Daily Evacuation Brief | August 6, 2022

Aug 6, 2022

`LAST 24 HOURS`

A powerful bomb hidden in a cart went off near a Shiite gathering in Kabul’s Sar-e-Karez neighborhood, killing 8 ans injuring 18. The attack appears to have targeted a largely Shiite and Hazara community as they were preparing for Ashura. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack, which seems credible given their history of violence against Shiite communities. The incident may be linked to the Taliban’s recent clearing operation targeting an ISIS-K safe house in Kabul. Sources have claimed that two additional ISIS-K teams were thought to be operating in the city, and searches were reported across the city in the lead-up to the blast.
A dengue fever outbreak has been reported in Nangarhar with between 50 and 100 suspected cases since mid-June. So far, the outbreak has primarily affected women. The disease is spread by mosquitoes, and at-risk Afghans are encouraged to take all precautions necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. The World Health Organization is responding to the outbreak by distributing two thousand test kits and encouraging citizens to get tested if symptoms manifest.
Afghans across the country have been protesting the US’ recent drone drone strike targeting al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, saying the attack violated Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Reportedly, religious leaders appear to be encouraging their followers to take to the streets in a coordinated campaign to denounce the attack.
No clashes between the Taliban and Resistance forces have been reported over the last 24 hours. Sources in Kandahar report that rumors are circulating regarding talks taking place between the two groups. However, no supporting evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims.

`NEXT 24 HOURS`

An evacuation flight from Kabul to Qatar is scheduled to depart. Given the Taliban’s recent denunciations of the US’ drone strike on al-Zawahiri, the timing is odd and it is surprising that the flight remains scheduled.

`SPOTLIGHT PERSPECTIVE`

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We visited a Taliban leader's compound to examine his vision for Afghanistan

By Steve Inskeep – NPR

At the time we met Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, many Afghans knew there had been an explosion in Kabul, but not what it was. If Yaqoob knew more, he wasn't saying. He acknowledged "an incident today" but said it wasn't serious. It was 24 hours later when the Taliban said their preliminary investigation confirmed a strike by "American drones."