Thread by @jseldin

NEW: @DoD_IG report on US-#Afghanistan raises concern about #Taliban, citing violence from January-March
#Taliban
"The United States & Taliban agreed to a 1-week reduction in violence prior to the signing of the agreement but Taliban violence during the quarter overall was high"

"While the #Taliban reduced attacks against US & coalition forces, it continued to attack the #Afghan National Defense & Security Forces, particularly after the signing of the agreement" per acting @DoD_IG Sean O'Donnell

Also, as w/recent @SIGARHQ report, @DoD_IG not given data on enemy initiated attacks, "which is normally discussed in Lead IG reports" per O'Donnell

@DeptofDefense said info "sensitive as it was part of ongoing interagency deliberations over whether the #Taliban is complying"

.@SIGARHQ complained about US/coalition withholding enemy initiated attack data, calling it "one of the last remaining metrics SIGAR was able to use to report publicly on the security situation in #Afghanistan"
voanews.com/south-central-…

NEW: 1 reason for increased in violence in #Afghanistan in Jan-Feb - US “military pressure” on the #Taliban "to create the conditions for a political settlement" US Forces-Afghanistan told @DoD_IG

Insider attacks targeting #Afghan forces - by #Taliban infiltrators - problematic, per @DoD_IG

US Forces-Afghanistan documents 17 insider attacks between January & March, killing 48 Afghan service members & 2 US troops

Per USFOR-A, none of the insider attacks from January to March exclusively targeted coalition members

2019 was the deadliest year for insider attacks, per @DoD_IG with 172 Afghan troops killed, and another 85 wounded

"In contrast to the rising trend of insider attacks against the ANDSF, such attacks against US and coalition forces have remained relatively low since 2015" per @DoD_IG

NEW: #ISIS-#Khorasan substantially weakened in #Afghanistan

@DefenseIntel tells @DoD_IG ISIS-K could have as few as 300 members left in Afghanistan, w/ only 50-100 in #Nangarhar province

But DIA cautions, that on the high end, ISIS-K could have as many as 2,500 fighters

Loss of territory in #Nangarhar province likely caused #ISIS-#Khorasan to change how it operates but ISIS affiliate continues to pose a threat to US, coalition & #Afghan forces, @DefenseIntel tells @DoD_IG

#ISIS-#Khorasan planning & recruitment efforts hurting due to losses in #Nangarhar, lessening group's ability to carry out high-profile attacks

"ISIS-K clandestine cells were continuing to plan and conduct operations against U.S. and Afghan forces" per @DoD_IG

Impact of US-#Taliban agreement, for now, is uncertain

"The DIA stated that, as of the end of the quarter, it was not possible to determine the extent to which ISIS-K was benefiting from or using the agreement" per @DoD_IG

.@DefenseIntel tells @DoD_IG that #Pakistan continues to harbor #Taliban, #Haqqani Network but did encourage Taliban to engage in peace talks

NEW: @NATO Special Operations Component Command–Afghanistan confirms it will dissolve the 18,000 member #Afghan Local Police, per @DoD_IG

Funding runs out in September - tentative plan in place to recover weapons/equipment

Per @DoD_IG, #Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior Affairs will demobilize #Afghan Local Police units by district

Current ALP officers will be encouraged to join the Afghan National Army or other forces, "in order to mitigate the potential of creating future insurgents"

#Iran in #Afghanistan: "Iran seeks to manipulate any future Afghan gvt by trying to influence elections & politics & by endeavoring to secure a central role in #Taliban reconciliation talks" per @DoD_IG report

@DefenseIntel also assesses #Tehran providing lethal aid to #Taliban