Daily Evacuation Brief | April 28, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
SAUDI ARABIA EVACUATES AFGHANS TRAPPED IN SUDAN – An undisclosed number of Afghan citizens who had been caught between the opposing forces in Sudan were successfully evacuated to Jeddah yesterday. It is believed approximately fifty Afghans remain in Khartoum and elsewhere across the country. Saudi Arabia reportedly conducted the evacuation after an official request was made by the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry.
BLOWBACK FROM ‘RECOGNITION’ REMARKS CONTINUE – After the UN’s Deputy Secretary General made remarks that led some to believe that recognition of the IEA would be discussed at next month’s UN meetings, criticism has continued to mount. Yesterday, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission added its voice to the chorus and stated flatly that any attempt to recognize the regime while the bans on females in classrooms and humanitarian work remain in place is unacceptable. The AIHRC statement is just one of many from international human rights organizations who are warning against such a move. However, the UN has walked back the comments, and representatives from the nations that will attend the meetings have reiterated that recognition was never on the agenda. The drama illustrates some dysfunction among the various UN agencies in their messaging and the Director for Human Rights Watch Asia, Patricia Grossman, highlights some of the confusion issuing out of New York and Geneva. The report can be found by scrolling down to our Daily WTF section.
PAKISTAN’S CRACKDOWN ON CRIME HAS BEEN BLOODY, 6 POLICE KILLED IN SHOOTOUT IN SINDH – The government announced in March that it intended to tackle the issues of street criminals in conjunction with an all-out assault on terrorism. The police have definitely made good on the promise to reduce crime but it has come at a tremendous cost. Yesterday, a shootout took place between police and members of a kidnapping/ransom criminal network in Sindh Province on Wednesday. Police reacted to a tip and mounted an operation to try and recover the son of a local mill owner near Jageer. A gun battle broke out and 5 police officers were killed at the scene with another perishing en route to medical attention. It is not clear if any of the criminals were killed or arrested and the fate of the kidnapped boy is not yet known. The incident is just one of several deadly encounters the Police force has been involved with as they ramp up their efforts on both the criminal and terror fronts.
TWO SEPARATE BUS ACCIDENTS KILL 17, MANY INJURED – Bus accidents in Balkh and Kandahar Provinces on Thursday claimed the lives of at least 17 people, and many others were reportedly injured in the accidents. A Taliban spokesman has said that negligent driving and fatigue have caused an uptick in fatalities over the holiday.
NEXT 24 HOURS
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL VOTE CONDEMNING TALIBAN EXPECTED – In an afternoon session on Thursday, the UNSC was expected to vote on a demand for the Taliban to reverse its restrictions on women’s education and work. The resolution was drafted jointly by the United Arab Emirates and Japan. Barring a veto from any of the permanent members of the council, the resolution was expected to pass. The vote could be significant leading into the Doha meetings from 1-2 May in Doha, Qatar which could well see a new strategy shift for dealing with the Taliban. UPDATE: The resolution passed unanimously late on Thursday.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iranian naval forces seized a Chinese-owned oil tanker in the Persian Gulf that was bound for Texas. It is not clear why the vessel was seized but it is thought to have been escorted to a port and is now anchored and under guard. The US has called on Iran to immediately release the ship.
Security forces have begun shutting down women-owned businesses in Tehran and other cities over the hijab issue. A report from Radio Free Europe alleges that plainclothes police are being used to enforce the hijab mandate now.
3 protestors were charged with a potential death penalty offense on Thursday for their perceived roles that led to the death of a Basij militia member in 2022.
PAKISTAN
Police say terrorists have attacked the Lakki Marwat College with explosives and have cordoned off the area to investigate. No reports of casualties were received and it was not clear which group may be responsible for the attack.
Apparently, the vote of confidence for the Prime Minister may have forced the opposition party (PTI) to the table to discuss the contentious election issue. The first meeting took place on Thursday at Parliament House.
Former PM, Imran Khan, is scheduled to appear before the High Court in Islamabad over charges stemming from eight different cases.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
How effective are US ‘Over-the-Horizon capabilities’ in Afghanistan?
By Jeff Schogol - Task & Purpose
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has argued that the Taliban killing of the Islamic State group leader believed responsible for the August 2021 attack on Abbey Gate that killed 13 U.S. service members helps to vindicate President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw all American troops from the country.
AFGHAN NEWS
DABS restores some power to Kabul after province plunged into darkness
By Ariana News
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), Afghanistan’s power utility company, said Thursday that one of two electrical circuits feeding…
Young lion of Panjshir fights Afghanistan’s 'epic prison'
By Thomas Harding - The National News
Ahmad Massoud was only 12 years old when his father was assassinated by Al Qaeda suicide bombers murdering one of…
Afghanistan’s security restored, no incidents reported over Eid: Muttaqi
By Ariana News
“We don’t have any reports of sadness, pain, or war, not in the provinces, not in the districts, not in the center, which is very good…
REGIONAL NEWS
Bomb Attack Kills Counter-Terrorism Officials in Balochistan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Fahad Khosa stated that the event occurred close to the Jhalawan Medical College on the…
Pakistan PM gets vote of confidence in National Assembly
By Ariana News
Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday successfully got the vote of confidence in the National Assembly and received…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UN Security Council set to condemn IEA crackdown on Afghan women
By Ariana News
The resolution to be voted on – drafted by the United Arab Emirates and Japan and seen by Reuters – describes the ban as “unprecedented in the history of…
Document: UN-Led Doha Meeting Outlined for Participants
By Mujeeb Rahman Awrang Stanikzai - TOLO News
The document said: "The circumstances facing Afghanistan have become more troubling and…
THE DAILY WTF
Watchdog points out ‘conflicting’ messages from UN on Afghanistan
By AMU TV
Human Rights Watch Asia Director Patricia Gossman said on Wednesday night that envoys attending the upcoming Doha meeting on Afghanistan need to take a stand that “only a reversal of the Taliban’s oppressive policies…
‘We concur. An armada must sail together.’ TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.32 AFN (as of 28 APR 2023)