[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- REPORT BY REFUGEE NGO SLAMS EUROPE OVER AFGHAN REFUGEES – A widely reported analysis from the International Rescue Council claims that Europe has settled less than 300 Afghan refugees over the course of 2022. The report went on to castigate European countries for not providing safety and opportunities for those Afghans residing in their countries. Our analysis suggests the numbers cited in the IRC report are likely low and may be misleading. Those organizations working in the Afghanistan refugee evacuation space have reported significantly higher numbers of at-risk Afghans who were moved to Europe in 2022. However, IRC may be using selective criteria to categorize those it calls ‘resettled’.
- IRAN’S INTERIOR MINISTER DEMANDS TALIBAN AVOID FURTHER BORDER CONFLICTS WITH HIS COUNTRY – Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s Interior Minister, called on the Taliban authorities to do a better job of reigning in their security forces along the border during a press conference on Wednesday. He blamed the recent clashes on the Taliban border guards but said the issue had been resolved. The Taliban maintains that Iranian border guards fired first in the most recent clash. Both countries have reinforced their military presence along the border and both have significant troops and equipment arrayed along the Islam Qala border crossing point.
- SECRET TALKS BETWEEN PM OF QATAR AND TALIBAN’S SUPREME LEADER REPORTED – Haibatullah Akhunzada and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Qatari PM) reputedly met in private to discuss the future of Afghanistan. The meeting reportedly took place in Kandahar and involved several different topics. Some have theorized that Qatar’s involvement is seen as an implement for Western powers to force the Taliban to relent on some of their more restrictive domestic policies. While no official statements have yet been made about the meeting, it is thought to be the first time the Taliban leader has met with any foreigner since assuming the role.
- TALIBAN FOREIGN MINISTER AGAIN CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY TO STOP FACILITATING THE EXODUS OF AFGHANS – Amir Khan Muttaqi was speaking to the families of the 18 Afghan refugees who died in a trafficking situation in Bulgaria when he told reporters that the international community should stop offering asylum to Afghans. He went on to say that all Afghans are free to travel abroad but that they should not use the system to secure asylum.
NEXT 24 HOURS
RUMORS OF IMPENDING VIOLENCE AT IRAN/AFGHANISTAN BORDER – Social media has been buzzing with multiple rumors about the state of tension at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat. Officials from both countries have issued statements that all is well at the site and that no threat exists. However, several local eyewitnesses have told journalists that they were warned by both Taliban and Iranian border security elements to leave the area. Apparently, Iran intends to continue the construction of a checkpoint (possibly a wall) along the demarcation line. The construction project has reportedly caused two previous incidents of cross-border violence as the Taliban in the area have warned Iran about further construction efforts. Photos of the construction material were supplied to the Afghan Digest and were said to have been taken on Wednesday night. The photos depict a significant amount of building materials in what looks to be the side of the border crossing itself. Again, we do not have any definitive information that combat actions are imminent but we recommend Afghans in the area exercise prudent decision-making and caution if they intend to remain.
Key from May 31 Daily Evacuation Brief:
- TALIBAN CORRUPTION EXPOSED – A recent expose by Hasht-E Subh media sheds light on the low-level corruption that seems to be taking hold among the lower ranks in the Taliban. Minibus drivers in Kabul described an extortion scheme carried out by Taliban security personnel whereby the drivers are forced to pay the Taliban a ‘daily fee’ to operate their vehicles. This fee is unofficial and is paid to the security personnel directly. If a driver refuses to pay the fee, he will not be allowed to pick up passengers from that area. Apparently, the scheme started in early 2022 and the average daily fee was 15 Afghanis. The fee has now swelled to 60 Afghanis per day and may be raised higher as boredom has set in among the Taliban security forces who now find themselves performing roles akin to glorified security guards rather than liberators. Many have developed a taste for modern things and the citizenry makes for easy targets in such an environment. The leadership has continually called on the rank and file to adhere to its code of ethics and it is often a point made in remarks by senior leaders. However, it is unlikely that the regime will be able to reign in such widespread corruption and there has always been a question about the average Taliban fighter’s loyalties.
- TALIBAN CALLS FOR A HALT OF EVACUATIONS OF EDUCATED AFGHANS – The Foreign Minister and others in the Taliban leadership have called on the international community to halt the evacuations and resettlement of educated Afghans. They say the ‘brain drain’ is having an adverse effect on the future of the country. Having effectively neutered the country by barring women from working and studying, the Taliban are now pleading with educated Afghans to stay and bask in the security and safety they have brought to the country. It is not clear what measures the Taliban intend to take in order to halt the exodus of talent.
Key bits from May 30 DEB:
- AFGHANS CROSSING BORDER WITH PAKISTAN REPORT TALIBAN SECURITY OFFICiALS ARE INCREASINGLY STEALING MONEY FROM THEM – Several recent reports illustrate a troubling trend where the Taliban security personnel at the borders of Iran and Pakistan have begun searching both males and females and are taking money from them before they are allowed to proceed across the border. Women were often left alone and not searched when making a border crossing but now the Taliban have consistently stationed female Taliban security personnel at most major border crossings. In recent instances, all the funds that people were carrying had been confiscated by the border personnel. It is not clear if this is an official policy or simply criminal activity on the part of low-ranking Taliban.
- MEDICAL NGOS CONCERNED OVER CONGO FEVER INFECTIONS – At least 2 people have died after contracting Congo Fever in Afghanistan. Medical professionals working in the country are particularly concerned as the virus is a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola and has an extremely high mortality rate. It is not clear where the virus originated and whether proper quarantine procedures have been put in place. A source in Kabul said that some Imams have been suggesting the virus was ‘let loose’ on the people through a US/Europe plot. Information about the virus and steps to take against contracting the disease can be found HERE.
Key bits from the May 29 DEB:
- PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT CONTINUED TO OFFER EDUCATION TO GIRLS BEING CLOSED – Anti-Taliban sources said the Taliban had begun closing the last of the private schools in Kabul that allowed female students to pursue their educations. While the ban on education has been in place for some time, a select few schools continued to hold classes for females, often under the protection of powerful local Jirgas. It appears that these schools are now being forced to close their doors. However, it isn’t clear if the Taliban are actively closing the schools as several reports suggest the schools have been under extreme financial duress brought on by a shortage of students. The financial problems have affected schools across the country and are not restricted to those in Kabul. Regardless, the situation has been heartbreaking for many in Afghanistan and few have faith that the much-vaunted ‘Education Plan’ will offer many avenues for women and girls.
- CRIME ON THE RISE – While the Taliban have sought to disrupt criminal networks since taking power, few accounted for the ‘internal entrepreneurs’ within the Taliban who would use their newfound status to fill the vacuums created in the wake of the coalition withdrawal. A source in Balkh says that criminal networks have formed within the Taliban security forces that have learned they can act with impunity when it comes to theft and ransom. The source said a prominent businessman in Balkh Province had recently been forced to pay nearly $40,000.00 in a Taliban-inspired extortion scheme. When he reported the members, the previous Taliban Governor of the Province dismissed his claims and reportedly informed Kabul that the man fell victim to ‘Uzbeks’. Various ministers have continually called on the Taliban fighters to adhere to a code of ethics and respect the citizens but centuries of tribal rivalries that often involved criminality have begun to erode the system.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kunar: Taliban security personnel reportedly opened fore on a crowd of non-combatants in the Nari district. 2 female non-combatants were reportedly killed and 1 other was injured. It is not clear what led to the incident.
Kunar: Taliban security personnel reportedly opened fore on a crowd of non-combatants in the Nari district. 2 female non-combatants were reportedly killed and 1 other was injured. It is not clear what led to the incident.
- MEDICAL AND DENTAL COUNCIL OF PAKISTAN PROVIDES SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FEMALE MEDICAL/DENTAL STUDENTS WHO HAD BEEN STUDYING IN AFGHANISTAN – The PMDC announced it had organized the program in 2022 and that offers to take the entrance exams had been issued to those candidates who had met the criteria. The goal of the program was to allow for students on the exchange programs to complete their medical schooling in Pakistan. Exact figures for how many in this special category took/passed the test have yet to be released. Many of these female students protested throughout 2022 to try and find a solution for their peculiar situations.
- CANADA CEMENTS PARTNERSHIP WITH UAE TO RESETTLE AFGHANS TO CANADA – Under a new humanitarian partnership announced in Ottawa yesterday, Canada will work with the United Arab Emirates to resettle nearly 1,000 Afghan nationals who have been stranded in the country.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Baghlan: An explosion, possibly caused by hand grenades, was reported in Pul Kumhri Square in the capital. 13 non-combatants were injured in the blast. None were said to have suffered life-threatening wounds, No group has yet claimed credit for the attack.
Kapisa: A new resistance group, Front of the Unknown Soldier (FOUS), claims to have assassinated 2 Taliban security personnel in the Tagab district. Taliban personnel Mansour Fateh and Ruhollah Badri were shot on Friday morning.
Kabul: A 2 man team from the FOUS claims to have carried out a strike on a Taliban checkpoint in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood. A source said casualties were reported but could not say what had transpired or how many may have been killed or wounded.
Baghlan: An explosion, possibly caused by hand grenades, was reported in Pul Kumhri Square in the capital. 13 non-combatants were injured in the blast. None were said to have suffered life-threatening wounds, No group has yet claimed credit for the attack.
Kapisa: A new resistance group, Front of the Unknown Soldier (FOUS), claims to have assassinated 2 Taliban security personnel in the Tagab district. Taliban personnel Mansour Fateh and Ruhollah Badri were shot on Friday morning.
Kabul: A 2 man team from the FOUS claims to have carried out a strike on a Taliban checkpoint in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood. A source said casualties were reported but could not say what had transpired or how many may have been killed or wounded.
NEXT 24 HOURS
SECURITY CLEARING OPERATION PLANNED FOR POLICE DISTRICT 14 IN KABUL – A source in Kabul said the Taliban Police and GDI was planning to raid a building (did not specify if it was a home or business) in the 14th Police District either today or tomorrow. The source said a suspected ISIS-K bomb maker was seen entering and leaving the building on several occasions. At-risk Afghans living in the neighborhood should be prepared to hear/see possible fighting over the next 48 hours.