The UN Secretary-General reported a 38 percent rise in conflict-related security incidents in Afghanistan from November 1, 2023, to January 10, 2024, compared to the same timeframe the previous year.
According to the report, the United Nations documented 1,508 security incidents, up from 1,090 incidents recorded during the same period in 2022-2023. The central region experienced the highest number of incidents, with 263, followed by the north-eastern region with 247 incidents.
A significant portion of the increase was attributed to narcotics-related incidents, which rose from 102 to 263. The majority of these were arrests of small-scale narcotics dealers. Efforts by the de facto authorities to curb methamphetamine production in the western region and halt narcotics trafficking into neighboring countries were noted, including arrests in the eastern and south-eastern regions.
The report also highlighted the arrest of at least six members of Hizb-ut Tahrir by the de facto authorities. Armed clashes remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease from 61 to 60 incidents compared to the previous year.
The armed opposition has not challenged the Taliban’s territorial control, with the Afghanistan Freedom Front continuing assassinations and small-scale attacks against de facto security forces. The group executed at least 24 verified attacks, increasingly targeting urban areas.
The National Resistance Front, most active in Parwan Province, conducted no attacks in its traditional stronghold of Panjshir. Other armed political opposition groups, like the National Battle Front, claimed attacks on social media, but these were not verified.
Daesh claimed three attacks between November 8, 2023, and January 10, 2024, a decrease from eight in the prior reporting period. These attacks included targeting Shi’a civilians and employees from Pul-e Charkhi prison in Kabul.
Daesh continued its focus on targeting Shi’a civilians and the de facto authorities, urging attacks on the international community, including the United Nations, through its propaganda.
The United Nations recorded 30 incidents directly affecting its personnel during this period, a slight decrease from 35 incidents in the same period in 2022-2023. These incidents included intimidation, theft, robbery, arrests, and other disruptions affecting UN compounds, offices, and property.
