Daily Evacuation Brief | February 6, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
DIPLOMATIC EXODUS – A major US news agency said that sources had confirmed Saudi Arabian diplomats had left Kabul and its embassy had been closed. Taliban spokesman, Zabiullha Mujahid said that the departure was only for training and that they would return soon. Few appear to believe this assertion and attribute the departure to an incident where female embassy employees were barred from entering the chancellery grounds by Taliban guards. An additional unconfirmed report of potential security threats against the foreign diplomatic personnel and facilities has also been circulated by sources and the one directed against the Saudi Arabian embassy was said to involve an ISIS-K car bomb plot. Finally, there have been unsubstantiated rumors that UAE and Qatari diplomatic personnel have departed Kabul. We have verified these rumors to be false. However, security in the embassy district has increased noticeably.
WOMEN PROTESTORS MOVEMENT OF AFGHANISTAN PUBLISH LETTER TO NOBEL COMMITTEE – Several prominent leaders in the women’s movement signed the note asking for the removal of Mahbooba Siraj from consideration for the Nobel Peace Prize. They claim she is a Taliban collaborator and has actively acted against their movement.
US EXTENDS EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR AFGHANISTAN – President Biden extended his order for a full year in anticipation of a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in the country. A legal challenge remains for roughly half of the estimated $7 billion in assets that have been frozen and the executive order is expected to grant additional time to the plaintiffs seeking compensation for the loss of their loved ones in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
PERVEZ MUSHARRAF DIES AT AGE 79 – The former Pakistani leader died in Dubai after suffering from a protracted illness. The polarizing leader who took power in the late 90s when he instigated a coup is both revered and reviled by Pakistani citizens and many in Afghanistan point their fingers at him for initially supporting the Taliban and then waging war against them.
PAKISTAN MAY REVIEW POLICIES TOWARDS AFGHAN REFUGEES – A police official in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province said a review would be undertaken to decide on a new policy to deal with Afghan Refugees currently residing in Pakistan. The official was calling for the deportation of all those who had arrived without passports or, who had overstayed their visas. It is not clear if the federal government will take this up while the IMF negotiations are ongoing.
NEXT 24 HOURS
AN AFGHAN RAILWAYS DELEGATION HEADED TO UZBEKISTAN – The Taliban will dispatch a delegation to Uzbekistan to discuss the reopening of the Hairatan-Mazar-i-Sharif line. While some goods have been shifted to the still-open Torghondi line, the capacity is considered insufficient to handle both export and imports. Several traders disposed of their foodstuffs on the Afghan side of the border yesterday claiming their goods had spoiled.
ANTI-RAPE PROTEST PLANNED IN ISLAMABAD – After reports of a woman being raped at gunpoint near the F-9 Park, several groups have called for a protest to take place at the site at 1700hrs local time. They have stated they intend to block the roads in an effort to call attention to the victims of rape in Pakistan. A recent report suggested that 40% of women in Pakistan are victims of sexual violence. While the protest is not expected to become violent, it will likely see elevated levels of police in the area due to its proximity to downtown. At-risk Afghans are advised to avoid the area.
ISIS-K THREAT LINGERS IN KABUL – With the departure of the Saudi Arabian diplomatic staff over a possible security threat posed by ISIS-K in Kabul, there remains a threat that the suspected terror cell may choose another target. ISIS-K has been quiet in recent weeks and with the continued presence of beefed-up Taliban security in both the diplomatic quarter and the neighborhoods where diplomatic personnel reside, we believe caution would be wise for the coming week and that at-risk Afghans avoid these areas if at all possible.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The regime acknowledged that tens of thousands of protestors remain in detention. An amnesty program was announced but few appear to trust the regime to honor it.
Iran and Russia announced a joint plan to build drones in Russia for use in the war in Ukraine.
Former Iranian President Khatami added his voice to the chorus demanding political change.
PAKISTAN
A blast in Quetta injured 5 people near the Police Lines yesterday. Details are not yet clear on what had taken place but the TTP was quick to claim responsibility.
The country celebrated Kashmir Day and many are mourning the death of Musharraf.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
China is expanding its dealings with the Taliban
By Jose Caballero - Reaction
China is one of the few countries that is committed to expanding its dealings with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, where it hopes to expand its use of the vast natural resources while also improving its own geopolitical security.
AFGHAN NEWS
Mujahid: Saudi Diplomats Left Country for 'Training'
By Imran Danish - TOLO News
While sources told TOLOnews that Saudi Arabia recalled its diplomats from its embassy in Kabul, the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman said that the…
Qatar sends envoy to Afghan capital to meet with Taliban
By Reuters
An envoy for Qatar’s foreign affairs minister visited the Afghan capital on Sunday and met with the Taliban administration’s acting foreign…
Seven members of one Balkh family die in ‘mysterious’ shooting
By Ariana News
Security officials in Balkh province say that seven members of a family were shot dead under mysterious circumstances in…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan Delegation to Visit Afghanistan
By Mohammad Farshad Daryosh - TOLO News
A delegation of the Pakistan government is expected to visit Afghanistan to discuss the security issues with officials of the caretaker government…
Explosion Rocks Pakistan’s Quetta, Wonding at Least 5
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
On Sunday, at least five people were injured in an explosion near the Quetta Police Lines area in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Biden extends US national emergency over humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
By Ariana News
US President Joe Biden has extended for one more year the national emergency declared in his executive order with respect to the widespread…
Former Afghanistan ambassador recounts 'dismay' over Taliban takeover ahead of SOTU
By Ryan King - Washington Examiner
As President Joe Biden takes to the podium for the State of the Union address Tuesday, former Afghanistan Ambassador to the…
THE DAILY WTF
Ban on Working Women Forces Saudi Arabia to Shut Embassy in Kabul
By News 18
“The reason is the prohibition of female workers in Afghanistan. Some females were working there (at the embassy). One of the big reasons is Mujahideen prohibited them to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.68 AFN (as of 6 FEB 2023)