Daily Evacuation Brief | January 20, 2022
Daily Evacuation Brief | January 20, 2022
Daily news about Afghanistan and the surrounding region, powered by Operation Snow Leopard
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Threat Analysis
LAST 24 HOURS:
· The UN increased the request for aid to Afghanistan from 5 billion US to 8 billion US as additional information is brought to light concerning the economic crisis in the country.
· A man killed as many as six people (four of whom are said to be Taliban) and wounded another nine in an attack in Kunar province. The shooter was wounded but survived and reported to be under arrest.
· Canada reaffirmed its pledge to accept more Afghan refugees over the coming year.
· Taliban leaders continue their call for recognition as the government of the country.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
· A coordinated campaign to recognize the Taliban is underway and will continue tomorrow with discussions among Gulf State officials to support the Taliban’s claim.
· The UN is expected to begin publishing current promises of aid that have been made and will make another call for increased pledges of support.
THREAT ANALYSIS:
· Multiple sources within the current regime state that the US Dollar is either banned or will soon be banned as currency. If true, this will have a detrimental effect on the ability of aid organizations to provide support for at-risk Afghans. Analysis indicates it will also cause a significant spike in crime. Particularly in the black-market sector. Confirmation of this information has not yet been made.
· A source states that biometric data currently being collected for those seeking passports is not being fed into international systems. (See our forthcoming WHISPERS 001 article for analysis of this troubling information).
· The unchecked economic freefall in Afghanistan will create a serious challenge for the Taliban. The unprecedented promises of aid are being used as bargaining chips for international demands for a rollback of draconian internal security measures, the killing and arrests of former government officials, and a return to equitable treatment for women. Our analysis indicates that a scarcity of food and daily necessities will radicalize moderates who tolerate the regime and will almost certainly swell the ranks of ISIS and/or other factions. If this trajectory continues, widespread violence is a near certainty.
Afghani to the Dollar: .0095 – 1 (as of 20 JAN 2022)
Afghan News
At Least Four Shot Dead In Eastern Afghanistan | Gandhara
A Taliban commander and three other people were killed when a man opened fire on a vehicle in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar Province, a local Taliban official said on January 19…
Murky Militias in Forgotten Provinces Reveal Why Afghanistan War Isn’t Over | The Diplomat | By Ben Acheson
Ghor can be viewed as a microcosm of the layered complexity of Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s blame-game continues. Six months on and accusations still fly about who collapsed the Republic…
Afghanistan: 500,000 jobs lost since Taliban takeover | United Nations
In a warning that the economy has been “paralyzed” since the de facto authorities took control last August, ILO said that there have been huge losses in jobs and working hours…
Regional News
Will Iran recognize Taliban government in Afghanistan? | Al-Monitor | By Sabena Siddiqui
While Tehran is proceeding slowly when it comes to establishing official ties with the Taliban government, recent talks highlight Iran’s interest in expanding its role in Afghanistan…
After the Taliban’s Takeover: Pakistan’s TTP problem | United States Institute for Peace | By Asfandyar Mir, Ph.D.
In 2021, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgency escalated its challenge against Pakistan. Operating from bases in Afghanistan, and with a growing presence inside Pakistan, the group mounted an increasing number of attacks against Pakistani security forces — as well as against some critical Chinese interests in Pakistan.…
Turkey to send 700 tons of aid to Afghanistan | Daily Sabah | By Anadolu Agency
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday that Turkey will send a "train of kindness" to Afghanistan carrying humanitarian aid…
International News Relating to Afghanistan
Canada will meet Afghan refugee goals despite 'extraordinary' challenges, vows minister | CBC Radio
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says more than 200 Afghans landed in Canada on Tuesday, with more to come…
Italian court rules in favor of Afghans seeking asylum | Info Migrants | By ANSA
A Rome court has ordered Italy to issue humanitarian visas to two Afghans. ASGI said the Italian state created unjustified obstacles for the Afghans seeking safety…
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Postscript.
We believe in sharing many opinions and looking from many different perspectives. This means we do not necessarily agree with everything shared in the news or contributor articles, but we believe it’s important to treat other perspectives with respect and to consider their point of view.