Daily Evacuation Brief | October 10, 2022
LAST 24 HOURS
KABUL HOUSE SEARCHES, PD 15 – A large-scale search operation was noted in the Hangara neighborhood of Police District 15 last night. The searches extended to vehicles and personal searches of pedestrians along streets. Some eyewitnesses reported having their phones searched and one overheard a Taliban Ministry of the Interior mentioning the ‘Stop Hazara Genocide’ campaign during a discussion with subordinates. It is possible the searches were prompted by online social activism during the two-day global campaign. No arrests have been reported yet. It is possible this activity will continue as the Taliban continue to scour social media for dissidents located in Afghanistan. At-risk Afghans who may have participated in the online campaign should consider safeguarding their identities and take the precaution of uninstalling their social media accounts from their phones in the meantime.
NRF MOVES FORCES TO BADAKHSHAN – Several sources have reported the NRF has shifted forces to Badakhshan Province over the last few days. The forces appear to have been moved from less active Central Provinces. Sources stated the terrain in Badakhshan favors their tactical operational footing and the Taliban forces in the Province are disorganized and lack a unified command structure. Our analysis indicates the shift is favorable for the aforementioned tactical advantages but is also strategically wise due to the proximity to China’s border.
TALIBAN AND US INTELLIGENCE MEETING IN DOHA – International news sources have reported on a meeting between the Deputy Director of the CIA and the Taliban’s Chief of Intelligence in Doha. It is thought the two discussed possible collaboration in dealing with a resurgent ISIS in Afghanistan. While most Afghanistan observers have long thought lines of communication have been open between US intelligence and the Taliban, the outrage over the killing of the Al Qaeda leader seems to have tempered any information sharing lately. Counter-terrorism has long been seen as a bargaining chip for the Taliban in seeking recognition but is unlikely to shift the political roadblocks caused by the stance on gender freedoms and the treatment of former regime officials. No further information was available.
NEXT 24 HOURS
HOME SEARCHES MAY SPREAD IN KABUL – As witnessed in PD 5, it is possible that Taliban house searches may spread to other districts in Kabul. In previous instances where homes have been searched, the Taliban used a somewhat methodical approach and moved from neighborhood to neighborhood. There does not appear to be a pattern to these searches. At-risk Afghans in Kabul should be prepared to see security activity in select Districts across the city. We have no information about searches outside of Kabul at this time.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
What Afghans Want the Rest of the World to Know
By Bushra Seddique - The Atlantic
Hajera gave birth to her daughter, Sarah, in Kabul two weeks after the Taliban took over Afghanistan last summer. Hajera is 35 and worked as a government economist. She and her husband already had two sons and were happy to be welcoming a daughter. But they soon lost their jobs, and the Taliban erased the rights women had gained over the previous two decades.
AFGHAN NEWS
Inefficient state-owned companies to be merged with other institutions
By Ariana News
“Companies which do not benefit the public will no longer exist. Companies which do not generate revenue or their revenues only…
Hindu, Sikh minorities want their usurped land freed
By Ahmad Sohaib Hasrat - Pajhwok Afghan News
Kabul City Mayor Mawlavi Abdul Rashid has pledged Hindu and Sikh minorities full support in the return of their usurped lands, according to…
Kabul Residents in PD 1, 2 Say They Have No Local Access to Drinking Water
By Hadia Ziaei - TOLO News
They said that they have been dealing with this issue for several months and asked the authorities to address…
REGIONAL NEWS
Iranian State Broadcaster Hacked, Setting Khamenei’s Portrait Ablaze
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
A newscast on IRINN was momentarily interrupted on Saturday, October 8 by a group identifying itself as “Edalat-e-Ali,” who briefly displayed a mask…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US officials hold first meeting with IEA delegation in Qatar since late July
By Ariana News
The US officials met in-person with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) officials on Saturday for the first time since the US claimed it…
Acclaimed Afghan Singer Joins Hazara Protests in Washington D.C.
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
Renowned Afghan singer Farhad Darya took part in the demonstration held in Washington D.C. against the…
THE DAILY WTF
The Taliban Nearly Kills Bitcoin In Afghanistan, Bringing The Local Industry To A Standstill
By Aliyu Pokima - ZyCrypto
With more sanctions from the West, the country’s new leadership is making a solid statement by regulating the digital economy with…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.27 AFN (as of 10 OCT 2022)