Daily Evacuation Brief | August 14, 2022

Aug 14, 2022

`LAST 24 HOURS`

Taliban security forces disrupted a scheduled women’s rally in Kabul near the Ministry of Education. Several videos of the Taliban’s response are circulating on social media and news sites; rifle fire can be heard and Taliban soldiers can be seen chasing women and striking them with the butts of their rifles. Many of the women were shouting the slogan, “Work, bread, and freedom”, and several of the protestors refused to wear veils.
- A source with the Ministry of the Interior claimed several local leaders who helped plan the protest were warned to “stay off the streets” by Taliban Intelligence officials. Unconfirmed reports have been received that the protest was organized by international NGOs.
- 10 journalists have reputedly been arrested and are being held. Our analysis indicates that known participants will likely be targeted for arrest in the coming days.
A bomb believed to be attached to a motorcycle was remotely detonated in Police District 13 near the Dasht Barchi branch (electronic ID card center), wounding 2 Taliban security guards and 2 civilians. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
US government officials’ announcement about the upcoming $150 million aid package is a strong indicator that the recent drone strike on the al-Qaeda leader was sanctioned by the Taliban leadership. A source present at the recent Tashkent conference in Uzbekistan suggested a private meeting took place between US and select Taliban delegates to negotiate the deal. Historically, an easing of sanctions or an aid package follows such agreements.
Several news sources are beginning to report that the killing of the TTP commander last week was the result of a Pakistan drone strike. Sources in Pakistan have not confirmed the method used but have suggested that the attack was sanctioned by senior leaders of the TTP as the deceased commander was thought to be organizing a terror campaign that would violate the current ceasefire. No further information was available.

`NEXT 24 HOURS`

The Taliban are expected to attack the NRF in Panjshir, including Shaba Base and one unidentified base. Sources in the Ministry of Defense say local Taliban commanders initially rejected orders to attack the NRF but were overruled by senior leaders in the Ministry. At-risk Afghans can expect fighting in the province for the next 48hrs.

`SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS`

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Afghanistan: One year on from fall of Kabul, little hope for female athletes

By Deutsche Welle

"I knew if I stayed, the Taliban would find me, beat me and burn me alive. So, I thought if I got killed by a bullet or I was crushed at the airport while waiting to escape the country, it would be an easier death."

`AFGHAN NEWS`

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4 People Wounded in Kabul Blast

By TOLO News

Abdul Rahman Nafay, commander of PD13, told TOLOnews that the blast was due to explosives placed in a…

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Taliban fire warning shots amid rare women's protest in Afghan capital

By EURONEWS

Dramatic video footage shows armed men firing gunshots into the air, causing demonstrators to flee on…

Thirteen people killed in flash floods in Afghanistan

By Ariana News

Thirteen people including women and children have been killed in flash floods caused by heavy rains over the past two days in…

`REGIONAL NEWS`

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100 Sikhs, Hindus waiting to come to India: Afghan Sikh leader

By The New Indian Express

Around 100 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus want to come to India but are unable to as some of their family members are yet to receive their e-visas from the…

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Iran, Taliban call for security cooperation to fight Daesh: special envoy

By The Tehran Times

“In these meetings, the two sides stressed the need for promotion of positive interaction and expansion of relations in various fields, particularly the…”