NOTE TO OUR READERS: Several disturbing reports about killings of non-combatants arrive each day. Some we have verified are false and seem to be meant as propaganda.
Sadly, many others appear to be true and are verified by multiple sources, normally including photographic evidence. We will continue to include these incidents in the Conflict Tracker as we hope it will act as a record going forward and keep Afghans informed about the situation.
LAST 24 HOURS:
Many reports continue to be sent claiming the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) are operating in Andarab, Panjshir, and Takhar specifically. While the numbers vary, an average of the reporting suggests they could number as many as 1,000. We have not yet confirmed the presence of any TTP.
Personnel from the Ministry of the Interior have begun investigating college professors who have been reported of previously harassing pro-Taliban students. No further information is available at this time.
We have received several reports of more house-to-house searches in Tajik neighborhoods in Kabul over the last 24 hours. Little information is known about what the Taliban is looking for, but several teams have been filmed making targeted stops.
Video surveillance cameras at the main entrance points of Kabul have been reconnected and are functioning again. Sources observed new generators being delivered to Taliban checkpoints where cameras had been installed under the previous regime. It is unclear if the central monitoring station at the Ministry of the Interior is receiving footage from the newly reconnected cameras at this point. Kabul continues to deal with power outages from the attack on the power lines several weeks ago, which may impact camera function.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
THREAT ALERT: We expect the targeted house searches reported in Kabul to continue for the next few days. Most households that have reportedly been searched are occupied by ethnic Tajiks and seem to be in Tajik neighborhoods. While not enough information is available to be conclusive, we do believe the searches are related to the fighting in the North. At-risk Afghans should take notice and be prepared.
Pakistani engineering units began fence building operations in the previous 24 hours. However, work soon stopped, and it is believed the new Pakistani regime wants to hold off while the prospect for potential peace talks with the TTP are in the works. The TTP stated it would honor a short cease-fire until the 16th of May to raise issues with representatives of the new government.
ANALYSIS SPOTLIGHT:
Mobile phone data reveal the effects of violence on internal displacement in Afghanistan
By Xiao Hui Tai, Shikhar Mehra, Joshua Blumenstock – Nature Human Behavior
Nearly 50 million people globally have been internally displaced due to conflict, persecution and human rights violations. However, the study of internally displaced persons—and the design of policies to assist them—is complicated by the fact that these people are often underrepresented in surveys and official statistics. We develop an approach to measure the impact of violence on internal displacement using anonymized high-frequency mobile phone data. We use this approach to quantify the short- and long-term impacts of violence on internal displacement in Afghanistan, a country that has experienced decades of conflict. Our results highlight how displacement depends on the nature of violence. High-casualty events, and violence involving the Islamic State, cause the most displacement. Provincial capitals act as magnets for people fleeing violence in outlying areas. Our work illustrates the potential for non-traditional data sources to facilitate research and policymaking in conflict settings.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.84 AFN (as of 13 MAY 2022)
AFGHAN NEWS
Dozens of Taliban fighters killed in Afghan military resistance uprising
By Ben Farmer and Sami Yousafzai – The Telegraph
Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in an uprising last week in the most significant military resistance to Afghanistan's new rulers since…
EU envoy to Afghanistan expresses concern over reports of civilian casualties in Panjshir
By ANI
The European Union Ambassador to Afghanistan, Andreas von Brand, has expressed concerns over the reports of killings…
By Mohammad Shaker Rasa – Hasht e Subh
According to sources, the Taliban fighters are launching house-to-house search operations during the night in Andarab villages for detaining the resistance front…
REGIONAL NEWS
The United States and Russia to finance construction of frontier posts along Tajik-Afghan border
By Aisa-Plus
To provide security along Tajikistan’s common border with Afghanistan, the United States and the Russian Federation will finance construction of frontier posts along
Pakistani Taliban Extends Truce in Order to Hold Peace Talks
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
According to two Pakistani Taliban sources, a group of Pakistani mediators traveled to Afghanistan to meet with the Pakistani Taliban…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Guterres: Terrorism is Resurgent in Afghanistan
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
To ensure its efficacy, the UN Secretary-General has stated that the response to terrorism must be founded on the rule of law, respect for human rights, and…
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: No good options for Afghans traveling to and from Turkey
By Fabrizio Foschini – The Afghanistan Analysts Network
The economic crisis and the country’s hardening stance towards irregular migrants are making Turkey a less hospitable destination for Afghans fleeing…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban stop men and women dining together in Herat
By RTE
Afghanistan is a deeply conservative and patriarchal nation but it is common to see men and women eating together at restaurants - particularly in Herat, a city…
