Daily Evacuation Brief | April 5, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
MAJOR COMBAT OPERATION IN NIMRUZ – Early reports suggested that a relatively small security operation had been carried out in Zaranj, Nimruz on Monday night. However, follow-up reporting arrived with video and audio files that confirmed a major battle occurred and appears to have stretched into Tuesday. The Taliban have claimed they faced off against ISIS-K but additional information indicates that former members of the Afghan Army were involved. Many casualties on both sides have been claimed with as many as 40 dead or wounded Taliban and 10 dead on the other side. Several arrests were reported as well but these have yet to be confirmed. Air assets were employed to MEDEVAC some of the Taliban wounded. Our initial analysis suggests the battle is the largest confrontation the Taliban have faced in 2023 so far.
BLAST REPORTED NEAR THE AIRPORT IN KABUL – Multiple sources reported a blast in Police District 9 (near the airport) at approximately 2000hrs local. The roads leading to the airport have had significantly increased Taliban traffic but details about the explosion are not clear and it may have been due to an accident.
THE UN IMPASSE – The United Nations ordered its staff to remain at home for the next two days while it attempts to unravel a Taliban order that was issued on Tuesday that bars female employees from working on various humanitarian projects. Women staff members were actively barred from entering offices in Eastern Nangarhar early on Tuesday morning. UN officials have said they have not received a copy of the order and are asking for clarification from the Taliban. All staff have been ordered to remain at home (both male and female). If the situation is resolved, UN offices would likely reopen on Sunday at the earliest due to the weekend. A Taliban decree issued in December 2022 banned women from working for foreign and domestic NGOs but has largely been selectively enforced.
NEXT 24 HOURS
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES SUFFERED IN NIMRUZ, ADDITIONAL SECURITY OPERATIONS ARE EXTREMELY LIKELY – It is not clear who or how many combatants the Taliban may have squared off against on Monday and Tuesday in Nimruz, but we have confirmed that many casualties resulted from the fray. There are reports that additional Taliban units have been ordered to Zaranj and that even border security forces were being stripped to respond to the threat. At-risk Afghans in Zaranj and across the Province will see significantly reinforced Taliban units on roadways and in the air. After having lost so many of their comrades, it is possible they may seek to take vengeance on non-combatants. The Province has not been a habitual battleground for ISIS-K or the Resistance and the bulk of the Taliban deployed in the area are considered to be inexperienced. Historically, inexperienced fighters have a tendency to overreact and such actions can cause collateral damage. We recommend that at-risk Afghans shelter in place until the situation becomes clearer.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A funeral procession for 2 Iranian Revolutionary Guards advisors killed in last week’s Israeli airstrikes in Syria attracted several thousand mourners. The regime has vowed to respond to the attacks.
Greek authorities revealed the name of the Pakistan-born, Iranian-based planning officer for the disrupted terror attacks planned for a Jewish site in Athens. Mohammad Mohsen Reza, 65 years old and living in Qom, Iran was outed as the mastermind behind a global Pakistani youth network.
More rumors swirled about a potential ‘partial’ nuclear deal between Washington and Iran.
PAKISTAN
The Prime Minister and his cabinet have rejected the ruling by the Supreme Court that criticized the Election Commission’s decision to schedule elections in October. The court’s ruling has provided opposition parties with political ammunition against the regime.
Former PM, Imran Khan, arrived for court in Lahore wearing ‘bulletproof’ headgear.
The Pakistani Rupee declined sharply against the dollar after the Monetary Policy Committee announced it would raise interest rates to 21% (the highest ever recorded). The move is meant to assuage IMF creditors to secure a much-needed loan but small businesses and domestic industries are opposed to the raises.
UZBEKISTAN
The government has canceled a Russian-sponsored festival that was due to take place in the capital on 20 and 21 May over the participation of several ‘pro-invasion of Ukraine’ artists in the lineup. Kazakhstan had previously canceled the same event earlier in the year.
Civil-society activists have launched an anti-violence against women campaign in the capital of Tashkent to raise awareness about the issue.
Indonesian authorities say they have arrested 4 Uzbek men suspected of belonging to the Katiba Tawhid Wal Jihad (terror group). The four appear to have financial support and are accused of spreading terror propaganda on social media platforms.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghan Refugees: An Everlasting Plight
By The Geneva Graduate Institute
Last year, 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees were found living in Pakistan. People who hold a Proof of Registration (valid until June 2023) have access to education and health. Another 600,000 Afghans are undocumented, whilst 840,000 people hold an Afghan citizenship card. 300,000 Afghans are estimated to have entered Pakistan since the Taliban regained power. During winter 2022–2023, Islamabad authorities rounded up unregistered Afghans for an unprecedented and massive deportation, a practice criticised in the past by humanitarian organisations and largely found ineffective because of the porous borders between the two countries.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghan Security Forces Kill 6 Key Daesh Fighters in Balkh Province
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Mohammad Asif Waziri, a spokesperson for Balkh provincial police, confirmed that in a special raid by the Taliban security forces, six key fighters of…
Afghan women UN staff blocked from work in eastern province: UN
By The New Arab
Afghan women who are United Nations employees have been blocked from work in eastern Nangarhar province, the UN mission said…
57000 Afghan Civilians Killed, Injured by Landmines in Afghanistan: UN
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
On the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance In Mine Action, the UN said in a series of tweets that mine action partners have removed…
REGIONAL NEWS
Russia to Convene Conference on Afghanistan in April
By Banafsha Binesh - TOLO News
Russia has announced it will hold a conference on Afghanistan in Uzbekistan on April 13, and representatives of neighboring…
Russian Consulate General Open in Mazar-e-Sharif: Kabulov
By Mohammad Farshad Daryosh - TOLO News
According to the TASS report, Alexey Pereverzev was previously appointed as Russian consul general in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US Military Kills Top Daesh Commander in Syria Drone Strike
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The American-led coalition carried out a drone strike in northwest Syria killing a top commander of the Islamic State who was supposedly in charge of organizing…
How a law change could soon allow Canadian aid to return to Afghanistan
By Ali M. Latifi - The New Humanitarian
After a 20-month hiatus, an amendment to Canada’s anti-terrorism law could soon permit aid to flow once again from Ottawa to Kabul, as…
THE DAILY WTF
Afghanistan: Another blow for Herat women; Taliban bans them from restaurants
By AMU TV
According to some restaurant owners, this latest order was issued by the Taliban’s vice and virtue directorate in Herat and is yet another blow to an industry that is…
“Stupid is as stupid does.” Forest Gump
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.36 AFN (as of 5 APR 2023)