Daily Evacuation Brief | September 23, 2022
Discover more from The Afghan Digest
LAST 24 HOURS
MULTIPLE TALIBAN COMMANDERS KILLED — A Farsi journalism outlet, Independent Farsi, claims to have confirmed that 7 of the Taliban’s most capable military commanders have been killed in the recent fighting in Panjshir. While the Afghan Digest has not yet confirmed the deaths of all of those listed in the report, we do have confirmation for 5. Those reportedly killed were:
Mullah Qayum Zakir, Special Military Commander for Panjshir (unconfirmed; mixed reporting)
Mullah Haroon, Deputy Special Military Commander for Panjshir
Hanzala Helmandi, Commander of Helmand Commandos
Qari Nasir Ahmad, Senior Officer of Badri Unit
Naser Kochi, Deputy Commander of Laser Unit
Mullah Shirin, Commander of Kandahar Forces
Mawlawi Nikmal Jani, Commander of Badri Unit (unconfirmed)
HEIST AT TALIBAN MINISTER’S RESIDENCE — A brazen break-in occurred at the Taliban Finance Minister’s residence in Helmand province, and the thieves stole $800,000. The Minister has reputedly ordered the arrest of nearly 30 people, including his nephew.
PASSPORT ARRESTS CONFIRMED — The Afghan Digest received confirmation of previous reporting about arrests related to the Passport Directorate. Sources indicate that those arrested are employees of the Directorate and had been caught up in a sting operation for selling black market passports to an undercover Taliban agent. The three took $5,000.00 from the agent for five passports. Sources in the Ministry of the Interior claim this is only the start of the investigation and that many future arrests are anticipated. The source said the Ministry was working with regional governments to identify black market channels for visa procurement as well.
TALIBAN ARREST TTP MILITANTS — A source in the Ministry of Defense claims that Taliban forces have detained several TTP (Pakistani Taliban) militants who were in Nangarhar and relocated them to an undisclosed location. Pro-TTP social media sites have been criticizing the move over the last 12 hours.
IRAN PROTESTS RISK BORDER CLOSURE — The death of Mahsa Amini has sparked a nationwide series of protests across Iran over the last few days. Women have removed and burned their hijabs in defiance of the Iranian regime, spurring a violent crackdown by Iranian security forces. It is believed that some deaths have occurred in clashes between police and protestors. Iran is threatening to cut access to the internet in an attempt to calm the situation. The border with Iran remains open, but if the domestic crisis deepens, the government may order them closed.
NEXT 24 HOURS
IRAN BORDER SECURITY DOUBLES — A source in Kandahar states that Iranian border security forces have been doubled over the past two days. Reinforcements have arrived in vehicles with markings indicating they are likely used by the Quds forces, Iran’s special force branch. The source stated that senior Taliban leadership are perplexed by the development.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Why Do People in Afghanistan Object to Taliban Rule?
By Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
When the Taliban first seized power of Afghanistan in the 1990s, there was a mass exodus from the country while among those who stayed, many put up a fierce resistance. The Taliban’s return 25 years on has forced millions to flee once more and again instigated widespread backlash from people who remain. Whether journalists, judges, teachers, civil servants or human-rights activists, women and men of all backgrounds have joined protests to resist Taliban rule – and to protect the fundamental freedoms and democratic aspirations they have gained and nurtured over the past 20 years.
AFGHAN NEWS
Women’s Access to Health Facilities Decreased Over Last Year: GWHI
By Waheeda Hasan – TOLOnews
The Global Women's Health Index Institute (GWHI) in a recent report highlighted the rising problems for women regarding…
Muttaqi meets with UNAMA chief, promises ‘constructive interaction’
By Ariana News
“IEA was taking on a policy of constructive interaction with the world where UNAMA can play a significant role thereon,” said…
Backbreaking work for kids in Afghan brick kilns
By Ebrahim Noroozi – AP News
Nabila works 10 hours or more a day, doing the heavy, dirty labor of packing mud into molds and hauling wheelbarrows full of bricks. At 12 years old, she’s been working in brick factories half her life now…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan’s Scramble for a Peaceful and Stable Afghanistan
By Mohammad Ali Zafar – The Diplomat
Pakistan’s initial euphoria at the Taliban victory has given way to concern as several troubling developments threaten…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Bill to Grant Afghan Evacuees a Path to Residency Hits Snags
By The New York Times
About 3,500 of the evacuees brought to the United States are now lawful permanent residents, and more than 3,000 received special immigrant …
Western nations concerned by presence of extremist groups in Afghanistan
By Reuters
Some Western countries expressed grave concern about the presence and operations of extremist groups in Afghanistan and said the Taliban were not meeting…
US Launches Alliance for Afghan Women’s Economic Resilience
By Amina Hakimi – TOLOnews
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken launched the Alliance for Afghan Women’s Economic Resilience (AWER) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
THE DAILY WTF
Thousands of Afghan Refugees Forcibly Deported from Iran
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
Calling for more aid, the Foreign Minister of Iran in a conversation with his New Zealand counterpart previously stated that…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.36 AFN (as of 23 SEP 2022)