Daily Evacuation Brief | September 25, 2022

Sep 25, 2022

TALIBAN COMMANDER AND FORCES DEFECT — Sources allied with the Resistance claim that Taliban Commander Abdul Hamid Mujahid defected to the NRF with a portion of his forces and equipment in Badakhshan. Accounts of how many fighters joined their commander in defecting vary widely from 40 to 150. While the Afghan Digest has not yet confirmed this information, several photos and videos have been shared that purportedly depict a welcome party at an unidentified NRF base. Several trucks loaded with equipment and fighters are in the photos/videos. No further information was available.
FIGHTING RECOMMENCES IN NORTH — Fighting in the north of Afghanistan recommenced over the last 24 hours, primarily in Badakhshan province. Limited casualties have been claimed on both sides, and the main fighting is centered in the Yaftal and Raghistan districts. There are rumors that the NRF has established a new base in the province over the past four days, and the recent defection of Taliban Commander Mujahid may have provoked the clashes. No further information was available.
INTERNET SHUTDOWN RUMORS — There are unconfirmed reports that the Taliban intend to cut internet services in Afghanistan, possibly in emulation of Iran’s internet shutdown in several parts of the country over the last 3 days. Intermittent outages attributed to the Taliban have taken place in the past, and this is not the first time that rumors have circulated regarding a wider shutdown As of publication, we have confirmed that the internet is working in several populated areas.
QANUNI RESIGNS — Former Vice President Younus Qanuni announced that he is vacating his position on the Supreme Council of National Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan. Qanuni stated that he was resigning over irreconcilable differences with other members, but a source close to the situation claims he is alarmed by Marshal Dostum’s recent call for a civil war in the country. No further information was available.

`NEXT 24 HOURS`

IMPENDING REPORT ON TALIBAN TORTURE CHAMBER — Major international human rights organizations are expected to share information concerning a secretive torture chamber that the Taliban are accused of using in Herat. While several rumors have long persisted about the existence of torture chambers, sources in two high-profile human rights groups say they have definitive proof of the torture and murder of hundreds of people since the Taliban takeover.

`SPOTLIGHT COMMENTARY`

A group of people holding flags

Description automatically generated with low confidence

In Their Own Words: Civil Society’s Fight to Deny Taliban Legitimacy in Afghanistan

By Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

The strength and determination of the people of Afghanistan cannot be overstated. The Taliban’s illegitimate and violent assumption of power has created a hostile environment for women and girls, human-rights activists, journalists and those who dare to advocate for freedom and dignity. In an attempt to suppress civil society and dissent among the population, the Taliban has committed repeated human-rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture and savage beatings. Yet in the face of this upheaval, the people of Afghanistan have relentlessly challenged the Taliban’s totalitarian regime.

`AFGHAN NEWS`

A person holding a baby

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Mother and 8-Year-Old Son Killed in Friday's Blast

By Nazir Shinwari – TOLO News

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack that has also triggered reactions at a national and international…

Taliban Destroy the Poppy Fields After Collecting the Harvest

By Hasht-e-Subh

Local sources in Ghazni report that on Friday, September 23, the Taliban started destroying poppy fields in the Gilan district of this province, while they had already collected the crops two weeks ago…