Exclusive Content from Anatomy of a Crisis.
Why can’t NGOs just buy Afghan evacuees a flight?
Nonprofits evacuating at-risk Afghans frequently get asked why they can’t just purchase plane tickets to safety for refugees. If the potential evacuee has a fiscal sponsor secured, family out of the country, or jobs abroad waiting for them, people naturally assume they have a clear path to evacuation.
Unfortunately, the reality is much more complex. Despite having all the right pieces in place (and sometimes even a visa issued), it is still a significant challenge to evacuate individuals and families from Afghanistan. With all the roadblocks, each evacuation is truly a feat and the result of many different groups across the world coming together…
LAST 24 HOURS:
THREAT ALERT – In Dara (Panjshir) the Taliban went door to door and ordered all male residents to attend a meeting at the local mosque to discuss the security situation with Taliban security officials. Once locals had arrived in the mosque, a Taliban official directed everyone outside to a garden area. They forced everyone on the ground, then threatened them all with death and retribution if they joined or supported the Resistance forces. They read off a list of names of men who had to stay and released the others. It is unknown what happened to those who were forced to stay after the meeting. Similar reports have been coming in from various districts in the area. A propaganda video was taken during the “meeting” and shared on pro-Taliban social media.
Several sources claim the TTP have sent several hundred reinforcements to Panjshir to assist the Taliban. We have not yet verified this information.
Following the recent raid of Malik Mirza School in Malik Mirza School in the Abdullah Khil Valley (Panjshir), an unknown number of teachers and students have been held by the Taliban in a local government building. Reports of torture, in particular targeting English teacher Zamarud Khan, have been received but are unverified at this time.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
· The Taliban reinforcements that had been ordered within the last 48hrs are expected to begin arriving in several provinces in the North. Reports surfaced that some of the fighters were hesitant to go and had to be threatened with expulsion from the Taliban security forces before agreeing to load into the trucks.
· An unspecified threat of a bombing in Herat was received by the Ministry of the Interior. No further information was available about the threat, but history dictates it will likely be a bombing threat that targets ethnic/religious minorities. At-risk Afghans are advised to avoid places where people gather (schools, markets, mosques, etc.) and public transportation for the next 72 hours, if possible.
ANALYSIS SPOTLIGHT:
IS-K Ramps Up War Against The Taliban By Attacking Central Asian Neighbors
By Abubakar Siddique – Radio Free Europe
Both Dushanbe and Tashkent have denied that such attacks took place. Taliban officials have denied that Uzbekistan was attacked from Afghan territory and say they are probing the alleged attack on Tajikistan.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.50 AFN (as of 12 MAY 2022)
AFGHAN NEWS
Many Afghan women pushing back against Taliban orders to cover up
By Reuters
The Taliban, who swept back to power as the government collapsed, on Saturday ordered women to cover their faces in…
Afghan journalist tried by military court, sentenced to one year in prison
By Reporters Without Borders
Khalid Qaderi, a poet and journalist with Radio Norroz in the western city of Herat, was sentenced to a year in prison by a military court in Herat on 7 May…
Taliban Held Meeting to Discuss and Prepare for Afghan Political Figures’ Return to the Country
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
The Taliban Political Commission met at Sapidar Palace to contact Afghan political figures and lay the groundwork for their…
REGIONAL NEWS
By Asia-Plus
Speaking at a press conference in Dushanbe, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. John Mark Pommersheim, noted on May 10 that the United States and
Iran grants citizenship to 20 Afghan investors
By Ariana News
According to Iran’s IRNA news agency, granting citizenship to the group of Afghans is part of the ministry’s plans to make use of skilled…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Intelligence community chiefs give update on Afghan terrorist threat
By Mike Brest – Washington Examiner
Terrorist organizations within Afghanistan’s borders are still roughly a year or more away from having the capability to launch attacks against…
Uzbekistan and Italy discuss situation in Afghanistan
By AKI Press
Uzbekistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev held talks with Italy's Special Representative for Afghanistan and…
THE DAILY WTF
Haqqani urges world not to support armed opposition in Afghanistan
By Ariana News
“In a meeting with EU Special Representative Tomas Niklasson, the Acting Minister of Interior emphasized the Doha Agreement on the non-use of Afghan territory against…