Daily Evacuation Brief | January 10, 2024

Jan 10, 2024

HIJAB RULES SLOWLY FILTERING OUT – An announcement from the hated Ministry of Vice and Virtue has clarified further what it says it is enforcing across the country. Of note, the crackdown appears to be selectively enforced and has affected Shiite and Hazara communities more than others. The dress code stipulates that Afghan females are prohibited from the following:
- Skirts that are too short (above the knee)
- Very small headscarves that do not conceal the hair.
- Tight pants worn with short skirts over them.
While this dress code was specified, there have been reports by eyewitnesses who say that frequently, any deviation has been cited as a reason for harassment.
ANOTHER BLAST IN KABUL, 3 DEAD – An IED detonated in the 16th Police District at approximately 1600hrs local yesterday. 3 non-combatants were killed and another 4 were wounded. The Taliban reportedly arrested an individual in connection with the attack but no information has been forthcoming about who may have been behind it. Accounts vary about who/what may have been targeted in the attack. Initial reports claimed a Mercedes Benz had been struck while others alleged that the vehicle was transporting employees of a prison. Many suspect ISIS-K to have perpetrated the attack but, as of publication, no group had yet claimed responsibility.
IRGC REPORTEDLY DETAINING SOME FORMER REGIME OFFICIALS IN IRAN – Several reports have surfaced recently of a coordinated effort by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to surveil and detain former Afghan Republic officials living in Iran. According to some of the accounts made by those who were detained, it appears that IRGC agents were curious about various topics related to security and terrorism as well as infrastructure and capacity issues. If true, the activity is likely not something that has been asked of Iran by the Taliban.
AFTER SIM CARD REGISTRATION, CELL PHONES WILL BE NEXT – The Ministry of the Interior intends to register all cellular devices in Afghanistan over the coming year. Currently, it has forced sellers of SIM cards to collect biographical information from customers purchasing cards and then intends to begin a mass registration program to record all citizens who own a cell phone. The spokesman for the Taliban said the effort is being undertaken for ‘digitization and more security’. In early 2022, sources in Kabul reported that a Chinese technical advisory team had met with members of the Ministry of the Interior and Defense at Bagram Airfield to discuss implementing such a program.

NEXT 24 HOURS

NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

The lawyer for Iranian singer Mehdi Yarrahi said that he had been sentenced to a nearly 3-year prison term and 74 lashes for a song that criticized the hijab laws.
A large fire caused an explosion at a cosmetics factory on the outskirts of Tehran yesterday. 53 people were injured and a gas leak is suspected of causing the conflagration.
A dual German-Iranian woman who has been held in prison since 2020 was allowed to leave the prison yesterday. The woman must wear a GPS-locating ankle bracelet while on furlough.

PAKISTAN

The wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan was indicted by an accountability court in Islamabad for her suspected role in the Toshakhana corruption case.
The United Nations confirmed that the terror mastermind behind the Mumbai attack is currently imprisoned in Pakistan and serving a 78-year sentence for his role in funding terrorism.
A terrorist attack at the Lachi Toll Plaza resulted in the deaths of 3 policemen early this morning. Security forces responded and reportedly killed 1 of the terrorists as they fled to a suspected hideout in nearby mountains.

SPOTLIGHT TERRORISM

Why Islamic State attacked Iran on the anniversary of Soleimani’s death

By Gianluca Pacchiani - The Times of Israel

In the immediate aftermath of the January 3 blast that killed at least 84 people near the grave of general Qassem Soleimani in the Iranian city of Kerman, some low-level Iranian officials hinted at a possible Israeli involvement. Iran’s deputy parliament speaker claimed it had the signs of an Israeli assault — even though it showed radically different features from Israel’s alleged operations in enemy territory, which usually involve precision killings of key enemy figures.

AFGHAN NEWS

3 killed in explosion in Afghanistan capital

By Islamuddin Sajid - Anadolu Agency

"Today at around 3:50 PM, a land mine exploded on the road behind a Mercedes car in the Alokhilo area of the 16th district of…

Deputy Minister: Regional Officials Should Cooperate With Reporters

By TOLO News

Addressing a seminar held to increase the capacity of the Interior Ministry's spokespeople, Atiqullah Azizi said that regional authorities must…

The Passport distribution process in Kabul will commence soon

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Abdul Karim Hasib, the head of the Passport Department, recently stated that the passport distribution process will…

REGIONAL NEWS

Afghan migrants in Iran, Pakistan concerned over prolonged immigration processes, security

By AMU TV

Afghan migrants residing in Iran and Pakistan on Tuesday expressed increasing alarm over the protracted handling of their immigration cases and the lack of basic rights and security…

Pakistani cleric in Kandahar for anticipated talks with Taliban leader

By AMU TV

Maulana Fazal Rehman, a Pakistani cleric, is currently in Kandahar Province, poised for a potential meeting with Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, according to sources from the Taliban and…