Afghan Witness Archives - Centre for Information Resilience

Security Violence Religious Freedom Terrorism Minority Rights Civilians Places of Worship ISKP

Dec 6

ISKP-claimed attack against Sufis in Baghlan

Ten worshippers killed in evening assault on Sufi shrine by multiple attackers.

Violence Media Human Rights Taliban

Oct 9

Boy found dead after accusing Taliban members of sexual abuse

Boy allegedly killed by Taliban after accusing multiple commanders of rape in Farah province interrogation video

Information environment Security Violence Disinformation Pakistan Taliban

Sep 24

Border clashes between Taliban and Pakistan

Propaganda war erupts as both sides share misleading information after days-long clashes.

Security Violence Terrorism Shia ISKP

Sep 24

ISKP massacres group of Hazara in Central Afghanistan

ISKP’s third attack in the region since August 2021 kills at least 14 men.

Violence Protests Taliban

Sep 11

Truck driver protest in Herat met with violence

A protest by truck drivers in Herat on 28 August 2024 over Taliban-imposed costs and preferential treatment turned violent when Taliban forces reportedly opened fire, wounding at least one protester.

Security Violence Terrorism Religion Shia ISKP

Aug 31

ISKP attack against civilian minibus in Dasht-e Barchi highlights lack of security

The attack on 11 August 2024 targeted a civilian minibus in Kabul’s Dasht-e Barchi area, on the same road as six previous attacks.

Security Violence Human Rights Women's rights Taliban

Aug 31

Claimed Taliban killing of civilians

Reports of Taliban violence reveal alleged involvement in killings, torture, and beatings of civilians, including minorities and former security personnel, between August 13 and 19, 2024.

Religion Security Violence Religious Freedom Features Investigations Human Rights Shia Taliban

Aug 7

Investigation: civilian casualties at the 2023 Ashura commemorations in Ghazni province

On 28 July 2023, clashes erupted in Ghazni province when Taliban forces sought to disperse crowds, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Rejecting responsibility, the Taliban instead blamed the violence on "evil elements" in the crowd. AW investigates the events.

Violence Human Rights Taliban

Jul 3

Torture of young man by Taliban commander

The harrowing video of a young Afghan man being tortured by a Taliban commander sparked global outrage.

Security Violence Terrorism Taliban ISKP

Jun 19

ISKP: attacks against Taliban officials in Ghor and expansion of area of operations

ISKP has stepped up its attacks on Taliban officials, recently killing Mullah Hassan in Ghor province and expanding its operations across Afghanistan. The group's increasing activity from Kabul to Herat and Kandahar highlights a growing challenge for the Taliban's efforts to control them.

Security Violence Terrorism Taliban ISKP

May 24

Security: Tourists shot by gunmen in Bamyan attack claimed by ISKP

An armed attack took place in Bamyan city, confirmed by Taliban officials, which killed three Spanish tourists and three Afghans, and injured seven others. It was claimed by ISKP as targeting Christian coalition citizens and their Shiite companions.

Violence Religious Freedom Taliban

May 24

Minority rights: Torture of an Ismaili man and recent arrest of 15 Ismailis in Badakhshan

On 5 May 2024, two local media outlets shared an old video, previously circulated in 2019 and 2022, showing Taliban members harassing an elderly Shia Ismaili man in Badakhshan; AW investigators confirmed the video’s age, highlighting ongoing repressions against Ismailis despite the footage being presented as new.