kidnappers sentenced to death by the court in Herat: Governor of western Herat province on December 20.[17]
A key member of the Taliban group killed along with at least 12 other militants in the strategic Kunduz city on December 21.[18]
The Afghan intelligence operatives foiled a series of deadly attacks in capital Kabul by seizing some suicide bombing vests along with several other types of weapons and explosives on December 22.[19]
5 leaders of the Taliban group were wounded in a premature bomb explosion in eastern Nuristan province of Afghanistan on December 22.[20]
Several anti-government armed militants suffered casualties in air and artillery strikes in the villages of Defense Tapa Akhtar, Tasisat, Janat Bagh, and central parts of Kunduz city on December 22.[21]
8 people feared dead following a coordinated attack on a guesthouse belonging to Mir Wali, lawmaker in the Lower House of the Parliament, Wolesi Jirga.[22]
A Taliban’s local commander killed in a clash between the fighters and security forces in Baghlan-e-Markazi district in Baghlan province, local officials said on December 23.[23]

Update on Afghan Refugees

Shelter remains major problem of returnees

Deputy refugee and repatriation minister Ahad Wali Hakimi on Sunday identified the lack of shelter as main problem being faced by recently returned families.[24]

More Than One Million Afghan Refugees Returned Home in 2016

The Afghan government revealed Monday that more than one million refugees have “voluntarily” returned home from Pakistan and Iran in 2016, representing the highest number of returnees in 14 years.[25]

International Engagements

China gets an all-clear from the Taliban to mine for copper in Afghanistan

The Taliban say they’re giving China the green light to restart a $3 billion mining project, but Afghanistan’s legal government says the militant group is just blowing smoke.[26]

Taliban, Haqqani network leaders freely operate in Pakistan: Pentagon

The top leaders of the Taliban group and the notorious Haqqani terrorist network are still freely operating from their safe havens in Pakistan, Pentagon said in its latest report.[27]

Russia’s support in Taliban talks necessary and effective: Karzai

The former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said that Russia’s support in peace talks with the Taliban is necessary and effective as he insisted on the important role of the neighboring and regional countries for the Afghan peace talks.[28]

Iran Dismisses Reports It Hosted Taliban Delegation

Iranian ambassador to Afghanistan Mohammad Reza Bahrami has dismissed reports that Iran invited a delegation from the Taliban to attend the Islamic Unity conference in Tehran this week. Tehran’s denial comes a few days after Al-Arabiya reported that Tehran had invited some moderate figures from the insurgency group to attend the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.[29]

Russia to Host Crucial Meeting with China, Pakistan to Discuss Afghanistan

Russia, Pakistan and China will hold the next round of three-way counterterrorism talks in Moscow December 27, primarily focusing on turmoil-hit Afghanistan.[30]

Canada calls for unconditional release of kidnapped couple in Afghanistan

The Canadian authorities have called for the unconditional release of a kidnapped Canadian man and his American wife who were kidnapped apparently by the Taliban militants in late 2012.[31]

Politicians Urge Improved Relations with Neighbors

President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday joined a number of political and national figures in stressing strengthening of Afghanistan’s relations with its neighbors.[32]

NATO coalition commits $390 million for Afghan forces

A board of NATO partner countries reaffirmed their commitments to the Afghan National Army this week, approving about $390 million for projects advancing the wellness and capabilities of the Afghan force.[33]

United Nations Calls for Complete Enactment of Sanctions against Taliban

Gerard van Bohmen, Chief of the UN sanctions committee, on Monday briefed the UN Security Council on the Afghan peace process, and suggested the 15-member body ensure the complete implementation of sanctions against the Taliban within the legal framework that exists.[34]

Kabul Condemns Assassination of Russian Envoy

The Afghan government on Tuesday joined numerous countries in condemning the assassination of Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov.[35]

U.S Forces to Focus on ‘Unilateral Operations’ against Insurgents

The NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan has said the U.S forces will focus on conducting ‘unilateral operations’ next year in order to defeat al-Qaeda and other insurgent outfits in the country.[36]

Relations with Pakistan

We stand with those fighting terrorists, US forces in Afghanistan tells Pakistan

“Dec. 16 marked the second anniversary of the horrendous attack on the Peshawar Army Public School, which killed more than 130 children … In July, a U.S. strike killed the mastermind of the attack, Umar Khalifa. Although his death will not bring back the victims, we remember those who lost family and friends,” USFOR-A said in a statement.[37]

Pakistan rejects Afghanistan’s allegation

Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the UN, Nabeel Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eliminate all terrorist networks. He said sanctuaries of terrorists have shifted to Afghanistan due to successful operation Zarb-i-Azb, the results of which are widely acknowledged by the international community.”[38]

Pakistan jailed some Taliban leaders leaving Quetta, 6 reach Helmand: Raziq

At least six Taliban leaders have left the Quetta city of Pakistan along with their family members and have shifted to Helmand province, Kandahar’s police chief General Abdul Raziq said. Some of the Taliban leaders who were looking to leave Quetta have been arrested and jailed by the Pakistani military.[39]

Afghanistan should prevent use of its soil for terrorism inside Pakistan, says Tariq Fatemi

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi has said that Afghanistan should not allow its land to be used for terrorism inside Pakistan. In an interview, he claimed that hundreds of safe havens of terrorists had been destroyed, which will help establish peace in Pakistan and the whole region.[40]

Afghan envoy seeks JUI-F role in improving Pak-Afghan ties

Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Hazrat Umar Zakhelwal on Wednesday urged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq to play his role in improving relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan and restoring peace in the region.[41]

Peace in Pakistan Closely Linked To Afghanistan: Chaudhry Nisar

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said on Wednesday that the Afghan leadership’s anti-Pakistan diatribe in an ‘enemy country’ could jeopardise the friendly relationship between the two neighbouring countries.[42] Addressing journalists in Landi Kotal, he stated that peace in Pakistan is closely linked to peace in Afghanistan and that Pakistan wants peace on both sides of the border.[43]

Pakistan resumes shelling in Kandahar, Kunar provinces of Afghanistan

The Pakistani military has resumed artillery shelling in southern Kandahar and eastern Kunar provinces of Afghanistan as Afghanistan summons the country’s ambassador to lodge a protest over the recent artillery shelling from the side of Durand Line by Pakistani military and militia forces over Maruf district of Kandahar and Sarkanu district of Kunar.[44]

Pakistan to Grant Visas to Afghan Patients at Torkham Gate

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in a meeting with Afghan border forces has vowed to issue ‘urgent visas’ to Afghan patients at Torkham entry point, Voice of America reported on Thursday.[45]

Internal Politics & Governance

Eshchi Rejects Jirga Proposal, Asks for Judicial Investigation

The former governor of Jawzjan province Ahmad Eshchi on Sunday asked Afghanistan’s international partners to persuade the Afghan government to order a judicial investigation into his case against First Vice President General Abdul Rashid Dostum.[46]

MoD Maps Out Fresh Strategy to Fight Insurgents

The Minister of Defense (MoD) Abdullah Habibi said on Monday in the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) that his ministry, as part of its counter-terrorism strategy, has defined a new plan to target insurgents on the battle fields and that the Afghan forces conducted their missions successfully this year and inflicted a devastating casualty toll on the militants.[47]

Afghan parliament rejects draft budget for 1396 fiscal year

The lawmakers in the Wolesi Jirga unanimously rejected the draft budget for the fiscal year 1396 citing lack of balance, justice and fairness in the allocation of the budget.[48]

Jamiat Criticize NUG for Not Implementing Political Agreement

Hundreds of Jamiat-e-Islami Party supporters on Friday attended a conference in Kabul and sharply criticized the National Unity Government (NUG) leaders for not implementing the political agreement based on which the NUG was established.[49]

Media Outlets Call For Enactment of Access to Information Law

A number of journalists called on government to deliver on its commitments regarding access to information for the media.[50]

Economy & development

‘Narcotics become a silent tsunami in Afghanistan’

Counter-narcotics Minister Salamat Azimi on Sunday said besides insecurity, narcotics and drug addiction was gripping the country like “a silent tsunami” that she said needed to be fought by all people and judiciary.[51]

Aga Khan Trust for Culture to rebuild 4 historic sites in Kabul

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) will soon start the rebuilding process of four historic sites in capital Kabul, including the sites located along Kabul River.[52]

Afghanistan receives $83.5m incentive funds of World Bank for reforms

Afghanistan has received a total of $83.5 million in incentive funds from the World Bank for successfully implementing reforms in key sectors; namely, income resources, organizational reforms, tax management, aid effectiveness and provincial budget, within three years.”[53]

$415m agreement signed to support Afghanistan’s energy security

An agreement was signed between the Afghan government and the Asian Development Bank worth $415 million to support Afghanistan’s energy security.[54]

Women in Afghanistan

Abdullah vows justice for slain Kandahar women at ‘any cost’

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah has vowed justice for the slain female security personnel of the Kandahar airport as he strongly condemned the brutal murder of the women.[55] President Ashraf Ghani also stated on Saturday that the killing of civilians, particularly women, was unjustified under any law, calling such acts a sign of the weakness of Afghanistan’s enemies.[56]

Plight of Women in Afghanistan is Fragile: Oxfam

Khairat Kampelman, director of Oxfam in Afghanistan, on Sunday said not enough women have been employed in security and justice departments and that this year’s program, the 1325 National Plan of Action, has faced numerous challenges. So far, there are 187 women judges and out of 2,897 attorneys, 677 of them are women.[57]

Taliban publicly execute mother of two in Badghis province

The Taliban militants brutally executed a woman in northwestern Badghis province of Afghanistan in public after she was forced to divorce her husband.[58]

Health Ministry Opens Rehab Center for Women, Children

According to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), over three million people are addicted to drugs in the country of whom one million are women and more than 100,000 are children.[59]

This weekly is compiled by Sitwat Waqar Bokhari who is a Research Fellow at CRSS.

Sources:

[1] http://www.radio.gov.pk/20-Dec-2016/pakistan-rejects-afghanistan-s-allegation

[2] http://www.khaama.com/pakistan-jailed-some-taliban-leaders-leaving-quetta-6-reach-helmand-raziq-02504

[3] http://www.khaama.com/16-isis-loyalists-killed-in-us-airstrike-in-east-of-afghanistan-02485

[4] http://www.khaama.com/gunmen-kill-5-female-workers-of-kandahar-airport-02486

[5] http://www.khaama.com/shooting-in-kabul-leaves-3-dead-and-3-others-wounded-02496

[6] http://www.khaama.com/nearly-90-dead-wounded-in-traffic-incidents-in-west-of-afghanistan-02495

[7] http://www.khaama.com/5-militants-killed-6-wounded-as-afghan-forces-repulse-attack-in-nangarhar-02497

[8] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4049936/Pentagon-confirms-death-two-Qaeda-leaders-Afghanistan.html

[9] http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/5-let-fighters-killed-in-ied-blast-in-afghanistan/story-iSkt12j17xWDaYTJ43U3AJ.html

[10] http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/faryadi-released-detention-after-deportation-uk