Afghan Witness Reports

Khorasani's video criticising Iran led to a public disavowal by Taliban spokesperson Mujahid, who dismissed the commander’s statements as personal views.

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.

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.

On May 17, 2024, reports of a drone strike targeting the Taliban in Logar province surfaced on social media, leading to widespread speculation and conflicting accounts about the incident. Despite official denials of an attack by Taliban authorities, the claim continued to be spread, both by legitimate accounts and by bots.

In a rare and unannounced visit to Kabul, Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada addressed officials, underscoring unity and anti-corruption measures, while insurgent groups seized the opportunity to launch attacks in the capital.

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.

On 9 May 2024, Kochi nomads protested against the Taliban's plans to demolish their homes on the Jalalabad-Torkham highway, leading to Taliban gunfire that caused several casualties, amid ongoing claims of land usurpation and forced displacements.

NRF and AFF jointly commemorated fallen commanders in their first shared online event, where leaders emphasised the need for unity; both groups have intensified their activity in Kabul in recent months, but while the NRF notably increased attacks during Ramadan, the AFF announced a suspension of operations.

After a two-month hiatus in ISKP activity, the group resumed attacks in Kandahar, Kunar, Kabul, and Herat, targeting critical infrastructure and Shia communities, highlighting the group’s ongoing presence and capabilities in Afghanistan.

Pakistan stated the strikes were directed at militant group members located in Afghanistan, while the Afghan Taliban claimed that civilian residential areas were hit. Afghan Witness confirmed the deaths of several children following the strikes and verified retaliatory shelling and gunfire from Afghan forces towards Pakistani territory.

According to the group’s statement, a suicide bomber targeted Taliban members withdrawing their salaries. Reports cite conflicting casualty figures, though a source at a hospital claimed 21 individuals were killed in the attack.

AW's analysis shows a significant increase in ISKP attacks across Afghanistan following the Islamic State spokesman's announcing the 'Kill them wherever you find them' campaign in January 2024.