Daily Evacuation Brief | January 7, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
ISIS-K STRIKES KABUL – Yesterda’s deadly bombing in Western Kabul was reportedly the work of ISIS-K. French news agency, France 24 reported the group claimed credit for the attack early this morning. A minibus was destroyed in the blast and at least 2 non-combatants were killed while as many as 14 others were wounded. The attack took place in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood which is a Shiite area and has been the target of many attacks over the years. There was some confusion over the potential target of the blast as some eyewitnesses said a sedan had been targeted while others claimed it was a mini-bus. There were also scattered reports of small arms fire in the immediate aftermath of the attack. The attack occurred at approximately 1820hrs local time and Kabul Police say that an investigation is underway but few believe the authorities will follow up with much vigor for another attack against Shiites.
HIJAB DETENTIONS PART OF NEW POLICY BY THE MINISTRY OF VIRTUE – Local news outlets have confirmed that schools were advised by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice to detain females who failed to wear the Hijab and that they could expect to remain under arrest for two to three days. It is believed the policy will be imposed nationwide and will almost certainly draw strong international condemnation for the flailing regime.
TEHRAN ‘UNCONVINCED’ OVER TALIBAN’S CLAIMS ABOUT ORIGINS OF KERMAN BOMBERS – A source in Tehran said that several Ministers who attended a recent ‘crisis group’ meeting over the Kerman bombings were dubious of Kabul’s assertion that those who carried out the deadly twin-bombing in Kerman had come from Tajikistan. The source said that one unidentified Minister said that the claims were ‘too convenient’ for Kabul and ought not to be believed.
SOME FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL MAY DEPART AFGHANISTAN SOON – A source in Kabul said that at least three nations who maintain embassies in Kabul are considering withdrawing at least some of their personnel over concerns about security. This information was received prior to the bombing in Western Kabul and was influenced by the Kerman bombings in Iran.
NEXT 24 HOURS
KABUL RESIDENTS SHOULD EXPECT HEIGHTENED SECURITY – Yesterday’s bombing has caused some embarrassment to the Taliban leadership and coming on the heels of the Kerman bombings in Iran, a significant ‘show of force’ is expected on the streets of Kabul and in other cities. At-risk Afghans should remain aware of the likelihood of increased patrolling, reinforced security checkpoints, and possible house searches, and they should avoid any concentrations of Taliban personnel as this is normally indicative of a ‘clearing operation’. Based on intelligence received, Police and GDI units have received significant pressure from senior leaders to ‘do something’.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Jihadi Seminaries Under the Taliban: A Looming Threat
By Gul Hassan Mohammadi - The Diplomat
Since the Taliban’s return to power in mid-August 2021, millions of girls have been barred from attending school and university. The self-proclaimed regime currently ruling Afghanistan has deeply misogynistic tendencies, and has excluded women from most areas of public life. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls and women are systematically denied their fundamental rights, primarily the right to work and receive an education.
AFGHAN NEWS
Explosion kills 2, injures 14 in Kabul, Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
An explosion in western Kabul left two dead and fourteen wounded on Saturday…
Citizens Criticize 'Slow Process' of Supreme Court
By TOLO News
“The courts should do their work quickly, and there should be no carelessness in this regard, so that the cases which are…
Former government employees turn to manual labor in Kabul
By AMU TV
Amid Afghanistan’s deepening economic crisis, many former government employees in Kabul are turning to daily wage labor, struggling with poverty and a lack of employment…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan detains over 30,000 Afghan migrants, UNHCR reports
By AMU TV
Pakistani authorities have detained more than 30,000 Afghan migrants since December 31, as per a recent United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)...
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UN Signs three agreements with Islamic Development Bank to address Afghan humanitarian crisis
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that it has signed three agreements with the Islamic Development Bank to respond to…
THE DAILY WTF
Mujahid Reacts to Reports, Saying Arrests Based on Law
By Shabnam Amini - TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that all arrests are done in accordance with…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.40 AFN (as of 7 JAN 2024)