Daily Evacuation Brief | May 21, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
IRAN/AFGHANISTAN BORDER ISSUES CONTINUE – Some early reports yesterday suggested the border crossing at Islam Qala had been closed. While those reports appear to be false, Taliban fighters did take action to halt the construction of a ‘wall’ by Iranian border guards. No shooting took place but the situation at the crossing is tense and there have been several cross-border firing incidents at Islam Qala through the years. Officials from both countries met in Kabul to discuss better border management cooperation on Saturday.
3 TAJIK AFGHANS MURDERED IN KABUL – Reports with photos of 3 dead men were circulated widely on the internet and were said to depict Taliban executions of ethnic Tajiks in Kabul’s 15th Police District on Saturday. The murders have not yet been confirmed and the only motives provided for the purported attacks were that the men were of Tajik descent and may have been speaking Persian.
IRAN ANNOUNCES IT WILL COMMUTE DEATH SENTENCES OF 200 CONDEMNED AFGHANS – A spokesman for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation announced that a deal had been struck to commute death sentences for the 200 men after meetings with Iranian officials to resolve outstanding border and migrant issues on Saturday. It is thought that over 4,000 Afghan refugees are imprisoned in Iran for various offenses.
TALIBAN ENVOY USES STAGE AT RUSSIAN CONFERENCE TO PLEAD FOR EDUCATION COOPERATION – A representative from the Ministry of Higher Education used his time at the Kazan Forum in Russia to call for international assistance in rebuilding the secondary education system in Afghanistan. The representative refused to talk about the ban on women and girls. He did say that Russia had promised to provide support to the education system but did not specify what the support might be.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS RECEIVED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The regime expressed frustration over the pace at which Iraq is acting to expel Kurdish terror groups. An IRGC Commander stated that if Iraq takes no action, the IRGC will resume combat operations along and across the border.
Several new Iranian companies were added to the US sanctions list for purportedly skirting existing sanctions.
A violent split appears to have taken place between Iranian-backed militias operating in Syria. The fallout may have been caused by which tribal faction benefits from a lucrative smuggling operation.
PAKISTAN
Several different political groups have announced plans to hold more pro-Army rallies across the country after a similar rally was disrupted by a suicide bomber yesterday. Many Pakistan observers believe the PTI campaign against the Army will result in a loss of support.
Former PM, Imran Khan will now appear before the NAB board on 23 May in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.
The US Center for Disease Control issued warnings about eye drops manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare (India) which are tied to 4 deaths and 81 cases in the United States. The brands Delsam Pharma and EzriCare have been distributed in Pakistan as well as other Asian nations.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Security Situation In Afghanistan Requires Increased Pakistan-US Relations – OpEd
By Dr. Sahibzada Muhammad Usman - Eurasia Review
The security situation in Afghanistan has been a cause of concern for many years. Since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the country has been embroiled in conflict and instability. The Taliban, which was ousted from power, has made a comeback in recent years, and the security situation in the country has deteriorated. The situation has led to calls for increased Pak-US relations to address the security challenges in the region.
AFGHAN NEWS
Work On Bakhshabad Dam In Afghanistan’s Farah Province Started
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
According to a statement released by the Deputy PM’s Office for economic affairs, the construction of the Bakhshabad Dam in…
Unknown Gunmen Assassinate Tribal Leader in Urozgan Province: Another Shocking Act of Violence
By 8AM Media
Security officials of the Taliban in Urozgan province have reported that unidentified gunmen have fatally shot a tribal elder in…
Students Call for Reopening of Universities for Women
By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News
A group of students on Saturday called for the reopening of universities for women as five months have passed since the ban on…
REGIONAL NEWS
China ‘working to promote peace and reconstruction’ in Afghanistan
By Ariana News
China’s ministry of foreign affairs said Beijing is working with Central Asian countries to leverage coordination between…
3 Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Militant Attack in Balochistan: ISPR
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a heavy exchange of gunfire between the security forces and militants in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
G7 calls on Taliban to engage in inclusive national dialogue
By AMU TV
G7 leaders have called on the Taliban to take steps to engage in credible, inclusive and Afghan-led national dialogue in order to ensure…
Iran to UN: Handling Afghan refugees requires international support
By Ariana News
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a phone call with the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that handling the “huge number” of Afghan…
THE DAILY WTF
By Lynne O’Donnell - Daily Mail
The wife of a British charity medic being held prisoner by the Taliban plans to travel to Afghanistan capital Kabul to see her husband 'perhaps one last time' amid…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.57 AFN (as of 21 MAY 2023)