Daily Evacuation Brief | May 7, 2023

May 7, 2023

ROCKET ATTACK ON AIRPORT IN KABUL, SEARCHES UNDERWAY – A rocket attack was reported at Kabul International Airport on Saturday as the Taliban’s Foreign Minister was leaving for a conference in Islamabad. Several projectiles reportedly impacted near the terminal area and at least 3 airport workers were witnessed to have received injuries from the explosions. It was unclear what kind of projectiles were used with differing accounts made by eyewitnesses to the attack. However, most agreed the attack originated from the rooftops of at least two buildings to the West of the airport. An anonymous source who had previously served with the Afghan National Army said the impacts from the strikes were too precise to be Rocket Propelled Grenades. The attack did not disrupt the Foreign Minister’s trip but Taliban units swarmed the airport and the surrounding neighborhoods. Several journalists said they had been warned to hold off on reporting the incident until a Taliban spokesman could prepare a statement.
TRILATERAL MEETINGS IN PAKISTAN – Security and economic stability were the primary points of discussion in the meetings between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. Calls were made to once again form an inclusive government and China used the opportunity to take more swipes at the United States for freezing assets. Ultimately, very little of consequence appears to have taken place at the event.
STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS FUNDING ‘NOT’ GOING TO THE TALIBAN – A State Department spokesman, when pressed by a reporter over concerns raised in a recent Inspector General report about transparency, said that “US assistance in Afghanistan does not benefit the Taliban.” He stressed several ‘controls’ had been put in place to ensure the funding is handled by partner NGOs and the United Nations but many observers continue to question the validity of these claims and openly question how the State Department is monitoring the pipeline of cash.
CHINA ‘GENTLY’ REMINDS TALIBAN OF TERRORISM COMMITMENT – China took the opportunity at Saturday’s meeting to explain to Amir Khan Muttaqi (Taliban Foreign Minister) that Afghanistan’s neighbors have valid security concerns about terrorism and that the Taliban had not convinced anyone that the threat of terrorism was diminished. China’s Foreign Minister mentioned his country’s specific concern by name (Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement) and said that China stood ready to assist with security cooperation programs to fight terror.
PAKISTAN ISSUES PRESS ID CARDS TO AFGHAN JOURNALISTS – In a move to provide some semblance of credibility to the many Afghan journalists who find themselves in exile, Pakistan decided to issue these journalists press accreditation. The International Association of Pakistan-Afghanistan Journalists (IAPAJ) launched on Saturday in Islamabad and after brief remarks, began issuing the official cards to its members. The leaders of the IAPAJ hope the cards will deter Pakistani security personnel from harassing Afghan journalists and allow them to continue their work while residing in Pakistan.

NEXT 24 HOURS

HOUSE SEARCHES AND POSSIBLE CLEARING OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE IN AREAS AROUND AIRPORT – Hundreds of additional Taliban security forces descended on the airport after the rocket attacks took place and small units began searching the adjacent neighborhoods about an hour after the last explosion took place. Some buildings had been searched and there was an unconfirmed report that several gunmen had been chased away from the Serena Hotel’s alley. At-risk Afghans can expect additional search operations to continue throughout the day and should be prepared for a possible clash with whichever group instigated the attack should contact be made.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

Facebook has removed several Iran-linked accounts from the site.
The regime executed a dual Iranian-Swedish citizen for his alleged participation in a terror attack that killed security forces personnel.
Several former central bank officials were convicted for manipulating Iran’s position with regard to foreign exchanges.

PAKISTAN

Police in Rawalpindi stopped a vehicle carrying weapons and ammunition at one of its inspection checkpoints. Nearly 20 handguns and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition for rifles were discovered. It was not clear who the arms/ammo were meant for.
8 PTI party members were arrested for protesting near F-9 Park. A ban has been in place which limits protests in the capital. Three of the protestors were women.
Former PM, Imran Khan, announced that rallies for his party would be held successively from 8-14 May. Prior to Saturday’s announcement, the former PM had called for a 4-city rally that would be held simultaneously. The new announcement appears to be pointed at culminating on the day that his party feels the Punjab elections were to take place.

SPOTLIGHT GENDER

America Is Again Failing Afghanistan’s Women—and Itself

By Xanthe Scharff - The Fuller Project

How a nation state empowers or disempowers women is a key predictor of how it will behave among the community of nations. More than two decades of research have affirmed that women are essential to security, and their well-being and empowerment play a determinant role in the prevention of war and assurance of peace. We also know that women have a central role in advancing democratic freedom.

AFGHAN NEWS

Afghanistan: Four people killed, 25 others injured due to heavy rains, flash floods in Nangarhar

By ANI

Four people were killed and 25 others were injured due to heavy rains and flash floods in Afghanistan’s eastern…

Rocket attack reportedly targeted Kabul airport

By MEHR News Agency

News sources said that Kabul Airport, located in the vicinity of capital of Afghanistan, was hit by a rocket attack on Saturday when…

Taliban Prevent Girls from Entering Universities to Complete Their Documents

By 8AM Media

Some female graduates have reported that the Taliban are not allowing them to enter universities to complete their…

REGIONAL NEWS

Tajikistan Emphasizes on Building ‘Security Belt’ Around Afghanistan

By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press

Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, at the SCO ministerial meeting held in Goa from May 4-5, reiterated building a…

Afghan FM woos Pakistan and China in rare visit

By Gulf Times

The foreign minister of Afghanistan’s Taliban government, which is not recognised by any other nation, held talks yesterday…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

US Rejects Asylum Application of Refugees Illegally Entering Through Mexico

By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press

The US Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, said on Friday that the United States will not accept the asylum application of those migrants who are…