Daily Evacuation Brief | May 23, 2022
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The Taliban’s Northern Problem: Tactics and Strategies
As war between the Taliban and Afghan resistance groups spreads across northern Afghanistan, an examination of basic tactics and overall strategies is key to understanding how the conflict is shaping up.
Whispers is an intelligence and analysis column focused on post-democratic Afghanistan
LAST 24 HOURS:
A bomb exploded at the Istiqlal Hotel near the airport (Police District 10) at the same time as a ceremony honoring Mullah Akhtar Mansour, a former Taliban Supreme Leader killed in a US drone strike in 2016. Early reports claim 3 people died in the blast and several others are injured. The National Freedom Front claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Taliban were filmed rampaging through the Kabul University’s Fine Arts department destroying pieces of art they claimed were inappropriate, leading to widespread outrage on social media.
Power outages continue to be a major problem in Kabul, and residents are claiming electricity is not being distributed fairly.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
The fighting in Panjshir is expected to continue as the assaults on the NRF stronghold at the Hesarak Base intensify. Taliban reinforcements arrived over the last 12 hours, but resistance has been stiff.
House-to-house searches in Kabul have been ordered by the Ministry of the Interior to search for suspects who may have planned the recent bombing at the Istiqlal Hotel. Security forces have a short list of potential conspirators that includes seven names. Most of the names are thought to be DNS officers from the previous regime. Taliban security forces have doubled their presence in Police District 10 as a result of the bombing.
AFGHAN NEWS
Explosion near Kabul's Hamid Karzai Airport leaves casualties
By Mehr News Agency
The blast took place on the road of Kabul's Hamid Karzai Airport near the Esteghlal Hotel where the anniversary of the assassination of former Taliban…
All TOLOnews Presenters, in Solidarity With Women, Cover Faces
By Banafsha Binesh – TOLO News
The Ministry of Vice and Virtue named Sunday morning as the final deadline, calling this order…
Watch: Afghani girls studying in secret despite Taliban decree
By Israel National News
Since the Taliban cut down on women's rights, including limiting education to the 6th grade level, some have taken…
REGIONAL NEWS
Iran says it will resort to legal means in dispute with Afghanistan over use of water resources
By News AM
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran plans to turn to legal channels to assert its rights to a share of water resources from…
Baradar stresses expanded trade links with UAE
By Pajhwok Afghan News
He called on host officials to resolve the issue of visas for Afghan nationals and restart flights between the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Thomas West: Opposition to the Taliban is Growing Within the International Community
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
According to Thomas West, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, recent restrictions on Afghan women have fueled international opposition to…
Report: How Strong Is Al-Qaeda?
By Shafaq News
This article presents a debate on the al-Qaeda threat today, drawing on a longer article we wrote for Studies in Conflict & Terrorism.
THE DAILY WTF
Facebook Anti-Terror Policy Lands Head of Afghan Red Crescent Society on Censorship List
By Sam Biddle – The Intercept
Amid a historic and ever-worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Facebook recently added the head of one of the country’s most important domestic aid…