Daily Afghanistan
Transcription
Daily Afghanistan
Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Significant Events Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Flashpoint & Outlook Summaries A VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul has killed at least three and injured over 40 people. Islamic State (IS) ramps up media campaign in Afghanistan The IS in Afghanistan has increased its exposure in international media by making statements and posting videos online. The group appears to be trying to recruit new members by exploiting increasing cracks in Taliban structures. Key Pakistani-Afghan trade deals stall. Media report on IS in Nangarhar Province. Breaking news: Magnetic IED attack on a vehicle in PD#1, Kabul has injured two people. Threat table Region Central North East South-East South West Kidnap Low Moderate High High High Moderate-High Crime Moderate Moderate Moderate-High Moderate-High Moderate-High Moderate-High IED Moderate Moderate High High High-Extreme Moderate Suicide Attack Low-Moderate Low-Moderate Moderate-High Moderate-High Moderate-High Low-Moderate SAF Moderate Moderate High High High Moderate IDF Low Low High-Extreme High Low-Moderate Low CPX Low-Moderate Low High-Extreme Moderate-High High Low-Moderate RTA Moderate-High Moderate-High Moderate-High Moderate-High Moderate-High Moderate-High Increased threat IVO KAIA/Barons Hotel and associated areas Concentrations of international HVTs IVO the Barons Hotel, Airport Circle and Massood Circle in Kabul City translate into an increased threat of attack/collateral damage in these areas. Reports of IDF in this vicinity are escalating. Possible increase in AGE capabilities in South East It is likely that Taliban ranks in the South East will be bolstered with many of the 350-450 inmates who escaped from prison in Ghazni Province, this week during a Taliban attack. Key dates 23-26 September 2015 — Arafat and Eid Qurban 24 October 2015 — Ashura Threat scale: Minimal Low Moderate High 24 December 2015 — Prophet’s Birthday Extreme *Reviewed and re-graded accordingy as of September 17, 2015 xplored.garda-world.com Page 2/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Incident Mapping xplored.garda-world.com Page 3/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Significant Incidents NORTH SAF – 16Sep0940hrs, Badakhshan Province, Jurm District: AGE ambushed ALP personnel; 4 x ALP KIA IED – 16Sep1000hrs, Balkh Province, Chimtal District: IED detonated targeting ANP Ranger Vehicle; 2 x ALP, 2 x ANP and 2 x ATM WIA SAF – 16Sep0200hrs, Sari Pul Province, Kohistanat District: AGE attacked an ALP CP; 3 x ALP KIA, 2 x ALP WIA CENTRAL VBIED – 16Sep1045hrs, Kabul Province, Paghman District: VBIED detonated targeting ANP District HQ; 1 x ANP and 2 x HCN KIA, 6 x ANP and 38 x HCN WIA EAST SAF – 16Sep0440hrs, Nangarhar Province, Pachir wa Agam District: AGE attacked ABP CP in the Lishagi area; 3 x ABP WIA SOUTH EAST SAF – 16Sep1100hrs, Paktya Province, Ahmadabad District: AGE ambushed ANP personnel in the bazaar area; 1 x ANP and 5 x HCN WIA SOUTH SAF – 16Sep0300hrs, Uruzgan Province, Khas Uruzgan District: AGE attacked ALP and ANP CPs; 1 x ALP KIA, 2 x ANP WIA SAF – 16Sep0600hrs, Uruzgan Province, Khas Uruzgan District: AGE attacked ANP HQ; 6 x ANP (inc ANP HQ Commander) WIA IED – 15Sep, Helmand Province, Naw Zad District: IED detonated targeting ALP and ANP convoy; 2 x ANP and 3 x ALP KIA, 3 x ANP and 1 x ALP WIA CPX – 15Sep0800hrs, Helmand Province, Kajaki District: AGE attacked ANSF CPs in the Poza and Maktab areas of the district result in 14 CPs (7 x ANCOP, 3 x ANP and 4 x ALP) falling to AGE control; 3 x ALP KIA, 1 x ANP WIA, 11 x ANP MIA WEST IED – 16Sep1230hrs, Farah Province, Bala Boluk District: IED detonated targeting a Toyota Corolla; 2 x HCN KIA, 4 x HCN WIA IED – 16Sep0800 and 1720hrs, Ghor Province, Chahar Sadah District: 2 x IED detonated targeting HCNs; 3 x HCN KIA xplored.garda-world.com Page 4/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Current Assessment Short Term Outlook Following an attack on a prison in Ghazni Province, activity is likely to increase in the South East region as Taliban ranks are augmented by many of the 350-450 former inmates released during the attack. Threat levels in Kabul are expected to remain at current levels in coming weeks. Regular reports of IEDs and Magnetic IEDs can be expected, targeting GIRoA and ANSF vehicles. High profile attacks may occur intermittently with likely targets and TTPs being: - CPX attacks on LSAs and international guest houses, usually involving VBIED/BBIED attempts to breach compound - VBIED attacks against high profile armored vehicles associated with IC, IM or GIRoA - IDF/rocket attacks against large targets such as HKIA and Bagram air base Routes IVO Massood to Airport Circle and continuing past the Barons Hotel, will remain under increased threat due to a plethora of HVTs in the area. Frequency of transit through these areas should be restricted accordingly. Criminal related incidents targeting IC are likely to continue. Abduction of personnel and hijacking of high value vehicles will remain focused on targets identified as having lower levels of security. Reduction of routines (timings and location) will reduce risks. Large scale assaults are likely to continue in the more remote areas of the country, as previously witnessed in areas including Helmand, Uruzgan, Kunduz and Badakhshan Provinces. AGE intent is to increase influence in these areas, seize ANSF equipment and destroy ANSF infrastructure. However these groups will seek to avoid significant casualties by quickly withdrawing when faced with ANSF reinforcements or airstrikes. In the short term Islamic State aligned groups in Eastern Afghanistan will continue to focus on recruitment and enhancing capabilities. Small attacks against ANSF and opposition AGE groups can be expected although the main focus of these incidents is for propaganda and recruitment purposes. Medium to Long Term Flash Points Following the announcement of the death of Mullah Omar, and the subsequent appointment of Mullah Mansour, the Taliban is facing an important juncture. Some Taliban groupings are beginning to break away and are either joining newly formed groups or existing groups such as the IS. This fracturing, although always likely to occur to some degree in the long term, will complicate the peace process between the Taliban and GIRoA. As winter weather approaches, AGE activity is likely to see a general reduction. This will be more pronounced in some of the more mountainous and rural areas (such as the North Eastern region), where heavy snow may discourage ANSF and AGE movements. Activity is likely to reduce from October onwards, however, much will depend on weather and seasonal conditions. xplored.garda-world.com Page 5/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 As IS recruitment continues in the short term, it is likely that IS capabilities in the East will grow. Their recently stated intent to eliminate the Durand Line may be backed up by attacks on both Afghan and Pakistan positions in the border areas. In the longer term high profile attacks, which will serve to demonstrate IS capabilities and provide further recruitment capabilities, are possible. As the National Unity Government (NUG) approaches the beginning of its second year in office, many officials are beginning to question the ability of a divided government to effectively rule in Afghanistan. Rumors of an interim government being formed to replace the NUG have already been circulating and public demonstrations on a variety of issues have been increasing. As the second year in office progresses, pressure will increase on the NUG to demonstrate tangible evidence of improvements, primarily in areas of security and the economy. xplored.garda-world.com Page 6/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Media Headlines Fresh terror for Afghans as Isil takes Taliban country : In Achin, a small district in eastern Afghanistan, governor Haji Ghalib Mujahid has called for an uprising. “Everyone who has a gun, a sword, anything, should fight these cruel people,” he said. Mr Mujahid’s district, traditionally a Taliban hotbed, has recently been besieged by another insurgent force: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil). Although experts believe Isil currently poses only a limited threat to Afghanistan’s overall security, they appear to be flourishing in those areas where they have established a presence. In Achin and neighbouring Shinwar districts, locals say hundreds have been killed, including dozens of civilians, in a brutal turf war between Isil and Taliban. Thousands more have been forced to flee. Most of the self-declared Isil groups in Afghanistan are believed to be made up of disaffected Taliban members who have pledged allegiance to Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, often for propaganda or fundraising purposes. Formal links with the Isil leadership in Syria and Iraq have been difficult to prove. However, in January Isil spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani acknowledged the expansion of the jihadist group to Afghanistan for the first time. Isil is believed to be actively recruiting in Afghanistan, attempting to take advantage of divisions within the Taliban’s ranks in the wake of Taliban founder Mullah Omar’s death, despite warnings from the Taliban to stay out its heartland. Over the course of a few bloody weeks, Isil jihadists have reportedly pushed Taliban out from Achin and Shinwar districts. They appear to be well funded and equipped, wearing Isil’s standard black uniforms and fighting under its black flags. Locals also say Isil is terrorising families and ruling villages with an iron fist. Malik Hakim, a tribal elder from Achin, said Isil fighters confiscated his harvest, his family’s only source of income. “There was no one to stop them,” he said. The jihadists have also demanded that tribes hand over young men to fight for them, including boys as young as 13, said Haji Azim Khan, another tribal elder. Others were induced to join the ranks with a monthly salary of around $400 (£260), double what the average Afghan soldier receives. Isil fighters were also going from house to house to identify young women and girls and forcing marriages on them, said Mr Khan. Anyone who had previously worked with the government was considered a spy and had been executed, he said. Isil have showcased their brutality in Achin through graphic propaganda videos of beheadings and what appears to be militants blowing up tribal elders with explosives. Trying children of the executed tribal elders appeared on local television this week, shocking the Afghan public. The US has launched several drone strikes against Isil militants recently in Nangarhar, reportedly killing several commanders. Mr Mujahid said he was aware of government plans for an operation against Isil, but at least until that point his district was badly suffering. “No one really cares enough to eliminate Isil, not the Afghan government, the foreign forces or even the UN,” he said. The battles between Isil and Taliban illustrate divisions within the global jihadi movement, but the faultlines are complex and frequently shifting. Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who has pledged allegiance to new Taliban leader Mullah Mansour, earlier this month hinted his group might be willing to work with Isil. If realised, that would be a stark about-turn in his previous opposition to the group, which he disowned in 2014 after it ignored his instructions to stay out of Syria. The Telegraph : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11870273/Fresh-terror-for-Afghansas-Isil-takes-Taliban-country.html Key Pakistani-Afghan trade deals stall on India, souring ties : * Deals envisage tripling of Afghan-Pakistan trade * Pakistan objects to Indian goods crossing its territory * Frosty relations see row spill into the open * Commerce is key to regional stability xplored.garda-world.com Page 7/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 * Commerce is key to regional stability * Iran a potential beneficiary of delays Pakistan and Afghanistan have shelved a raft of agreements that promised to more than triple cross-border trade, officials said, as economic ties seen as key to regional stability fall victim to rivalry and suspicion. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani struck the trade deals with Pakistan soon after taking office last year as part of a broader rapprochement that included plans to share intelligence on Taliban insurgents active in both countries. That cooperation was aimed at tackling the Islamist militant movement, which has separate Afghan and Pakistani branches whose violent campaigns kill thousands of people each year and hamper much-needed development. The trade deals were supposed to be a step towards warmer relations and boosting AfghanistanPakistan trade from $1.6 billion now to $5 billion by 2017. But officials told Reuters that the agreements, which include reducing tariffs and granting each other preferential trade status, have stalled. "There has been no progress or further meetings for months since those agreements were signed," said Musafer Qoqandi, the Afghan Commerce Ministry's spokesman. The key bone of contention was whether Pakistan would allow trade from old rival India to cross its territory. The setback first emerged in April, but neither side was willing to discuss it amid attempts to salvage the agreements and maintain the appearance of unity. But political relations deteriorated after a spate of Taliban attacks in Afghanistan last month, including several large blasts in Kabul, and the impasse over trade spilled into the open, further complicating efforts to save the deals. Some Afghans blame Pakistan for supporting the Taliban, charges that Pakistan denies. As diplomats from the two countries swap blame, some are wondering how they can control militancy together if they cannot make progress on trade. DISAGREEMENTS OVER INDIA Muzamel Shinware, Afghanistan's deputy commerce minister, told Reuters that it was "illogical and unfair" not to include Indian trade crossing Pakistan into Afghanistan. Under the terms of the agreements, Pakistan was to have been allowed to ship its goods to markets in Central Asia and beyond via Afghan territory. But the row over Indian goods has jeopardised the deals, with India and Pakistan locked in a decades-old standoff. "If you put India on the table, then the whole thing stops," said a Pakistani official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Pakistani Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan confirmed that progress was stalled and blamed Afghanistan for failing to deliver promised lower levies on Pakistani transit trade and to begin negotiations on a preferential trade agreement. Afghanistan, in turn, blamed Pakistan. A senior Afghan official, who asked not to be named, said that the progress on trade made since Ghani's visit to Pakistan in November "could, frankly, have been made in two weeks if we were serious". In November, Pakistan promised faster clearance of Afghan cargo, greater access for Afghan traders to Pakistan's railway system and to set up 'parallel track' Afghan customs at Karachi. Dastgir Khan says most of those steps have been implemented, although some officials privately concede that progress in recent months has stalled as relations chilled. Part of the problem is that the Pakistani military retains the final say in bilateral ties, experts say. The powerful military has ruled Pakistan for around half its history and heavily influences security and foreign policy. One country benefitting from the chill between Pakistan and Afghanistan is neighbouring Iran. Afghan transit trade with Iran has increased steadily since 2007. In 2011, it supplanted Pakistan as Afghanistan's largest transit trade partner in terms of containers shipped, according to SDPI. "Perhaps Pakistan thinks that it is twisting Afghanistan's arm by stopping these trade initiatives," said Ahmed of SDPI. "But very soon, Iran could make Pakistan irrelevant." xplored.garda-world.com Page 8/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Reuters : http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/16/pakistan-afghanistan-trade-idUSL4N11L2TF20150916 Events in Detail VBIED attack on ANP HQ in Paghman District, Kabul At approx 1045hrs yesterday morning (September 16), a VBIED detonated targeting the ANP District HQ in Paghman District, Kabul. Official reports state that the device was a ‘Mazda truck’ filled with explosives. At least three people were killed in the attack including the head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Approx. 44 more people were wounded, mainly HCNs. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. COMMENT: ‘The incident was initially described as a rocket attack and then VBIED followed by rocket attack. Reporting is still unclear, however most reports now appear to agree that this was purely a VBIED incident and it is likely that most injuries were caused by shards of glass following the explosion. Following a spate of five VBIED attacks in Kabul in August, September has been notably quieter, particularly in the city center, with only one VBIED incident reported in the province so far (an attack on a GIRoA linked vehicle in Qarabagh District). However, minor incidents are still occurring regularly in Kabul, with 22 incidents reported in Kabul so far this month, most of these being related to IED or magnetic IED attacks. (Breaking news at time of reporting – Magnetic IED attack occurred late this morning in PD1, Kabul. 2 x HCN WIA).’ COMMENT ENDS. xplored.garda-world.com Page 9/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Extant Threat Warnings (Central Region Threat) 15Sep – AGE plan to conduct VBIED attacks using 2 x Toyota Corollas, targeting MOI HQ 15Sep – AGE plan to conduct IDF attacks targeting Pul-e Charkhi Prison, HKIA and government facilities 15Sep – IS has prepared a Toyota Landcruiser AV with foreign AGE with western appearance, wearing US military uniforms, in order to carry out an attack against the Turkish Embassy 09Sep – AGE plan to conduct attacks in Kabul during Eid 09Sep – Threat of VBIED or BBIED attack against HKIA, possibly using a black Toyota Corolla, VRN# 18722 08Sep – AGE has placed explosives inside 16ltr gas balloons and placed them along the Kabul to Logar roadway with the intent to destroy “big military armored vehicles” 07Sep – AGE using ANA uniforms plan to conduct suicide attacks against the Marshal Fahim Military Academy 06Sep – AGE plan to conduct suicide attacks on the Kabul Delhi Hospital 05Sep – AGE seized a number of ANP Rangers, Humvees and International vehicles. They plan to conduct attacks against ANSF HQs and CPs by using ANSF uniforms and vehicles 05Sep – Threats of attack against ANP academy, Camp Integrity, US Embassy (IDF), Presidential Palace (IDF) and MOD HQ 02Sep – AGE plan to conduct BBIED/VBIED attacks targeting CF in PD#2 31Aug – AGE plan to use a green Toyota Corolla and a white Toyota Saracha to mount VBIED/BBIED attacks against the Green Village 30 Aug – AGE plan to kidnap IC personnel in PD4/PD10 area xplored.garda-world.com Page 10/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Acronyms AFG - Afghanistan ABD - Abduction AGE - Anti Government Elements / Insurgents / Taliban ABP - Afghan Border Police / Patrol ALP - Afghan Local Police ANP - Afghan National Police ANA - Afghan National Army ANCOP - Afghan National Civil Order Police ANSF - Afghan National Security Forces AOG - Armed Opposition Group APAT - Afghan Police Advisory Team AQ (AP) - Al Qaeda (Arabian Peninsula) APC - Armoured Personnel Carrier APM - Anti-Personnel Mine APPF - Afghan Public Protection Force ATM - Anti Tank Mine AV - Armoured Vehicle BBIED - Body Borne Improvised Explosive Device BG - Body Guard BOLO - Be On the Look Out (for a vehicle / person) CNP - Counter Narcotics Police CoP - Chief of Police CoS - Chief of Staff CP / (I)VCP - Check Point / (Illegal) Vehicle Check Point CPF - Civil Protection Force CPX - Complex attack (using 2 or more weapon systems) CSTO - Collective Treaty Security Organization CTD - Counter Terrorism Department CWIED - Command Wire Improvised Explosive Device DAC - District Administrative Centre DBS - Drive By Shooting DHQ - District Head Quarters DIAG - Disarmament of Illegal Armed Groups ECP - Entry Control Point EoF - Escalation of Force FATA - Federally Administered Tribal Areas GAO - Government Accountability Office xplored.garda-world.com GIRoA - Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan HCN - Host Country National HG - Hand Grenade (Fragmentation) H-i-G - Hezb-i-Islami Gulbuddin HME - Home-Made Explosive HMG - Heavy Machine Gun HPC - High Peace Council HVT - High Value Target HWP - High Way Patrol IC - International Community IAG - Illegal Armed Group ICG - International Crisis Group IDF - In-Direct Fire (rocket / mortar / artillery) IEC - Independent Election Commission IED - Improvised Explosive Device IM - International Military IMU - Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan InfoOps - Propaganda / PsyOps INGO / NGO - International / Non-Govt Organisation ISAF - International Security Assistance Force ISI - Pakistan Intelligence Service JAF-Jalalabad Air Field KAF - Kandahar Air Field KAIA - Kabul International Air Field KIA - Killed in Action MIED - Magnetically attached IED MIA - Missing In Action MNF - Multi National Force MO - Modus Operandi MoFA - Ministry of Foreign Affairs MoU - Memo of Understanding MSR - Main Supply Route NDN - Northern Distribution network NDS - National Directorate of Security NFDK - No Further Details Known NWFP - North West Frontier Province O&G - Oil and Gas OOB - Out Of Bounds OSM - Open Source Media PAK - Pakistan PAX - People / Persons PGM - Pro-Government Militia PH - Public Holiday POO / I - Point Of Origin / Impact (of IDF attack) PRT - Provincial Reconstruction Team PSD - Personal Security Detail RCIED - Radio Controlled IED RPG - Rocket Propelled Grenade RTA - Road Traffic Accident S (VBIED etc) - Suicide SF - Special Forces SAF - Small Arms Fire SAFire - Surface to Air fire SIGAR - Special Inspector General Afghan Reconstruction SoFA - Status of Forces Agreement SOP - Standard Operating Procedures SF - Special Forces / Security Forces TB - Taliban TCN - Third Country Nationals TTP - Tactics, Trends and Practices TTP - Tehrik e Taliban Pakistan (Pakistani Taliban) UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Surveillance / Attack Drone) UFN - Until Further Notice UNDP - United Nations Development Programme UVBT - Under Vehicle Booby Trap UVIED - Under Vehicle IED (aka 'Sticky Bomb') UXO - Unexploded Ordinance VBIED - Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device VCIED - Vehicle Concealed Improvised Explosive Device VOIED - Victim Operated Improvised Explosive Device VSI - Very Seriously Injured WIA - Wounded In Action WSJ - Wall St Journal Page 11/12 VBIED attack in Paghman District, Kabul Province, kills at least 3 and injures over 40 Daily Afghanistan September 17, 2015 Contact Information For more information on how our services can support your business in Afghanistan contact: [email protected] Brian Bonfiglio Regional Director Afghanistan GardaWorld Information Services From our management offices and field offices in strategic locations our constant monitoring of the high-risk environments in which we work is conveyed through our range of .Xplored™ risk analysis reports. 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