Daily Evacuation Brief | December 19, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
PANJSHIR ARRESTS CONTINUE – While the Province has been much quieter than in 2022, the Taliban have continued to pressure citizens and a new round of arrests is rumored to have taken place. Those arrested stand accused of providing support to the National Resistance Front. There are also rumors that Taliban reinforcements have been dispatched to the Province and some have been reported to have taken over unoccupied houses in the Dara District. It is possible that the Taliban are being forced to act against the Resistance forces after a recent string of high-profile and successful strikes have caught the attention of the international community. The Taliban has barely spoken about the Resistance during 2023 but is beginning to bring them up in press conferences.
‘BEARDGATE’ CONTINUING IN HERAT – Multiple sources confirmed that Taliban authorities in Herat had detained 6 men for cutting their beards too short. The men are reputedly being kept in a shipping container and food and water are being withheld.
ATTITUDES TOWARDS RUSSIA CHANGING IN KABUL/KANDAHAR – Sources in both locations say that the Taliban has changed its view towards Russia for 2023. Recent remarks by the Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan illustrate a lack of trust in the Taliban’s capability/motivation to contain security threats. Initially, the Taliban hoped Russia’s unpopular War in Ukraine and anti-West sentiment would be useful in securing support for international recognition. However, sentiment has soured in both Kabul and Kandahar over the year as Ministers have complained of a series of ‘slights’ that have left them sidelined.
3 AFGHAN PILOTS KILLED IN PLANE CRASH IN US – 3 former Afghan military pilots were killed when their plane crashed in Oregon, USA on Saturday. The three were flying in dense fog when their plane struck power lines. The men were participating in an ‘occupational retraining’ program designed to allow them to find employment. US and Afghan military veteran organizations expressed condolences to the families and friends of the three men. An investigation into the crash has been opened.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The editor of Shargh newspaper, a daily that is circulated widely across the country, is facing prosecution for publishing the results of an online survey about the hijab that showed a strong majority of Iranians oppose the custom.
Gas stations across Iran were paralyzed after a cyber-attack paralyzed the system to accept smart card payments by Iranians.
Tehran unveiled a new mobile phone antivirus app that it plans to make mandatory. Cyber-security experts warn it will allow the regime to spy on citizens.
PAKISTAN
A US State Department spokesman apologized publicly to Pakistan for those killed by US weapons that were left behind when the US left Kabul.
Both the former Prime Minister (Imran Khan) and his former Federal Minister were acquitted of vandalism charges resulting from the May 2023 ‘Long March’.
Leaders of the PTI party are reportedly considering offering potential election seats to those leaders who have recently abandoned the party throughout 2023.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan Left out of Global Climate Change Conversation
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza - The Diplomat
On September 23, 2020, then-Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, speaking to the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, identified “five sources of unrest”’ in Afghanistan. Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, haphazard industrialization, rampant inequality, and the violence perpetrated by the Taliban, Ghani identified climate change as a source of violence and suffering in Afghanistan. Terming Afghanistan as the 17th worst-affected country, recurrently ravaged by seasonal floods and drought, Ghani called for “regional solutions based on international models” to address the problem of climate change.
AFGHAN NEWS
Kabul Calls on Host Nations to Not Use Afghan Refugees Politically
By TOLO News
Coinciding with International Migrants Day, the senior officials of the Islamic Emirate on Monday in a ceremony asked the countries not to…
Afghanistan: Women's rights activist released from prison after three months
By ANI
Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist in Afghanistan, has been released from prison by the Taliban administration after three months on…
Activists urge increased pressure on Taliban for release of detained rights defenders
By Bais Hayat - AMU TV
Following the recent release of two women’s rights activists from Taliban custody, advocates are urging increased international pressure on the Taliban to free other detained rights…
REGIONAL NEWS
Extremists attempted to infiltrate Tajikistan from Afghanistan throughout the year: Russia
By Ariana News
Throughout this year, attempts by extremists to infiltrate Tajikistan have been recorded at the Afghanistan border, Russia’s ambassador in Tajikistan, Semyon…
Won't compromise national security by accommodating 'aliens': PM Kakar
By GEO News
Reiterating his firm stance on the repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Mujahid Reacts to Japanese Ambassador's Remarks
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
Mujahid, speaking in response to remarks of Takayoshi Kuromiya, the Japanese ambassador in Kabul, said that now the world needs to recognize the…
Calls Mount for Afghans Not to Be Deported Forcefully From Host Countries
By TOLO News
On International Migrant Day, Afghan immigrants in some countries asked that other nations refrain from forcibly deporting Afghan…
THE DAILY WTF
Iranian Paper: Taliban Offers Bases And Logistics Aid To Jaish ul-Adl In Afghanistan
By Afghanistan International
An Iranian newspaper, Jomhouri-e Eslami, has published an article alleging that the Sunni Islamist armed group Jaish ul-Adl operates bases in Afghanistan with…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 69.84 AFN (as of 19 DEC 2023)