Source:

Afghanistan Information Management Service [ID 1655]

Source:

German Foreign Office: Security situation remained volatile and unpredictable [ID 1661]

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

In 2007, insurgent violence killed more than 6,500 persons compared to more than 1,400 in 2006 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23293]

"Violence perpetrated by Taliban, al-Qa'ida, and Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin terrorists and insurgents killed more civilians than in the previous year. Violence by these groups included an increasing number of terrorist attacks using suicide bombs. Insurgent violence killed more than 6,500 civilians and military personnel during the year, compared to more than 1,400 in 2006. Attacks on government security forces, international organizations, international aid workers and their local counterparts, and foreign interests and nationals increased during the year, prompting some organizations to restrict their developmental or humanitarian activities or leave areas of the country. Government officials remained under attack by insurgents, with more than a dozen killed in numerous incidents."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Sources of insecurity comprise groups opposed to the government, regional warlords and criminal groups involved in narcotic trade; threats emanate from counterinsurgency, attacks by anti-government elements, arbitrary killings, abductions and conflicts over religious or tribal differences ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22550]

"There are broadly three different sources of insecurity in Afghanistan, namely:

• groups ideologically opposed to the Afghan Government such as the Taliban and the warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and his Hezb-e-Islami faction;
• regional warlords and militia commanders; and
• criminal groups, mostly involved in Afghanistan’s booming narcotic trade.

The lack of security is characterized by various threats to life, physical integrity and overall stability. These threats emanate from the following:

• intensified counterinsurgency activities, including aerial bombings, by ISAF/NATO which have escalated into open warfare in the south, southeast, eastern, western and central provinces and which affect the ability of civilians to travel safely to and from these provinces;
• indiscriminate attacks by anti-Government elements through, inter alia, the consistent use of indiscriminate types of warfare (e.g. improvised explosive devises (IED) on the roads, missile attacks, bombs and suicide bomb attacks) including attacks on “soft targets” such as schools, teachers, and religious figures;
• systematic acts of intimidation, involving arbitrary killings, abductions and other threats to life, security and liberty, by anti-Government elements and by regional warlords and militia commanders and criminal groups;
• illegal land occupation and confiscation with limited possibilities for redress; and
• conflicts over religious or tribal differences and strife over the use of pasture land between armed Afghan factions
• inadequate responses to the above by the central Government to address violence and protect civilians."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Sharp increase of violence and suicide attacks in 2007; most of the victims of suicide attacks are civilians; attacks against international and Afghan security forces, schools, students, government officials, the international aid community and the police ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22551]

"In 2007, violence linked with armed conflict was the worst since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and is increasingly affecting civilians. In 2007 indiscriminate insurgency-related attacks were reportedly at least 20 percent higher than in 2006. An average of 548 incidents per month was recorded in 2007 compared to an average of 425 per month in 2006. By the end of September 2007, there have been over 100 suicide attacks compared to 123 in the whole of 2006. While 76 percent of all suicide missions targeted international military and Afghan security forces, their victims were largely civilian bystanders. One hundred and forty-three civilians have lost their lives to suicide attacks alone between 1 January and 31 August 2007. Suicide attacks have been accompanied by targeted attacks committed against schools and students, Government officials, Afghans associated with international military forces and the international aid community, elders, Mullahs and the police.168 The deadliest attacks targeting civilians by insurgent groups occurred in the south and southeastern regions of Afghanistan."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Death threats by the Taliban against Afghans cooperating with the international aid community or military forces ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22552]

"Fear and insecurity among the civilian population have also been fuelled by the continued distribution of so-called “night letters”, allegedly written by the Taliban and containing death threats against Afghans cooperating with the international aid community or military forces."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Security situation aggravated by heavy fighting between anti-government elements and the ANA/ISAF/NATO forces and the growth of criminal and drug gangs ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22553]

"The security situation is further aggravated by heavy fighting between anti-Governmental elements and the ANA/ISAF/NATO forces and the growth of criminal and drug gangs, which enjoy a symbiotic relationship with anti-Government armed groups. In 2007, NATO-led counterinsurgency military operations previously focused in the south of Afghanistan have extended to a number of areas in the eastern, southeastern, central and western regions including the provinces of Wardak, Ghazni, Helmand, Urozgan, Kunar, Nuristan, Paktika, Shindand, Bala Murghab and Ghurmach."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Information on incidents involving civilian causalities during operations by international forces ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22554]

"Despite the lack of access to conflict-affected areas, a number of specific incidents involving civilian casualties have been reported by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including the alleged killings of civilians in May 2006 during NATO/ISAF air strikes in Kajaki District of Helmand Province. Furthermore, a Government fact-finding mission reported that 10 civilians had been killed and 27 injured in a NATO/ISAF raid on an alleged insurgent compound in Dehjawz village, in Uruzgan Province. The report also highlights concerns over the protracted offensive in Zherai/Panjuay districts during which NATO/ISAF allegedly have killed civilians as part of “Operations Medusa.” In December 2006 in Mandozai district, Khost province, five members of a prominent family were killed leading to community demonstrations against international forces.

In another reported incident on 4 March 2007, following an attack by a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) on a convoy of US Marine Corps Special Forces, US forces retaliated by shooting at vehicles and pedestrians at the immediate site of the VBIED attack and in several different locations along the next 16 kilometres of the road. In total, at least 12 civilians were killed and another 35 injured as a result of the shooting, including several women and children. On the same day, international and national forces initiated air and artillery attacks against a residential compound in Jabar village in Kapisa province. While the attacks were directed at two men accused of insurgent activities, it resulted in the death of nine civilians, including two pregnant women and four small children, and the wounding of five more. In addition, since the end of April 2007, NATO-led forces have been fighting in the Sangin Valley of Helmand province as part of “Operation Achilles”, NATO’s largest operation against the Taliban insurgents to date. Air strikes conducted as part of this operation have also caused a number of civilian casualties.

While a number of measures have been implemented by the Government and ISAF/NATO forces to address this situation, Human Rights Watch expressed serious concerns about NATO’s ability to distinguish between combatants and civilians due to extensive reliance on aerial bombardment to compensate for insufficient numbers of ground troops."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Uruzgan, Helmand and Kandahar provinces: Armed conflict displaces approximately 80,000 persons; displacements of civilians also in Shindand (Herat); return of IDPs difficult due to ongoing fighting and Taliban activities ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22555]

"Government sources estimate that armed conflict has caused the displacement of 15,000 families (approximately 80,000 persons) from Uruzgan, Helmand and Kandahar provinces. Furthermore, aerial bombardments in April 2007 in the Zirkoh area of Shindand caused additional displacement of civilians. While exact figures of the displacement are unavailable, elders of the area estimate that between 3,000 and 5,000 families were affected. Numbers are likely to increase with the spread of the fighting to other areas. The return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their places of origin is hindered by ongoing fighting, intimidation and fear of being killed by Taliban insurgents and destruction of homes and livelihoods."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Attacks on over 200 schools; 20.000 students were affected by school closure throughout the country ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22556]

"The right to education has been undermined particularly in districts of Hilmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, Paktika, parts of Ghazni, Khost, Paktia and Kunar as attacks have caused the closure of schools and driven out teachers and NGOs providing education. Over 200 schools were burnt, attacked or partially destroyed and 200,000 students were affected by school closure throughout the country. These attacks were characterized by Human Rights Watch as constituting war crimes on the basis of defying the law of armed conflict by targeting civilians and civilians’ establishments."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Non-state actors like the Taliban endanger the authority of the government; reach of the government has been reduced in some provinces due to armed attacks and Taliban control ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22931]

"The re-emergence of previous and new militia commanders in many parts of the country and escalating violence due to the insurgency require particular consideration of possible risks emanating from non-State actors.  The reach of the central Government in a number of provinces in the eastern, southeastern and southern, central and western parts of the country has been significantly reduced due to the growing number of armed attacks and reported de facto Taliban control. Furthermore, in the northern part of Afghanistan factional violence and criminality continue to pose significant challenges to the authority of the Government in a number of areas."

Document(s): Open document

11.2007 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Different perceptions of security by Afghans and the international community ("11th European Country of Origin Information Seminar; Vienna, 21 - 22 June 2007; Country Report; Afghanistan") [ID 21948]

"Afghans and the international community may have different perceptions of security. For example in Helmand or Uruzgan it would be difficult by 2004/2005 for internationals outside of militarised conditions to move freely – while for Afghans security was sometimes reported as more tolerable where the Taliban were in control with their brutal forms of social justice but Afghans were protected from a predatory police. On the other hand the north of the country, regarded by the internationals as being comparatively secure, could be viewed as problematic by Afghans who were exposed to abuse by the powerful and lacked any means of effective redress."

Document(s): Open document

11.2007 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Manifold, complex and interrelated sources of violence (inter-tribal, factional, criminal, narco-criminal, insurgent elements, domestic violence) ("11th European Country of Origin Information Seminar; Vienna, 21 - 22 June 2007; Country Report; Afghanistan") [ID 21949]

"Sources of violence are complex and inter-related. They include inter-tribal, factional, criminal, narco-criminal and insurgent elements. Additionally, domestic violence is endemic in Afghanistan.

Given the fact that the presence of weapons remains widespread small conflicts can expand very quickly. Conflicts are often triggered by land disputes, disputes that are complicated by decades of flight and return."

Document(s): Open document

11.2007 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

South: Insurgency in consequence of different internal and external drivers ("11th European Country of Origin Information Seminar; Vienna, 21 - 22 June 2007; Country Report; Afghanistan") [ID 21950]

"The insurgency is driven in the South by the following internal drivers:
• very poor levels of governance: appointment of illiterate, corrupt or inefficient governors and/or chiefs of police at provincial and district levels
• reported sale of official positions (for rent seeking activities – e.g., control of roads to
Pakistan border to facilitate drug trafficking)
• appointments & sale of positions are also associated with particular tribes, so there are winners and losers within a complex tribal landscape
• access to resources (including government posts) dominated by actors with strong
tribal base; key facilitators and beneficiaries of narcotics trade remain powerful even
when officially replaced
• total absence of effective, equitable tribal policy
• this leads to marginalisation of other tribes, who then support the opposition to the
government

The external drivers of insurgency are largely linked to the fact that significant areas of the
border regions on the Pakistan side of the Durand line are increasingly beyond the Pakistani Government’s control:
• the FATA and other tribal regions provide safe haven for insurgents. There are
continuing questions as to the levels of cooperation by the Government of Pakistan in
controlling cross border movement of insurgents.
• extremist madrassahs continue to proliferate in Pakistan.
• the goal of a comparatively effective Taliban propaganda campaign is to change the
Afghan view of the international military from “partners” to “occupiers” - civilian
casualties are helping the insurgents reach that objective"

Document(s): Open document

11.2007 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Approximately 80.000 persons displaced from Uruzgan, Helmand and Kandhar provinces; Insecurity in Afghanistan is marked by destabilization, presence of warlords, insurgency and attacks against civilians and institutions ("11th European Country of Origin Information Seminar; Vienna, 21 - 22 June 2007; Country Report; Afghanistan") [ID 21951]

"The increasing conflict has caused the displacement of 15,000 families (approximately 80,000 persons) from Uruzgan, Helmand and Kandahar provinces. The insecurity in Afghanistan ismarked by:

• an increased threat from and destabilization caused by AGE, in the south, south-east
and eastern regions and increasingly in the North (e.g. recent suicide bombing in
Kunduz, IEDs in Badghis)
• intensified counter-insurgency activities by ISAF include aerial bombardment
• increased incidents in civilian casualties during 2006 and 2007
• continued presence of commanders/warlords4 and the failure of DIAG, exposing the
government’s inability to provide protection. In some provinces the government is
unable to provide security beyond district centres.
• abuse of civilians by uniformed agents of the state including police, army and NDS

Since the second half of 2005 onwards there is a marked increase in insurgent-related attacks through the use of:

a) IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), VBIEDs (Vehicle Borne Improvised
Explosive Devices, i.e. car bombs), suicide bombers5,
b) targeted assassinations (e.g. the provincial head of Ministry of Women’s Affairs
in Kandahar in September 2006),
c) attacks on "soft targets" such as schools, teachers, journalists and religious
figures, MPs, Provincial Council members to end support for the GOA and
demonstrate the weakness of the government"

Document(s): Open document

23.10.2007 - Source: Asia Foundation

Survey on public opinion on security, reconstruction, governance (national mood, security, development and economy, local government, judicial system, democracy, women and society) ("Afghanistan in 2007: A Survey of the Afghan People") [ID 21473]

Document(s): Open document

23.10.2007 - Source: Asia Foundation

Security situation and perception of insecurity varies regionally ("Afghanistan in 2007: A Survey of the Afghan People") [ID 21667]

"Increasing insecurity in Afghanistan over the last one year was reflected in public perception with the survey revealing an increased concern with security. However, the perceptions varied widely regionally and there was considerable difference in the perception of insecurity nation-wide and at the provincial, local and neighbourhood level. [...]

It is identified as being problematic in South-Western, Western, South-Central and Central-Hazarajat. While,specially those in the Central/Kabul region (86%) and the Northern region (89%)rate the security situation as good."

Document(s): Open document

16.08.2007 - Source: Asian Centre for Human Rights

Article on situation in Afghanistan after "Joint Peace Jirga" (Increase of Taleban influence, human rights violations by Talebans and multinational forces) ("How far is Afghanistan from becoming Iraq?") [ID 20976]

Document(s): Open document

24.07.2007 - Source: BBC News

Kabul: Security is tight ahead of the funeral of the country's last king, Zahir Shah ("Former Afghan king to be buried") [ID 20692]

Document(s): Open document

06.07.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Helmand Province: Residents face wave of lawlessness which might be worse than rule of Taleban: Corrupt police, foreign bombings, kidnappings, robbery fuel deteriorating security situation ("Helmand: Trouble on All Fronts") [ID 20690]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Government and international partners unable to ensure security ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 20282]

"The government and its international partners were unable to ensure security and a climate of political uncertainty grew in the course of the year. Armed conflict, marked by aerial bombardments and suicide bombings, escalated in southern parts of the country. At least 1,000 civilians were killed. Poor governance, the power of regional commanders and the impact of narcotics undermined the rule of law and human rights. Government security bodies committed human rights violations with impunity. There was little reform of judicial, law enforcement and security agencies. Women continued to face violence. Human rights defenders, including women, were targeted and killed. It became increasingly dangerous to speak out against human rights abuses and for justice."

Document(s): Open document

17.05.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Northern Afghanistan: Insurgent attacks on rise; some say it is tactic designed to draw international military forces away from South, others caution that violence is home-grown, partly sponsored by local drug barons, partly product of desperation and poverty ("Taleban Create Diversion in Northern Afghanistan") [ID 20281]

Document(s): Open document

05.05.2007 - Source: Reuters

Chronology of killings and kidnappings of aid workers since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001 ("CHRONOLOGY-Danger stalks aid workers in Afghanistan") [ID 19964]

Document(s): Open document

03.05.2007 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Herat province: Up to 60 civilians may have died, almost 1,600 families displaced, many others need humanitarian assistance two days after US war planes bombed several villages, officials say ("Some 1,600 displaced after US air raids") [ID 20273]

Document(s): Open document

23.04.2007 - Source: ReliefWeb

According to top economic official level of destruction was far underestimated from the beginning which fuelled unrealistic expectations about how fast the country could be rebuilt ("Interview- Afghan destruction underestimated, adviser says"), Autor: Reuters Foundation [ID 19961]

Document(s): Open document

17.04.2007 - Source: Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission

Attacks by armed groups as well as national and international forces have repeatedly resulted in the killing and injury of civilians ("Violations of international humanitarian law in Afghanistan practices of concern and example cases") [ID 19611]

"Attacks by armed groups as well as military operations by national and international forces have repeatedly resulted in the killing and injury of civilians and the destruction of civilian property. International humanitarian law prohibits all forms of violence to life and person directed against any persons taking no active part in hostilities. The intentional targeting of civilians and civilian objects are forbidden. Attacks may only be directed against military targets and the attacking party must do everything feasible to verify that the objectives to be attacked are indeed military in nature. Any civilian casualties caused by such attacks (referred to as “collateral damage”) must not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military adThere have been some particularly egregious cases in which civilians have been the primary target of an attack. In most instances, however, civilian casualties are the result of operations whose primary purpose is the pursuit of military objectives. Frequently, such casualties are out of proportion to the military benefits of the operation or attack and their infliction thus constitutes not legitimate collateral damage but a serious violation of international humanitarian law.vantage anticipated from the attack."

Document(s): Open document

16.04.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Overview of civilian deaths from insurgent attacks ("The Human Cost; The Consequences of Insurgent Attacks in Afghanistan") [ID 19610]

Document(s): Open document

04.2007 - Source: British Agencies Afghanistan Group

Violence is now being used to intimidate those who are cooperating with state organs or international forces ("BAAG Afghanistan Monthly Review; April 2007") [ID 20268]

"After a period in which international forces were the primary targets of terrorist attacks, there would now appear to be a pattern in which violence, or the threat of violence, is being used to intimidate those who are deemed to be cooperating with the state-building process or with international forces. It is largely Afghans who are being targeted and they include those working in the Afghan National Army (ANA), in the police, as security guards or as support staff for, for example, the aid community or international journalists. In addition, the population is being warned, through a resort to violence, not to pass information on to international forces. A further pattern is an evident willingness to draw on methods of violence which are especially brutal."

Document(s): Open document

29.03.2007 - Source: ReliefWeb

Powerful warlords and smaller commanders in relatively calm North and West are reportedly latent threat to fragile government because of their stockpiles of arms ("Warlords and weapons - gunpowder for Afghanistan"), Autor: AFP [ID 19353]

Document(s): Open document

29.03.2007 - Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies

Security situation deteriorated since 2005; state security institutions have had problems with retention, staff effectiveness, corruption, and general oversight ("Breaking Point: Measuring Progress in Afghanistan") [ID 19360]

"Afghans are more insecure today than they were in 2005. This is due largely to the violence surrounding the insurgency and counterinsurgency campaigns, and the inability of security forces to combat warlords and drug traffickers. State security institutions have increased their operational capacity and have trained more personnel, but they—particularly the Afghan National Police— have had problems with retention, staff effectiveness, corruption, and general oversight."

Document(s): Report
Short summary

28.03.2007 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Province of Helmand: Conflict between the anti-government elements and the international forces has intensified in recent months, pushing more and more women out of the workforce back into their homes ("Women forced to quit work because of insecurity") [ID 19352]

Document(s): Open document

27.03.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Helmand: Over the past weeks, Lashkar Gah has become increasingly unstable, with bombs and murder almost daily fare; Taleban kill woman ("Taleban Target Helmand's Capital") [ID 19351]

Document(s): Open document

23.03.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Herat province: Once relatively stable, area becomes increasingly dangerous; government blames Taliban of sponsoring violence, but analysts suspect "jihadis", various armed fractions which used to fight against Soviets, Taliban and now against government ("Afghanistan's Wild West") [ID 19349]

Document(s): Open document

15.03.2007 - Source: UN General Assembly

Report of the Secretary-General on security situation, security institutions, political developments, economic and social developments, human rights and rule of law ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security [A/61/799–S/2007/152]") [ID 19345]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Some organisations forced to leave areas of the country due to attacks ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19506]

"Attacks on government security forces, international organizations, international aid workers and their local counterparts, and foreign interests and nationals increased during the year and prompted some organizations to leave areas of the country."

Document(s): Open document

05.03.2007 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Report on the human rights situation (discrimination, violence against women, armed conflict and violence, impunity, deficits in democracy, institutional capacity and technical cooperation) ("Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and on the achievements of technical assistance in the field of human rights [A/HRC/4/98]") [ID 19355]

"Violence linked with armed conflict was the deadliest in 2006 since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001. Although centred in the four southern provinces, it occurs over large areas from Kunar in the east to Farah in the west. Parts of the southern central highlands, notably Dai Kundi and Ghor, are also becoming destabilized and prone to violence.   Insurgent-related attacks increased from fewer than 300 a month at the end of March 2006 to over 600 by end September 2006. (In 2005, the average number of such attacks was an estimated 130 per month.) Suicide attacks have risen dramatically - in 2005, there were 17 such attacks; in 2006, 123 incidents were recorded by the United Nations, killing 237 civilians and injuring 624. In addition, 16 international military personnel and 52 Afghan soldiers and police were killed by suicide bombing attacks. During 2006, an estimated 4,000 people were killed, of whom at least one third were civilians."

Document(s): Open document

03.2007 - Source: British Agencies Afghanistan Group

Monthly overview on security incidents and human rights abuses ("BAAG Afghanistan Monthly Review; March 2007") [ID 19605]

"Civilians have again become victims of suicide attacks targeted at international forces or personnel, or at the police. International forces and the police have also been targeted. Those associated with the Afghan Government or with the international presence have remained highly vulnerable. Abductions, followed by murders, represent a highly disturbing aspect of recent incidents."

Document(s): Open document

21.02.2007 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Helmand province: Increasing insecurity has been pushing more and more women out of the workforce back into their homes; conflict between the anti-government elements and the international forces has intensified in recent months ("Women forced to quit work because of insecurity") [ID 18857]

Document(s): Open document

07.02.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Helmand: Report on infrastructure and security situation ("Afghanistan: NATO Struggles With Security, Rebuilding In Helmand") [ID 18788]

Document(s): Open document

02.2007 - Source: Senlis Council

Report on the insurgency & counter-insurgency, including the population's perceptions ("Countering the insurgency in Afghanistan: Losing friends and making enemies") [ID 19343]

"The current insurgency consists of two different types of insurgency: one driven by political and religious concerns, another by economic incentives and legitimate grievances. The latter insurgency – a ´grassroots´ movement largely fed by social protest, unemployment and different grievances the people hold against the government and the international community – is significantly larger than the former group. It lacks the political purpose and fundamentalist nature of its counterpart. Structural unemployment, despair and extreme poverty provide an ideal recruiting ground for this insurgency. The practice of counter-insurgency in Afghanistan has so far predominantly focused on military instruments to fight against the insurgency. By doing this, it has wrongfully left out all the non-military elements that form part of counter-insurgency theory: for example humanitarian aid, economic development, establishing health care and developing the educational system. Five years after the international community committed to stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan, these instruments have been insufficiently funded and implemented. Instead, what Afghans in the south see in their daily lives from the international community are mere negative policy instruments. They see military bombing campaigns, where bombs do not distinguish between innocent civilians and insurgents. The policy of poppy crop eradication reinforces poverty and fuels both anger towards the government and the international community, while it also provides the insurgency with an easy recruitment base."

Document(s): Open document

17.01.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

On security and humanitarian situation; deportees, unlike people who return voluntarily, are generally not entitled to receive support from IOM's RANA programme (position paper) ("Keine extreme Gefahrenlage in Afghanistan?") [ID 19071]

Document(s): Open document

17.01.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Development of security and humanitarian situation in 2006; support through IOM's RANA programme (Return, Reception and Reintegration of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan) is generally not available for deportees (expert opinion, in German) ("Stellungnahme vom 17.1.2007 an VGH Hessen - 8 UE 1913/06.A -") [ID 19072]

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

More than 3.000 Afghans have died in the violence in 2006 ("World Report 2007") [ID 18392]

"At this writing, more than 1,000 civilians have been killed in 2006 as a result of violence related to the insurgency, most of them in southern Afghanistan. Overall more than 3,000 Afghans have died in the violence in 2006, twice as many as in 2005 and more than in any other year since the 2001 fall of the Taliban. The United Nations estimated that the violence displaced 15,000 families—about 80,000 people—in southern Afghanistan."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Economic and security situation still volatile; AI advocates not to return refugees to Afghanistan ("Ab in den Hindukusch") [ID 18790]

Document(s): Open document

30.12.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

US commander expects increased Afghan violence ("U.S. Commander Predicts Increased Afghan Violence") [ID 18103]

Document(s): Open document

22.12.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Semi-annual risk assessment (May - November 2006) and country stability ("FAST Update Afghanistan: Semi-Annual Risk Assessment May - Nov 2006"), Autor: Swiss Peace [ID 18389]

Document(s): Open document

11.12.2006 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Precarious security situation continues; according to the U.S. Department of State Afghan authorities are struggling to maintain security ("Afghanistan; Update") [ID 18380]

"Bewaffnete Auseinandersetzungen zwischen rivalisierenden Kriegsherren, Raubüberfälle, zahllose Landminen und Blindgänger sowie – in einzelnen Gebieten – Gefechte zwischen ausländischen Truppen und Taliban-Kämpfern bilden nicht kalkulierbare Sicherheitsrisiken.

Das U.S. Department of State weist aktuell darauf hin, dass die Fähigkeiten der afghanischen Behörden, die Ordnung aufrechtzuerhalten sowie die Sicherheit afghanischer Zivilpersonen zu garantieren, begrenzt sei. Reisen in sämtliche Gebiete Afghanistans, Kabul ausdrücklich eingeschlossen, werden aufgrund von Militäroperationen, Minen, Banditentum, bewaffneten Rivalitäten unter politischen Gruppierungen oder Stämmen sowie Terroranschlägen als unsicher eingestuft."

Document(s): Open document

04.12.2006 - Source: UN Security Council

General security situation remains precarious throughout the country; terrorism poses serious threat to the nation-building process ("Report of the Security Council mission to Afghanistan, 11 to 16 November 2006 [S/2006/935]") [ID 18606]

"Security was the dominant concern in Afghanistan. Many of the mission’s interlocutors expressed apprehension about the rise in violence in Afghanistan, especially in the south, south-east and east of the country. President Karzai contrasted the intensity of the fighting in 2006 — between Afghan and international security forces and insurgent and terrorist elements — with the relative calm of 2003 and 2004. The insurgency appeared more or less confined to one third of the country. The remaining two thirds of Afghanistan (west, north and central regions) were considered comparatively stable. However, limited factional tensions were emerging in the north and trends towards rearmament had been detected. The security situation in general remained precarious throughout the country, with the threat of suicide attacks and other forms of terrorism by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups posing a serious threat to the nation-building process. After a worrying upsurge in the number of security-related incidents in the country throughout the spring and summer of 2006, there were signs that insurgent- and terrorist-related violence, which had plagued the country for much of the year, might be subsiding. The mission was told by ISAF and President Karzai’s National Security Council that armed clashes between insurgents and Afghan and international military forces had decreased in October and November. ISAF Commander General David J. Richards noted that Operation Medusa in Kandahar Province in September 2006 had dealt the Taliban-led insurgency a heavy blow. He predicted that this and other recent operations by Afghan and international military forces had set the stage for a more stable winter and 2007. On the last point, however, more cautious views were expressed by UNAMA, the United Nations country team and civil society members. In any case, if there are medium-term gains, they would be dependent on the swift delivery of reconstruction, development and improved governance in insurgent-affected areas."

Document(s): Open document

07.03.2006 - Source: UN Security Council

Report of the UN Secretary-General on political process, security sector institutions, human rights, reconstruction process, security situation and UN activities ("The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security; Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan; Report of the Secretary-General [S/2006/145]") [#46440],  [ID 1611]

"A. Security situation
Characterization of the overall situation
39. The security situation over the past six months was characterized by a clear consolidation of previously reported trends in extremist activity. The operational tempo and tactical sophistication of insurgent and other anti-Government elements have continued to develop. These activities pose an increasing threat to the local population, national security forces, international military forces and the international assistance effort. Violence and threats against local officials, religious leaders, teachers and staff and facilities of the education system have continued and intensified, in particular in the south and south-east of the country. Corruption, the menace of a criminalized economy, dominated by drug and other organized criminal networks, and the presence of illegally armed groups have continued to undermine the authority of the legitimately elected government.
40. Over the course of the reporting period, insurgents and other anti-Government elements increasingly employed more sophisticated and lethal tactics, such as the use of complex improvised explosive devices, well-planned ambushes and technically advanced multiple rocket attacks. Perhaps of greatest concern is the steep rise in the number of suicide bombings. Prior to 2005, there had been only five cases in the three preceding years. In 2005, there were 17. By 23 February 2006, the annual total for 2006 already stood at 11. This represents 65 per cent of the 2005 total in a two-month period. The lethality of these attacks has also grown. In 2006, the average number of victims per attack was 11, up from 5.4 in 2005.
41. Up to November 2005, a significant proportion of security related incidents involved clashes between anti-Government elements and security forces, primarily international military forces. Since most of those incidents resulted in the defeat of anti-Government elements, attacks against foreign military forces have been decreasing in favour of attacks against Afghan security forces and against soft targets (Government and social institutions), by entities that are difficult to detect or identify. This changing tactic is evident in four principal threat areas; namely: improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, kidnapping and attacks against the education system.
42. Insurgents departed from the seasonal trend of past years by maintaining a high level of operational activity throughout the winter period. The first months of 2006 witnessed a rising level of insurgent attacks, in particular in the south and east of the country. Indeed, the number of anti-Government elements-related incidents has grown, unabated, since 2003. Of particular note is that the frequency of such attacks during the latter half of 2005 and the start of 2006 (200 per month) was higher than during any of the previous reporting periods, including the presidential elections of 2004. Over the past six months, the incidence of successful improvised explosive device attacks compared with the previous half year has increased by over 50 per cent. Anti-Government elements also appear to have expanded their theatre of operations into traditionally calmer areas of the west, north and north-east of the country. Activities include the use of improvised explosive devices (previously rare in these areas), as well as four suicide attacks or attempts in Mazari Sharif andBalkh between October and January. In December, Hirat suffered its first recorded suicide attack.
43. Kidnapping is not a new trend in Afghanistan and numerous incidents of abductions of nationals for revenge or criminal reasons continue. Foreigners have also been targets in the past. The cases of the three United Nations election workers in 2004, the CARE aid worker in May 2005, the Indian road engineer (later killed) in November 2005 and the recent kidnapping of two Nepalese on 11 February (one released and one killed) are stark examples. Numerous reports received in January and February 2006 indicate criminal and anti-Government elements intent to kidnap foreigners for political leverage and/or ransom, primarily in Kabul and the eastern region of the country.
44. The reporting period was marred by methodical attempts to undermine the education system. Incidents included the burning or bombing of schools; the assassination of principals, teachers and officials and threats to students. These attacks have led to the closure of all schools in 6 districts and the closure of a substantive number of schools in 10 other districts of the southern region. In 2005, there were 99 such attacks, primarily in the southern region, south-eastern region and eastern region. Based on the 2006 rate of incidents, the annual projection extends to 144.
45. Publications in Europe depicting caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad sparked country-wide demonstrations in February, some of which turned violent, resulting in 6 persons dead and 14 injured. Clashes with provincial reconstruction teams in Meymana (Faryab) and Pul-i-Khumri (Baghlan) also broke out. United Nations staff in Meymana were temporarily relocated for more than two weeks, returning on 23 February. While demonstrations continue to be held on some provinces, they have been largely peaceful. Subsequent investigations suggested that the riot was not spontaneous and was a carefully planned and orchestrated event, explicitly targeting the provincial reconstruction team."

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06.03.2006 - Source: Refugees International

Security situation in the South deteriorating, reports UN ("UN worries over worsening Afghan security (AFP)") [#45838],  [ID 1612]

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23.02.2006 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Several schools have been attacked in the last year; insecurity remains the country's main problem ("New UN envoy calls for end to attacks on schools") [#45164],  [ID 1613]

"Insecurity remains a major problem for Afghanistan, where about 1,600 people were killed last year in militant violence, making 2005 the deadliest year since the collapse of the hardline Taliban regime in 2001."

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03.02.2006 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Update on situation in Afghanistan (political and security situation, constitution and judicial system, human rights situation, socio-economic and medical situation, return) ("Afghanistan - Update zur Lage") [#44069],  [ID 1614]

"Das Eidgenössische Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten weist im Februar 2006 auf die prekäre Sicherheitslage in Afghanistan hin. Der UN Sicherheitsrat hält fest, dass mangelnde Sicherheit weiterhin das grösste Problem darstellt. Gewalt geht von diffusen Akteuren aus. Bei Gefechten und Anschlägen wurden 2005 mehr als 1'600 Personen (Aufständische, Beamte, Soldaten und Zivilpersonen) getötet. [...]
NATO/ISAF-Truppen und US-Koalitionstruppen sind zur Stabilisierung des Landes und im Kampf gegen den Terror aktiv. Polizei und Militär haben kaum die Hälfte der anvisierten Grösse erreicht und weiterhin keinen landesweiten Einfluss. Gelegentlich kommt es auch zu gewaltsamen Zusammenstössen zwischen Polizei und Militär. In mehreren Provinzen vermischen sich Sicherheitskräfte mit kriminellen Elementen. Wegen zunehmender Anschläge gegen die afghanische Armee ausserhalb Kabuls kam es zu einer Zunahme von Desertionen. [...]
Taliban / Al Kaida / Hezb-e-Islami (Kämpfer von Gulbuddin Hekmatyar) / Bara bin Malek Front (Kämpfer von Mullah Ismail) greifen im Süden und Osten vermehrt Stationen und Konvois der Polizei, des Militärs und von US-Soldaten an, erstellen Hinterhalte oder Strassenbomben und kontrollieren Teile der Provinzen Zabul, Uruzgan, Kandahar, Helmand und Kunar. Es kommt zu Selbstmordattentaten, Bombenanschlägen, Angriffen auf staatliche Einrichtungen und Attentate auf Einzelpersonen. In unsicheren Gebieten z.B. im Südosten des Landes wird Sicherheit durch die Stämme gewährleistet.
Lokale Kriegsherren und Milizen verfügen weiterhin über Waffen, welche landesweit zur Einschüchterung und Beherrschung der Zivilbevölkerung eingesetzt werden. Zudem ist die Beziehung zwischen der Zentralregierung und Kriegsherren in den Provinzen weiterhin angespannt.12 Im Süden besteht aufgrund des Einflusses von Kriegsherren und Taliban eine «doppelte Bedrohung». [...]
Organisierte Kriminalität ist landesweit ein ernsthaftes Problem. [...] Der Drogenhandel stellt ein ernsthaftes Sicherheitsproblem dar. [...]Menschen- und Organhandel stellen ernsthafte Probleme dar. [...]
Weiterhin enden Landkonflikte zwischen Familien und Stämmen in gewaltsamen Zusammenstössen mit tödlichem Ausgang. Zudem kommt es zu Landkonflikten zwischen zurückkehrenden Flüchtlingen und der lokalen Bevölkerung. RückkehrerInnen finden ihre Häuser oder Grundstücke in der Regel durch andere Personen oder Familien besetzt vor, welche nicht selten direkte Unterstützung durch lokale Kriegsherren besitzen. Kommandeure und Mitarbeiter der Regierung werden häufig beschuldigt, gewaltsam Eigentum (Land, Häuser, Läden und Wohnungen) zu beschlagnahmen, zu zerstören und zu verbrennen."

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07.11.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

No changes in repatriation process of Afghan refugees from Iran since last June; security concerns made Afghans reluctant to return ("No changes in repatriation process of Afghan refugees from Iran (DPA)") [#38653],  [ID 1615]

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22.08.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Security situation worsening in prelude of 18 September parliamentary elections ("Afghanistan: Violence Spiraling As Elections Near") [#35703],  [ID 1616]

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12.08.2005 - Source: UN Security Council

Report on implementation of Bonn agreement, security situation and post-electoral agenda ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security; Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan [S/2005/525]") [#35526],  [ID 1617]

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13.01.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Local commanders and warlords remain chief source of insecurity in Afghanistan; government has started action against Fahim and Ismail Khan ("World Report 2005") [#28207],  [ID 1618]

"Political repression, human rights abuses, and criminal activity by warlords—the leaders of militias and remnants of past Afghan military forces, who were brought to power with the assistance of the United States after the Taliban’s defeat—are consistently listed as the chief concerns of most Afghans. However, the marginalization of two major warlords—Marshall Fahim, the first vice president and defense minister, and Ismail Khan, self-styled Emir of Herat—raised hopes that President Karzai and the international community had begun to reverse their policy of relying on warlords to provide security."

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13.01.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Insecurity prevails particularly in the Northwest and South/Southeast of Afghanistan ("World Report 2005") [#28207],  [ID 1619]

"Many districts remain insecure because of violence caused by factions ostensibly affiliated with the government. The medical aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors Without Borders), decided to pull out of Afghanistan after five MSF workers were killed in the northwest of the country in June 2004—a momentous decision given that MSF worked in Afghanistan through the worst violence of the early 1990’s. Overall, nearly fifty aid workers and election officials were killed in 2004, far higher than in any previous period.
In the south and southeast of the country, Taliban remnants and other anti-government forces outside Afghanistan’s political framework have continued to attack humanitarian workers and coalition and Afghan government forces. As a result of attacks, international agencies suspended many of their operations in affected areas, and development and humanitarian work has suffered as a result. In some areas—like Zabul and Kunar province—whole districts are essentially war zones, where U.S. and Afghan government forces engage in military operations against Taliban and other insurgent groups. Hundreds of Afghan civilians were killed in 2004 during these operations—in some cases because of violations of the laws of war by insurgents or by coalition or Afghan forces."

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12.2004 - Source:

Deteriorated stability and high number of violent actions [ID 1620]

The swiss peace's quarterly FAST Updates use an analytic risk assessing indexing system (which is explained in the annex of each FAST Update)

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26.11.2004 - Source: UN General Assembly

Report focused on political developments, security situation (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, police and justice reform) human rights situation, health and nutrition, voluntary repatriation and reintegration ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security - Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan A/59/581 S/2004/925") [#27496],  [ID 1622]

"12. In the months prior to election day and the deployment of additional security forces which took place in the final weeks before the elections, there was a build-up of serious security incidents. Some of these were directed against the electoral effort, but others were directed more generally against peace and reconstruction activities. On 10 June, 10 Chinese road workers were killed, the highest death toll suffered by non-combatant expatriates in a single incident in Afghanistan. The killing of five employees of Médecins sans frontières on 2 June was the worst attack against humanitarian workers since the fall of the Taliban, causing the organization to withdraw completely. On 12 September, following the decision by President Karzai to replace the Governor of Herat, Ismail Khan, several hundred protesters attacked and burned the UNAMA office in Herat and looted the offices of other United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. The fact that these attacks occurred in areas previously thought not to be at high risk was of serious concern. Similarly, security in the south and south-east deteriorated to the point where large areas were effectively out of bounds to the assistance community, and government officials were frequent targets of attacks. There were real concerns over the impact that this obvious deterioration of the security situation might have on the credibility of the elections. Significant extraordinary measures were therefore taken to safeguard the election.

15. Without substantial progress in addressing the sources of insecurity, reconstruction efforts and the establishment of viable State institutions will continue to falter, and the economy may well be subsumed by the illicit-drugs industry. The deployment now of additional international forces, with robust and uniform rules of engagement, can provide the critical space in which progress can be made in the mutually reinforcing areas of security-sector reform, anti-narcotics activities, reconstruction, expansion of government authority and imposition of the rule of law."

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11.2004 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Security situation deteriorated in the last 18 months ("The political conditions, the security and human rights situation in Afghanistan; Report on fact-finding mission to Kabul, Afghanistan 20 March – 2 April 2004") [#27424],  [ID 1621]

"3. The security situation
3.1 The general security situation
Most sources were of the opinion that the security situation, particularly for foreigners and for Afghans working for foreign nationals has become worse during the last 18 months.
The International Office for Migration (IOM) mentioned that the security situation got significantly worse in the middle of 2003. It has improved a little since then, but it is uncertain how the situation will develop during the next six months. There is always a risk that something may explode in a particular area. The source mentioned that an increasing number of Afghans are dissatisfied with the operations of the coalition forces in the southern and southeastern parts of Afghanistan. The source stressed that the preparations for the elections in September might lead to intensified instability.
The UNHCR mentioned that the security situation for people who support the government has become markedly worse since the beginning of 2003, when an employee from the ICRC was killed. Since then many aid workers have been the targets of attacks.
The source found that the security situation has improved during the last two months but emphasized that it varies within each district, and that one should be aware of the fact that each district has its own specific power structure.
The EU Special Representative was of the opinion that the security situation had not changed significantly for the ordinary Afghan in the last eighteen months. The security situation for Afghans connected with foreign nationals however is not particularly good, especially outside Kabul where Taliban has increased their activities. The source stressed that there continues to be a complete lack of law and order throughout the country. The government does not control most provinces, which are ruled by powerful warlords. It is not only powerful warlords but also local commanders who use force and power against the civilians, for example in conflicts regarding private property.
The Norwegian Chargé d’Affaires found it problematic that areas with poor security experience little or no development. This increases dissatisfaction towards the government. The population in these areas is likely to turn against the government, which makes the security situation worse.
The Norwegian Chargé d’Affaires pointed out that the increase in opium cultivation and drug trafficking are factors, which undermine the country’s security. There are strong political and financial powers involved, which will oppose against a reduction in the production of drugs. Opium is grown in 28 of 34 provinces. It is expected that 6000 tonnes of opium will be produced per year, meaning that the production will reach the same level as before the Taliban era. The opium eradication campaign can negatively influence the farmer’s situation. Many of the opium farmers borrow money secured upon the expected harvest. If the farmer’s crops are destroyed, poverty will increase enormously in the rural districts.

The Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees (DACAAR) also mentioned that the security situation has got gradually worse since March 2003 when an international employee of the ICRC was killed. In May 2003 the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar published a decree that made aid organizations and allied local Afghans legitimate targets. This worsened the security situation for these groups. Other groups of civilians are to a lesser extent affected by the aggravated security situation. The organization has had to leave a number of provinces due to the aggravated security situation.
The Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) also mentioned that relief organizations and governmental authorities do not have access to parts of southern and southeastern areas. ACBAR explained that in areas with little security the local population has lost faith in the peace process because warlords are still in power, and because the central government does not respond to the situation. ACBAR informed that the NGOs obtain security by creating networks with the local population through the local councils of elders (Shuras). The local population warns the NGOs if they become aware of any enemy activities or bomb attacks. In this way, NGOs do not have to enter into direct agreements with, or to get permission from warlords in order to work in a specific area."

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11.10.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

At least 2 people injured in rocket attacks on number of urban centres; election observers allegedly pressured voters in presidential election ("Elections Close Not With a Bang, But a Whimper") [#26364],  [ID 1623]

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30.09.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Security before upcoming elections remains top problem in most regions, where citizens live in fear of local commanders who kill, steal water and land, and demand money ("News Release: Nationwide Survey Reveals Voter Demands") [#26169],  [ID 1624]

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29.09.2004 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Durrani Pashtun Tribal Militias in and around Kandahar ("The Rule of the Gun. Human Rights Abuses and Political Repression in the Run-up to Afghanistan’s Presidential Election") [#25888],  [ID 1625]

"In the south, in areas in and around Kandahar province, military, police, and other governmental posts are mostly controlled by Pashtun Durrani subtribes—the Popalzais (the tribe of the Karzai family), the Alikozai, and the Barakzais. These tribal forces, which fought as mujahidin forces in the 1980s, are either controlled or allied in varying degrees with President Karzai. President Karzai’s brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, controls the Popalzai forces and maintains loose control over Alikozai and Barakzai commanders and leaders, some of whom also maintain close ties to Jamiat and Shura-e Nazar."

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29.09.2004 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Ismail Khan’s militia in and around Herat ("The Rule of the Gun. Human Rights Abuses and Political Repression in the Run-up to Afghanistan’s Presidential Election") [#25888],  [ID 1626]

"Until recently, western provinces in and around Herat were controlled by the militia of Ismail Khan, an Islamist mujahidin leader. Ismail Khan is loosely allied with Jamiat and Shura-e Nazar but has remained essentially autonomous. Until he was removed by President Karzai on September 12, 2004, he