Daily Evacuation Brief | June 18, 2022
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LAST 24 HOURS
Multiple reports have come in regarding a civil disturbance in a Hazara neighborhood of Western Kabul. Reportedly, a local butcher attempted to intervene between two Taliban security personnel and local merchants. As the situation escalated, one of the Taliban involved in the incident was killed. Consequently, several sources are reporting mass arrests of Hazaras over the last 24 hours. No further information was available.
Taliban units in Panjshir launched several targeted attacks against at least six NRF strongholds. Local sources stated the Taliban were attempting to recover the pilot and crew of the helicopter that had been shot down the previous day. Casualties are said to be heavy, and all the attacks were repulsed.
Additional helicopter flights have been filmed in valleys where recent fighting has been heaviest in Panjshir. Eyewitnesses say the flights were made to remove the bodies of the Taliban that have been killed over the past four days. Four sorties were observed.
A blast took place in a mosque in Sahib district, Kunduz during prayers. A Taliban police chief initially stated there were no injuries from the blast. However, there are reports that at least 1 person was killed and several injured. Most sources with knowledge of the incident believe the death toll will rise in the next few days. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
The situation in Balkhab has turned into a siege of Mullah Mahdi Mujahid’s Hazara legion, and the Taliban have closed the road between Balkhab and the capital. Commercial traffic and local transportation have not been permitted to pass.
Deborah Lyons concluded her tenure as UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, ending her time with a poignant farewell speech. Newly appointed UNAMA political affairs deputy, German diplomat Markus Potzel, will be the acting head of the UN’s mission in Afghanistan until the Secretary General appoints a new Special Representative.
US General Erik Kurilla, the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), concluded a visit with the leaders of Tajikistan where they discussed future security cooperation issues and the potential of deploying US Special Forces to the country to provide training for border security.
NEXT 24 HOURS
The fighting in Panjshir is expected to continue with the heaviest concentrations in the Rokha, Anaba, and Shotul districts.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Is the Taliban-Haqqani Regime Self-Destructing?
By Jason Criss Howk – Clearance Jobs
The Taliban-Haqqani regime is cracking a bit under its own incompetence and brutality. The fissures, that their Pakistani backers have especially been worried about, are starting to enlarge under the food crisis, human rights catastrophe, armed opposition, and poor leadership skills of the regime. The Taliban-Haqqani network are in a race against time now. They must try to gain international recognition, force acceptance of the regime upon the Afghan people, and get all of their terrorist factions to fall into line before multiple pressures rip them apart.
AFGHAN NEWS
NRF Shoots Down a Taliban’s Chopper in Panjshir Province
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
Sibghatullah Ahmadi, the Director of Strategic Communications and the spokesperson for the NRF, confirmed the news of shooting down the…
Schools Remain Closed In Pamir District Of Badakhshan
By TOLO News
Even though it has been over three months since the start of the country's new school year, schools in the Pamir area of…
REGIONAL NEWS
A Delegation of Pakistani Clerics Arrives in Kabul to Negotiate with the TTP
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
Consistent with the reports, the delegation will engage and negotiate with the Taliban leaders to persuade them to…
Kabul to Import Wheat, Fuel, Gas From Russia
By Tamim Shahir – TOLO News
"We will sign a Memorandum of Understanding here at the Chamber of Commerce of Russia…”
By U.S. Central Command
On June 15th and 16th, U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Erik Kurilla met with leadership from Tajikistan, including President Rahmon…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UN names deputy rep for Afghanistan; no word on a top envoy
By Jennifer Peltz – AP News
The United Nations on Friday announced a new deputy special representative for Afghanistan, but it’s unclear how soon the world body may replace its top official…
With thousands of Afghans still desperate to flee the Taliban, is Canada set to close its doors?
By Nicholas Keung – The Toronto Star
The federal government is believed to be inching toward its goal of inviting 40,000 Afghans to resettle here under a special immigration program, with advocates saying they’ve been told that all the spots are…
By Tom Seymour – The Art Newspaper
The interpreter, who cannot be named, was 18 when he joined the British army’s war against the…
THE DAILY WTF
Inside the Taliban’s new drugs hell
By Ben Farmer & Simon Townsley – The Telegraph
There are close to 1,000 drug addicts sheltering under this bridge in a western neighbourhood of the Afghan…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.23 AFN (as of 18 JUN 2022)