Daily Evacuation Brief | February 23, 2023
[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- TORKHAM CROSSING TO REOPEN TODAY – The Ministry of Information announced that a compromise had been reached with Pakistan and the border crossing would reopen today. The truck drivers and pedestrians on both sides of the border have been described as being in a foul mood over the delay and there were some fights reported among truck drivers over who would be given priority to pass through this morning. Police had to intervene in two of the scuffles.
- MASS ARRESTS IN PANJSHIR – The Taliban has been active in Dara District and 50 non-combatants were reportedly rounded up and taken into custody. Eyewitnesses say that only men and boys were arrested and a source in the Ministry of Defense stated the operation was a preemptive move to warn other Panjshiris about joining the NRF for the upcoming spring campaign season. The status of those arrested is currently unknown.
- TALIBAN WORKING FORMALLY WITH RUSSIA AND IRAN TO SET UP INVESTMENT CONSORTIUM – The Minister of Commerce announced the formal signing of a memorandum of agreement between his office, 14 prominent Afghan businessmen, and a consortium of regional companies valued at over $1 billion dollars. Analysts raised concerns about the banking transfers and whether any may violate sanctions placed on Russia and Iran. Two of the bigger projects being discussed were infrastructure related. The first is a parallel tunnel through the Salang pass and the second was a major water canal that would divert rivers in Panjshir to Kabul.
- CLERICAL COUNCILS FORMED IN 3 PROVINCES – After a decree by the Supreme Leader, Provincial leaders are rushing to form clerical councils to provide Sharia interpretations in civil and juridical matters. Badakhshan, Nangarhar, and Ghazni join 16 other provinces that have implemented Akhundzada’s will. The remaining provinces are in the process of establishing their ulemas.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Nangarhar: A three-man team ambushed 1 Talib security member in the Khogyano district, killing him in the process. The ALM has stepped up operations in several districts as of late.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- TORKHAM TO REOPEN, TRAVELERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT – Using the recent cross-border incidents at Spin Boldak-Chaman as a guide, we often see a ripple effect after a primary engagement which could mean more shooting today or in the days to come. In addition to the threat of cross-border gunfire, there are reports that many of the truck drivers were jostling to get through the border quickly and some fistfights had been reported along the queue throughout the night. At-risk Afghans planning on visiting Torkham should be aware of the potential for more shooting and there may be disturbances as trucks make a dash for the gate after it opens.
- PASSPORT DIRECTORATE EXPECTED TO RELEASE A STATEMENT – Rumors that the Passport Directorate may finally be reopening have been rampant and an announcement should be released to the Bakhtar News Agency sometime over the next twenty-four hours.
Daily Evacuation Brief | February 22, 2023
[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- BLAST IN KABUL, NO CASUALTIES REPORTED – A magnetic mine damaged a vehicle in Police District 2 yesterday morning near the shrine of Abu Fazl. No casualties had been observed or reported as a result of the blast. It is not clear who may have triggered the explosive device and no group has claimed credit.
- RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS HAVE DOUBLED IN CHILDREN – Medical professionals blame the severe winter weather and likely nutritional deficiencies brought on by the economic crisis for the problem. Hospitals are facing a lack of beds, pediatric specialists, and medicines to treat the ailment.
- KAM AIR SAID IT PLANS TO RETRIEVE THE REMAINS OF THE 18 AFGHANS WHO DIED IN BULGARIA – The victims were discovered in a truck with scores of other Afghans in what authorities have called a ‘human smuggling’ operation gone awry.
- TALIBAN WILL CREATE 27 NEW DISTRICTS – The new districts will be located in Helmand, Farah, Baghlan, Faryab, Sar-e-pul, Ghor, Badghis, Paktika, Zabul, Nuristan, and Kandahar. It has been rumored the additions serve no purpose other than to create employment for the Taliban loyalists.
- TORKHAM GATE NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING, TRUCKS LINED UP FOR MILES – Local estimates say as many as 6,000 trucks are stacked up behind the border waiting for the crossing to be reopened. Negotiations continued but it was not clear what was holding an agreement up. Pakistani officials attempted to divert some of the cargo traffic to smaller border crossings but drivers feared taking the detour over fears of banditry along the roads.
NEXT 24 HOURS
TORKHAM GATE SECURITY CONCERNS TO LINGER – Even though negotiations have continued, local eyewitnesses say that border forces on the opposing sides have continued to make threatening and aggressive gestures at each other. A late report yesterday said an additional Pakistani checkpoint had been fired on in a neighboring Province but no proof was provided. Still, the crossing could easily devolve into violence. Exacerbating the tensions, many transport drivers who are facing significant losses as their loads of vegetables and perishables expire may choose to demonstrate and cause a commotion on either side of the border. Such actions have notably fomented cross-border altercations on three occasions in 2022. At-risk Afghans are once again advised to remain away from the area until traffic and border operations return to normal.