Daily Evacuation Brief | January 30, 2023

Jan 30, 2023

3 AFGHANS DIED IN PAKISTAN JAILS OVER LAST THREE MONTHS - The Afghan consulate in Karachi announced that at least 3 Afghans who were being held in Pakistan’s prison system have died over the previous three months. In one tragic case, a man and his wife who had traveled to Pakistan seeking medical care were arrested by Pakistani police. The husband succumbed to his conditions while in the prison. The body was kept in a hospital for 21 days while the Afghan consulate attempted to gain the release of his wife so she could attend the funeral, but was unsuccessful. The consulate did announce that over 150 Afghans being detained in Karachi jails would be released in the coming days. The Taliban ambassador in Islamabad added that detentions are dropping across Pakistan. Though, it is not clear if this assertion is supported by data.
DRONE ATTACK IN IRAN MERITS ATTENTION – After US officials announced the attacks had been conducted by Israel and were a combined operation, designed to disrupt the production of missiles, the Iranian regime threatened a response would be forthcoming. Iran sits in a precarious position with significant domestic upheaval and is facing international criticism for its support of Putin in the Ukraine War. An escalation of regional conflict or, attacks on US/Israeli targets in the region could rapidly spin out of control by providing anti-regime elements a favorable window to launch new protests as well as inviting further attacks from the US, Israel, or both. In such a scenario, borders are typically closed and security forces often harass foreigners indiscriminately. At-risk Afghans residing in Iran are advised to monitor the situation and be prepared to shelter in their homes should an escalation occur. Maintaining adequate stocks of water and food is wise throughout the course of this new potential threat.
IRANIAN LAWMAKER LEVIES THREAT AGAINST AFGHAN REFUGEES OVER WATER DISPUTE – Mohammad Sargazi, an Iranian representative for one of the Provinces that is severely affected by drought made the threat in an interview with ILNA news. His threat was that all Afghan nationals would be expelled from Iran if the Taliban does not abide by the 1973 agreement (re-ratified in 2021). The Iranian government has neither disavowed nor supported his statements.
ANOTHER FORMER AFGHAN ARMY SOLDIER GOES MISSING AFTER BEING ARRESTED BY THE TALIBAN – A soldier who had been arrested by the Taliban on 18 January is still missing and sources say he was likely executed and his body buried. The hunt for former Afghan Army, Intelligence, and Police has continued throughout the Taliban’s tenure. While the international press covered the arrests and murders early in 2022, it has largely faded from public view. While many of the underlings in the Taliban have taken advantage of the post-ascendancy period to enact revenge plots against former regime officials, many are seemingly random and perpetrated by Taliban who had not served in the Districts where their victims were killed. Such practice indicates an unofficial policy likely exists.

TODAY MARKS THE 500TH DAY THAT WOMEN AND GIRLS HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF THEIR EDUCATION

NEXT 24 HOURS

IRANIAN RESPONSE TO ISRAELI STRIKES MAY FORCE CLOSURE OF THE BORDER – Should Iran decide to retaliate against Israel or other targets in the region, they could preemptively close the border without warning. At-risk Afghans considering travel to/from Iran should be aware of this possibility.
THREAT OF ISIS-K ATTACK LINGERS – It is possible that ISIS-K still intends to launch an attack against the Taliban after their spokesman said their bases had been neutralized in most of the cities across the country. At-risk Afghans are advised to avoid government buildings, international diplomatic facilities, Mosques frequented by Taliban government employees, and Taliban security forces locations (checkpoints, patrol routes, etc).

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

US officials quoted in confirmation that the drone attack on the Isfahan depot (28 January) was carried out by Israel and had been coordinated with the US. While Iran has downplayed the damage inflicted, the US claimed the targeted attack was successful in disrupting a missile program. Iran disputes the allegations.
Azerbaijan announced the suspension of all diplomatic activity at its Embassy in Tehran after a gunman killed a security chief. Embassy staff were evacuated to Baku on 29 January.
Iran and Russia launched a joint banking system modeled on the SWIFT system. Both countries have the intention of attracting other countries to use the system.

PAKISTAN

41 people died when a bus plummeted into a steep ravine in Balochistan Province on Sunday morning. Many of the victims are said to be children.
Pakistan has joined INTERPOL and officially signed all required agreements for sharing data among international law enforcement agencies.
Several Afghan journalists who had fled to Pakistan staged a protest in Islamabad yesterday and read out a 9-point statement decrying the lack of support from international institutions.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

It’s time for Elon Musk’s Starlink to save the women of Afghanistan

By Mark R. Whittington - The Hill

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Starlink, the constellation of satellites that provide internet, voice and text communications directly from space, has upended the way people connect with one another. The system is also having an effect in countries consumed with conflict. Starlink is providing Ukraine with a crucial weapon in its war against Russian invaders. The space-based communications system is also helping the Iranian resistance in its opposition to the authoritarian regime, with one official claiming that 800 ground terminals have been smuggled into Iran.

AFGHAN NEWS

Kabul factories received no electricity in past 3-week: Sapi

By Abdul Raqeeb Sail - Pajhwok Afghan News

The Afghanistan Industrialists Association (AIA) says most factories have not received electricity in the past 21 days but…

Girls React to Ban on Females Enrolling in University Entrance Exam

By Fatima Adib - TOLO News

Girls who graduated from high school expressed criticism over the decision of the Islamic Emirate to suspend the enrolment of female…

Afghan Postal Services Increase Activity, Bring in Income: Officials

By Hadia Ziaei - TOLO News

Officials of the Afghan government's postal service said that the capacity of the postal services has increased, and…

REGIONAL NEWS

Iranian Defense Facility in Isfahan Was Drone Attacked: Iran

By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press

The Defense Ministry of Iran said in a statement the drone attack occurred late Saturday night and caused minor damage to…

TTP Attacks Speak Volume about Pak’s Internal Security Crisis

By Khaama Press

Since last year, debt-ridden Pakistan has seen a massive surge in militant-led attacks, but TTP remains the main…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

'Always a Problem, Total Fraud': Pompeo Blames This Afghan Prez for Being Hurdle in Peace Talks with Taliban

By PTI

Ashraf Ghani, the former Afghanistan President who fled the country when the Taliban grabbed power in Kabul, was “a total fraud” solely focused on his own…