A Glance at Afghanistan’s Security Situation in 2023
The activity and attacks of ISIS and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan, particularly targeting Afghan Shiites, have been a major concern for organizations and regional countries over the past year. However, the Taliban has consistently denied the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan and assured their complete suppression. The UN Security Council convened in August this year to assess ISIS threats globally, including Afghanistan, expressing concern over the presence and activities of ISIS there.
According to a UN Security Council report, around 20 terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan, with estimates indicating that the number of ISIS fighters in the country ranges between four to six thousand. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN and the rotating President of the Security Council, noted that ISIS has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. She emphasized that Afghanistan must not become a safe haven for terrorists, including Al-Qaeda and the Khorasan branch of ISIS.
It is noteworthy that in the past year, ethnic and religious minorities such as Hazaras, Shiites, and religious scholars in mosques, sports venues, and public places have been targeted by ISIS attacks. Reports indicate that attacks throughout the past year have resulted in 39 deaths and 87 injuries on specific dates in different locations across Afghanistan. Additionally, 11 other civilians, including four Shia religious scholars, were murdered in November 2023, prompting widespread international reactions.
Taliban administration, including Dawood Muzammil from Balkh, Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi from Badakhshan, and Safiullah Samim from Baghlan, have been targeted and killed by ISIS in 2023. A global research center on the responsibility to protect indicates that from August 15, 2021, to May 2023, there have been casualties due to ISIS attacks in Afghanistan.
However, UN statistics show that from November 14, 2022, to November 2023, there have been 40 ISIS attacks, including three unclaimed incidents. While the Taliban has denied claims of extrajudicial killings and violence against former military personnel, UNAMA has documented hundreds of human rights violations, including murder, torture, threats, and arrests of previous government officials and military personnel from August 15, 2021, to June 30, 2023.
A human rights organization named “Rawadari” reported that in the first six months of 2023, approximately 355 people (299 men, 33 women, and 10 children), mostly opposed to the ruling government in Afghanistan, were killed and 161 others injured in various incidents. The report reveals that 220 people were mysteriously murdered, 85 were injured, 222, including 23 women across sixteen provinces, were arbitrarily arrested, and over 10 others were forcibly disappeared during this period.
Meanwhile, Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid, acting Minister of Defense of the Taliban government, claimed in a press conference in Kabul that foreigners, including nationals of Tajikistan and Pakistan, are involved in attacks on mosques, shrines, religious scholars, and public gatherings in Afghanistan.
While the Taliban has assured internal security in Afghanistan and the security of its borders, Pakistani security forces reported conducting over 18,000 intelligence operations in 2023, resulting in the killing of at least 566 terrorists, with most attacks organized from within Afghanistan.
Border tensions between Afghanistan and neighboring countries have been a significant security concern over the past year, prompting authorities from neighboring countries to engage in discussions with Afghanistan. While the chief of the Taliban’s army reported the establishment of 600 border checkpoints with neighboring countries, authorities from neighboring countries have also emphasized border security with Afghanistan. Several border conflicts between Iranian and Pakistani border guards have been reported in the past year.
Source » khaama.com
