Daily Evacuation Brief | May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

DEADLY ATTACK ON PAKISTANI OIL OPERATION IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA – A large militant force of up to 50 men stormed a Hungarian oil complex in the Hangu District of the Province. The attack targeted two specific pumping wells and heavy weapons and rocket-propelled grenades were employed in the attack. 4 Police and 2 private security guards were killed in the attack. It is not known how many of the militants were killed or wounded in the exchange of fire. After the attack, the militants were thought to have retreated into North Waziristan. The TTP claimed credit for the action, but this has not been confirmed by officials in Pakistan. Minor damage was inflicted on the facility but did not affect production. Police and military units were conducting sweeps of the adjacent areas as well as sending heavily armed patrols into North Waziristan.
IMRAN KHAN MAY HAVE OVERESTIMATED HIS POPULARITY – The ousted Prime Minister appears to have overplayed his hand and is reeling from a wave of defections from his political party. Since the nationwide violence broke out on 9 May, thirty-five party leaders have resigned from the party. Several local party offices have been vandalized, some by their own former members. Turnout at local rallies has dwindled. At this point, it is not clear how much support the embattled politician retains. A source in Islamabad said that Khan made a monumental mistake when he ‘challenged the Army’. While few are counting Pakistan’s ‘master of spin’ out, there is a growing sense that even many within his own party are tired of the constant tirades and conspiracy theories. The former PM appeared in front of three separate proceedings yesterday over a slew of legal issues. Despite launching several Twitter warnings, he was not arrested and the courts gave him lenient extensions of bail.
HEAVY FLOODING IN GHOR PROVINCE KILLS 5 – Rain and melting snow contributed to severe flooding in the Madrasa area that reportedly killed 5 people. Damage from the floodwaters was also reported in the Pasaband District.
TALIBAN FINALIZING RULES REGARDING WOMEN WORKING IN AID CAPACITIES – According to the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, the Taliban have nearly completed the new guidelines for Afghan women to work for nongovernmental organizations in the country. When pressed for dates or a timeline, the Taliban would not provide additional information. Many are skeptical that any work is being done and, even if it were, the ruling cabal in Kandahar would overrule plans to allow women back to work.

NEXT 24 HOURS

NO THREATS RECEIVED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

Israel sent several signals that military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities are being considered.
The trials for 2 journalists who reported early on the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 were scheduled for later in the month. Both of the accused are women and are accused of collaborating with the United States among other things.
The Ministry of Intelligence claimed to have broken up a foreign intelligence-gathering operation that was focused on consolidating information about Iranians who travel abroad. An arrest was said to have been made in the case but no other details were provided.

PAKISTAN

Police had surrounded a group of militants (possibly criminals) who sought refuge in a cave after a firefight in Swat that killed 1 non-combatant and injured a policeman. A standoff ensued and a negotiator was called in to attempt to defuse the situation.
A report on the fiscal health of Pakistan provided an optimistic view of its debt situation and charted a course to meet the nearly $3 billion coming due over the next three months.
The government is expected to release a revised budget in the coming days that doubles the current year’s budget. The government says that inflation is the primary cause of the increases.

SPOTLIGHT IRAN

The State Department is fumbling its approach to Iran. It’s time for an overhaul.

By Holly Dagres - The Atlantic Council

“It is clear to us that the meaning of diplomacy means compromising with the clerics of the Islamic Republic—if they didn’t have backing like you, they wouldn’t have survived,” wrote an Iranian in response to a quote by President Joe Biden posted on April 10 on the official Persian language US State Department Instagram (@usabehfarsi).

AFGHAN NEWS

USAID set to shut down aid program for war victims in Afghanistan

By AMU TV

Nitin Madhav, director of the office of Afghanistan affairs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said in an interview with Stars and Stripes that the Conflict Mitigation Assistance for…

How Afghan Girls Are Overcoming Barriers Through Online Learning

By Laiq Zirack - The Diplomat

On May 13, Afghan girls marked 600 days shut out of…

Flash floods kill 5, including one child, in Ghor province

By Ariana News

Local officials in Ghor province say at least four women, one man and a child were killed on Tuesday in Firozkoh city due…

REGIONAL NEWS

Militants attack Pakistan oil plant near Afghan border killing 6 troops and guards

By Fox News

Dozens of militants attacked an oil and gas plant on Tuesday in Pakistan's remote northwest, near the border with Afghanistan, killing four security troops and…