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2023-05-24 Afghanistan
Daily Evacuation Brief May 23-24, 2023


Daily Evacuation Brief | May 24, 2023

[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
  • DEADLY ATTACK ON PAKISTANI OIL OPERATION IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA – A large militant force of up to 50 men stormed a Hungarian oil complex in the Hangu District of the Province. The attack targeted two specific pumping wells and heavy weapons and rocket-propelled grenades were employed in the attack. 4 Police and 2 private security guards were killed in the attack. It is not known how many of the militants were killed or wounded in the exchange of fire. After the attack, the militants were thought to have retreated into North Waziristan. The TTP claimed credit for the action, but this has not been confirmed by officials in Pakistan. Minor damage was inflicted on the facility but did not affect production. Police and military units were conducting sweeps of the adjacent areas as well as sending heavily armed patrols into North Waziristan.

  • IMRAN KHAN MAY HAVE OVERESTIMATED HIS POPULARITY – The ousted Prime Minister appears to have overplayed his hand and is reeling from a wave of defections from his political party. Since the nationwide violence broke out on 9 May, thirty-five party leaders have resigned from the party. Several local party offices have been vandalized, some by their own former members. Turnout at local rallies has dwindled. At this point, it is not clear how much support the embattled politician retains. A source in Islamabad said that Khan made a monumental mistake when he ‘challenged the Army’. While few are counting Pakistan’s ‘master of spin’ out, there is a growing sense that even many within his own party are tired of the constant tirades and conspiracy theories. The former PM appeared in front of three separate proceedings yesterday over a slew of legal issues. Despite launching several Twitter warnings, he was not arrested and the courts gave him lenient extensions of bail.

  • HEAVY FLOODING IN GHOR PROVINCE KILLS 5 – Rain and melting snow contributed to severe flooding in the Madrasa area that reportedly killed 5 people. Damage from the floodwaters was also reported in the Pasaband District.

  • TALIBAN FINALIZING RULES REGARDING WOMEN WORKING IN AID CAPACITIES – According to the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, the Taliban have nearly completed the new guidelines for Afghan women to work for nongovernmental organizations in the country. When pressed for dates or a timeline, the Taliban would not provide additional information. Many are skeptical that any work is being done and, even if it were, the ruling cabal in Kandahar would overrule plans to allow women back to work.


CONFLICT TRACKER
Laghman: ALM forces reportedly engaged a Taliban unit near Mount Barmasmut yesterday evening. 6 Taliban were reportedly killed in the encounter.

NEXT 24 HOURS: No Threats Received

Daily Evacuation Brief | May 23, 2023

[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
  • TALIBAN CAUTIONS IRAN OVER HELMAND RIVER THREATS – The escalating war of words over water rights between Iran and the Taliban continued yesterday as the Taliban Foreign Minister sent mixed messages regarding the commitment to the 1973 treaty. Amir Khan Muttaqi said during a press conference in Kabul that the Taliban was committed to honoring the treaty but then hedged by saying that Tehran needs to be prepared to lower expectations based on the drought in Afghanistan. In previous statements about the matter, the Taliban has consistently said it would adhere to the provisions of the treaty. We assess that the change in rhetoric was likely provoked by Iran’s public request to dispatch an assessment team to Afghanistan to measure water levels. A source in Tehran said that several of the drone flights conducted by Iran in the Spring of 2023 were sent into Afghanistan to conduct aerial hydrological surveys of reservoirs and that Tehran is convinced the Taliban are withholding water from the Helmand River with plans to divert it for domestic agricultural use. The Taliban appear to be adjusting their messaging with regard to the water issue.

  • THE RAINY SEASON MAY USHER IN DENGUE FEVER CONTAGION – The World Health Organization has issued a warning over the risk of outbreaks of Dengue Fever in Afghanistan. Populations in Eastern Afghanistan are the primary concern as the region has historically suffered the highest infection rates from the disease. The organization said it had anticipated the problem and had successfully trained approximately 300 medical staff to deal with the disease. Of note, the majority of the medical staff trained for this potential crisis are women.

  • MODERATELY POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE REPORTED IN BADAKHSHAN – An earthquake struck Badakhshan Province before noon yesterday. The 4.9 magnitude quake was centered near Faizabad and the tremors were felt in Kabul. The quake was the second above 4.0 magnitude reported in a ten-hour span and seismologists are concerned that a stronger earthquake may be coming.

  • NEW PRIME MINISTER APPOINTMENT THOUGHT TO BE AIMED AT THE ‘YOUNG LIONS’ IN THE TALIBAN 2.0 – Several long-time observers and analysts feel the appointment of Maulvi Abdul Kabir as acting Prime Minister by the supreme leader was a political message aimed at Mullah Baradar, Mullah Yaqoob, and (most importantly) at Sirajuddin Haqqani. Kabir’s roots lie in Paktia Province and his family ties are largely seen as competition to the Haqqani family. There seems to be a growing consensus that Hibaitullah Akhundzada has grown paranoid and it is said that he overruled several of his inner circle who had urged for a promotion for Mullah Baradar (First Deputy Prime Minister). Further reshuffling is expected to take place and many believe the Haqqani family will lose key positions.


CONFLICT TRACKER
Takhar: An ALF unit reportedly attacked a Taliban security checkpoint in the 1st police district of Taloqan yesterday evening. 1 Talib fighter was reportedly killed and 3 others were wounded in the incident.

NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN - FORMER PM KHAN SCHEDULED TO MAKE THREE COURT APPEARANCES TODAY – The ousted Prime Minister will start his day with questioning in front of the National Accountability Bureau in Rawalpindi over a corruption case. Then, he is scheduled to request bail in a case concerning potential charges of terrorism at the Anti-Terrorism Court. Lastly, he is scheduled to appear at the Islamabad High Court where he will be processed for his biometric data in an attempt to receive another grant of bail in several new cases. The former PM called on his followers to remain calm if he is arrested today. Some believe the about-face is due in large part to several high-level defections from his party and recent polling that gives the Pakistani military very high approval ratings. Relative calm has reigned in Pakistan since the events that transpired after 9 May but the former PM has proven to be a wily political figure and it is possible that orders have gone out to instigate a new round of mass protests should be detained. However, the matters before him today are considered routine and we assess the likelihood of violence to be low. At-risk Afghans sheltering in Islamabad and Rawalpindi should continue to remain vigilant but should be able to go about their daily affairs.
Posted by trailing wife 2023-05-24 00:00|| || Front Page|| [12 views ]  Top
 File under: Taliban/IEA 

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