Daily Evacuation Brief | October 7, 2022
Discover more from The Afghan Digest
LAST 24 HOURS
US ADMITS DRONES USE PAKISTANI AIRSPACE – The Taliban have long stated their frustrations with Pakistan over drone flights they claim to use Pakistani airspace. The Taliban have shared information concerning the bargains being struck in Islamabad with the US to facilitate reconnaissance and strike capability in Afghanistan. Lisa Curtis, from the National Security Council, admitted as much during a conference yesterday. While the issue is an open secret to most, the public confirmation gives the Taliban ammunition in their diplomatic efforts in the region and internationally.
TALIBAN BARS GIRLS IN PANJSHIR FROM EXAMS – Unconfirmed reports began arriving from Panjshir shortly after the national exams were to begin that several exam locations in Panjshir did not allow female students to take the exams. Anti-Taliban groups seized on the news and immediately claimed it was a deliberate act while conflicting reports suggested that arrangements had not been made to accommodate segregated testing between males and females and that a solution was being formulated for the female students. Regardless of which version is true, at least 70 female students did not get to start the examination process in Panjshir and the number could grow as more reports stream in.
PAKISTAN ARMY CONFRONTS TTP IN PESHAWAR – The Pakistani Army launched a counter-terrorism operation in Peshawar in which 3 TTP militants were killed and perhaps as many as 8 were wounded. The operation targeted a house on the outskirts of Peshawar said to be owned by a Taliban leader in Afghanistan. Video of the raid shared with the Afghan Digest shows several small blasts behind the reputed safe house and a significant volume of small-arms gunfire. This information is yet to be confirmed.
CHILDREN KILLED AND WOUNDED IN BLAST – An explosion reported in the Mata Khan District of Paktika Province was initially reported as a terrorist attack. However, details emerged that confirmed the blast was attributed to children playing with unexploded ordinance. 1 child was killed and 2 others have been gravely wounded.
ANOTHER TALIBAN COMMANDER REPORTEDLY DEFECTS – Sources report that Maulvi Rakibullah Mukhlis, believed to be a District Governor in Takhar Province defected to the NRF with approximately 30 fighters. While this information is in dispute, sources in Kabul claim a delegation from the Ministry of Defense was being organized to travel to Takhar in the wake of the rumors.
NEXT 24 HOURS
DAY 2 OF EXAMS – With the second day of exams getting underway, there remains a threat to education centers across the country and particularly for those in areas occupied by religious/ethnic minorities. At-risk Afghans involved in the exam process should remain alert and watchful for potential suicide bomb attacks.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Why Russia and China Aren’t Intervening in Central Asia
By Asel Doolotkeldieva - Foreign Policy
Last month, soldiers from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan exchanged gunfire along several points of the countries’ undemarcated border. After a brief cease-fire, fierce fighting resumed and escalated from border areas into the territory of Kyrgyzstan, hitting remote areas of Osh province. Tajikistan’s military destroyed a bridge crossing the Ak-Suu River, residential areas, and businesses. The Tajik military then occupied and erected a flag on a public school in Dostuk village in Batken province. Kyrgyzstan shelled Tajikistan’s border areas well.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban Inspects Girls' Schools, Expels Hundreds Of Pubescent Students
By RFE
Razia was expelled from her school in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar last month. The Taliban told the 14-year-old that she was…
Taliban Rule ‘Reversed’ Decade-Long Afghan Economic Growth: UN Report
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
Afghanistan continues to face a crumbling economy a year after the Taliban took control of the government, problems that humanitarian aid alone…
University Entrance Exams Held Around Country
By TOLO News
The Ministry of Higher Education said that the university entrance exams will continue for three…
REGIONAL NEWS
IEA Security officials Meets Uzbek Delegation In Hairatan Port
By Bakhtar News Agency
The meeting, which was held in the Hairatan port of Balkh province, discussed about the better security of the common border of both sides…
Akylbek Japarov: Actions of Tajik side undermine authority of CSTO
By Anastasia Mokrenko - 24 KG
The head of the Cabinet noted that over the period of formation and development, the role of the CSTO in the system of international regional organizations in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
No Chance US Would Engage Militarily in Afghanistan: Decker
By Imran Danish - TOLO News
The Chargé d'Affaires of the US Mission to Afghanistan, Karen Decker, said there is no chance that Washington would re-engage…
315 more Afghan refugees evacuated to Canada
By Abdul Raqeeb Sail - Pajhwok Afghan News
About 315 more Afghan refugees have arrived in Canada on a charter flight from Pakistan, the Ministry of…
THE DAILY WTF
Why China hesitates to invest in Afghanistan or recognise the Taliban
By Yun Sun - South China Morning Post
Despite domestic enthusiasm and foreign speculation a year ago about Afghanistan’s strategic utility and commercial value for China, Beijing has remained extremely cautious in…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.83 AFN (as of 7 OCT 2022)