Daily Evacuation Brief | September 24, 2022

Sep 24, 2022

7 KILLED IN MOSQUE BOMBING — A bomb exploded at the entrance of the Grand Mosque in Wazir Akbar Khan, an upscale neighborhood in Kabul. The bombing was timed to target worshippers as they left the mosque after Friday prayers. Currently, 7 civilians have been reportedly killed and an additional 41 have been injured. Initial reports indicate the device used was a magnetic mine. The Grand Mosque has been attacked by ISIS-K several times in recent years, but no group has claimed credit for this attack yet.
THE ELUSIVE INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT — The Taliban continue to resist international and regional pressure to form an inclusive government. In recent remarks, senior Taliban official Suhail Shaheen accused some states of demanding that the Taliban insert “pawns” into the regime. Despite a chorus of calls for an inclusive government, including from Russia, China, and Iran, the Taliban claim without evidence that their government is already inclusive and true democracy will not work in the country. As long as the Taliban continue to ignore these calls, international recognition remains a distant dream.
RUMORS OF IRAN & AL-QAEDA COLLABORATION — A source in the Ministry of the Interior claims that the Taliban are overhearing rumors that Iran is in talks with representatives of al-Qaeda to discuss cooperation against ISIS-K in the country. The source claimed Taliban Minister of the Interior Haqqani seems to be taking the rumors seriously and even ridiculed one of his staff member’s suggestions that Iran would not work with Sunni organizations. He has reportedly asked an unidentified Saudi Arabian businessman in Tehran to urge the Iranian government to speak directly to the Taliban about such matters. The source went on to say that Haqqani voiced concerns that such a move would invite future American drone attacks.
NO QUDS ALONG THE BORDER — The Afghan Digest previously reported that security force vehicles along the Iranian border may have belonged to the Quds forces. However, a local source has confirmed that the markings on the vehicles do not belong to the Quds forces. Rather, the reinforcing troops appear to be from varied Iranian military units.

`NEXT 24 HOURS`

SHOPKEEPERS’ STRIKE CONTINUES — A strike by local business leaders in the Urgun district of Paktika province is leading to food shortages among the local populace. The business community’s strike will enter its fourth day with no signs of wavering. They are protesting increases in rent and property taxes that they say have been levied by the Taliban (Note: it is not clear who is actually directly responsible for the rent increases). Local sources claim the tax rates have gone up by 1,000 percent. If the Taliban attempt to break the strike by force, violence could result.

`SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW`

The New Kabul

By Claudine Ebeid – The Atlantic

The streets are silent. Women and schoolgirls are completely covered, if they are seen at all. Food is scarce for many. But it was not always like this in Bushra Seddique’s home. Before she fled Afghanistan, before the Taliban returned just over a year ago, Seddique had days and nights in cafés with friends, a job as a journalist, and a full life in bustling Kabul.

Seddique’s escape from Afghanistan happened as abruptly as the United States’ withdrawal from her country. Her mother, father, and a sister stayed behind. Her story is a reminder of all that came undone when the United States chaotically left Afghanistan after 20 long years there.

`AFGHAN NEWS`

Several killed, injured in blast at Afghanistan mosque

By TRT World

A bomb has exploded outside a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, when worshippers were going out of the premises after…

MoHE to Review Curriculum in Light of Islamic Law, Intl Standards

By Nazir Shinwari – TOLOnews

The Ministry of Higher Education said that it will review and revise the curriculum in light of Afghan culture, international educational standards, and Islamic law…