Daily Evacuation Brief | August 23, 2022
LAST 24 HOURS
A MYSTERIOUS DRONE — An unidentified drone was filmed while reportedly loitering over the Abdullahkhel area of Dara District in Panjshir. Several videos have been posted, lending credibility to the reports. The drone appeared to loiter for a couple of hours before it was observed moving off to the north. It is unclear which country or group owns and operated the drone.
FACEBOOK CRACKDOWN? — Several members of the small ulema who met in Kandahar recently made calls to shut down access to Facebook access in Afghanistan. Two unnamed advisors to Supreme Leader Hibatullah declared that the social media site is corrosive to morality. Leading religious figures have also stated that Afghans should be spending their money on necessities, not Facebook, despite no evidence that Afghans are directing income toward the site.
CONTROVERSIAL LAND REFORM — The Taliban began a land reform program in Takhar province that mirrors operations that began in Herat earlier this year. Local sources stated that a controversial program began on Monday to settle recently arrived nomads, reportedly from Pakistan, in the province on plots of land owned by local inhabitants with minority backgrounds. Local inhabitants are concerned the Taliban’s strategy is to displace ethnic/religious minorities with populations who are perceived to be loyal to the Pashtun factions of the Taliban. The local communities have protested the program to Taliban authorities but have not received any indication that the program will be halted. Historically, land reform programs have resulted in violence.
FLOODING HAVOC — Powerful storms caused significant flooding, and at least 16 people were reportedly drowned in eastern provinces. More storms are in the forecast for southern and eastern Afghanistan.
NEXT 24 HOURS
A NEW TALIBAN STRATEGY IN THE NORTH — The new special military commander for Panjshir, Abdul Qayyum Zakir, has called a meeting with local commanders in order to discuss a new strategy for how Taliban forces in the north can more effectively deal with Resistance forces. A source in the Ministry of Defense says that several of the current commanders will be relieved at this meeting and replaced. Security at the meeting has been increased, and there is an expectation of violence.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Five Rules for Building a Resilient Afghanistan
By Robert Holbert – The National Interest
Last August, I was angry over how the United States extricated itself from Kabul and strongly disagreed with the decision to remove U.S. forces from Afghanistan. On this one-year anniversary of the withdrawal from Kabul, I still have a broken heart for Afghanistan, the other land I love. Further, I still harbor anger at the way we departed, how the United States just up and ran out on our Afghan partners and allies after twenty years of war against a truly evil enemy—an enemy that is a danger beyond the region.
AFGHAN NEWS
Vice And Virtue Ministry to Form Dept Staffed By Women
By TOLOnews
The Ministry of Vice and Virtue’s (MoVV) spokesman said that a "women employees" department will be formed to continue activities within the ministry.
Disaster Management Ministry Calls for Intl Help
By TOLOnews
In a visit to the Khoshi district of Logar, site of recent flooding that took the lives of more 20 people, the Deputy Minister of Disaster Management, Sharafuddin…
IEA orders shopkeepers in Kabul to attend congregational prayers
By Ariana News
The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has ordered shopkeepers in some areas in…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghanistan: How the UAE-Haqqani link trumped Qatar’s Taliban relationship
By Andreas Krieg – Middle East Eye
Abu Dhabi emerged as another broker in Afghanistan to rival Qatar’s influence, as part of a grand strategy to become a…
Türkiye continues to lend helping hand to disaster-hit Afghanistan
By The Daily Sabah
Turkish institutions continue to stand with the Afghan people, who have recently suffered heavy losses due to earthquakes and…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
U.S. commits to Afghan asset talks despite frustration with Taliban
By Jonathan Landay – Reuters
U.S. President Joe Biden's administration will press ahead with talks on releasing billions of dollars in Afghanistan's foreign-held assets despite the late al Qaeda…
Revocation or Extension: Taliban Official’s Travel Ban Waiver to Be Reviewed by UNSC Today
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
The UN Security Council (UNSC) will vote today on whether to extend the 13 Taliban officials’ travel exemptions or to rescind their…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban circulates video of Haqqanis plotting 2010 suicide raid against U.S. troops
By Bill Roggio – The Long War Journal
A video showing deputy Taliban emir and interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and other top terrorist commanders finishing…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.20 AFN (as of 23 AUG 2022)