Daily Evacuation Brief | November 18, 2022
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LAST 24 HOURS
EXPLOSION IN BAGH-E-BALA NEIGHBORHOOD – Yesterday evening at approximately 1800hrs local, an explosion was reported in the area. No details were yet available and it is not clear if any casualties resulted from the blast. Taliban security forces established a perimeter around the area to keep locals out. No further information was available.
TTP COMMANDER REPORTEDLY ASSASSINATED IN AFGHANISTAN – A TTP Commander known as Zakerin was said to have been killed by unknown gunmen in Paktia Province. The circumstances behind the killing are unknown and this information has not been verified yet.
MOSCOW REGIONAL SUMMIT CONCLUDES – The regional summit on Afghanistan closed in Moscow yesterday. Delegates made several of the same calls for security, stability, inclusiveness, and economic development. The exclusion of Taliban representatives at the summit has rankled the senior leadership in Afghanistan but the snub has been smoothed over in light of Afghanistan’s precarious fiscal situation.
CHINA REITERATES SUPPORT FOR IEA – China’s Ambassador to Kabul, Wang Yu, passed along messages of support to the Foreign Minister in a meeting on Wednesday. The Ambassador announced intentions to provide a shipment of aid to help prepare for the coming Winter.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN DUBAI FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT SPURS RUMORS – Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was flown to Dubai for an unspecified medical condition. Rumors immediately began to circulate on social media that he had been the victim of poisoning. It is thought that Baradar and Haqqani have a rivalry and are often said to be at odds over the direction the IEA should take. At this point, we do not believe Baradar was poisoned and all signs point to a legitimate health condition that prompted his trip.
NOTED CLERIC AND 2 FOLLOWERS KILLED IN KABUL – A group of unidentified gunmen reportedly shot and killed Qari Najibullah Azizi and 2 unidentified worshipers at the Abu Bakr Siddiq Mosque early Thursday morning. The incident occurred during Fajir and the motive for the attack is not clear. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killings and no further information was available.
NEXT 24 HOURS
JOINT AFGHAN/PAKISTAN COMMITTEE FORMED TO INVESTIGATE CROSS BORDER INCIDENT AT CHAMAN – Yesterday’s announcement about the formation of a bi-lateral committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the clashes at Spin Boldak-Chaman gate is seen as a positive sign. Clearly, the tensions along the border merit a de-escalation effort by both countries before things get out of hand. While no announcement has been made to reopen the crossing site, we assess an announcement will be made soon.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A Colonel in Iran’s special forces is said to have been killed in a clash with protestors in Isfahan. 6 non-combatants were said to have been killed in the same incident.
Gunmen on motorcycles have killed 9 people (2 of whom were children) in mysterious attacks. The Iranian regime has called the killings the work of terrorism but there is speculation the gunmen may have been police or military.
PAKISTAN
The Kenya Human Rights Commission released a statement concerning the murder of journalist Arshad Shaif. The statement claimed the murder was planned and ‘choreographed’. Imran Khan has dedicated the Long March to the memory of the journalist and has openly claimed he was a victim of the current regime.
Ousted PM, Imran Khan, used a halt in the Long March to address supporters and sent several mixed messages that have caused confusion. Chief among them, he claimed he was still being targeted for assassination by some elements in the current regime. Some observers say the statements are meant to hedge his bets if the turnout for the Long March in the capital is less than anticipated.
TURKEY
Turkey has come under fire for reportedly blocking the entrance to thousands of Afghans attempting to enter the country from Iran. The criticisms are focused mainly on reports that valid international refugee claims are not being honored by Turkish authorities.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a treaty that solved several longstanding border demarcation issues. The agreement is being hailed as an example of effective bilateral cooperation.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
By Michael Jansen - Gulf Today
When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan the movement began to turn back the clock by reverting to the harsh practices imposed during its 1996-2001 reign. The Taliban commenced by targeting women, demanding that they appear in public only with a male relative and covered from head-to-toe in loose garments. Men are punished if women relatives do not observe dress codes, making men responsible for imposing restrictions. Taliban enforcers beat women whose clothing does not conform to Taliban edicts, especially those who wear Western-style trousers under their burqas or chadors.
AFGHAN NEWS
Min. Haqqani in Zabul Tells Gathering to Avoid Disputes
By Mohammad Farshad Daryosh - TOLO News
Speaking at a gathering in the southern province of Zabul, the acting Minister of Interior, Serajuddin Haqqani, called on the Islamic Emirate members to avoid…
Taliban Publicly Flogs a Boy and a Girl in Central Afghanistan
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
The Taliban local court in Bamyan province sentenced a young boy and girl to 39 flogging on Thursday, November 17, on the…
Afghans Honor Victims Of Education Center Attack With Books
By RFE
The lives lost when a bomb tore through the Kaaj Higher Education Center in Kabul, killing scores of students and educators, can never…
REGIONAL NEWS
'Everyone Is Anxious': Pakistan's Mass Arrests Of Afghan Refugees Fuel Fear Of New Crackdown
By Abubakar Siddique - RFE
A video shows a group of Afghan men and boys, all tied together with rope, being led away by police…
Participants at Moscow Format Release Joint Statement
By Mujeeb Rahman Awrang Stanikzai - TOLO News
According to the statement, they reiterated their commitment to a peaceful, unified, sovereign, independent and economically…
Pak, Afghan form committee to probe Chaman attack
By News Desk
Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday agreed to form a high-level committee to find the culprits responsible for killing a Pakistani security forces…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Report names Trump-era deal with Taliban as factor in fall of Afghan leadership
By J.P. Lawrence - Stripes
The Trump administration’s exclusion of the U.S.-backed Afghan government in peace talks with the Taliban proved to be a…
Canada Relocates another Batch of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
Sean Fraser, the Canadian Minister of Immigration announced on Wednesday, November 16, that a chartered flight carrying 324 Afghan refugees from…
THE DAILY WTF
IEA Strives to provide a comfortable life for Afghans: Deputy PM
By Bakhtar News Agency
Deputy PM said that a safe, secure, Islamic, and Afghan system has been affirmed in Afghanistan after years, adding that the only hope of…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.87 AFN (as of 18 NOV 2022)