The year 2024 in Afghanistan was marked by escalating attacks from ISIS-Khorasan and mounting security challenges for the Taliban. The ISIS threat grew so pronounced that a suicide bomber from the group managed to target Khalil Rahman Haqqani, a senior Taliban leader, in a high-profile assassination.
According to United Nations reports, ISIS-Khorasan carried out at least 19 terrorist attacks in Afghanistan during the year, targeting Hazara and Shia civilians, Sufi adherents, foreign nationals, and Taliban officials. Among the most significant incidents was a suicide bombing at the Ministry of Refugees compound, which claimed the life of Haqqani, a key figure in the Haqqani network and Taliban’s Minister of Refugees, on December 11, 2024.
Rising insecurity in 2024
Data from four quarterly reports by the United Nations reveals a troubling picture:
8,650 security incidents were recorded between November 2023 and November 2024.
156 civilians were killed, and 426 others injured, with many of these incidents attributed to ISIS-Khorasan.
ISIS-Khorasan’s Targets in 2024
Hazara and Shia civilians.
Sufi practitioners.
Foreign nationals and Taliban officials.
Ahmad Zia Saraj, a former National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief, suggested that ISIS-Khorasan has infiltrated civilian and security institutions within the Taliban regime. “Recent arrests in Taliban ministries indicate the depth of ISIS penetration, extending from provincial intelligence offices to the Ministry of Refugees,” Saraj said.
Former military officer Bismillah Taban highlighted the Taliban’s security vulnerabilities, pointing to unprecedented incidents such as a terrorist attack in Bamiyan, traditionally one of Afghanistan’s safest provinces, which targeted foreign tourists.
Armed resistance against Taliban
In addition to ISIS attacks, armed opposition groups carried out numerous assaults on Taliban forces throughout 2024.
The National Resistance Front (NRF), led by Ahmad Massoud, claimed 137 attacks against the Taliban.
The Afghanistan Freedom Front, headed by Yasin Zia, reported 77 attacks during the same period.
While these groups reported higher figures, United Nations data corroborates the numbers above.
Human rights violations
The United Nations also documented multiple instances of human rights abuses in Afghanistan during 2024:
17 extrajudicial killings of former military personnel and officials of the previous government.
67 arbitrary detentions.
14 cases of torture and mistreatment.
Additionally, nine extrajudicial killings and 59 arbitrary arrests of individuals accused of ties to ISIS or resistance groups were reported.
Airstrikes by Pakistan
In 2024, Pakistan conducted two airstrikes on Afghan territory, citing operations against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, both the Taliban and the United Nations confirmed civilian casualties, including women and children, in these attacks.
Details of Pakistan’s Airstrikes:
March 18, 2024: An airstrike in Paktika province killed eight people and injured two others.
December 24, 2024: A second attack reportedly killed over 46 individuals, including Waziristani refugees and Afghan civilians.
For Afghanistan, 2024 was a year of turmoil, characterized by the Taliban’s struggles to contain ISIS-Khorasan, resistance from armed opposition groups, and rising border tensions with Pakistan. These events underscore the volatile security situation in the country and the significant challenges facing its ruling authorities.
