Daily Evacuation Brief | October 11, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE OF 6.3 MAGNITUDE STRIKES HERAT – The US Geological Survey reported an earthquake of 6.3 that struck just North of Herat City at 00:46 UTC. The quake is classified as an ORANGE occurrence which estimates possible fatalities of between 100-1000 people and some economic damage. According to the survey map, the epicenter was North of Herat City but ‘STRONG’ quake activity was reported in the City as well as in Chahar Burj and Zindah Jan. Some reports say that power is out across Herat City.
4 BRITONS HELD BY TALIBAN RELEASED – The 4 British Nationals who have been imprisoned by the Taliban were released and allowed to leave the country yesterday. The men were being held on various charges and the UK Government had been working to secure their release.
ISLAMABAD POLICE SET UP CAMP FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS – Police officials have given illegal Afghan refugees in the capital city forty-eight hours to move to a temporary camp it has established in the midst of a large Afghan population in Islamabad. The camp encompasses two sectors of Islamabad (H-12 and I-12). Apparently, a total of 54 camps were established in the country for the operation. 44 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 9 in Balochistan, 1 in Punjab. Islamabad and Sindh did not have official camps set up until now.
"May Allah Cause All Of Israel To Perish With Thunderbolts; They Are A Very Bad Nation; They Are Jews" - Sheikh Mawlawi Abdul Baseer Faiz, Taliban Head of Hajj and Religious Affairs, 8 October 2023.
NEXT 24 HOURS
SITUATION IN HERAT REMAINS CONFUSED – After a second earthquake was registered North of Herat City, communications with many in the Province were cut off and there are fears that more deaths and destruction have taken place. We recommend all at-risk Afghans wait until the situation becomes clearer before attempting any travel in and around the affected area.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Some US lawmakers have called on the US President to ‘re-freeze’ the $6bn dollars in frozen assets after Hamas’ attack on Israel.
US General Charles Q. Brown Jr, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a stark warning to Iran to stay out of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
A poll conducted by The Washington Institute in July of 2023 that surveyed Gazans’ views on the ceasefire showed that over 60% of those polled did not want the ceasefire broken.
PAKISTAN
The IMF began pressing Pakistan to privatize utilities across the country to fulfill commitments made in the loan agreement earlier this year.
Several Uyghur families that have been sheltering in Pakistan after escaping China are now being threatened with deportation.
Over 100 new Dengue Fever cases have been confirmed in Punjab over the last three days. Public health officials are warning that a larger outbreak could occur.
SPOTLIGHT RESISTANCE
The Secret Musicians of Afghanistan
By Amanda Florian & Abdul Wahab Siddiqi - New Lines Magazine
Day breaks in western Afghanistan. Outside, gunshots fired by the Taliban pierce the hazy sky. A loudspeaker plays a cappella chants — or taranas — that demand the attention of citizens. Emergency vehicles transferring bodies broadcast recitations from the Quran. As children fight and play on unpaved roads, the chant-like prayers of mullahs reverberate across the city five times a day. There’s only one sound that’s missing — music.
AFGHAN NEWS
Rescue efforts wind down in quake-hit Afghanistan
By Gulf Times
Rescuers scaled back operations in Afghanistan’s devastated northwest yesterday as chances of finding survivors diminished 72 hours after one…
Foreign Aid Trickles as Death Toll Rises in Quake-Hit Afghanistan
By Akmal Dawi - VOA
The number of people killed by Saturday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan has surpassed 2,400 as search and…
Almost 500 people still missing after deadly earthquake in Afghanistan
By AMU TV
Nearly 500 people are still missing in Zindajan district in Herat province after Saturday’s deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake, UN aid coordinators said on…
REGIONAL NEWS
The Hasty Repatriation Of Afghan Refugees: Creating Havoc In Pakistan
By Sher Khan Bazai - EurAsia Review
Afghans are the most unfortunate ones on the planet that they have in trouble in their homeland and with neighbours, soon after they…
Pak: Over 1,700 Afghan immigrants held in ongoing crackdown
By ANI
In an ongoing nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants, law enforcement agencies have apprehended more than 1,700 Afghan nationals…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
U.K. apologizes to Afghan Taliban as 4 British nationals released from captivity
By Patrick Hilsman - UPI
"We welcome and appreciate the release by the current administration of Afghanistan of four British nationals who were detained on allegations of breaking the…
Taliban governor equates Pakistan and Iran to Israel over ‘cruel’ treatment of refugees
By AMU TV
The Taliban’s governor for Kabul, Mohammad Qasim Khalid, criticized neighboring countries on Tuesday over their ill-treatment of refugees from Afghanistan and likened Pakistan and Iran…
THE DAILY WTF
UK does not support anyone seeking to achieve political change through violence in Afghanistan
By AMU TV
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office affirmed its stance against the use of British territory by any individuals…
“We will see if this policy stands the test of time.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 75.35 AFN (as of 11 OCT 2023)