Daily Evacuation Brief | December 21, 2022
LAST 24 HOURS
WOMEN BARRED FROM PUBLIC/PRIVATE UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONS – The Minister for Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadim, announced the edict in a letter to all public and private universities across the country. The authenticity of the letter has been confirmed by multiple sources within the Taliban regime. While additional restrictions for women were anticipated, private universities were thought to have been spared any interference. Undoubtedly, the announcement will ignite additional criticism across the globe but the regime has remained impervious to such criticism in the past.
PAKISTAN COMMANDOS STORM BANNU FACILITY – Pakistani military forces reportedly stormed the Bannu facility and say they have killed all the militants who were holding several security personnel hostage. All hostages were reportedly freed. The operation took approximately 2 hours and began on 20 December at 1230hrs local time. An accurate casualty account has not been released as of publication but 2 Pakistani Commandos were reportedly killed in the operation and as many as 33 TTP inmates may have been killed.
SUICIDE BOMBING IN NORTH WAZIRISTAN KILLS 3 – A spokesman for the Pakistani Army said that 3 people were killed (1 soldier, 2 civilians) and 20 others were injured when a suicide bomber detonated a device in the market of Khuzdar. No group had yet claimed credit for the attack.
DEATH TOLL FROM SALANG TUNNEL TRAGEDY CLIMBS – At least 83 bodies have reportedly been recovered from the deadly fire in the tunnel. Based on rescue workers’ reports, the fire spread along the length of the tunnel as several coal-laden trucks burst into flames. Rescue workers are continuing their work and more bodies are expected to be discovered.
TTP LEADERSHIP WORKING OUT OF AFGHANISTAN – The confirmation that TTP terror operations are being directed from Pakistan has validated concerns voiced by regional leaders and some members of the international community who have continually claimed the leadership enjoyed protection from the Taliban. After the uprising in the Bannu detention facility, leaders from the Provincial government in Pakistan began negotiating with the TTP leadership in Afghanistan. The announcement places the Taliban in a difficult position with regard to continued denials by the regime about cross-border terrorism groups within their territory.
2 AMERICANS RELEASED BY TALIBAN AND HEADED TO QATAR – One of the released is Ivor Shearer, an American filmmaker who was arrested while he was filming a segment at the site of the US drone strike that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri. The US Government has not confirmed the identity of the second American. Both individuals flew to Qatar and are expected to head to the United States in time for the holidays. It is not currently clear what spurred the release and US officials were not prepared to comment.
NEXT 24 HOURS
COMMUNITIES ALONG PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN BORDER ON ALERT – The border areas in Pakistan are on high alert after a reputedly successful counter-terror operation at the Bannu holding facility killed several of the TTP militants who had taken control of the building. Local police, the Frontier Corps, and the regular Army have been told to expect potential TTP reprisals in the coming days and a source within the Police claimed an active search operation had been launched after a tip was received about a suicide bomb threat against a Mosque in Peshawar or Quetta had been received. While both governments announced an agreement to lower tensions along their shared border, it is not clear whether the Taliban can restrain local Commanders who may have sympathy for the TTP cause. Mosques in the border Provinces and the two main border crossing points could be areas of concern. Travel and worship plans in these areas should be considered carefully.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The EU lambasted the regime over the treatment of protestors and material support for Russia.
A leaked video of President Biden stating the nuclear deal is ‘dead’ is circulating widely on social media and has reputedly incensed European Union negotiators.
Protests continue and show no sign of slowing down.
PAKISTAN
The siege at the Bannu compound came to an end when Pakistani military personnel stormed the facility.
SPOTLIGHT CORRUPTION
By Mattathia Schwartz & Edris Lutfi - Insider
During the final months of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, as the Taliban advanced on the capital, the elected government struggled to reassure its US patrons that it could maintain control. Yet at the same time, smugglers were illegally carrying hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and gold out of the country with the assistance of officials from within the Afghan government, according to internal government documents and former Afghan officials.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan: Hundreds of illegal migrants leave from Herat daily
By AMU TV
Every day, hundreds of Afghans arrive at hotels in Herat city where they embark on their illegal journey to Iran which is facilitated by…
Taliban bans Afghan women from attending universities
By AP
Women are banned from private and public universities in Afghanistan with immediate effect and until further notice, a Taliban government spokesman said Tuesday, the…
Survivors Of Deadly Taliban Raid On Hazara Village In Afghanistan Demand Justice
By RFE
The militant group said it targeted and killed "armed rebels" in a village outside of the provincial capital, Nilli, on…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghanistan-Based Fugitive Militant Chief Admits Directing Terrorism in Pakistan
By Ayaz Gul - VOA
The leader of an outlawed militant alliance waging terrorism in Pakistan praised his fighters Tuesday for taking several security officials hostage…
Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to resolve border issues
By Geo News
After several days of hostility at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chaman, authorities on both sides Tuesday agreed to resolve border…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
IEA should accept world’s demands for the interests of Afghanistan: Guterres
By Ariana
The United Nations Secretary-General has called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to accept the demands of the international…
Finland went ‘all-in’ on Afghanistan for foreign policy brownie points – report
By Pekka Vanttinen - EURACTIV TV
Finland’s high contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, as well as the significant humanitarian aid it sent…
THE DAILY WTF
IEA Urges Countries to Release Afghan Undocumented Refugees
By Bakhtar News Agency
Currently, thousands of Afghan refugees are imprisoned in a number of countries due to lack of legal…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.77 AFN (as of 21 DEC 2022)