Daily Evacuation Brief | March 8, 2022
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Daily Evacuation Brief | March 8, 2022
Open source daily news about Afghanistan and the surrounding region powered by Operation Snow Leopard
Threat Analysis
LAST 24 HOURS:
The General Director of Passports was replaced and may be under investigation for corruption. The new Director is Abdul Hakim Hamdi and is charged with reforming the directorate.
An explosion targeting Taliban security personnel occurred in District 3 of Feyzabad. Two Taliban security personnel were injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
A girl’s body was found in Dasht-i-Barchi (18th police district) of Kabul. She died under mysterious circumstances and an investigation has begun.
House to house searches continued to taper off across the country.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
There are rumors that Mullah Baradar will replace Mullah Akhund as Prime Minister. Sirajuddin Haqqani is expected to fill Mullah Baradar’s role as First Deputy Prime Minister, and Anas Haqqani will become the Minister of Interior. We have not confirmed this information.
Tajikistan is expected to begin demanding payment for the electricity it has been providing to Afghanistan. A source claims the Taliban are in arrears of approximately $25 million dollars. As the global financial uncertainty stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, supply chain issues, and existing inflation problems place additional pressure on governments, it is believed many nations who have extended credit may begin asking for repayment.
ANALYSIS SPOTLIGHT: Robberies & Banks
A troubling pattern seems to be emerging for Afghans who withdraw large sums of money from banks. Several incidents have occurred over the last three weeks where an individual has withdrawn a significant amount of money (including two withdrawals over the daily limit), been followed, and robbed. One such event saw the victim shot multiple times.
Targeted criminal actions of this nature may be due to bank employees and taxi drivers informing criminals of large cash disbursements. The criminals wait outside the bank, identify the victims, and follow them out of the security zones in order to ambush and rob the individual. It is possible the Taliban could be complicit in these activities, but it is far more likely that it is just simple theft.
To avoid becoming a victim, we recommend the following strategies:
At-risk Afghans are cautioned about withdrawing large sums of money during single visits. Large withdrawals should be made over the course of several days.
If a bank official offers to allow a withdrawal over the daily limit, it could be an indicator they are working with a gang.
If possible, habitually use taxi drivers who are known and trustworthy.
Afghans withdrawing funds should be aware of their surroundings when they depart and ensure they are not followed.
Whenever possible, travel with more than one person.
Pause before exiting the bank and watch to see if the bank teller makes a phone call or is texting. It could be a sign he is notifying a criminal.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 90.13 AFN (as of 08 MAR 2022)
Afghan News
Girl’s body found in Dasht-i-Barchi area of Kabul
By Pajhwok Afghan News
The body of a girl has been found in limits of the 18th police district of Kabul…
Nearly 400 civilians killed in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover, UN says
By Reuters
The United Nations human rights chief said on Monday nearly 400 people had been…
Media restrictions outside Afghan urban areas harsher: HRW
By La Prensa Latina Media
Taliban officials are threatening, detaining, and beating Afghan journalists, and the situation outside major urban areas is even worse…
ISIS-K: Terror group still lingers in shadows
By ANI
Post-Taliban took(sp) over of Afghanistan last August, the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant…
Flights between Afghanistan, Russia to resume soon
By Afsana Haidari – Pajhwok Afghan News
The Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation says flights between Afghanistan and…
Regional News
Uzbekistan, Pakistan unite for Afghanistan sanctions relief
By Joanna Lillis – Eurasianet
Uzbekistan and Pakistan are joining forces to press the international community to unfreeze the…
International News Relating to Afghanistan
US intends to resettle Afghan refugees in other countries
By Najibullah Lalzoy – Khaama Press
The United States has announced that they need cooperation from other countries in…
The Absurdity of the Day
People’s reactions to ongoing search operation
By The Kabul Times
The people of Afghanistan are pleased and welcome door-to-door search operation…
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