UNAMA, Briefing to the United Nations Security Council by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva New York, 20 December 2022
“The Taliban remain essentially in control of the country, but unable to satisfactorily address terrorist groups operating inside Afghanistan. We are greatly concerned about the recent activity of ISKP in particular, and the attacks on the embassies of the Russian Federation and Pakistan, as well as against a hotel hosting many Chinese nationals. Civilian casualties from these attacks were significant. Nonetheless, the general sense of security and freedom of movement for the people of Afghanistan remains. […] the general sense of security and freedom of movement for the people of Afghanistan remains. On the other hand, we are greatly concerned about recent continued exchanges of fire between Afghanistan and Pakistan. […]”
Reuters, Afghan Taliban administration, Myanmar junta not allowed into United Nations for now, 14 December 2022 “A decision on whether the Afghan Taliban administration and the Myanmar junta can send a United Nations ambassador to New York has been postponed for a second time, but could be reconsidered in the next nine months, according to a U.N. credentials committee report.”
BBC News, Afghanistan-Pakistan border shelling kills civilians, 12 December 2022
“Afghan Taliban forces killed six civilians in Pakistan and injured at least 17 others in an "unprovoked" bombing and gunfire attack on a border town on Sunday, Pakistan says. The attack at Chaman was condemned by Pakistan's military who said the Afghan side launched "indiscriminate fire". Pakistan forces retaliated. One Afghan soldier was killed. It's unclear exactly what sparked the clash at the crossing over the border, which the two sides dispute. However, it comes amid a rise in tensions between the neighbouring countries over security issues, since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan last year.”
CrisisWatch, Tracking Conflict Worldwide, November 2022
“Anti-Taliban resistance forces continued insurgency in north east. Despite falling levels of violence with onset of cold weather, insecurity continued in Badakhshan province (north east) after Taliban in Oct launched large-scale operations in districts bordering Tajikistan; operations for time being appeared to stunt National Resistance Front (NRF) activities in province but strained relations with Tajikistan, neighbouring country that harbours NRF fighters. Similarly, in Takhar province (north east), numerous reports surfaced during month of Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP) and NRF attacks; Taliban forces launched raids against hideouts, primarily targeting ISKP. Meanwhile, deadly clashes erupted between Taliban and Pakistani border forces around Chaman border crossing 13 Nov and in Paktia province (east) 15 Nov (see Pakistan). Bomb 30 Nov targeting religious school in Samangan province (north) killed at least 17 students, majority of them believed to be children.”
ACLED, Regional Overview: South Asia and Afghanistan 19-25 November 2022, 30 November 2022
“Taliban and Pakistani forces continued to engage in shelling across the Afghanistan–Pakistan border last week. On 20 November, shelling resulted in over a dozen casualties among the civilians and security forces of both countries, including at least two reported fatalities. The clashes have been linked to ongoing land disputes along the border (Dawn, 20 November 2022). Following the clashes, Taliban officials announced the appointment of a delegation to discuss the issue with Pakistan officials (TOLO News, 21 November 2022).
Elsewhere in Afghanistan, anti-Taliban groups engaged in multiple clashes with Taliban forces last week. The National Resistance Front launched a number of deadly attacks on Taliban forces in Takhar province, while the Afghanistan Freedom Front also reportedly killed two Taliban members during an attack in Kandahar city.
Separately, in Daykundi province, the Taliban killed at least nine people during an operation responding to a land dispute between Hazara tribal groups in Nili city. While the Taliban claimed that those killed during the operation were armed men involved in the land dispute (Rukhshana News, 26 November 2022), other reports suggest that they were civilians and included children (Twitter @UNICEFafg, 25
November 2022). Local sources also claimed that Taliban forces escalated tensions between the tribes by killing a person mediating between the disputing families and the Taliban (Etilaat e Roz, 24 November 2022).”
Royal United Services Institute, How is the Taliban’s Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Evolving?, 22 November 2022
“The Islamic State has intensified its terrorist attacks in the cities and has even staged a few provocatory attacks on the northern border, firing rockets into Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. It has also been waging a low-intensity guerrilla war in the far east of the country (Kunar). The National Resistance Front (NRF) and various other groups with roots in the armed forces of the previous regime have been intensifying their low-intensity war since spring, with most of their activities concentrated in Panjshir and the surrounding region.”
Al Jazeera, Pakistan reopens border crossing with Afghanistan after shooting, 21 November 2022
“Pakistan has reopened a key border crossing with neighbouring Afghanistan a week after an Afghan gunman killed a Pakistani security guard there, forcing a closure of the crossing.”
“The crossing was closed on November 13 when a Pakistani soldier posted at the border was fired upon. There was a brief exchange of fire between the two armies following the incident.”
Pajhwok Afghan News, 35 killed, wounded in Afghanistan last week, 19 November 2022
“Last week, at least 26 people were killed and nine others wounded in different incidents in the country. Ten Daesh
— Islamic State — rebels were killed in Kabul and Herat, according to local officials. Meanwhile, a groom and his bride were killed in the Alishang district of Laghman province. The killer was detained, officials said. One person was killed and another injured due to a clash between two rival families in the Alingar district of eastern Laghman on Friday.”
“The bodies of a woman and a man were found in Paktia and Logar provinces. In Kapisa, a man killed his wife and unidentified gunmen shot dead two people, including a prayer leader, in Kabul.”
ACLED, Regional Overview: South Asia and Afghanistan 5-11 November 2022, 16 November 2022
“In Afghanistan, Taliban forces continued to target civilians with links to the former government last week. Across the country, Taliban forces arrested former military members, shooting a former soldier in the leg during an arrest in Parwan. In Samangan province, the Taliban arrested five former government and security forces members, the whereabouts of whom remain unknown (Hasht-e Subh, 8 November 2022).”
Pajhwok Afghan News, 7 people killed, 3 injured in Afghanistan last week, 13 November 2022
“Unidentified gunmen killed two people in northern Sari Pul province. A man shot dead one civilian and injured three others in eastern Kunar province after police tried to arrest him for illegally carrying a pistol. He opened fire in order to escape.”
“Local officials say two Daesh affiliates were killed in Kunar province and security forces killed a ‘thief’ who wanted to escape in Balkh province.”
“A person killed his cousin who was a local police commander in northeastern Badakhshan province.”
“These casualty figures are based on reports reaching Pajhwok. Some incidents might have gone unreported or sources provided incorrect number.”
ACLED, Regional Overview: South Asia and Afghanistan 29 October-4 November 2022, 10 November 2022
“In Afghanistan, the National Resistance Front clashed with Taliban forces in Panjshir, Takhar, and Sar-e Pol provinces last week. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Freedom Front carried out two attacks against the Taliban in Zabul province, reportedly killing two Taliban intelligence officers.”
International Organization for Migration (IOM), DTM AFGHANISTAN RETURNEE LONGITUDINAL SURVEY (RLS), 31 October 2022
“Community safety ratings among participants were generally positive, with 57 per cent of respondents reporting that the safety situation in their community was good or very good at the personal level and at the household level. Thirty-four per cent of participants at the personal level and 35 per cent at the household level, however, rated safety levels as poor or very poor in their communities.”
AA, Pakistani soldier killed in attack along Afghanistan border, 23 October 2022
“A Pakistani soldier was killed in what the army said a terrorist attack from Afghanistan's soil. The attack – latest in a string of ambushes – occurred in the restive North Waziristan tribal district, which sits near the border with Afghanistan and has long been a hotbed of militancy. "Terrorists from inside Afghanistan across the international border opened fire on a military post in Hassan Khel Sector, North Waziristan district. Own troops responded in a befitting manner. During fire exchange, one soldier embraced Shahadat (martyrdom)," said a statement from the army's media wing. "Pakistan has consistently been requesting Afghanistan to ensure effective border management," the statement further said, adding that Islamabad "strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activates against Pakistan."
Reuters, Taliban kill six Islamic State members in raid in Kabul, 22 October 2022
“[…] Taliban security forces killed six Islamic State members in an overnight operation in the Afghan capital, Kabul, a spokesman for the ruling group's administration said on Saturday. The Islamic State members killed in the raid on their hideout were involved in two major attacks in recent weeks, one on a city mosque and the other on a tutoring institute in which dozens of female students were killed, said the spokesman, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi."They were the attackers of the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque and also ... of Kaaj Institute," said Ahmadi, who said one Taliban security force member was killed in the operation.”
AP News, Report: Taliban killed captives in restive Afghan province, 18 October 2022
“The Taliban captured, bound and shot to death 27 men in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley last month during an offensive against resistance fighters in the area, according to a report published Tuesday, refuting the group’s earlier claims that the men were killed in battle. One video of the killings verified by the report shows five men, blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs. Then, Taliban fighters spray them with gunfire for 20 seconds and cry out in celebration. The investigation by Afghan Witness, an open-source project run by the U.K.-based non-profit Center for Information Resilience, is a rare verification of allegations that the Taliban have used brutal methods against opposition forces and their supporters, its researchers said. Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed a tighter and harsher rule, even as they press for international recognition of their government. […] Afghan Witness said it analyzed dozens of visual sources from social media — mostly videos and photographs — to conclusively link one group of Taliban fighters to the killings of 10 men in the Dara District of Panjshir, including the five seen being mowed down in the video. […] It said it also confirmed 17 other extrajudicial killings from further images on social media, all showing dead men with their hands tied behind their backs.
Videos and photos of Taliban fighters with the bodies aided geolocation and chrono-location, also providing close-ups of the fighters at the scene. These were cross-referenced with other videos suspected to feature the group. “Using open-source techniques we have established the facts around the summary and systematic execution of a group of men in the Panjshir Valley in mid-September,” Osborn said. “At the time of their execution, the detained were bound, posing no threat to their Taliban captors.” Enayatullah Khawarazmi, the Taliban-appointed spokesman for the defense minister, said a delegation is investigating the videos released on social media. He said he was unable to give further details as the investigation is ongoing.”
EUAA, Afghanistan – Security Situation, 16 September 2022
"A map published by the Long War Journal (LWJ), a website affiliated with the US non-profit think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), indicated that, as of 21 July 2022, the Taliban were controlling all of the country’s 407 districts."
"As of spring/summer 2022, the Taliban were in control of all the country’s 34 provinces and sources indicate that no other actor constituted an existential threat to the Taliban’s authority. In June 2022, International Crisis Group stated that the Taliban exercised territorial control on a level not experienced by any single political actor since the 1970s."
Aljazeera, Taliban accuses Pakistan of allowing US drones in Afghan airspace, 28 August 2022
“The Taliban’s acting defence minister has said Pakistan allowed American drones to use its airspace to access Afghanistan, a charge Pakistan has recently denied following a US air strike in Kabul.
Acting Minister of Defence Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob told reporters at a news conference in Kabul on Sunday that American drones have been entering Afghanistan via Pakistan.”
Pajhwok Afghan News, US drones enter Afghanistan through Pakistan, alleges Yaqub, 28 August 2022
“Acting Defence Minister Mualvi Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid on Sunday alleged US drones entered Afghanistan through Pakistan, asking Islamabad not to allow the use of its airspace against Kabul. In July, a US drone strike killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul. Pakistan has denied playing any role in the killing of Zawahiri.”
Pajhwok Afghan News, Casualties in Afghanistan down by 73pc last week, 28 August 2022
“IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters last week that US aircraft continued flying over Afghanistan- a violation of the country’s airspace that must be stopped.
He said the issue had been discussed with American officials, who were asked to resolve issues through direct talks. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said efforts would continue to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a terrorist safe haven again.”
AVA, Religious Scholar was killed in Central Afghanistan, 3 August 2022
“Afghan Voice Agency (AVA)_Monitoring, Abdul Matin Mohammadi, a religious scholar, was allegedly killed on Tuesday, August 2, in the evening by unidentified assailants, according to the Islamic Emirate authorities. […] According to sources, the attackers ride away from the scene on motorcycles after killing Mohammadi as he was returning home after offering the prayers in the mosque. […] The Islamic Emirate governor’s office in the province of Ghor reports that no one has been arrested in relation to the death of this religious scholar, despite an ongoing investigation.”
Al Jazeera, Taliban supreme leader addresses major gathering in Kabul, 1 July 2022
“Mullah Haibatullah Akhunzada, the reclusive supreme leader of the Taliban, has attended a major gathering of religious leaders and elders in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul. More than 3,000 men were expected to attend the three-day gathering that started on Thursday in Kabul’s Polytechnic University and is expected to rubber-stamp the Taliban’s rule over Afghanistan.”
Khaama Press (Afghan News Agency), Taliban Senior Official Denies the Claims of “Attacks Against Civilians” in North Afghanistan, 28 June 2022
“In an effort to put an end to an armed insurgency in the north of the country, Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are accused of engaging in extrajudicial killings and other violations of human rights.On Monday, claims of abuses in the chaotic Balkhab district in Sar-e Pol province’s north were deemed alarming by the United Nations and rights watchdogs, who called the Islamist party in power to hold those who are accountable…
The Taliban’s aggressive and inhumane behavior has alarmed Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation in Afghanistan as on Monday, June 27, he tweeted that reports of unlawful killings, forced displacement, destruction of private property, and other human rights violations in Sar-e-Pol’s Balkhab district are concerning."
AVA, The possibility of Russia recognizing the Islamic Emirate got stronger, 15 June 2022
“Russia's special envoy to Afghanistan has said that his country is not following the West in recognizing the current government in Afghanistan, adding that it may recognize the government of the Islamic Emirate. He stated that the conditions of this important matter have already been announced to the officials of the Islamic Emirate by the President and Foreign Minister of Russia. Afghan Voice Agency (AVA), Zamir Kabulov, Russia's special envoy to Afghanistan, said: "We may recognize the Taliban interim government in Afghanistan and send grain to this country to prevent a famine crisis."
"There is a possibility of recognizing the Taliban, and the conditions for this action have been announced by the president and the foreign minister," he added. Russia's special envoy to Afghanistan stressed that Moscow will not follow the decision of the West and other countries in recognizing the Islamic Emirate. Kabulov added that the Taliban interim government was willing to cooperate with Moscow in accordance with internationally accepted laws. Announcing the visit of the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Islamic Emirate to Moscow, he said: "Afghanistan wants to buy some Russian goods and Russian President Vladimir Putin has also given permission to store grain for this country." This statement comes at a time when no country has yet recognized the Islamic Emirate following the recent developments in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of foreign troops after 20 years and the collapse of the pro-Western government.”
AVA, Security Situation in Parwan is Admissible, 12 June 2022
“During a meeting, in Sapedar palace the chief police commander of Parwan Mawlawi Azizullah provided details on the security situation and said security and peace are ensured in the province, according to a statement. Deputy Prime Minister Kabir praised the security situation in that province, said the Islamic Emirate security forces are in the service of the people, and will never spare any efforts in this respect. In the meeting, the deputy political directed the Necessary orders to the chief police commander of Parwan and other local member officials of the province to ensure better security in that province. Parwan is one of Kabul’s neighboring provinces to the north, which after the collapse of the former government, witness no insecurity or security incidents on the rise of the Islamic Emirate.”
HRW, Afghanistan: Taliban Torture Civilians in Panjshir, 10 June 2022
“Taliban security forces in northern Afghanistan’s Panjshir province have unlawfully detained and tortured residents accused of association with an opposition armed group, Human Rights Watch said today. Since mid-May 2022, fighting has escalated in the province as National Resistance Front (NRF) forces have attacked Taliban units and checkpoints. The Taliban have responded by deploying to the province thousands of fighters, who have carried out search operations targeting communities they allege are supporting the NRF. During search operations in other provinces, Taliban forces have committed summary executions and enforced disappearances of captured fighters and other detainees, which are war crimes. “Taliban forces in Panjshir province have quickly resorted to beating civilians in their response to fighting against the opposition National Resistance Front,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
“The Taliban’s longstanding failure to punish those responsible for serious abuses in their ranks puts more civilians at risk.” A human rights advocate who has interviewed several former detainees and a source with direct information about Taliban detentions spoke to Human Rights Watch about the Panjshir situation. Former detainees in early June reported that Taliban security forces detained about 80 residents in Panjshir’s Khenj district and beat them to compel them to provide information about the NRF. After several days, the Taliban released 70, but have continued to hold 10 people whose relatives they accuse of being members of the group, a form of collective punishment. Former detainees said the district jail held nearly 100 others who have alleged links to the NRF. None had access to their families or lawyers. Others have been held in informal detention facilities.”