Daily Evacuation Brief | February 27, 2023
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LAST 24 HOURS
SECURITY OPERATION IN POLICE DISTRICT 17 REPORTEDLY TARGET ISIS-K – Taliban officials launched a counter-ISIS security operation in the Khari Kane neighborhood of Kabul. The fighting went on for an extended period of time with both light and heavy weapons being used. Multiple explosions were also reported in the affected area. Taliban officials claim that 2 ISIS-K fighters were killed and 1 was injured and remains in custody. Some local eyewitnesses cast doubt on the men who were targeted and said they were not ISIS-K members. There are scattered reports of a second Taliban operation in PD 17 that was focused on suspected kidnappers and it is possible, the information is being misattributed.
TAJIK BORDER GUARDS KILL 3 AFGHANS – 3 Afghan men were shot by Tajik border forces as they attempted to enter Tajikistan from the Bostan crossing in the Darqad District of Takhar Province. 1 of the men was killed instantly while the other two were drowned after being shot and swept away by the Amu River (one body was recovered, but the other remains missing). The men were rumored to be transporting drugs and a pro-Resistance website claimed that 2 of the men were Taliban security force members. However, this information has yet to be confirmed.
FORMER AFGHAN ARMY SOLDIERS FACE ARREST IN HELMAND – Taliban forces have reportedly arrested over 40 former Afghan Army soldiers from the previous regime over the past 72hrs in Helmand Province. It is not clear what charges have been levied against the men at this time.
SEARCH OPERATIONS IN NIMRUZ REPORTED – Taliban vehicles closed off ancillary roads in Zaranj City, and several teams of security personnel were seen manning checkpoints around the city. Home searches were conducted, but no reports of arrests have been received. It is not clear what prompted the security operation or what threat the Taliban was responding to.
800 PAKISTAN TRUCKS CROSS INTO AFGHANISTAN THROUGH TORKHAM IN 24 HRS – After the extended closure of the border crossing, local sources reported that trucks were passing through Torkham at an unprecedented rate. Both Pakistani and Taliban border forces allowed the vehicles to pass with minimal checks. Pedestrian traffic had returned to normal levels as well.
SEVERAL HUNDRED AFGHANS PROTEST SLOW VISA ISSUANCE FROM US – Hundreds of Afghans in Pakistan gathered at the National Press Club in Islamabad to draw attention to the tectonic pace of the US visa process. They demanded the US expedite their cases. No violence was reported.
NEXT 24 HOURS
HOUSE SEARCHES TO BEGIN IN POLICE DISTRICT 11 OF KABUL – Based on an unspecified threat, Taliban police, and GDI agents are expected to launch a search of houses in PD 11 today. It could be related to the recent counter-ISIS operation from yesterday. At-risk Afghans residing in PD 11 are encouraged to hide all documents and money as well as remove any paraphernalia from the former regime.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iranian authorities were quick to distance themselves from the drama playing out at the Afghan embassy in Tehran. They said the matter was an internal one and that they had yet to receive any communication from Kabul about the embassy.
Several dozen Iranian school girls are said to have been poisoned in a bizarre case that includes 4 cities. No deaths have been reported but many were rushed to hospitals for treatment and health officials were not prepared to make a statement yet.
Russia took delivery of ballistic missiles from Iran and made an offer to assist with the country’s program.
PAKISTAN
A blast in Balochistan has killed 5 and wounded another 13. No group has yet claimed responsibility.
The country mourned several Pakistanis who were killed off the coast of Italy when their boat crashed against rocks.
Faiz Muhammad, an Afghan national that had been detained in Karachi’s Landhi Jail, died on Sunday. She was 60 years old and was reportedly suffering from a prolonged illness.
SPOTLIGHT GENDER
By Zan Times
Eight months after the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett was appointed to be the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. The New Zealander has a long career working on human rights issues, both at the United Nations as well as independent organizations, such as Amnesty International.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan: House-to-house searches underway in Nimroz
By AMU TV
Karim, a resident of Zaranj, said the Taliban started house-to-house searches at 6 am on Sunday in PD1…
Enrollment Drops By 70% in Universities, Educational Centers
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
The union of universities and educational centers said that the recent restrictions on female education has severely…
IEA rejects reports it asked Pakistan for funds to fight TTP
By Ariana News
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on Sunday rejected reports it asked Pakistan to give them funds to disarm and…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghan refugees in Pakistan protest amid delay in US resettlement
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Hundreds of Afghan refugees who have been waiting in Pakistan for more than 18 months to receive US visas demonstrated in the…
At Least 4 People Killed, 14 Injured in Balochistan Explosion
By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press
At least four people were killed, and 14 injured in a bomb blast that took place in a local market in Barkhan city of Balochistan on…
By Ariana News
A 60-year-old Afghan national has died in the Landhi jail, in Karachi, sources said on…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
China calls on Washington to return Afghanistan’s frozen funds
By Ariana News
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Wang said in response to a US judge ruling against families of September 11 victims being given…
THE DAILY WTF
Migrant boat carrying Afghans sinks off Italy, leaving 45 dead
By Ariana News
Forty-five people died, including some children, when a wooden sailing boat carrying migrants crashed against rocks on the…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.92 AFN (as of 27 FEB 2023)