Daily Evacuation Brief | September 5, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
AFGHAN WOMEN LAUNCH GLOBAL HUNGER STRIKE, OTHERS JOIN IN – A pan-global protest is underway, led by prominent Afghan women who are desperate to call attention to the plight of females under the Taliban. The hunger strike appears to have significant support and hundreds are thought to be participating across at least 5 continents. The women are demanding that Afghanistan’s human rights situation be brought back to the forefront of discussions. Many of the women had stated opinions that the United Nations and several nation-states seemed to have put a higher priority on negotiating with the Taliban than holding them accountable. There are fears that the violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan will be supplanted by a desire to control possible terror threats that could emanate from within Afghanistan. Possibly in a coordinated action, 64 organizations submitted an open letter to the United Nations Human Rights Council, calling on the body to investigate human rights abuses committed by the Taliban in the country.
CONCERNS RAISED IN IRAN ABOUT A RUMORED DEAL BETWEEN TALIBAN AND 2 TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS TO CONDUCT SECURITY IN WESTERN PROVINCES – Security in Herat, Farah, and Nimruz Provinces could soon fall under the responsibility of Jaish al-Adl and the Rigi Network (two terror organizations) if reports from the Iranian newspaper, Jumohri-e-Islami are correct. Journalists for the paper said sources had indicated that a recent deal had been struck between the Taliban and both organizations to provide security in the three Provinces. It is not clear if their roles would be to augment Taliban security forces or to manage all security on behalf of the Taliban. Regardless of their roles, the news will likely make Tehran nervous as both organizations have been accused of planning and carrying out terror operations in Iran.
MORE CHINESE WORKERS TARGETED IN IED ATTACK IN PAKISTAN – The Balochistan Liberation Front has claimed credit for an IED blast that reportedly targeted a vehicle carrying several Chinese workers along the Karachi-Quetta highway Sunday evening. It is not immediately known whether any casualties occurred as a result of the incident.
PAKISTAN’S ANTI-CRIME OPERATION ACHIEVING RESULTS – The large-scale police/military operation across Sindh Province has turned in some impressive results since launching a few days ago. Street crime has reportedly dropped significantly and police have seized significant amounts of narcotics from several raids over the last forty-eight hours alone. Weapons, foreign currency, fake medications, and stolen cell phones have also been recovered. Citizens interviewed in Karachi appear to be grateful and are largely supportive of the operation.
GENERAL AMNESTY MUST BE HONORED - HANAFI SAYS – Abdul Salam Hanafi warned the Taliban rank and file that anyone found guilty of violating the amnesty for former government officials would be prosecuted on Sunday. The Taliban have been under scrutiny for reported violations of amnesty since virtually taking power in 2021. Several procedures to prosecute Taliban members who have sought retribution against former officials are being discussed at the International Criminal Court and in other judicial bodies around the world. A definitive report issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) last month claimed credible proof of serious human rights abuses against hundreds of former government/military members as well as 218 extrajudicial killings. While the Taliban has repeatedly claimed its members observe all the rights and privileges extended under the amnesty program, very few of its personnel have ever been prosecuted for these crimes.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Tensions continued to ramp up in Eastern Syria between Kurdish militias and Iranian-backed militias. Clashes in Deir-ez-Zor have resulted in at least 12 casualties so far and look to continue into the week.
The regime closed a popular water park on Sunday in Tehran after women were reportedly seen not wearing the hijab on its grounds. The park employs approximately 1,000 workers.
Sweden announced that one of its citizens has been detained in Iran since sometime last year. It was not clear if negotiations to secure his/her release were progressing.
PAKISTAN
Commissioners in Islamabad have launched a campaign to target business owners who may be gouging customers by raising prices far higher than the inflation rate. To date, several shopkeepers have reportedly been fined and the effort is expected to continue until at least the elections are held.
A man shot and wounded a Christian priest in Eastern Pakistan after a Muslim man stopped him after a sermon and demanded he recite a Muslim religious text. The priest chose to recite a Christian prayer in response and was shot in the arm.
The trade deficit was reduced by nearly 40% over the past two months as exports were up across many sectors. However, exports are still 5% lower than in the previous year.
The caretaker PM announced that Saudi Arabia had committed to investing $25bn over the next five years.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
Pakistan Army Versus Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan: All-Out War Or ‘No Contest’?
By Nilesh Kunwar - EurAsia Review
On July 14, Pakistan army’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations [ISPR] released a rather stern statement that read, “The Armed Forces of Pakistan have serious concerns on the safe havens and liberty of action available to TTP in Afghanistan.”
AFGHAN NEWS
Women's rights activists call hunger strike amid global neglect of Afghan women
By ANI
Women rights activists along with other women have called for a hunger strike to highlight the issues of global neglect of Afghan women and gender apartheid, reported…
Islamic Emirate Rejects Claims of Interference in Aid Distribution
By TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate rejects the claims of their interference in the process of distributing humanitarian aid in the country and said that aid organizations have…
Taliban official claims anyone violating general amnesty will be prosecuted
By AMU TV
The Taliban’s deputy chief minister Abdul Salam Hanafi said on Sunday anyone violating the general amnesty of former government officials and security forces will be…
REGIONAL NEWS
IEA ‘behaving better’ than Ashraf Ghani over water rights: Iran’s FM
By Ariana News
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has said that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is dealing with the water rights issue a…
Terrorism threat persists in Afghanistan after US withdrawal: Pakistani ambassador warns
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, emphasized that despite the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, the threat of terrorism still exists in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
German government permits Afghan refugees to bring second wives to country despite polygamy laws
By Thomas Brooke - REMIX News
Afghan nationals who worked with the German army during the military operation in the country have had requests to bring their second wives and children to Germany approved, a move that is…
France evacuates five Afghan women 'threatened by Taliban'
By RFI
France on Monday was due to receive five Afghan women "threatened by the Taliban" after repeated requests it create a humanitarian corridor for women shut…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban urges 'patience' on women's education
By Riyaz ul Khaliq - Anadolu Agency
Calling education a “shared need of Muslims,” the interim Taliban administration on Monday urged “patience” on the issue of girl’s education in…
TRANSLATION: “We will continue dragging our feet on the issue until a world event diverts attention elsewhere and you forget about us.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.36 AFN (as of 5 SEP 2023)