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Daily Evacuation Brief January 25, 2023
[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- ISLAMABAD AND RAWALPINDI TO ACTIVATE ALL SECURITY CHECKPOINTS IN BOTH CITIES – Law enforcement officials of both cities met in Safe City (Islamabad) and discussed new security measures to be implemented in light of the increased terror threat posed by the TTP. All parties agreed to activate all checkpoints in both cities as well as increase security checks at both entry and exit points. As areas are searched in the cities, Police will cordon off the areas before beginning checks. Existing neighborhoods will be instructed on how to improve their security plans and Police will assist new neighborhoods in the development of their plans. Religious sites (seminaries, Mosques, schools, etc) and schools will be assisted with individualized security plans. At-risk Afghans in both locations should be aware these policies will take effect on Thursday and that the focus of these new policies is on interdicting TTP terror operations.
- TALIBAN CHINA ARMS DEAL UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL MICROSCOPE – The Taliban regime is reportedly seeking to purchase several Blowfish Drones from China in an arms deal that has the international community wondering where the priorities for the de facto rulers lie. For the entirety of 2022, the regime has been screaming for international aid and humanitarian relief for a population that faces starvation and has been forced to adopt drastic measures just to stay fed, warm, and healthy. China confirmed the request and publicly stated that drones are necessary for counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan. It seems unlikely the international community will look kindly on defense spending by a regime that has basically written the textbook on how not to form a Nation.
- BOTH AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN WORKING TO RESTORE POWER – The Taliban said that Uzbekistan would begin exporting power today after several fiery exchanges between the two countries and an uproar from Afghans who have been dealing with outages for some time now. In Pakistan, power has been restored in nearly every city but the government has called for an investigation into the situation after some MPs voiced concerns about a cyberattack.
- CHINESE NATIONALS ARRESTED IN JALALABAD, ACCUSED OF LITHIUM SMUGGLING SCHEME – Taliban intelligence agents reputedly arrested 5 men in Jalalabad, 2 of whom are said to be Chinese nationals, for attempting to smuggle 1,000 metric tons of lithium ore to Pakistan for eventual use in China. The ore was reportedly mined in Nuristan and Kunar Provinces and was said to consist of roughly 30% lithium. China’s representatives in Kabul had yet to make a statement but a source within the Ministry of the Interior claimed they had asked their citizens be released in return for a guarantee they would be deported and dealt with in China. Their location and disposition are currently unknown. No further information was available.
- US AND ALLIES MULLING NEW ENGAGEMENT CRITERIA WITH TALIBAN – The US has long been in consultations with other international partners over how to respond to the Taliban after the continued erosion of gender rights by the nascent regime. With international recognition basically off the table due to the self-inflicted policies, humanitarian and economic aid are the only realistic points of discussion left for the Taliban. The international community is left with the difficult task of attempting to help the Afghan people while bypassing a defacto regime.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Nuristan: An NRF attack in the Vant Waigal district of Nuristanis said to result in the capture of 13 Taliban security forces members after the NRF had set fire to the building they were sheltering in.
Panjshir: The Taliban attacked the NRF base at Hesarak in an attempt to catch the NRF forces by surprise. The NRF is said to have successfully repulsed the attack and claim to have killed 14 Taliban in the engagement.
NEXT 24 HOURS: No Threats Reported
Posted by: trailing wife 2023-01-25 |
