Daily Evacuation Brief | August 4, 2022
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LAST 24 HOURS
Taliban security forces claim to have been conducting a clearing operation of an ISIS safe house in the Karta-e-Sakhi neighborhood of Kabul when the militants began firing on Taliban forces. An active gun battle ensued, and eyewitnesses say that light and heavy weapons were used by both sides. A Taliban spokesman said the fighting ended in the afternoon with 2 Taliban security personnel killed (1 male, 1 female), 3 militants killed, and a final militant captured and under arrest. A heavy Taliban presence remains in the area, and pedestrians and vehicles were being turned away. No further information was available, and there was no explanation as to why a female Taliban security personnel involved in the clearing operation.
A contingent of Sikhs departed Afghanistan today due to security concerns in the country and will seek asylum in India.
Another religious scholar, Abdul Matin Mohammadi, was killed by unidentified gunmen in the Firozkoh district of Ghor. Mohammadi was seen to have been shot and killed by two men riding a motorcycle as he was returning home from a local mosque. No arrests have been made.
A Ministry of the Interior source claims that the Afghan people think the recent spate of murders targeting Afghan religious leaders are a reprisal for anti-Taliban sentiments that some of these figures shared with the authorities. The source went on to say that the killings do not appear to be organized by a central authority and are likely local affairs conducted by disparate groups.
More fighting was reported in the Khenj district, but reports have been extremely contradictory and it is unclear where the fighting is taking place currently. At-risk Afghans in Khenj are encouraged to shelter in place for the near term.
The Taliban shut down speculation that a new water rights deal with Iran was likely upcoming. The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water said the accord signed in 1973 would be respected and that there was no current interest in negotiating a new deal. Iran has signaled a desire to address the accord and has continually called on the Taliban to abide by the agreement. In recent months, Tehran has accused Kabul of failing to adhere to the accord, in particular regarding the Helmand River. Many international observers are closely monitoring the situation and have sounded alarm bells saying the dispute could develop into conflict. For its part, Kabul has announced plans to build a series of hydroelectric dams in the country to meet growing energy demand and reduce dependency on regional power providers.
NEXT 24 HOURS
The security forces currently deployed in and around the Karta-e-Sakhi neighborhood in Kabul have left a detachment in place. A local source claims they are looking for a second house and a vehicle possibly located nearby that was intended to be used in a bombing attack. Security forces were not conducting searches when last reported but appeared to be waiting for orders. At-risk Afghans are encouraged to avoid the area while the operation is ongoing.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
By Cole Bunzel – Foreign Affairs
Ayman al-Zawahiri was the ultimate survivor—until he wasn’t. For 20 years, a parade of other jihadist leaders—including Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Osama bin Laden, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and Anwar al-Awlaki—came to violent ends at the hands of U.S. forces. But Zawahiri stayed alive, seemingly invulnerable to American intelligence and drones.
AFGHAN NEWS
Fighting Ongoing in Karta-e-Sakhi Area of Kabul
By TOLO News
Earlier Kabul security department spokesman Khalid Zadran said security forces were conducting a clearing operation when gunfire came…
Tight-lipped Taliban leaders gather after U.S. says Zawahiri killed
By Jibran Ahmad & Mohammad Yunus Yawar – Reuters
Top leaders of Afghanistan's Taliban were holding discussions on Wednesday about how to respond to a U.S. drone strike in Kabul…
Afghanistan crisis update: Life after a year of Taliban rule
By CAFD
One of the great challenges in the country at present is the status and life chances of women and young girls.
REGIONAL NEWS
Drowning in Debt; Afghanistan Owes $28 Million to Tajikistan
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
In a press conference on August 1, the Tajik energy official stated that transferring money from the DABS company to Barqi Tojik became…
A Taliban commander says they can take over Tajikistan in a week
By Asia-Plus
Citing a source in Takhar province, Hasht-e Subh, an independent and nonprofit newspaper in Afghanistan, said on August 2 that one of Taliban’s commanders has warned…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US warns Taliban to abide by Doha peace agreement
By Jared Szuba – Al-Monitor
The Biden administration warned the Taliban government of Afghanistan on Tuesday that it would not receive the…
Hanafi: US Drone Strike Violates National Sovereignty, Doha Agreement
By Banafsha Binesh – TOLO News
Abdul Salam Hanafi, the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate, said that the US drone attack in Kabul violates both national sovereignty and…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban members beat Afghan journalist Selgay Ehsas, force her to record video message
By CPJ
Taliban authorities must investigate the beating and harassment of journalist Selgay Ehsas, hold those…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 90.40 AFN (as of 4 AUG 2022)