Daily Evacuation Brief | May 22, 2022
Discover more from The Afghan Digest
LAST 24 HOURS:
House-to-house searches recommenced in Herat. Additional checkpoints have been established, and sources report that commuters are receiving extra scrutiny. Citizens are primarily being asked about their work history and which is their “home” province. It is believed they are continuing to look for former military members and northerners. Afghans from northern provinces are encouraged to conceal where they are from, if possible.
In a CNN interview, former President Hamid Karzai stated that the burqa is not a traditional item of clothing in Afghan culture. The Taliban responded by harshly criticizing Karzai and suggesting his only interest in women’s freedom was to appease foreigners.
Several non-Pashtun Taliban unit commanders serving in Panjshir were apparently snubbed and not allowed to meet with the visiting Minister of Defense. A scuffle between the Minister’s bodyguards and an alleged Uzbek Taliban commander was filmed, during which the Uzbek Commander was reportedly humiliated and forced to surrender his weapon and a cell phone.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
After female Afghan television presenters defied the Taliban’s decree of covering their faces, sources claimed that orders were issued from Kandahar to dismiss them from their jobs. If subsequent protests occur, the Taliban has been ordered to suppress them and make arrests of the leaders.
ANALYSIS SPOTLIGHT:
As Taliban battles Massoud-led resistance in Afghanistan’s Panjshir, civilians in the line of fire
By Saikiran Kannan – India Today
Panjshir is once again proving to be a hotbed of resistance against the Taliban in the latest round of fighting between the National Resistance Front (NRF) and the fundamentalist group, resulting in loss of lives on both sides.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 90.83 AFN (as of 22 MAY 2022)
AFGHAN NEWS
Acting Taliban defense minister visits Panjshir, urges locals to ignore ‘enemy propaganda’
By Ariana News
Mujahid assured them that he would not allow anyone to disrupt security in the…
TV presenters defy Taliban and show their faces on air
By RTE
Female presenters on Afghanistan's leading TV channels have gone on air without covering their faces, defying a Taliban order that they conceal their…
The Taliban Drafts a 15-Article Bill for the Return of the Afghan Political And Military Figures
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
The Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures Commission has released a list of fifteen…
Farmers Concerned by Reduced Crop Yield
By TOLO News
Farmers expressed concerns over the reduction of crop yield caused by draught this year. They also called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to provide them with higher quality seeds…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghanistan: Taliban ditches former ally TTP over quest for global recognition
By Catch News
In a quest to gain global recognition, the Taliban has brokered the deal between Islamabad and the Tehreek-Taliban Pakistan rebels who have…
Attacks on Chinese Nationals in Pakistan Risk Creating Rifts
By Uzair Younus & Suleman Ahmed – Newlines Institute
After a yearslong decline in terrorist attacks, Pakistan is facing a growing threat from both Baloch nationalist and radical Islamist groups emboldened by the Taliban’s takeover of…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
State Dept Wants 'Action' Not 'Rhetoric' on Afghan Schools
By TOLO News
The United States Department of State again criticized what it called the ban on schools for girls over sixth grade in Afghanistan…
Deputy PM Meets Norwegian Ambassador in Kabul
By Bakhtar News Agency
Mawlawi Abdul Kabir called the relations between Afghanistan and Norway friendly and pointed to its historical…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban Defense Minister Visits Panjshir; We Do Not Allow “disruptors” to Disrupt Security
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
“Do not kill yourself for the benefit of those who live in Tajikistan and France and raise money from your blood there,” said Amanuddin Mansoor, commander of the Taliban Ministry of Defense Air Force…