Daily Evacuation Brief | January 28, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
FORMER ARMY AND POLICE REMAIN UNDER THREAT – Overwhelmingly, the highest number of casualties that continue to be exacted on the Afghan population come from the former Afghan Army, Intelligence, and Police. 2 men, both former security force members under the previous regime were killed in Northern Baghlan Province (Pul-i-Khumri) over the last few days. These killings continue to be carried out by ‘unidentified gunmen’ and most locals are under the assumption that the Taliban simply don masks to carry out the operations. The false flag of ‘general amnesty’ continues to lure many to their deaths. This segment of society continues to see the highest casualty rates in the country.
TALIBAN ARREST 10 HIZB UT-TAHRIR MEMBERS IN KAPISA – Reports from the Province say that Taliban security forces rounded up 10 of the more radical members of the fundamentalist movement in an operation on the outskirts of the provincial capital. The arrests are thought to have occurred on 18 January but have only now been announced. Hizb ut-Tahrir has long been accused of aiding al-Qaeda and ISIS throughout Central Asia. The fundamentalist advocated for a pan-Islamist political strategy to establish a caliphate across the region. The Taliban initially welcomed Hizb ut-Tahrir into Afghanistan and most located in Kapisa. However, a falling out between the two is thought to have occurred in 2022 and some of the group members were assassinated under mysterious circumstances. The Taliban have since banned the group publicly.
PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN BUS SERVICE MAY RESUME SOON – A bus terminal at Torkham Gate is being planned that would link service from Jalalabad in Afghanistan to Peshawar, Pakistan. The service ran for many years but was suspended after a violent incident between the two countries in 2016. The date for reopening has not been announced but Pakistani officials seemed to imply that all negotiations had been agreed to between the two countries.
TALIBAN OFFICIAL AT RALLY, “WE’RE READY FOR SUICIDE ATTACK” – More rallies erupted on Friday to protest the burning of the Quran in Sweden last week. A Taliban official in Ghor Province, Abdullah Zaeem, read a statement at a rally saying - “We the residents of Ghor are ready for suicide (attack) against the infidels to protect the values of Islam.” Other leaders among the Taliban called for West to hand over the man responsible for the act (Rasmus Paludan, a Danish political figure). In 2011, a similar act in the US sparked widespread protests, and protestors in Mazar-i-Sharif burst into a UN compound and killed 7 foreign UN staff. The protests lasted for several days with many non-combatants and police killed before finally subsiding.
NEXT 24 HOURS
MORE PROTESTS AGAINST THE BURNING OF QURAN IN SWEDEN EXPECTED – While there has been no reported violence to date, thousands are expected to continue protests over the weekend in at least 11 Provinces. Some local sources were concerned that Afghans who had worked on projects with Scandinavian countries could be targeted. However, this threat does not appear to be widespread. We urge caution for at-risk Afghans as they travel around urban areas and to avoid the protest sites if at all possible.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
An Azerbaijan diplomat was reportedly killed when gunmen stormed the embassy in Tehran.
3 men from an Eastern European criminal network in the United States were charged with plotting the assassination of a prominent critic of Iran, Masih Alinejad.
The Foundation for the Defense of Democracy released an INTERACTIVE MAP of the protests since 16 September 2022.
PAKISTAN
The Ministry of Commerce announced that trade had gone up nearly 5% with Afghanistan over the past quarter.
Elections for 33 parliament seats are set for 16 March 2022.
The government is focusing efforts across multiple ministries to prepare all necessary materials for the upcoming IMF visit.
SPOTLIGHT GENDER
UN deputy chief reminds Taliban: Islam does not ban women from education
By The United Nations
Traveling with UN WomenOpens in new window chief Sima Bahous, and other senior officials, she told journalistsOpens in new window on Thursday that she had informed Taliban leaders that a society based on exclusion and repression could never flourish. The first goal of the visit focused on “solidarity and the importance of women’s rights…with a view to education, secondary and tertiary”.
AFGHAN NEWS
Uzbekistan Providing Less Power Than Agreed: DABS
By Habib Rahman Qooyash
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat said that Uzbekistan has not remained committed to the contract for electricity exports to Afghanistan, and that it has only provided…
How the Taliban Lied About Education for Women
By Fatima Tlis - Polygraph.info
“The Ministry of Education assures its people and the international community that the Islamic Emirate considers education essential for every…
10 HT Elements Arrested by Taliban in Kapisa
By 8 AM Media
10 members of Hizb ut-Tahrir (UT) were arrested by the Taliban in Kapisa province. Hizb ut-Tahrir, abbreviated as HT, is an international pan-Islamist and…
REGIONAL NEWS
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan renew power supply contract
By Ariana News
According to the Afghan Ministry of Energy and Water Affairs, the extension of the electricity contract with Turkmenistan, the completion of the…
By Global Times
China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang held a phone conversation with Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Afghan interim government, on…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
FM Muttaqi meets Norwegian Charge d’Affaires for Afghanistan
By Ariana News
Mr. Bkar first expressed his regret over the explosion in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expressed that his country is determined to work…
World Bank report finds Afghan revenue collection strong
By Ariana News
The World Bank on Wednesday published its latest report on Afghanistan’s economy and painted a slightly positive picture – stating that in the…
THE DAILY WTF
Putin negotiates with the Taliban to buy US weaponry Biden abandoned in Afghanistan
By Santiago Vera Garcia - The Rio Times
According to a report published by the British newspaper The Sun, Russian President Vladimir Putin is in the midst of a series of negotiations with the Taliban to buy…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.10 AFN (as of 28 JAN 2023)