7.1.1. Human rights violations by armed actors since 2001

COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: May 2024

A US-led coalition ousted the Taliban from power in late 2001, but the conflict in Afghanistan continued. After a fallback in the south and east, the Taliban reorganised and began to increase their presence in other provinces by 2006. Other AGEs operating in Afghanistan included Hezb-e Islami/Gulbuddin Hekmatyar (HIG), the Haqqani Network and Al Qaeda affiliates, including TTP, Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LeT), Lashkar-e Jhangvi (LeJ) and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. This insurgency was characterised by mainly asymmetric warfare: anti-government elements used roadside and suicide bombs and complex attacks, intimidation of civilians and targeted killings to destabilise the country. This was countered by searches, clearance operations and bombings by the ANDSF and international military forces. According to the UNAMA, the security situation deteriorated after 2005. The conflict deepened throughout 2007 and 2008, directly affecting around a third of the country [Security 2020, 1., pp. 19-20; Security June 2021, 1., pp. 29-30].

From 2010 onwards, the Taliban-led insurgency spread into all regions of Afghanistan. Insurgent violence intensified in the run-up to the presidential elections in 2014. Since then, security sharply deteriorated across Afghanistan [Security June 2021, 1., p. 30].

A 2017 report by the UN Secretary General noted that the Taliban had been able to control larger parts of the country and the emergence of ISKP added ‘a new, dangerous dimension’ to the situation. Human Rights Watch noted that, although the Taliban claimed to target government and foreign military facilities only, their indiscriminate use of force killed and injured hundreds of civilians [Security June 2021, 1., p. 30].

On 29 February 2020, the US and the Taliban signed an agreement for bringing peace to Afghanistan. After signing the deal, the Taliban almost immediately resumed and intensified attacks against ANDSF. In response to these attacks, ANDSF also resumed their operations against the Taliban. Widespread fighting between the ANDSF and Taliban took place in various provinces of the country. Fighting between ANDSF and other anti-government elements was also reported [Security 2020, 1.3., pp. 30-31, Security June 2021, 1.1.1., p. 30; Security September 2021, 1.1.1., p. 11].

After US President Joe Biden announced in April 2021 that the US would withdraw all its remaining troops from Afghanistan by September 2021, the Taliban started a sweeping advance across large swaths of rural Afghanistan. Encountering minimal resistance from the ANDSF, the Taliban forces swiftly regained control over most of the country. Following the capture of almost all provincial capitals, they entered Kabul on 15 August 2021, prompting the collapse of the elected government of the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. On 6 September 2021, the Taliban claimed the capture of the Panjshir Valley, the ‘last remaining enclave of resistance against their rule and on 7 September 2021 they announced the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) [Security 2022, 1.1., p. 21; 1.2.1., p. 23]. As of October 2023 no state has recognised the IEA or its de facto government [Country Focus 2023, 1.1.2., p. 18].

The de facto government is all-male and predominantly consists of Taliban members; 58 persons within the de facto administration are under UN sanctions according to the UN Sanctions and Monitoring Team reporting in June 2023 [Country Focus 2023, 1.1.2., p. 19].

An overview of the most important actors who may have been involved in excludable acts during this period is given below: