Daily Evacuation Brief | June 24, 2022
LAST 24 HOURS
Major combat operations commenced in Sar-e-Pol province as the Taliban launched their first significant offensive against rebel Hazara commander Mullah Mehdi Mujahid’s forces entrenched in Balkhab. The Taliban have been steadily reinforcing their units from neighboring provincial garrisons, and our estimates indicate they enjoy a 3:1 advantage against Mehdi’s joint Hazara and NRF fighters (approximately 3,000 Taliban vs. 1,000 Resistance). All reports indicate that the Taliban’s offensive failed and they were forced to retreat. There were numerous small unit engagements connected to the Taliban offensive, and we are still assembling all of the reporting in order to provide further details. A major outline of the conflict is included in the below tracker.
Earthquake relief efforts continue in eastern Afghanistan, and emergency relief services and supplies are beginning to arrive from regional and international partners. Many of the families in the affected zone have been transported to surrounding cities and towns where they have found open doors from other Afghans who are willing to help. There have been differing accounts over the effectiveness of the response, but there have been signs of cooperation that local sources say are encouraging.
Sources reported that purges of non-Pashtun Taliban leaders are continuing across provinces in northern Afghanistan.
India has dispatched a technical team to begin preparing their embassy in Kabul to open soon. Sources within the palace say the Indian government is reopening the diplomatic post under pressure from the Sikh community in India.
NEXT 24 HOURS
Fighting around Balkhab in Sar-e-Pol province is expected to continue and likely intensify. Taliban commanders are under intense pressure to force the capitulation of Mehdi’s forces quickly so their fighting forces can return to Panjshir and other major fronts of the conflict with the NRF. Considering the time Mullah Mehdi had to fortify the defenses around the city and his forces’ superior knowledge of the area, we expect the Taliban will suffer significant casualties. Our sources indicated that most of the non-combatants in the area were not able to evacuate so the potential for civilian deaths is high.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Why Have the Wars in Afghanistan and Ukraine Played Out So Differently?
By William Byrd – USIP
The Taliban insurgency and U.S. troop withdrawal, and Russian incursions culminating in the February 24 invasion, constituted existential “stress tests” for Afghanistan and Ukraine, respectively. Ukraine and its international supporters have succeeded in preventing an outright Russian victory, imposing severe and continuing costs on Russia — ranging from high casualties to financial sanctions. Whatever happens next, the invasion has solidified Ukraine’s national will, status and orientation as an independent, Western-oriented sovereign country. In sharp contrast, Afghanistan’s government and security forces collapsed within a month after U.S. troops left the country, its president and many others fled, and the Taliban rapidly took over.
AFGHAN NEWS
Earthquake Death Toll in Paktika, Khost Rises to 1,100
By TOLO News
Wednesday’s earthquake has disrupted the lives of everyone living in Giyan, Bermal and Ziruk districts of Paktika…
Network of Safe Houses in Afghanistan to Shut Down as Funding Dries Up
By Ryan Grim – The Intercept
A network of safe houses across Afghanistan is set to close them within weeks, as the Christian charity running it since the fall of Kabul has run out of…
Heavy Snowfall in North-East Afghanistan Kills Twelve Children
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
Twelve children and hundreds of livestock were killed on Wednesday night due to a heavy snowfall in the north-eastern province of…
REGIONAL NEWS
UAE President orders aid air bridge to quake-hit Afghanistan
By Khitam Al Amir – Gulf News
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the start of an aid air bridge to send emergency humanitarian relief, food stuffs and medical supplies to help…
Exclusive | India Reopens Embassy in Kabul: Top Govt Sources to News18
By Manoj Gupta – News 18
The momentous move marks a big step towards the reestablishment of ties after India had to take a step back following the Taliban takeover of…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Germany says it helped 21,000 people get out of Afghanistan
By Kristen Grieshaber – AP
The German government has managed to get more than 21,000 former local employees and other endangered people out of…
IsraAID to supply essential medical, relief items in wake of Afghanistan earthquake
By JNS
It will work with local partners to assess the needs of the affected population and distribute essential medical and relief…
THE DAILY WTF
Healey: Only TWO Afghan resettlement applications processed since April
By Claire Sadler – Forces.Net
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) relocation scheme for Afghans who worked alongside British forces has reportedly processed only…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.45 AFN (as of 24 JUN 2022)