Daily Evacuation Brief | October 19, 2023

Oct 19, 2023

BLAST REPORTED IN KABUL NEAR MARKET – An explosion was reported in a parking lot near a market in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of Kabul yesterday afternoon. There were no casualties reported but several cars were reputedly damaged. The incident is under investigation. A source in Kabul claimed the incident was not related to terrorism and involved a faulty wiring job done on a private vehicle that had been parked in the lot.
NEW VIDEO TIES TAJIK GOVT TO CREATION OF ISIS-K IN AFGHANISTAN – A pro-Taliban online outlet called al-Mersad has begun circulating a video that alleges ISIS-K terrorists in Afghanistan are predominantly composed of ethnic Tajiks and implies the terrorist organization may be receiving support from Dushanbe. Al-Mersad is a shadowy group that appears to promote many of al-Qaeda’s tenets and is often complimentary of the Taliban. Its website says it is wholly independent from all groups but is based in Kabul which casts doubt on its supposed neutrality. The group maintains a website that appears to be active almost daily and also provides content to several of its social media channels. While most serious observers dismiss the reputed connection between ISIS-K and Dushanbe, there are indications that the terror group does prioritize recruitment efforts among the ethnic Tajiks and it even translates copies of its propaganda through a Tajik-language propaganda wing (al-Azaim Foundation). Al-Mersad seems to be trying to create anti-Tajikistan sentiment among Afghans and may be doing so at the behest of the Taliban. Tajikistan has, by far, consistently rejected the Taliban’s appeals for recognition and has successfully led several initiatives to attempt to contain perceived threats in partnership with regional allies.
TALIBAN LEADERSHIP WARNING AGAINST JOINING HAMAS IN CONFLICT WITH ISRAEL – Multiple reports have surfaced about senior Taliban leaders reminding Taliban security members about rules regarding participation in terror-related efforts abroad after the terror attacks in Israel occurred. The latest rumor involves a letter that is being attributed to the General Directorate of Intelligence that is circulating on social media. The letter advises intelligence agents to stop Afghans from attempting to travel to Gaza and to report them. While many rumors persist about recruiting efforts across the country, no evidence has been presented that proves it has happened at this point.

NEXT 24 HOURS

NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iranian-backed militia group has claimed credit for two of the three drone attacks carried out against US military positions in Iraq that injured at least 3 US soldiers.
The US Congress will soon debate a bill to permanently freeze the $6 billion in Iranian funds that was returned as a part of the recent prisoner exchange deal. There are many objections to the plan as no concrete proof of Iranian complicity in the Hamas attacks in Israel has been produced.
A dual French-Iranian professor who has been held in Iran for several years was released and returned to France. The professor had been arrested in 2019 over security charges.

PAKISTAN

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appealed to the Islamabad High Court for protective bail ahead of his expected return to the country after living in exile for several years.
The embattled national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was forced to cancel over twenty international and domestic flights yesterday as a crisis over unpaid fuel receipts continues. The airline has made repeated requests for a bailout from the government but have been rebuffed.
Government employees who had been protesting against new policies and greater pay in several Provinces have agreed to suspend their protests in favor of sit-ins due to the increased security threat.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Taliban’s Economic Dreams

By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza - The Diplomat

On October 17 and 18, leaders, delegations and representatives from more than 130 countries gathered in Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, also marking the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious global infrastructure and energy initiative. Among the invited was a Taliban delegation from Afghanistan led by acting Minister for Commerce and Industry Haji Nooruddin Azizi.

AFGHAN NEWS

Blast reported at Kabul market, causes no casualties

By AMU TV

A blast occurred at a market parking lot in the Dasht-e-Barchi area in western Kabul on Wednesday afternoon, confirmed Taliban spokesman…

Unresolved fate of activists Parsi, Parwana following Taliban arrest sparks concern

By AMU TV

Friends and relatives of women’s rights activists Zholia Parsi and Neda Parwani who were taken into custody by the Taliban last month said they are…

Deputy PM’s Absence From Events Raises Questions

By Fatima Adib - TOLO News

For 40 days, there has been no official conferences and meetings of Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister of the…

A screen capture showing French-Afghan journalist Mortaza Behboudi.

French-Afghan journalist freed in Afghanistan after Taliban court drops charges

By France 24

All charges, including espionage and illegal support for foreigners, were thrown out at a criminal court hearing in Kabul, the press…

REGIONAL NEWS

NSAs from Central Asia and India focus on Afghanistan at Kazakh meeting

By Bais Hayat - AMU TV

Afghanistan’s development has been a focal point at this week’s meeting of the Security Council Secretaries of Central Asian countries and India, in Kazakhstan’s capital…

Pakistan urged not to deport Afghan U.S. visa, refugee applicants

By AMU TV

A collective of former high-ranking U.S. officials and resettlement organizations on Tuesday issued a plea to Pakistan, urging the country not to deport thousands of Afghan applicants for…