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Daily Evacuation Brief June 11, 2023
[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES ALONG DURAND LINE RUNNING INTO TROUBLE – As previously reported, the Taliban’s decision to resettle the mainly Pashtun ethnic groups from Pakistan in Khost Province to other parts of the country is not being received well by the refugees. The refugees claim they spent significant time and resources to build the homes they currently occupy in the Gurbaz District and that moving would unsettle their families and cause extreme economic hardships. Many have told local Afghan journalists that they are ‘never leaving’. Officials in Khost say the plan was formulated to appease Pakistan’s fears over the terror threat from Afghanistan. The locals in the Province see the move as a sign of weakness on the part of Kabul. While no official date for the start of relocating families has been announced, it seems the refugee groups are already organizing and planning to protest the forced displacement.
- US SECRETARY OF STATE RECOGNIZES TALIBAN’S EFFORTS FIGHTING ISIS – The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, gave a nod to the Taliban for taking the fight against ISIS-K seriously. His comments fell short of praising the Taliban but did recognize the success they have had in 2022-23. Several international news outlets have continued to speculate that the US is somehow providing intelligence to the Taliban in order to reduce the threat of ISIS-K. However, no proof has been provided of such cooperation to date. The US Secretary of State reiterated the US stance of undertaking unilateral action should a valid threat to the US or its interests be identified in Afghanistan.
- MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR SHIFTS MESSAGING SLIGHTLY – During a visit to Jawzjan Province, Sirajuddin Haqqani seemed to avoid any hint of criticism of the cabal in Kandahar and focused on a message of unity. In his remarks, the Minister stressed that the Taliban regime needed to build trust with the population before inclusivity could be realized. The remarks differ from some earlier statements which were perceived to be critical of the ‘old guard’ fundamentalists. After the speech, the Minister visited the site where Taliban prisoners had been rounded up in 2001 and were said to have been killed by gunfire and/or suffocation by forces said to be loyal to General Rashid Dostum.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- PAKISTANI ARMY SHOULD BE HEADING BACK TO THE BARRACKS TODAY – After requests by Provincial leaders to recall the Army units after the 9 May riots broke out. Most areas report that calm has returned to the streets and the soldiers are no longer necessary. The most immediate effect will probably be a reduction in the number of search and detention operations in Islamabad. As the police units are forced to resume their pre-riot duties, manpower limitations should reduce the number of those available to focus on the Afghan refugee population.
- TROPICAL CYCLONE BIJARPOY CONTINUES TREK NORTHWARDS – Bijarpoy continues to move through the Arabian Sea along a Northeast track. While some models show it could shift to a Northwestern heading and could make landfall in Sindh Province, the majority expect it to lose intensity before reaching Pakistan’s coastline. Regardless, heavy rains and strong winds in Sindh (along the coast) on the evening of 13 June.
Posted by: trailing wife 2023-06-11 |
