Daily Evacuation Brief | August 16, 2022
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LAST 24 HOURS
Presumably in response to the 1-year anniversary of Taliban rule, fighting broke out across the North as Resistance forces attempted to remind the world that an active resistance exists. Panjshir witnessed the bulk of the fighting, and most incidents appear to have been offensive actions taken by the NRF against Taliban positions. At the end of the day, the NRF announced it had liberated seven villages from Taliban control and were continuing their advances toward larger Taliban bases. A source allied with the Resistance said the actions represent the opening of a campaign to liberate Panjshir but was skeptical that the offensive could be maintained for long. The force ratio in Panjshir was last estimated to stand at 23:1 in favor of the Taliban, and the NRF is hampered by a lack of light/heavy transport.
A car bomb was reported in Police District 7 in Kabul. 4 civilians were reportedly injured in the blast, and the target of the attack was not clear. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
At least 30 people were killed and an unknown number are missing and/or injured as a result of heavy flooding in Parwan province. Most of the deaths occurred in the Ghorband Valley.
Iranian border security forces announced they had intercepted a shipment of 100 kilograms of narcotics hidden inside a fuel tanker at the Afghanistan-Iran Dogharoun crossing.
NEXT 24 HOURS
If the reports of NRF successes in Panjshir are true, it is likely that the Taliban will respond with a large counteroffensive. In previous actions, the Taliban have sometimes targeted non-combatants in the province, especially those in minority groups or believed to be NRF sympathizers. Those living in the area should be prepared for significant combat actions and seek shelter.
ISIS-K may seek to launch another terrorist attack in Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, or Mazar-i-Sharif to blunt Taliban celebrations and gain some international media coverage.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan: One year of Taliban rule
By Hameed Hakimi & Gareth Price – Chatham House
Since seizing power, the Taliban claim they have achieved full territorial control, established security and removed ‘islands of illegitimate power’. However, while physical security has improved by some measures – aid agencies report enhanced access to some provinces – a significant rise in attacks by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) targeting Shia and other minorities is one of many reminders that Afghanistan is far from secure. In addition, targeted killings of high-profile Taliban supporters and members, some claimed by the IS-KP in suicide attacks mimicking Taliban tactics, underline the vicious nature of the ongoing conflict.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban marks "Victory Day" a year after taking over Afghanistan
By CBS News
Taliban militants hold their weapons aloft as they march through the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 15, 2022, marking their "Victory Day" exactly one…
4 injured in car bomb blast in Kabul
By MEHR News Agency
The incident happened when a car exploded near the door of the Afghan Wireless Telecommunication Company due to a magnetic bomb planted in…
National Resistance Front Principles Call for ‘Decentralized’ System and Fight against ‘Tyranny’
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
In a statement, the Ahmad Massoud-led National Resistance Front (NRF) outlined the “basic principles” of the resistance, emphasizing…
Afghan opposition ‘very weak’ despite mounting public anger against Taliban
By Tom Wheeldon – Agence-France Presse
One year after the fall of Kabul, many of the opposition commanders famous for their stand in Panjshir Valley remain exiled…
REGIONAL NEWS
U.S.-Trained Afghan Commandos Fled to Iran With Weapons, Report Finds
By Adam Kredo – Washington Free Beacon
Elite Afghan soldiers trained by the United States fled to Iran with weapons and specialized combat training following the Biden administration’s bungled…
Speculations rife on India’s role in aiding US on Zawahiri’s location in Kabul
By The New Indian Express
According to the report in The Express Tribune, the targeted compound is just a few minutes' drive from the Indian Embassy in Kabul where…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghans gather in London to mark poignant anniversary of Taliban takeover
By Laura O’Callaghan – News UK
There were sombre scenes at a gathering of Afghans in West London on Monday, as dozens poured into a community centre to mark the…
Afghan diplomatic missions call for reinforcing travel ban on Taliban leaders
By PTI
The international community should reinforce the UN-mandated travel ban on certain Taliban leaders as the group has misused the…
THE DAILY WTF
Biden ‘marks’ anniversary of Taliban takeover with silence, vacation
By Jeff Mordock – The Washington Examiner
President Biden ignored the first anniversary of the Taliban’s Afghanistan takeover Monday, instead relaxing on vacation with no public appearances or…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.73 AFN (as of 16 AUG 2022)