Daily Evacuation Brief | September 12, 2022
Discover more from The Afghan Digest
LAST 24 HOURS
NRF’S SUCCESSFUL RECENT OFFENSIVES — The NRF is claiming victory over the Taliban as the recent offensive launched by the new special military commander for Panjshir is being categorized as a military failure. Fighting is continuing in a few areas (Faraj Annaba and Kohsar Parian), but the assaults on NRF strongholds reportedly failed and Taliban forces were filmed leaving the battlefields in disarray and confusion. At the height of the offensive, 9 separate battles had been reported, and it is thought the Taliban had committed nearly 1,500 fighters across a broad front to try and dislodge Resistance defenders. The NRF has claimed that 32 Taliban were killed and 13 were wounded in the fighting.
JOURNALISTS COVERING PROTESTS INTERROGATED — Several journalists were said to have been interrogated in Paktia province for covering the female student protests on Saturday. Their equipment and personal cell phones were scanned for media related to the protests. The journalists were released after being warned to be cautious about what they published.
FROZEN ASSET RELEASE RUMORS — A Turkish news outlet (TRT World) has issued a report claiming the US was close to an agreement with a Swiss bank to release some of Afghanistan’s $3.5 billion in frozen assets. Citing sources close to the negotiations, they say an announcement will be made within weeks. There has been no official confirmation of the report from the US government or other sources.
NEXT 24 HOURS
DISRUPTING TALIBAN STRATEGY SESSIONS — Taliban forces in Panjshir will be holding a large military council to discuss the recent offensive and attempt to devise a new strategy to deal with the NRF in the province. Sources with the Resistance indicate they know where the council will take place and are making plans to “cause problems” for new Special Commander Zakir and the other commanders. The source would not divulge the location of the proposed council.
STABILIZING THE AFGHANI — The Central Bank is expected to auction $12 million USD to bolster the afghani.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the tragedy of Afghanistan
By Amin Saikal – The Strategist
As the world marks the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks this weekend, two other events should be remembered. Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud was assassinated on 9 September 2001 by al-Qaeda agents, two days before the attacks on New York and Washington. Massoud had fought Soviet forces in Afghanistan in the 1980s and the Taliban and al-Qaeda alliance in the following decade. The other event in this bleak trio is the Taliban’s reassumption of power in the wake of the US and allied retreat from Afghanistan a year ago. Together they explain the mess that is Afghanistan today.
AFGHAN NEWS
NRF claims repelling of Taliban’s attack killing 32 Taliban fighters
By Khaama Press
The National Resistance Forces in Afghanistan has claimed to have repelled a Taliban’s attack with killing dozens…
Over 6,000 Local Projects Halted After Fall of Former Govt: MRRD
By TOLOnews
This comes as the Ministry of Finance said that negotiations are underway with the World Bank to resume the projects in the country.
Online shopping services in Afghanistan shut down due to economic crisis
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
Almost all major online shopping services in Afghanistan have closed down due to financial crisis since…
REGIONAL NEWS
Health minister says agreements signed with regional countries over health sector needs
By Ariana News
The Ministry of Public Health said a memorandum of cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran has been reached…
SIGAR: Afghanistan’s Border Traffic Declined by up to 50% Since Taliban Took Power
By Saqalain Eqbal – Khaama Press
In a report to the US Congress, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) noted that since the Taliban assumed…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Joe Biden Honors 9/11 Victims as Shadow of Afghan War Looms
By AP
President Joe Biden marked the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, laying a wreath at the Pentagon in a somber commemoration…
Retired general: US has ‘very limited ability’ to see into Afghanistan
By Zach Schonfeld – The Hill
Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie on Sunday warned about what he sees as a reduced intelligence capability in Afghanistan after the United States withdrew ground troops last year.
THE DAILY WTF
Minister Claims Closed Girls' Schools in Line With Wishes of Parents
By TOLOnews
While visiting Uruzgan province, acting education minister Noorullah Munir said that people do not want their girls to attend school in the current situation.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.86 AFN (as of 12 SEP 2022)