Daily Evacuation Brief | July 27, 2022
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LAST 24 HOURS
Reportedly several former government officials have been arrested in Herat. A source within the Taliban claimed the arrests are related to ‘“land usurpation” in the province and elsewhere throughout the country. However, a local judicial source thinks the arrests are politically motivated and may be tied to a newly formed Hazara resistance group.
Rumors have been circulating on social media that between 50-60 homes have been torched in the Zhare district of Kandahar. Although the rumors were initially spread on suspected anti-Taliban sites, they are now appearing on more reputable sites. Purported video footage has been shared, but until further corroborating evidence is received we recommend treating these claims as rumor.
The international conference in Uzbekistan concluded yesterday:
Uzbek officials said in total more than 100 participants from 20 countries (China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, United States, etc.), and representatives from key organizations (the European Union, the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, etc.) attended the conference.
Acting Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi gave assurances to his Uzbek counterpart that Uzbekistan faces no security threats from Afghanistan. His staff also passed on information about a plot the Taliban claims to have foiled that targeted Uzbekistan. Minister Muttaqi struck an upbeat tone about progress made in discussions; however, reactions were decidedly mixed by those who attended. The Taliban were asked repeatedly about reopening secondary education for girls and many involved parties were reportedly dissatisfied with the response.
The Taliban claimed US sanctions and freezing of their assets is a main driver of poverty in Afghanistan.
Meetings between Pakistan religious leaders and the TTP began in Kabul. The Pakistan delegation heard from the leaders of the TTP about grievances to address with the government in Islamabad.
Another blast killed two children and injured ten others in Zabul province on Tuesday. The children were reportedly playing with unexploded ordnance when it detonated.
Two conflicting news reports were published over the last week concerning a potential Afghanistan–Pakistan deal that would create a trade corridor in the Wakhan district to facilitate trade between Central Asian countries and Pakistan (principally for export through Pakistan ports). One report claimed the deal had already been struck, but the second claimed there was no such deal. A Taliban deputy spokesman also denied the claim. In response to the reports, rumors have been surfacing that Pakistani troops have been observed on Afghan soil in Wakhan. We have no confirmation of a potential deal or of any presence of Pakistani troops in the district.
NEXT 24 HOURS
The visiting delegation of Pakistani religious leaders who had been meeting with the TTP will soon meet with representatives of the Taliban to discuss matters of mutual concern and interest.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Taliban talks to Malaysia, Indonesia 'to create engagement perception'
By Amy Chew
The Taliban is reaching out to Muslim-majority nations far from Afghanistan, like Malaysia and Indonesia, to create the perception that an increasing number of countries are interested in engaging with the regime to “strengthen their case for international recognition”, say analysts.
AFGHAN NEWS
Syed Zabiullah Langari – Buzzfeed
On a chilly January day in Kabul five months after the Taliban had taken over the country and began eroding a wide range of women’s rights, Parwana…
Muttaqi: Tashkent Conference Was Constructive
By TOLO News
The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said he hoped the outcome of the meeting held in Tashkent would…
Clerics, Tribal Elders in Paktia Call to Reopen Girls' Schools
By TOLO News
Following international calls for the reopening of girls' schools above the sixth grade, some Islamic clerics and tribal elders gathered…
REGIONAL NEWS
1.5 million Afghans chose to stay back in Pakistan after US pullout
By Dawn
Pakistan remains the largest refugee-hosting country in Asia and the Pacific as 1.5 million Afghans still prefer to stay in…
Official: Taliban withhold Iran’s water share
By Iran Front Page
Iran and representatives of the Taliban administration in Afghanistan have failed to reach an agreement on the two countries’ share of water from the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US and Taliban make progress on Afghan reserves, but big gaps remain
By Charlotte Greenfield and Jonathan Landay – Reuters
U.S. and Taliban officials have exchanged proposals for the release of billions of dollars from Afghan central bank reserves held abroad into a trust fund, three…
Al Qaeda and ISIS still want to attack America — what can we expect?
By Colin Clarke & Tore Hamming – The Hill
Almost one year after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, many of the more dire predictions from last August appear to be coming true — al Qaeda is…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban claims to solve security problems, urges Hindus, Sikhs to return to Afghanistan
By ANI
The Taliban claimed that the security situation in Afghanistan has been solved and urged its minorities – Hindus and Sikhs to return…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 90.34 AFN (as of 27 JUL 2022)