Afghan Witness Reports

In this in-depth report, Afghan Witness analyses the available information surrounding the ISKP attack on the Kabul Longan Hotel on December 12, 2022. Investigators matched the alleged suicide bomber of another ISKP attack on the Kabul Military Airport on January 1, 2023, to an individual filmed escaping in the aftermath of the hotel attack.

Afghan Witness spoke to a university student, and a professor who resigned after the Taliban’s announcement.

The Taliban reacted by sending military vehicles to various larger cities to deter protests and, in some cases, used water cannons, gunfire into air and physical violence against protesters.

AW investigators visually confirmed at least 13 casualties, among them multiple children.

The Taliban spokesperson said the targeted cell was responsible for the attack on a bus in Herat carrying members of the Taliban's al-Farooq Corps on October 27.

Residents and opposition campaigners claimed the operation targeted Panjshiris and Tajiks collaborating with the NRF, arguing the Taliban was using ISKP as a cover for their actions.

Local sources in Faryab told AW that women in the province had been banned from amusement parks, gyms, female public baths, and eating at local restaurants without a Mahram.

In early November, Taliban senior figures gathered to unveil the burial place of the group’s founder and first emir, Mullah Muhammad Omar. Until now, his burial place remained undisclosed for security reasons. Using open-source techniques, AW geolocated the grave’s exact location.

The decision to formalise the Public Order Police and the inclusion of 100 female employees into the anti-riot forces comes in the wake of increased female protests, and criticism of the Taliban for using violence and force.

In late October, women showcased their academic documents in a Kabul park to protest the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s access to education and work. The women claim the Taliban intimidated them and tore their papers, and journalists were reportedly dispersed and temporarily detained. On November 3, it was reported that the Taliban detained one of the women protesters during a press conference.

In footage, a Taliban member can be seen striking the gathered students, who are recorded hitting and kicking the gates in protest.

Kabul police claimed eight people were injured and taken to hospital as a result of the attack.