Daily Evacuation Brief | October 16, 2022
Discover more from The Afghan Digest
LAST 24 HOURS
BLAST IN KABUL – An explosion was reported in the Dahne Bagh neighborhood of Police District 2. It is not clear if the blast was a result of a terrorist attack or an accident. No casualties had been reported but information has been slow to come in.
MASSOUD FACES CRITICISM – Reports from within the National Resistance Front suggest the leader is losing popularity among some within the organization. Critics have pointed to heavy losses in the Panjshir campaign and an inability to effectively protect non-combatants in areas where the NRF operates. The criticism has extended online where many Afghans had blasted his decision to have meetings with the former National Security Advisor. While it does not appear he is at risk of being deposed or challenged, it seems clear that supporters are frustrated with the lack of strategic success. Rumors of an upcoming ‘end of season’ offensive may help restore faith. Our analysis indicates the NRF has conducted a masterful guerilla campaign and continually outperforms the Taliban with far fewer forces. Politically, the NRF campaign provides regional leaders and the international community with leverage to continue hounding the Taliban over domestic issues.
EXPATRIATE PEACE MOVEMENT FORMED – Former political and cultural icons living outside of Afghanistan announced in a ceremony, the formation of the National Movement for Peace and Justice. Hanif Atmar, a Minister of Foreign Affairs under the former regime, leads the group. He said in remarks that war was not the best way to achieve an inclusive political system in Afghanistan and this was the motivation that he and others used to set up a peace-based advisory group.
PRESIDENT OF TAJIKISTAN ACCUSES TALIBAN OF HARBORING TERRORISTS – At the 6th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures (CICA) held in Kazakhstan, President Rahmon addressed the body and accused Afghanistan of harboring tens of thousands of terrorists and of allowing terror groups to train suicide bombers. His fiery remarks were not condemned by those in attendance but Iran’s President, Ebrahim Raisi attempted to shift the talks toward promoting policies that would encourage the formation of an inclusive government.
NEXT 24 HOURS
No known threats have been reported
SPOTLIGHT HISTORY
The Afghanistan Archives: Key Metrics from 2002-2019
By CSIS
The United States completed its withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, marking the conclusion of two decades of war. The end of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, however, is a class reason to focus on the lessons of this war. There needs to be an objective and detailed effort to examine the civil and military lessons that have emerged from the entire history of the war.
AFGHAN NEWS
Former National Security Advisor Discusses Situation in Afghanistan with Resistance Leader
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
In recent remarks to the international media, the former national security adviser of Afghanistan emphasized the need for unity among all…
Director of Afghanistan's TOLOnews leaves Kabul with 'heavy heart'
By The New Arab
"I’ve given decades of my life to protect & advance free press & journalism in Afghanistan, but in the past month, I felt that I…
US Agency Launches Projects to Help Agriculture in Afghanistan
By Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
The agency said in a recent report that the majority of Afghans depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, and therefore the…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan One of Most Dangerous Nations in the World: U.S. President
By Arif Ahmadi - Khaama Press
“… And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any…
SCO decides to counter terror groups operating from Afghanistan: Indian official
By Ariana News
“Joint measures of the competent authorities of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to counter the challenges and…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Putin accuses West of fueling anti-IEA formations
By Ariana News
“Western intelligence services, primarily American and British, are fueling the formations opposing the Taliban (IEA), aiming them at…
Uncertainty looms for Afghan diplomats in overseas missions appointed before Taliban regime
By Nirmala Ganapathy - The Straits Times
At the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, diplomats routinely interact with the Indian government on issues…
THE DAILY WTF
Woman Kills Self Before Taliban Stones Her to Death for Running Away from Home
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
The Taliban planned to stone the woman who ran away from home with a man on Friday, October 14, but she took her own…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.98 AFN (as of 16 OCT 2022)