Daily Evacuation Brief | November 16, 2022

Nov 16, 2022

FRESH CLASHES BETWEEN TALIBAN AND PAKISTAN BORDER FORCES IN PAKTIA – A firefight took place in Paktia Province at the Kharlachi border crossing on the Durand Line. According to reports, the firefight lasted for approximately one hour. No information was immediately available regarding potential casualties from the clash but eyewitnesses on the Afghanistan side claimed to have seen several wounded Taliban fighters being loaded on vehicles. The circumstances which led to the clash are not known.
COUNTER-ISIS OPERATION ONGOING IN HERAT – Late reporting was received about a security operation that took place in Herat overnight. Taliban security forces launched the operation late last night. The operation targeted a suspected ISIS-K safe house in Police District 12 of Herat. 5 ISIS-K militants were reportedly killed in the fighting and the home was destroyed. No information on Taliban or non-combatant casualties has been given. At-risk Afghans in Herat are advised to shelter in place until the situation becomes clearer.
NEW SECURITY CHECKPOINTS ESTABLISHED ON THE JAWZJAN-BALKH HIGHWAY - Approximately ten new security checkpoints have been set up along the route by police. It is not clear why the new checkpoints have been put in place and what threat they are intended to protect against. Travelers along this route should expect additional scrutiny of documents and electronic devices.
FEMALE ACTIVIST GOES MISSING – Parveen Sadat, a noted female activist was reported missing yesterday evening. She reputedly disappeared after posting a voice message on social media that stated the Taliban had invaded her residence. Presumably, she was taken into custody but family and friends do not know where she is being held and what potential charges she may be facing.
TALIBAN DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM THE SPIN BOLDAK SHOOTER – Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the regime, tweeted that the attack was carried out by an unknown gunman. Eyewitnesses who were present at the scene of the skirmish claimed very early that the instigator was a Taliban border security guard who had been stationed at the post for several months. Our analysis indicates the deception is likely intended to mitigate the Pakistani demand that he be handed over. The impasse puts the Taliban in a tough position.

NEXT 24 HOURS

AFGHANISTAN - PAKISTAN BORDER STANDOFF – With a second cross-border incident at a border crossing it is possible the security situation could deteriorate further. While not enough information is known about the impetus for the second clash it illustrates the simmering tensions and increased alert levels that are probably present on both sides of the border. If tensions escalate, the border may close entirely and Pakistan may resort to air strikes or the use of artillery to quell future threats. At-risk Afghans intending to cross the border should continue to monitor the situation.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

The United States followed Europe in announcing new sanctions on the Iranian regime in the wake of the crackdown on protests.
Protests in Iran have grown as leaders have linked the current protests to the 2019 uprising. Many public venues were closed yesterday in anticipation of possible violence.

PAKISTAN

Due to potential threats posed by the Long March protestors, many public venues in Islamabad and a few international events have been canceled.
Former PM Khan seemed to do an about-face on his call for early elections and said in a video message to his followers that he was content to wait for the scheduled general elections. The message comes as many observers claim the protest is losing popular support.

TAJIKISTAN

Dushanbe is hosting a regional conference focused on settling multiple border issues and possibly redrawing some of the borders that have caused friction between neighbors.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

Afghanistan dispatch: shift of Rights Directorate into Supreme Court will increase power of judges versed in Islamic law

By Jurist

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has issued a decree directing that a plan be prepared for transferring the Huquq, or Rights Directorate, to the Supreme Court of Afghanistan. The Huquq Directorate currently is part of the Ministry of Justice. The decree approved last month is directed toward the Acting General Director of the General Directorate of Administrative Affairs, which is to prepare the transfer plan in conjunction with representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court.

AFGHAN NEWS

CRITICAL UPDATE: Family Reunification for Afghans

By United States Department of State

The U.S. Government is committed to helping U.S. citizens and Afghans in the United States reunite with their family members who remain in…

Kabul Residents Complain of Power Shortages

By Bibi Amina Amina Hakimi - TOLO News

Some residents in Kabul said that they have just seven to eight hours of electricity each 24…

IEA to investigate Spin Boldak shooting after Pakistani guard killed

By Ariana News

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday issued a statement confirming the death of a…

REGIONAL NEWS

Pakistan-Afghanistan Chaman Border Crossing Continues To Remain Shut For Third Successive Day

By Outlook India

A key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan was still shut on Tuesday for the third consecutive day after a…

Turkiye Blames Kurdish Group for Terror Attack in Istanbul

By Bakhtar News Agency

The Ministry of Interior of Turkiye said that the Kurdish group is responsible for the recent deadly bombing in…

Russia, Iran determined to help end crisis in Afghanistan: Official

By IRNA

An Iranian official has underscored that the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran are determined to collaborate in order to pave the way for…