Daily Evacuation Brief | August 2, 2022

Aug 2, 2022

`LAST 24 HOURS`

According to multiple official sources, the CIA conducted a successful drone strike against al-Qaida in Afghanistan. Reports suggest that Ayman al-Zawahri, the leader of the organization, was killed in the strike. The strike reputedly took place early Sunday morning and was previously reported in the Daily Evacuation Brief as a ‘rocket attack’. A statement from the Taliban confirmed the strike but did not mention al-Zawahri’s name. The statement concluded with a rebuke of the attack. US personnel were reportedly on the ground when the strike was carried out but have subsequently been pulled out. President Biden is expected to brief the Nation as the Daily Evacuation Brief is published today.
Several hundred Taliban reinforcements have been sent to the Rukha district in Panjshir. Most appear to have been stationed around Hesarak village, and there are unconfirmed reports that local residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes. It is presumed the Taliban intend to garrison their fighters in the homes but they likely also want to remove potential Resistance collaborators from the area to secure their internal maneuvers. Previously, the Taliban ordered the removal of residents of Gul Zangar in the Rukha district in similar circumstances. The recently arrived reinforcements signal an intention to widen the conflict against NRF forces who have dug in successfully in the province.
The Taliban publicly flogged three people (2 men, 1 woman) in Nangarhar province for the crime of adultery. Each person was given 39 lashes. With Supreme Leader Akhundzada’s recent affirmation of strict adherence to Sharia law, more of these punishments are expected across the country.
The Taliban have reportedly removed the Nowruz and Ashura holidays from the official calendar, as well as Women’s Solidarity Day and the International Day for the Prevention of Violence Against Women. The official calendar has been released on a number of Ministry websites.
Today’s confirmation of military action against Pakistani forces in the Wakhan Corridor area seemingly resolves the conflicting rumors about the disputed area that have been circulating for the past several days. Taliban forces have moved into the territory and are said to have pushed Pakistani border forces out of Afghan territory. The local Taliban have ratcheted up their propaganda campaign (especially in local media), calling the Pakistani forces cowards for abandoning their positions so quickly. Tensions are said to be running high, and it isn’t clear if Pakistani convoy(s) had already made the trip through the corridor to China and are now stranded.
- Beloved Pakistan Lieutenant General Sarfaraz Ali and 5 other officials were killed when their helicopter crashed while conducting flood relief operations in Balochistan. Although no foul play is suspected, tensions remain high given ongoing operations in Balochistan and increased conflict in Wakhan. Suspicions may be raised of Balochistan Liberation Army involvement with Taliban support, which could provoke a border incident or further deteriorated diplomatic relations.

`NEXT 24 HOURS`

At-risk Afghans residing in Panjshir should expect new Taliban combat operations in areas where Resistance forces have established bases. The recently arrived reinforcements were accompanied by fresh orders to eradicate the NRF in Panjshir. For its part, the NRF seems to have outwitted the Taliban, and a strategy to interdict supplies of arms, ammunition, food, and medical supplies from the West has collapsed. Many of the Taliban units sent to guard the mountain passes routinely used for resupply have failed to report in for weeks, and according to a Ministry of Defense source they are presumed to have been lost to Resistance forces. Without a change in tactics the stalemate looks like it will continue for months. Residents in the contested areas have complained they have not been able to work their fields and herds and are concerned they may starve once winter arrives.

`SPOTLIGHT PERSPECTIVE`

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Justine Fleischner on the State of Afghanistan After 1 Year of Taliban Rule

By Catherine Putz – The Diplomat

“The Taliban has clearly prioritized its religious and ideological agenda over the economy and the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people,” said Justine Fleischner, director of research at Afghan Peace Watch (APW), in the following interview with The Diplomat’s Catherine Putz. Fleischner identifies key developments in the past year, from new security risks to the revival of age-old repression of women, and points out that the Taliban are ill-equipped to manage these overlapping crises.

`AFGHAN NEWS`

FILE PHOTO - Al Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahri speaks from an unknown location, in this still image taken from video uploaded on...

CIA drone strike kills al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri in Afghanistan

By the Associated Press

A CIA drone strike has killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri in Afghanistan, according to five people familiar with…

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University entry test delayed over separation of girls, boys classes

By Ahmad Sohib Hasrat – Pajhwok Afghan News

High school graduates want the university entry test, which has already been delayed by about three months, to be organised as early as…

‘My Classmates Have No Hope’

By Razia Mohseni – The Fuller Project

I am a 16-year-old high school student in one of the northern provinces of…

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Former Health Official at Estiqlal Hospital in Afghan Capital Killed by Unknown Gunmen

By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press

Taleb Hossein Shirzad, the former chief nursing officer at Istiqlal State Hospital, was killed by unidentified gunmen, according to…

`REGIONAL NEWS`

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Taliban captures strategic Wakhan Corridor from Pakistan

By ANI

Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip in the strategic region of Afghanistan’s north extending to China and separating Badakhshan and Chuparson vally has been captured by…