Daily Evacuation Brief | October 6, 2022

Oct 6, 2022

LAST 24 HOURS

BLAST TARGETS MOSQUE NEAR INTERIOR MINISTRY – Early reports suggest a suicide bomber successfully detonated a device in a Mosque that serves workers of the Interior Ministry (near the Kabul Airport). The Mosque is located in a fortified compound and typically has a significant security complement assigned to it. 4 people are said to have been killed and 25 others were wounded. More deaths and wounded are expected from this event. No group has claimed credit for the attack. Taliban security and GDI agents (National Intelligence) have swarmed the area and are canvassing locals to attempt to gather information. No arrests have been reported.
TALIBAN ARREST ISIS-K FIGURE – The Taliban intelligence department (GDI) say they have arrested Abdul Malik Maliki under suspicion of raising funds for ISIS-K. They say he led many of the ISIS initiatives in Europe and elsewhere to raise money and recruit followers for the terror organization. They released audio from a taped confession in which he admits to recruiting and collecting funds in Ukraine, Germany, and Spain. The circumstances of his arrest were not released and it is not known where he is being held currently. No further information was available.
KABUL MARKET FIRE DOUSED – A large fire was reported in the Kota-e-Sangi neighborhood of Western Kabul early on Wednesday morning. The Ministry of Defense was called in to assist with putting the fire out and both air and ground units were able to contain it. Many residents were concerned that the helicopters used to combat the flames were conducting counter-terrorism operations but multiple sources confirmed it was only to support the firefighting mission.

NEXT 24 HOURS

NATIONAL ENTRANCE EXAMS SCHEDULED THURSDAY – The Ministry of Education announced that university entrance exams will be held on Thursday in all Provinces except Kabul. 150,000 students are expected to take the exams. Many students have called on the Taliban to make sure the process is transparent and fair. Female test takers are expected to participate at a lower rate due to the ban on schooling beyond the 6th grade. THREAT ALERT- considering the bomb attacks over the previous week, two of which targeted education facilities, we feel the testing centers could well be targeted for attack(s) on Thursday. Taliban security has reportedly increased in the wake of the attacks but they have not effectively interdicted many terror attacks since coming to power. At-risk Afghans should remain aware of the situation and report unknown people who may loiter near the testing centers. We have heard that some neighborhoods and towns are proactively stationing men near the testing facilities to help safeguard the examination sites. We hope the exams pass peacefully and without incident.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

China’s Interests in Afghanistan One Year After the U.S. Withdrawal

By Zafar Iqbal Yousafzai - The Jamestown Foundation

In late June, a severe earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) announced it would provide 50 million RMB ($7.2 million) in emergency aid, including tents, blankets, cots and other sorely needed supplies to the impacted areas (People’s Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FMPRC), June 25). Beijing invests in Afghanistan to further its long-term economic, strategic and political interests. Since the U.S. withdrawal last year, China has had an opportunity to advance its interests and deepen its clout in Afghanistan. When Kabul fell, China did not condemn the move and announced that it respected the choice of the Afghan people—a sign of goodwill from Beijing to the Taliban that it subscribes to the narrative that the new government has the full support of the population (Xinhua, August 16, 2021).

AFGHAN NEWS

Afghanistan: Kabul mosque explosion kills four near interior ministry

By The New Arab

An explosion hit a mosque in Afghanistan's capital near the heavily fortified interior ministry compound on Wednesday, killing four…

Taliban Claims to Have Arrested ISIS Head of Foreign Relations

By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press

The Intelligence Agency of the Taliban administration said that the Taliban forces have arrested an ISIS Khorasan branch…

No one including Taliban was expecting flee of Ghani that resulted in the failure of peace talks: US

By Khaama Press

The United States of America, as one of the parties in the US-Taliban agreement signed in Doha, still believes that the main reason for the failure of the…

REGIONAL NEWS

US, Pakistan Discuss Afghan Situation: Pakistani Media

By Mohammad Farshad Daryosh - TOLO News

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Qamar Javed Bajwa, met with the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan…

Taliban-Russia Deal A Drop In The Bucket That Could Fuel Future Trade

By Michael Scollon - Radio Free Europe

The Taliban, struggling to navigate Afghanistan through an economic and humanitarian crisis as its rule over the country remains unrecognized by the world, has found willing partners in…