Daily Evacuation Brief | November 27, 2023

Nov 27, 2023

CABINET RESHUFFLE REPORTED – The Deputy Prime Minister, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir is once again said to be stepping down due to an illness. The current Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi will assume the role in the interim. It was not clear if Muttaqi would be replaced at the Foreign Ministry or fulfill the duties of both positions. Kabir has reputedly fallen ill on at least two other occasions and a temporary Deputy was appointed in his place. Some sources allege that Kabir is not ill but has harbored resentment over his position since the Cabinet was formed.
TALIBAN OFFICIALS IN HERAT CLAIM IRAN DEPORTING AFGHANS WITH VALID PASSPORTS AND LEGITIMATE VISAS – The local head of Immigration in Herat said that many recent deportees had been returned through the Islam Qala crossing bearing valid documentation issued by Iran. Most expressed outrage over having been arrested and deported ‘violently’ by Iranian security forces. Most reports indicate that Iran has increased deportations of Afghans by 100% over the month of November. Speculation continues that Iran is using the cover of Pakistan’s largely unpopular deportation operation to get rid of Afghans.
NRF CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SATURDAY ATTACK IN TAKHAR – The National Resistance Front took credit for a blast that had been reported in Talaqan on Saturday. The group said that 3 Taliban were killed in the incident and that their forces had used an explosive device to target a Taliban vehicle.
SPIN BOLDAK PROTESTS CONTINUING – Islamabad has yet to find a solution to the protests that continue to block commercial traffic at the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing. Trade is reportedly at a standstill as Pakistanis continue to deny access to the crossing for trucks and other commercial vehicles to cross into Afghanistan. The impasse arose over the implementation of the ‘One Document Policy’ that only affords those with a passport/visa to cross the frontier. Local traders say that the crossing has always been treated as an ‘open border’ and that generations have moved freely across to buy/sell goods. The Government in Islamabad has countered that the border crossing has been used for smuggling purposes and seems content to allow it to remain closed. Many international observers in Pakistan have offered the opinion that Islamabad failed to make a strong case for security when implementing the policy and this has contributed to much of the frustration.

NEXT 24 HOURS

NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

Tehran has sued a daily newspaper for printing a story that references a document deemed to be ‘top security’. Etemad, an opposition newspaper published a story about the ‘morality guards’ and said the document proves a link to the Ministry of the Interior.
Iran’s Ambassador in Qatar said that access to the $6 billion that was deposited after a controversial prisoner exchange with the US can be accessed at any time.
Iran opened the 15th International Conference on Islamic Capital Markets yesterday. The conference focuses on developing Shariah-compliant finance mechanisms that can be adopted across international boundaries.

PAKISTAN

Chinese officials conducted a tour of the Central Police Office in Lahore. The purpose of the visit was to examine the capabilities and capacities of Pakistan’s police as well as lay the groundwork for law enforcement cooperation in the future.
Pakistan’s military claimed to have eliminated 8 TTP terrorists in South Waziristan during an intelligence-based operation.
A spokesman for the TTP cheered the recent Supreme Court ruling that forbids civilian trials in military courts. Claims the ruling will free many TTP members who are currently imprisoned.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

Al-Qaeda: A Defeated Threat? Think Again.

By Sara Harmouch - War on the Rocks

U.S. President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan marked the closure of America’s longest war against the very adversary that started it. “Remember what I said about Afghanistan? I said al-Qaeda would not be there. I said it wouldn’t be there,” declared Biden, resonating with a nation eager to turn a new page. However, reality clashed with this confidence on Aug. 15 when a 17-year-old tied to al-Qaeda was arrested in Philadelphia on charges related to weapons of mass destruction. Americans must now confront a question many thought the nation had left behind: Is al-Qaeda really defeated or has the threat merely evolved?

AFGHAN NEWS

Nearly 5,000 women killed by relatives in Afghanistan in 2022: UN Report

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

The United Nations Women’s Division released a shocking report on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, stating that in the year…

Haqqani visits Ghazni, calls on residents to help returning refugees

By Ariana News

Acting Minister of Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said during a visit to Ghazni province on Sunday that Pakistan’s recent decision to…

Muttaqi says parallel mechanisms to deal with Afghanistan are not needed

By Ariana News

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said in a meeting with the UN special envoy for Afghanistan that the country has a single, legitimate and…

REGIONAL NEWS

Herat Officials: Iran Deporting Afghans Who Have Passports, Visas

By TOLO News

According to them, the Iranian police tore the passports and visas of some Afghan immigrants and violently expelled them from…

Suicide Bombing Hits Military Convoy in NW Pakistan

By Ayaz Gul - VOA

Multiple official sources confirmed to VOA the attack occurred in Bannu, a garrison city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan Not Invited to COP28: Official

By Naveed Samadi - TOLO News

A senior official of the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) said that they have not been invited to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference which…