Daily Evacuation Brief | January 5, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
IRAN TERROR ATTACK COULD AFFECT AFGHANISTAN – With the admission from ISIS-K of having carried out the deadly twin bombing attack in Kerman, Tehran is reportedly considering implementing several strict security measures. 1) Sources in Tehran say that military and police reinforcements have already been dispatched to both the Afghanistan and Pakistan borders. 2) There were discussions about a potential massive search operation that would focus efforts on enclaves primarily inhabited by Afghan refugees. The search operations were proposed by the Ministry of the Interior and a plan was being worked out with all stakeholders to potentially carry out searches once the Supreme Leader gives permission. 3) Iran was considering closing its borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan for an indeterminate amount of time. 4) Finally, a delegation of intelligence officials is expected to meet their counterparts from Afghanistan and Pakistan in an undisclosed location to talk about cooperation to root out ISIS-K from the region. A source in Tehran did say that special attention was being paid to those of the Tajik ethnicity. The Taliban habitually claim that ISIS-K is primarily composed of Tajiks in Afghanistan. The source was unable to elaborate on why ethnic Tajiks were being singled out for special consideration.
MORE RUMORS OF TROUBLE IN BADAKHSHAN – Several online sources have reported on more trouble coming out of the Northern Province. In the latest buzz, the Governor (Maulawi Khalid - a Pashtun) has supposedly instructed security forces to disarm the Badakhshan Taliban at the earliest opportunity. The troubles in Badakhshan have continued for some time and most of the evidence points to issues around who controls the lucrative smuggling along the border rather than some kind of policy-driven dispute.
12 VICTIMS OF THE KERMAN BLASTS WERE AFGHANS – Provincial leaders in Kerman, Iran published a list of the victims of the deadly twin bombing and at least 12 Afghan nationals were on the list. Of the nearly 300 who were wounded in the blast, approximately 40 are thought to be Afghans as well.
NEXT 24 HOURS
AFGHANS IN IRAN MAY COME UNDER INCREASED SCRUTINY AFTER KERMAN ATTACK – Iranian authorities are debating several new security policies in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack in Kerman on Wednesday. Some of those policies appear to focus on Afghan nationals as possible supporters/affiliates of ISIS-K. If the Supreme Leader grants permission to enact these policies, at-risk Afghans in Iran can expect to see searches of their houses/apartments and possibly more deportations.
BALOCH PROTESTORS INTEND TO SET UP CAMP NEAR UN OFFICES IN ISLAMABAD – The leader of the Baloch Yekjehti Committee, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, is calling on her supporters to move their ‘protest camp’ to the front of the United Nations offices in Islamabad. Eyewitnesses say the numbers in the camp have dwindled as the cold weather has forced some supporters to quit the protest. However, it is still possible that a clash with police could take place. At-risk Afghans frequently visit the UN offices in Islamabad and should take care to avoid any potential clashes.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A US air strike killed a leader of an Iranian proxy group in Baghdad yesterday. Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi was killed when his vehicle was hit by a precision guided munition.
Iran concluded a ‘day of mourning’ for the deadly terror attacks that killed 84 people durihng a ceremony commemorating IRGC Commander Qasem Soleimani.
A popular journalist, Hasan Abbasi, was reportedly rearrested on Tuesday and several journalism-centric NGO’s began demanding his release yesterday. His current whereabouts and status are unknown.
PAKISTAN
3 children were killed in an explosion in North Waziristan yesterday. The children were shepherding goats in a field near a hotel when something triggered the blast. Police are investigating the cause of the explosion.
Air operations were agains disrupted and 24 flights were cancelled as dense fog blanketed many parts of the country. Several flights had to be diverted to other destinations due to the weather conditions.
A massive fire engulfed several buildings in Karachi on Thursday. The fire broke out in a slum near the Teen Hatti Bridge and spread among the shanty-huts before being brought under control. No casualties were reported.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
How the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Strengthened Pakistan’s Military Deep State
By Dhruv Banerjee - The Diplomat
With elections coming up next month amid the messy blocking of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nomination, electoral politics in Pakistan remains embroiled in tense contestation. However, in the backdrop remains the ever persisting and foreboding shadow of the most important political player in the country, whose hands are methodically tampering with the various levers of the political machine – the military.
AFGHAN NEWS
Kabul Residents Complain of Issues Withdrawing Funds from Banks
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
The residents of Kabul complained about challenges in withdrawing money, saying that they are only able to withdraw 100,000 Afs within a…
Taliban arrests dozens of women in Kabul for ‘improper hijab,’ says women’s group
By Bais Hayat - AMU TV
The Taliban has arrested dozens of women in western Kabul over the past three days for wearing “improper hijab,” the Women’s Political Participation Network reported…
Mujahid Reacts to UNAMA, Saying Arrests Based on 'Information'
By Hadia Ziaei - TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, responded to UNAMA's request to cease arbitrary arrests by saying that all arrests are done in…
REGIONAL NEWS
Islamic State claims responsibility for Iran bombings that killed at least 84
By Patrick Wintour - Yahoo News
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on a crowd in southern Iran marking the anniversary of the death of the senior Revolutionary Guards commander…
Mullah Shirin Akhund Discussed Bilateral Engagement with Pakistan FM
By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, met with Mullah Shirin Akhund, governor of Kandahar on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on X, where they discussed continued…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US says it backs UN’s decision on appointment of special envoy for Afghanistan
By Ariana News
The United States supports the United Nations resolution calling for the appointment of a special representative for Afghanistan, State Department…
'Seeing Kabul, thinking Saigon': Germany ignored warnings of Taliban victory
By Tim Stickings - The National News
Germany ignored warnings of the imminent fall of Kabul and missed chances to evacuate people before the Taliban seized power in 2021, according to leaked…
THE DAILY WTF
Supreme Leader Attempting to Find Way for Girls' Education: Mujahid
By Najibullah Lalzoy - TOLO News
Mujahid added that the issue is consistently raised in our leaders’ meetings with the country’s elders and influentials figures and the government has…
“Sure he is.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.27 AFN (as of 5 JAN 2024)