Daily Evacuation Brief | September 16, 2023

Sep 16, 2023

A NOTE TO OUR READERS: The Daily Evacuation Brief will now be published at 0630hrs Kabul time on Saturdays and Sundays.

LAST 24 HOURS

CONFIRMATION OF AID WORKERS' ARRESTS IN GHOR – 18 employees of the International Assistance Mission (IAM) NGO had been detained in central Ghor Province. Of the 18 arrested, 17 were Afghan citizens and 1 was reportedly an American. The Swiss NGO has not been told what charges led to the arrests but a local Taliban leader said the group of predominantly women had been ‘propagating and promoting Christianity’. A source in Kabul confirmed that all 18 had been moved to Kabul for interrogation and questioning.
TORKHAM GATE HAS REOPENED TO BOTH COMMERCIAL AND CIVILIAN TRAFFIC – Both countries announced the gate was fully reopened after being closed for over a week. Traffic resumed normally and there were no security-related issues reported as of publication.
US ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO REINVESTIGATE ABBEY GATE BOMBING – The US Central Command announced it was planning to re-interview approximately 24 people about the incidents that led up to the Abbey Gate bombing in August 2021. Criticism of the initial report on the incident has gained momentum in recent weeks and some witnesses claim they were never interviewed.
DOCUMENT ATTRIBUTED TO TTP DEFENSE MINISTER BARS RECRUITMENT OF AFGHANS – Mufti Muzahim, the TTP Defense Minister, has reputedly released an inter-organizational document to all ‘shadow governors’ within the TTP’s hierarchy that forbade the recruitment of Afghans into the ranks of the TTP. A source in Kabul said that pressure had been applied to the TTP by the Afghan Taliban to ensure no Afghans would participate in any operations within Pakistan. This information has not been confirmed and the document's authenticity is being questioned.
TALIBAN SIDE WITH AZERBAIJAN IN SPAT WITH IRAN OVER BORDER – The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said the Taliban support Azerbaijan in the current tussle over territorial integrity that has erupted with Iran.
US DIPLOMAT RULES OUT SUPPORT FOR RESISTANCE GROUPS – Karen Decker, the charge d’affaires for the US Embassy, Kabul has reiterated the US’s stance on non-support of armed factions within Afghanistan.
GERMANY SAYS IT WILL ADJUST AID MARKED FOR AFGHANISTAN AFTER WOMEN’S HUNGER STRIKE – After the conclusion of a hunger strike by Afghan women activists, the German Foreign Ministry announced it would reconsider aid that has been earmarked for Afghanistan and an effort will be made to only send aid to organizations who employ women workers.

NEXT 24 HOURS

NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

Protests in Iran were muted after the regime deployed thousands of IRGC forces to areas where the mass protests were heaviest over the previous year.
Iran says it has seized two vessels that may have been involved in smuggling fuel. The vessels have been escorted to the port of Mahshahr where an investigation has commenced.
Protests in support of Iranian women took place worldwide as the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death served as a rallying cry for supporters of human rights.

PAKISTAN

The caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul Haq Kakar, demurred on the question of elections and told reporters that his government was not responsible for setting election dates and that they would be decided by the Election Commission.
Security forces killed 3 suspected terrorists during an engagement in Quetta Thursday night. 1 Pakistani soldier was also killed in the fighting that took place in the Wali Tangi area. It was not clear what group the 3 men may have been aligned with.
The Government raised petrol prices to record highs yesterday which elicited an outcry that will likely grow over the coming days. Prices increased by over 25% for gasoline while diesel rose by nearly 18%.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

What China’s Diplomatic Push in Afghanistan Means for Regional Stability

By Ureeda Khan & Syed Basim Raza - The Diplomat

The welcome given to China’s new ambassador, Zhao Sheng, in Kabul on September 13 was marked by exceptionally elaborate protocol. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described Zhao’s appointment as a “significant step with a significant message.” Afghan officials see the arrival of this new envoy as a clear signal to other nations to step forward and establish relations with the Taliban-led government.

AFGHAN NEWS

This is a locator map for Afghanistan with its capital, Kabul. (AP Photo)

The Taliban have detained 18 staff, including a foreigner, from an Afghanistan-based NGO, it says

By Associated Press

NGOs have come under greater scrutiny since the Taliban seized control of the country two years…

Afghan women wait to receive food rations distributed by a humanitarian aid group in Kabul.

The Azadi Briefing: Shrinking Food Assistance Hits Afghans Hard

By Malali Bashir - RFE

International organizations operating in the country have been forced to cut their assistance to Afghans in the fields of…

Girls in Afghanistan. Photo by Mario Santana, Wikimedia Commons.

Defiance Amid Darkness: Secret Schools Illuminate Afghan Girls’ Path To Education

By Khalid Iqbal - EurAsia Review

In the aftermath of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, a dark cloud of educational restrictions descended upon the…

REGIONAL NEWS

Pakistan Reopens Afghan Border Gate

By RFE

Bustling traffic returned to Pakistan's Torkham checkpoint on September 15 as the crucial crossing on the border with Afghanistan reopened for…

Iran Minister: 'Taliban Cooperated Well' With Counter-Terrorism

By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News

ran’s Intelligence Minister, Sayeed Esmail Khatib, said that the “Taliban” has cooperated well regarding counter-terrorism after taking control of the…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

After returning to power, the Taliban's internationally unrecognized government has refused to share power with other Afghan political groups and armed factions.

'They Deserve Some Peace': U.S. Envoy Rejects Support For Anti-Taliban Factions In Afghanistan

By RFE

A top U.S. diplomat to Afghanistan has categorically ruled out Washington's support for a new war in the nation, saying Afghans "deserve some peace" after…