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 Last update: 16 April 2012

 

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“Afghanistan is an Islamic republic; population estimates range from 24 to 33 million.” (USDOS, 8 April 2011, Introduction)

“Over three decades of armed violence has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians, and millions have emigrated.” (IRIN, 15 July 2010)

“The overall results of the 2004 presidential election and delayed 2005 parliamentary elections were broadly accepted by Afghans and the international community, despite allegations of intimidation by militias and insurgent groups, partisanship within the electoral administration, and other irregularities. However, the 2009 presidential and 2010 parliamentary elections were critically undermined by fraud and other problems, and state institutions have failed to provide effective governance or transparency. Afghanistan’s district council elections, which were scheduled to take place in 2010, were cancelled.” (FH, May 2011)

 

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“The large number of attacks by antigovernment elements limited the capability of the central government to protect human rights in many districts, especially in the south. Armed conflict intensified throughout the country, including previously unaffected areas. The marked deterioration in security posed a major challenge for the central government, hindering its ability to govern effectively, extend its influence, and deliver services, especially in rural areas.” (USDOS, 8 April 2011, Section 1g)

“Lingering doubts about the Karzai administration’s legitimacy, combined with the continued deterioration in security, posed a major challenge to the central and provincial governments as they struggled to control areas under their jurisdiction, deliver basic services, and engage in vital reconstruction efforts.“ (FH, May 2011)

“UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which had been managed by NATO since August 2003, completed the expansion of its security and reconstruction mission from Kabul to the rest of the country in 2006.” (FH, May 2011)

“UNHCR is also mindful that over the coming months some 150,000 US/NATO troops, backed by tens of thousands of Afghan forces, will be seeking to make military gains against the Taliban, thereby increasing the likelihood of an intensification and broadening of the conflict.” (UNHCR, 17 December 2010, p. 36)

“The core of the insurgency remains the Taliban movement centered around Mullah Umar, who led the Taliban regime during 1996-2001. Mullah Umar and many of his top advisers remain at large and are reportedly running their insurgency from their safe haven in Pakistan. […] faction of former mujahedin party leader Gulbuddin Hikmatyar (Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, HIG) allied with Al Qaeda and Taliban insurgents. […] Hikmatyar’s faction […] is now active against U.S. and Afghan forces in Kunar, Nuristan, Kapisa, and Nangarhar provinces, north and east of Kabul.” (CRS, 15 April 2011)

 

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“During 2001-mid-2006, U.S. forces and Afghan troops fought relatively low levels of insurgent violence. [… ] violence increased significantly in mid-2006, particularly in the east and the south, where ethnic Pashtuns predominate. Reasons for the deterioration include […] Afghan government corruption; the absence of governance or security forces in many rural areas [...] civilian casualties caused by NATO and U.S. military operations” (CRS, 15 April 2011, p. 22)

“[…] continued attacks by the Taliban-led insurgency, their expansion into previously stable areas, such as northern and western Afghanistan, as well as increased counter-insurgency operations by Afghan National Security Forces and international military forces. Incursions of foreign fighters and the deteriorating security situation along the border area with Pakistan also contributed to increased insecurity.” (UN Security Council, 3 February 2011, p. 2)

“Armed clashes and the use of improvised explosive devices constitute the majority of incidents. At the end of 2010, suicide attacks remained at an average of 2.8 per week compared to the weekly average of 2.6 through 2009. Abductions and assassinations continued through the last two months of 2010 and into January 2011. The southern city of Kandahar and its surrounding areas remained the focus of such incidents throughout the reporting period, with 20 suicide attacks and 33 assassinations occurring in the city, which is also the focus of activity for the Afghan national security forces and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).” (UN Security Council, 9 March 2011, p. 1)

“More civilians were killed in Afghanistan in May than in any other month since 2007, raising fears of a further escalation during the summer with serious humanitarian implications, according to Georgette Gagnon, the human rights director of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).” (IRIN, 17 June 2011)

“As the conflict intensified in the traditional fighting areas of the south and southeast and moved to districts in the west and north, civilians experienced a downward spiral in protection. At the same time, non-State armed groups or Anti-Government Elements (AGEs) [...] undertook unlawful means of warfare including increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) [...] targeted killings of high profile civilians, and attacks on protected places such as hospitals.” (UNAMA, July 2011 p. 1)

“Suicide attacks have increased significantly since March 2011, with 17 suicide attacks in April, including five complex attacks, a higher number than any month in 2010.” (UNGA, 23. Juni 2011, S. 1)

“Violence is at its worst since US-backed Afghan forces toppled the Taliban government in late 2001, with high levels of foreign troop deaths and record civilian casualties.” (Guardian, 14 September 2011)

“In 2010, women and children made up a greater proportion of those killed and injured than in 2009, with child casualties increased by 55 per cent from the same period in 2009. Three quarters of all civilian casualties were linked to armed opposition groups, an increase of 53 per cent from 2009.” (UN Security Council, 3 February 2011, p. 2)

“Continuing internal conflict resulted in civilian deaths, abductions, prisoner abuse, property damage, and the displacement of residents. The security situation remained a problem during the year due to insurgent attacks. According to a December report of the UN secretary-general, civilians continued to bear the brunt of intensified armed conflict as civilian casualties, including death and injuries, increased by 20 percent in the first 10 months of the year, compared with the same period in 2009. [...] Persistent Taliban and antigovernment activity, interfactional fighting between regional warlords, and criminal activity resulted in hundreds of unlawful killings and civilian casualties.” (USDOS, 8 April 2011, Section 1g)

“Airstrikes remained responsible for the largest percentage of civilian deaths caused by progovernment forces; UNAMA reported 171 civilians were killed between January and December. [...] The AIHRC and UNAMA Human Rights received reports that night searches in some areas were conducted against entire villages. Civilian casualties occurred from several of these operations” (UNAMA, 9 March 2011, i)

“ANSO reported that 401 civilians were killed by international and Afghan security forces, a decrease of 14 per cent from 2009. Air attacks remained the most harmful operations tactic, accounting for 53 per cent of civilian deaths attributed to international and Afghan security forces. Thirty-seven per cent of the deaths occurred during ground operations, including night raids. […] there was an increase in the number of night raids, particularly in the eastern and southern region of Afghanistan, which often resulted in civilian casualties.” (AI, 13 May 2011; see also ANSO, January 2011, p. 14)

“There were several incidents of alleged misuse of force by progovernment forces. Operations by progovernment forces resulted in civilian casualties due to "escalation of force" incidents, in which civilians were injured or killed at military checkpoints or within the vicinity of military convoys. These incidents accounted for 45 civilian deaths. The second leading cause of death of civilians at the hands of progovernment forces was action taken during search and seizure operations; the AIHRC/UNAMA report stated that 80 civilians were killed during the year, which represented an 18 percent decline from 2009.” (UNAMA, 9 March 2011, p. 31)

“Although international forces revised their rules of engagement to minimize civilian casualties, government and progovernment forces were responsible for civilian casualties. The joint AIHRC/UNAMA 2010 Annual Report on the Protection of Citizens in Armed Conflict stated that there were 2,777 conflict-related deaths during the year, an increase of 15 percent from 2009. However, progovernment forces were responsible for 440 deaths or 16 percent of total civilian deaths, a decrease of 26 percent.

Airstrikes remained responsible for the largest percentage of civilian deaths caused by progovernment forces; UNAMA reported 171 civilians were killed between January and December. The AIHRC/UNAMA report stated civilian deaths caused by aerial attacks decreased 52 percent compared with in 2009.” (USDOS, 8 April 2011, Section 1g)

“Suicide attacks and IEDs accounted for 55 percent of all civilian deaths caused by antigovernment forces during the year. [...] The number of civilians assassinated or executed by armed groups surged by more than 95 per cent, including public executions of children. The victims were accused of “supporting” the government or “spying” for the international forces.” (AI, 13 May 2011)

“Elders have reported from the Kandahar area that prior information by IM/ ANA to launch military operations caused the Taliban to plant more IEDs and intensify their campaign of intimidation against PGF [Pro Government Forces].” (UNHCR, 8 February 2011, p. 6)

“As a result of the increased tempo of security operations in northern and western provinces, an increasing number of anti-Government elements are seeking to join local reintegration programmes. As a reaction, insurgents are increasingly attacking those who choose to reconcile and reintegrate with the Government.” (UN Security Council, 9 March 2011, p. 2)

“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented 3,021 civilian deaths in 2011, an increase of eight percent over 2010 (2,790 civilian deaths) and a 25 percent increase from 2009 (2,412 civilian deaths). [...] 77 percent of all conflict-related civilian deaths in 2011 were attributed to Anti-Government Elements. [...] 14 percent of all conflict-related civilian deaths were attributed to Pro-Government Forces in 2011. [...] nine percent of the total, could not be attributed to a particular party to the conflict. […] Anti-Government Elements used improvised explosive devices more frequently and more widely across the country, conducted deadlier suicide attacks yielding greater numbers of victims, and increased the unlawful and targeted killing of civilians. Civilian deaths from aerial attacks by Pro-Government Forces increased in 2011 [...]. At the same time, the geographic distribution of civilian casualties shifted significantly particularly in the second half of 2011. As the armed conflict lessened in severity in the south and intensified in provinces in the southeast, east and north of the country, rising numbers of Afghan civilians in these areas were killed and injured, accounting for an increasing proportion of all civilian casualties nationally. […] In 2011, women and children again increasingly bore the brunt of the armed conflict.” (UNAMA, February 2012, pp. 1-2, 5) 

 

“Security is relatively good in the city; while insurgent attacks may disrupt daily life from time to time, in general people carry out their day-to-day business unhindered by security concerns.” (AREU, May 2011, p. 15)

“Kabul continued to be a key terrorist target during the year, although violence occurred in many parts of the country.” (USDOS, 8 April 2011, Section 1a)

 

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Bomb attack near bridge kills one policeman and injures 3 civilians (RFE/RL, 4 January 2011).

At least 4 people were killed and 29 wounded in a suicide motorcycle blast that was claimed by the Taliban, who said it targeted a minibus carrying Afghan spy agency employees (AFP, 12 January 2011).

Journalist Razaq Mamoon who was sprayed with acid while walking home; according to the victim his book on Iranian intelligence activities has made him a target (BBC, 19. January 2011).

“[…] suicide attack on a supermarket in Kabul's upmarket embassy district on Friday killed at least nine people, three of them foreign women, in the first major Taliban assault on civilians in the capital for nearly a year.” (Reuters, 28. January 2011) 

According to authorities, a suicide attack on a hotel killed at least 2 people and injured 2 others; the Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack (Reuters, 14 February 2011).

Suicide bombers wearing burqas have attacked a NATO base, lightly injuring 3 soldiers (RFE/RL, 2 April 2011)

“[…] there was an abduction of a business man from District 8 in Kabul City, a persistent issue from within the capital, a crime that falls under the purview of various abduction syndicates operating kidnap for ransom rings. [...] this latest incident was perpetrated by a group wearing ANSF uniforms, an unfortunately common enough element in such incidents.” (ANSO, 2 May 2011, p. 2)

“[…] suicide attacker entered the Afghan Defence Ministry in Kabul, shot dead two Afghan soldiers and wounded seven others […] the bomber was shot dead before he could set off the explosives attached to his body […]” (AlertNet, 18 April 2011)

“Eight US troops and a US contractor have been killed by an Afghan air force pilot at Kabul airport in an apparent argument […]. The pilot was also killed in the exchange. [...] The Taliban claimed responsibility for the incident in a text sent to AP but the authorities have not confirmed any insurgent activity.” (BBC, 27 April 2011)

“At least six people have been killed and 23 wounded in a suicide bomb attack on a military hospital […] Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack at the Mohammad Daud Khan military hospital […]” (Guardian, 21 May 2011)

“Three suicide bombers dressed in army uniform attacked a police compound in the old city in Kabul, where they killed nine people including three policemen and five civilians” (AlertNet, 18 June 2011)

“Afghan officials say a senior aide to President Hamid Karzai has been killed in an attack on his home in the Afghan capital.
More than three hours after the attack began at 8:30 p.m., sporadic shots still rang through the dark streets [...]“ (RFE/RL, 17 July 2011)

“At least 12 killed amid invasion of base used for education and helping Afghanistan's civil society groups” (Guardian, 19 August 2011)

“[...] suicide bombers targeted the British Council headquarters in mid-August, killing nine people.“ (Guardian, 14 September 2011)

“The Taliban has claimed responsibility for a series of violent, coordinated attacks in Kabul on the U.S. Embassy, NATO headquarters, and several other buildings. Six people are dead and 12 wounded [...]” (RFE/RL, 13 September 2011)

“An assault by Taliban insurgents on the heart of Kabul's diplomatic and military enclave ended after 20 hours when security forces killed the last of six attackers, a spokesman for the ministry of the interior has said.“ (Guardian, 14 September 2011)

“At least 25 people died in Kabul during Tuesday's 20-hour-long attack by insurgents on the US embassy, Nato headquarters and police buildings. [...] The dead included 11 civilians, among them children, along with at least four police and 10 insurgents. [...] Tuesday's attack, the most complex in Kabul to date, comes as US and other foreign forces begin to withdraw their troops.“ (BBC, 14 September 2011)

“Rabbani, who had been serving as head of an official council trying to negotiate a political settlement to the Afghan war, was killed by a suicide bomber on September 20 at his home in the Afghan capital. [...] A senior Afghan government official [...] told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that it was a top Taliban commander who had requested a meeting with Rabbani, who then blew himself up in the peace negotiator's presence. However, in an e-mail message on September 21 to RFE/RL, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected reports that the Taliban had claimed responsibility for the attack. [...] Rabbani, an ethnic Tajik described as around 70 years old, was president of the Afghan government from 1992-96, preceding Taliban rule, and had been a member of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. Masoom Stanekzai, a senior adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, was reportedly badly injured in the attack. Several others were wounded in the explosion.” (RFE/RL, 21 September 2011)

“A U.S. citizen was killed and another wounded when an Afghan employee of the U.S. government opened fire inside a CIA office in Kabul on Sunday [25 September], U.S. and Afghan officials said.” (AlertNet, 26 September 2011)

“A Taliban suicide bomber has rammed an explosives-laden car into a bus carrying members of the International Security Assistance Force in the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing 17 people. The US said initially that the Isaf personnel - eight civilians and five soldiers - were all American. But Canada later said one of its soldiers had died, and on Sunday the UK said two of its personnel perished. Three Afghan civilians and a police officer also died in the blast. Correspondents say it was one of the worst ground attacks against foreign troops since 2001, [...].” (BBC, 29 October 2011)

“Two rockets fired towards an area where tribal elders are meeting in the Afghan capital, Kabul, missed their target, officials say. It is unclear who fired the rockets but one civilian was injured.” Three days earlier, “a suicide bomber was shot dead in an attempted attack on the tented site in Kabul where 2,000 people were to meet” (BBC, 17 November 2011)

“Dozens of people have been killed when a suicide bomber attacked a packed shrine in Kabul […]. Witnesses said the bomber carried a backpack full of explosives into the crowd of worshippers outside the Abul Fazl shrine before detonating the device on Tuesday [6 December]. The shrine was packed with Shia worshippers who had gathered for Ashura, […]. Kabul police said 48 people had died and more than 100 were wounded in the attack.” (Guardian, 6 December 2011)

“A spokesman for an obscure Pakistani extremist group called Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al Almi claimed responsibility [for the attack] […].”  (Guardian, 6 December 2011)

 

“Reporters Without Borders condemns the acid attack on Parviz Safi, a cameramen for the state-owned English-language television station Press TV, by three unidentified men on 6 February in the Afghan capital, Kabul. […] The journalist suffered second-degree burns to his face but it missed his eyes and his life is not in danger.” (RSF, 14 February 2012) 

 

 

SOURCES: (all links accessed 16 April 2012)

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This featured topic was prepared after researching solely on ecoi.net and within time constraints. It is meant to offer an overview on an issue and is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status, asylum or other form of international protection. Every quotation comes from a document available on ecoi.net and is referred to via an ID-search.

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