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Home , Achin District, Adraskan, Afghana, Ahmad Aba District, Alikhel, Alizai (Pashtun tribe)

Staatendokumentation Country of Origin Information

Afghanistan Country Report Security Situation (EN)

from the COI-CMS

Country of Origin Information – Content Management System

Compiled on: 17.12.2020, version 3

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2 Inhaltsverzeichnis

Inhaltsverzeichnis 3

1 Country-specific notes 4

2 COVID-19 7

3 The security situation 11 3.1 ...... 22 3.2 ...... 33 3.3 Badghis ...... 38 3.4 ...... 42 3.5 ...... 47 3.6 ...... 53 3.7 Daikundi ...... 55 3.8Farah...... 59 3.9 Faryab ...... 64 3.10 ...... 69 3.11 Ghor ...... 75 3.12 Helmand ...... 79 3.13 ...... 86 3.14 Jawzjan ...... 93 3.15 ...... 99 3.16 Kapisa ...... 107 3.17 ...... 110 3.18 Kunar ...... 116 3.19 ...... 123 3.20 Laghman ...... 129 3.21 Logar ...... 133 3.22 Nangarhar ...... 136 3.23 Nimroz ...... 143 3.24 Nuristan ...... 147 3.25 Paktia ...... 150 3.26 Paktika ...... 155 3.27 Panjsher ...... 160 3.28 Parwan ...... 162 3.29 Samangan ...... 166 3.30 Sar-e Pul ...... 170 3.31 Takhar ...... 173 3.32 Uruzgan ...... 178 3.33 (Maidan) ...... 183 3.34 Zabul ...... 187

3 3.35 Connectivity ...... 192

4 1 Country-specific notes

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

References and Sources

Administrative units (districts and provinces of ):

• NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21, _https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-----.pdf , access 8/10/2020

Information on the number of districts, district boundaries and administrative affiliation of districts may vary. In 2020, the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) published a paper with the number of districts (388 in total). As this is the most up-to-date and comprehensive publication on the number and classification of districts in all of Afghanistan as of June 2020, the presentation of the security situation in the provinces is based on this classification. So-called „temporary“ districts are specifically identified, as are recent changes in district or provincial boundaries (NSIA 1/6/2020).

The transcription of Afghan proper names is generally not done according to universally applied rules. In the following, the spelling of the NSIA was largely adopted in the interests of uniformity. However, it is pointed out that variations are possible and common.

Safety-related incidents:

• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data: ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/da ta-export-tool/, access 8/10/2020

ACLED records safety-related incidents and fatalities by means of media monitoring, i.e. news reports on safety-related incidents that are available online are collected and the relevant events are included in the incident data record using a predefined coding scheme (ACLED 3/2020). However, not all areas in Afghanistan can be visited equally by journalists (HE 5/5/2019). ACLED also takes into account reports from Voice of , the ’s website (ACLED 3/2020). Information from the Taliban on the number of victims is often exaggerated (FAZ 19/10/2017). ACLED uses the smallest number of casualties found in the sources when counting the death toll. If the death toll figures in the sources are inaccurate (e.g. „numerous deaths“) or unknown, ACLED automatically codes ten deaths - or three deaths if it is known that there are less than ten deaths (ACLED 3/2020). The death toll figures are therefore estimates by ACLED.

ACLED records the following violent incidents: Fighting without territorial changes, fighting where a non-state actor occupies an area, fighting where a government reclaims areas, violence against civilians, so-called „remote violence“ - violence without the physical presence of the perpetrator of the violence (e.g. bomb attacks, IEDs, rocket attacks, etc.), as well as demonstrations and riots. The following non-violent events are covered: non-violent takeovers of territory, establishment of headquarters or bases, and strategic developments (ACLED 3/2020).

5 For more information about ACLED’s approach, please refer to ACLED’s current methodology: https://acleddata.com/acleddatanew/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2019/01/ACLED_Metho dology-and-Coding-Decisions-Around-the-Conflict-in-Afghanistan_Mar2020_update.pdf .

In the following, data from ACLED will be used to describe the security situation in the provinces, as it allows for a consideration of security incidents at the district level. Staatendokumentation provides tables of incidents that ACLED considers to be safety relevant and where ACLED counted at least one fatality. Data on the number of fatalities per district is also provided.

• GIM - Globalincidentmap: Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com

Globalincidentmap uses Internet-based global news media to collect worldwide security-related incidents related to terrorism and to present geo-referenced representations of such incidents under categories on an online map. Each security-related incident is always displayed with a refe- rence to the source. GIM’s classification by incident type is maintained by Staatendokumentation, with the exception of the two categories „Other Suspicious Activities“ and „General Terrorism News“, which Staatendokumentation assigns to the broader category „Other, undefined“ as they cannot be assigned to any specific grouping. Only incidents that Globalincidentmap attributes to insurgents or links to their actions, including bombings (successful or attempted), targeted killings or attempted killings, kidnappings, arson attacks, fire robberies and shootings, are re- corded and presented. Criminal incidents that are not linked to terrorist acts are not recorded. Activities of state actors are classified under the category „arrests, killings“.

In the following, data from Global Incident Map is used to describe the security situation in the provinces, as the data set allows security-related incidents to be viewed at the district level. Staatendokumentation provides tables of incidents that Globalincidentmap considers to be security relevant. Double entries were filtered out manually.

• UNAMA - Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org /sites/default/files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_februar y.pdf , Zugriff 5/11/2020

In the following, information on the number of civilian casualties provided by UNAMA in its reports on the protection of civilians in armed conflict is used. UNAMA verifies incidents through multiple checks and carries out on-site research, among other things. UNAMA uses at least three different, independent sources to verify civilian victims. Unverified incidents are not included in the reports. UNAMA points out that there may be gaps in the registration of civilian victims due to limitations associated with the research environment (UNAMA 2/2020).

Population data:

• NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21, _https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-----.pdf , access 8/10/2020

6 In the following, information on the population in Afghanistan is based on data from the National Statistics and Information Authority. Due to more than three decades of war and conflict in the country, it has not been possible to conduct a census since 1979/ The population figures for 2020-21 were therefore estimated based on the data from the household lists of 2003-05 (NSIA 1/6/2020).

Covid-19

The exact extent of the COVID 19 crisis in Afghanistan is unknown. The present country report only provides an overview and does not provide an exhaustive consideration of the current CO- VID-19 pandemic, because the measures introduced or to be introduced to combat the disease are subject to constant change. Especially affected by short-term changes are lockdown mea- sures, which restrict the freedom of movement and thus can have an impact on the possibilities to enter or leave certain countries and also influence the travel possibilities within a country.

In particular, serious information on the effects of the pandemic on the health care system, the supply situation and, in general, on the political, economic, social and other consequences can only be provided to a limited extent at this time.

The information collected here should therefore reflect the situation regarding COVID-19 in Afghanistan at the time of writing this report (12/2020). It should be noted that certain circum- stances (e.g. flight connections or the opening and closing of airports or possible lockdown measures) may change at short notice.

This information is updated at regular intervals. Additional information on the individual topics can be found in the respective chapters.

Quellen:

• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (3/2020): ACLED Methodology and Coding Decisions around the Conflict in Afghanistan, https://acleddata.com/acleddatanew/wp-content/up loads/dlm_uploads/2019/01/ACLED_Methodology-and-Coding-Decisions-Around-the-Conflict-in -Afghanistan_Mar2020_update.pdf Zugriff 29/10/2019 • FAZ - Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (19/10/2017): Talibanangriff in Kandahar fordert zahlreiche Tote, http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/kandahar-taliban-angriff-auf-militaerbasis-fordert-z ahlreiche-tote-15253597/html , • HE - Heise (5/5/2019): Afghanistan: Brutale CIA-Schattenmilizen, https://www.heise.de/tp/features /Afghanistan-Brutale-CIA-Schattenmilizen-4413419/html , Zugriff 22/8/2019 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- , pdf -اول • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files /afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , Zugriff 5/11/2020

Primary and secondary sources cited in reports of COI (Country of Origin Information) units of other EU countries working according to European standards are not reported separately.

7 2 COVID-19

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

With regard to the current number of cases of illness and death in the individual countries, Staatendokumentation recommends contacting the following WHO website: https://www.who. int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports or the Johns Hopkins University: https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740 fd40299423467b48e9ecf6 with daily updated figures, if you are interested or need information.

The first official case of COVID-19 infection in Afghanistan was detected on 24/2/2020 in Herat (RW 9/2020). According to a survey conducted by the Afghan Ministry of Health (Afghan MoPH), 35% of people in Afghanistan had signs and symptoms of COVID-19 between March and July 2020. 103,722 people were tested for the COVID-19 virus in Afghanistan by 2/9/2020 accord- ing to official government statistics (IOM 23/9/2020). According to official WHO figures, there were 43,240 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,617 deaths by 16/11/2020 (WHO 17/11/2020). Due to limited public health resources and testing capacity, testing criteria, the lack of people volunteering for testing, and the lack of a national death registry, confirmed cases of and deaths from COVID-19 are likely to be under-represented overall in Afghanistan. As the winter months approach, the slight increase in new cases suggests that a second wave of the pandemic is either imminent or has already begun (UNOCHA 12/11/2020).

Measures by the government and the Taliban

The Afghan Ministry of Health (MoPH) has taken various measures to prepare for and respond to COVID-19. „Rapid Response Teams“ (RRTs) visit suspected cases at home. The number of active RRTs varies from province to province, as their size and scope depends on the COVID-19 situation in the respective province. So-called „Fix Teams“ are stationed in hospitals, examine suspected COVID-19 patients on site and are available in every public hospital. Another part of the COVID-19 patients is in home care (isolation). However, home care and isolation is very difficult to impossible for most patients, as the spatial living conditions in Afghanistan are very limited (IOM 23/9/2020). Awareness-raising efforts include the dissemination of information through social media, posters, leaflets and the elders in the communities (IOM 23/9/2020; cf WB 28/6/2020).

Currently, there are no curfews in the cities of Kabul, Herat and -e Sharif. However, the Afghan Ministry of Health has encouraged people to maintain a physical distance of at least one meter, wear a mask, wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and avoid gatherings. Hotels, tea houses and other accommodation facilities are currently open (IOM 23/9/2020).

The Taliban allow access for medical helpers in areas under their control in connection with the fight against COVID-19 (NH 3/6/2020; cf Guardian 2/5/2020).

Healthcare system and medical care

As of 21/9/2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan had steadily decreased since the highest number of reported cases on 17/6/2020, which led to an easing of the situation

8 in hospitals (IOM 23/9/2020), although hospitals and clinics continue to report problems in maintaining or expanding the capacity of their facilities to treat patients with COVID-19 and in maintaining essential health services, especially in areas of active conflict. Healthcare facilities across the country continue to report deficits in personal protective equipment, medical supplies and devices for treating COVID-19 (UNOCHA 12/11/2020; cf. AA 16/7/2020, WHO 8/2020). In addition, the number of people infected with COVID-19 has recently risen again slightly (UNOCHA 12/11/2020).

The 18 public hospitals in Kabul have a total of 180 beds in intensive care units. The provincial hospitals each have at least ten beds in intensive care units. Private hospitals have a total of 8,000 beds, 800 of which have been equipped for intensive care. Both in Kabul and in the provinces, respiratory equipment is available for 10% of the beds in intensive care units. The staff hired in response to COVID-19 was trained by the government and organizations at the beginning of the pandemic (IOM 23/9/2020). UNOCHA reports, with reference to health sector sources, that the low number of people visiting health facilities is also due to people’s fear of infection with the virus (UNOCHA 15/10/2020), although the stigma associated with infection also plays a role (UNOCHA 12/11/2020).

The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the population’s access to medical treatment (AAN 1/1/2020) According to the IOM Afghanistan COVID-19 Protection Monitoring Report, 53 % of the population still has no realistic access to health services. In addition, 23 % of those inter- viewed by IOM reported that they cannot afford the desired preventive measures, such as the purchase of face masks. About one third of the returnees interviewed reported that they do not have access to hand washing facilities (30%) or soap/disinfectants (35%) (IOM 23/9/2020).

Socio-economic effects and labor market

The socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 affect food insecurity, which has now reached a level similar to that experienced during the drought of 2018 (UNOCHA 12/11/2020). In the first half of 2020, there was a significant increase in food prices, which rose by about 17% year-on-year in April 2020, following the introduction of border controls and lockdown-measures in the main urban centers. However, access to drinking water was not affected, as many of the households either have a well in the house or receive drinking water through a central water distribution channel. The impact of the trade disruptions on the prices of basic household goods has so far more than offset the impact of lower prices for key imports such as oil. The price increases seem to have slowed down since April 2020 following the distribution of wheat from strategic grain reserves, the enforcement of anti-price manipulation regulations and the reopening of borders for food imports (IOM 23/9/2020; cf. WHO 7/2020). According to the WFP (World Food Program), between March and November 2020 the prices of certain goods (sugar, oil, rice…) rose by between 18-31% (UNOCHA 12/11/2020). In addition, the COVID-19 crisis with its accompanying economic recession is a heavy burden on private households (AA 16/7/2020).

According to a World Bank report, the available indicators show signs of a rapidly shrinking economy in the first half of 2020, reflecting the impact of the COVID 19 crisis in the context of continuing uncertainty and insecurity. The impact of COVID-19 on the agricultural sector has so

9 far been limited. With favorable weather conditions during sowing, wheat production is expected to recover further after the 2018 drought. Lockdown measures have so far had limited impact on agricultural production and have not been enforced in rural areas. However, the production of fruit and nuts for processing and export is negatively affected by disruption of supply chains and closure of export routes (IOM 23/9/2020; cf. WB 15/7/2020).

There are no official government statistics that show how the labor market has been or will be affected by COVID-19. However, there are indications that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the economic situation in Afghanistan, including the labor market (IOM 23/9/2020; cf. AA 16/7/2020). The Afghan government warns that unemployment in Afghanistan will rise by 40 %. The lockdown measures have aggravated the existing precarious livelihoods to such an extent that by July 2020, 84% of those surveyed by IOM stated that without access to outside work (in the case of quarantine) they would not be able to meet their basic household needs for more than two weeks; this figure rises to 98 % in the case of a four-week quarantine (IOM 23/9/2020). Overall, the situation is very difficult, especially for day laborers, since many economic sectors are negatively affected by the lockdown measures in connection with COVID-19 (IOM 23/9/2020; cf. Martin/Parto 11/2020).

Women and children

The COVID-19 pandemic also had an impact on the education sector. The government ordered all schools to be closed in March 2020 (IOM 23/9/2020), and CBE classes (community-based education classes) were only recently reopened (IPS 12/11/2020). In public schools, only the up- per grades (for children aged 15 to 18 years) are currently open. All primary and lower secondary school classes are closed until further notice (IOM 23/9/2020). Children (especially boys) who were affected by the effects of the COVID-19 school closures now also face increased vulnera- bility to recruitment by the conflict parties. The crisis also aggravates the existing vulnerability of girls to child marriage and teenage-pregnancies (IPS 12/11/2020; cf. UNAMA 10.8/2020). The pandemic also has specific consequences for women, especially during a lockdown, including increased levels of domestic violence. Women and girls are additionally affected by the generally lower access to health care facilities (Martins/Parto: cf. AAN 1/10/2020).

Freedom of movement

In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, various border crossings and roads were temporarily closed (RFE/RL 21/8/2020; cf. NYT 31/7/2020, IMPACCT 14/8/2020, UNOCHA 30.6/2020), although all border crossings are currently open (IOM 23/9/2020). In July 2020 at least 15 civilians were killed on the Afghan side of the border when Pakistani forces allegedly fired heavy into civilian areas after demonstrators on both sides demanded the reopening of the border crossing and clashes broke out (NYT 31/7/2020).

The international airports in Kabul, Mazar-e Sharif, Kandarhar and Herat are currently served by international as well as domestic flights and there is also air traffic to national airports such as the one in Bamyan (Flightradar 24 18/11/2020). Currently, buses, shared cabs and airplanes are

10 operating between the provinces and cities. The current situation does not lead to any restrictions on freedom of movement (IOM 23/9/2020).

IOM Austria also currently supports returnees in the context of voluntary return and participation in reintegration programs. In addition to the organization of travels IOM Austria offers assistance with departure at Vienna International Airport (STDOK 14/7/2020). As of 22/9/2020, 70 partici- pants in the reintegration project Restart III have already been accepted and 47 persons have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan in the current year 2020 - lastly 13 persons each in August and September 2020 (IOM 23/9/2020).

Quellen:

• AA - Auswärtiges Amt [Federal Foreign Office - ] (16/7/2020): Bericht über die asyl- und abschieberelevante Lage in der Islamischen Republik Afghanistan (Stand: Juni 2020), https://ww w.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2035827/Ausw%C3%A4rtiges_Amt%2C_Bericht_%C3%BCber_die_asyl- _und_abschiebungsrelevante_Lage_in_der_Islamischen_Republik_Afghanistan_%28Stand_Jun i_2020%29%2C_16/07/2020.pdf , Zugriff 20.9/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (1/10/2020): Covid-19 in Afghanistan (7): The effects of the pandemic on the private lives and safety of women at home, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org /en/reports/economy-development-environment/covid-19-in-afghanistan-7-the-effects-of-the-pan demic-on-the-private-lives-and-safety-of-women-at-home/, Zugriff 18/11/20020 • Flightradar 24 (18/11/2020): https://www.flightradar24/com/38/14,61/2/4 , Zugriff 31/10/2020 • Guardian, the (2/5/2020): Civil war, poverty and now the virus: Afghanistan stands on the brink, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/02/afghanistan-in-new-battle-against-ravages-of-c ovid-19 , Zugriff 28/9/2020 • IMPACCT - IMPortation And Customs Clearance Together (14/8/2020): COVID-19 Afghanistan Bulletin n° 7-CIQP: 14 August 2020, https://wiki.unece.org/download/attachments/101548399/Af ghanistan_-_COVID-19_-_CIQP_Bulletin_7/pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1597746065204&a pi=v2 , Zugriff 18/11/2020 • IOM - International Organization for Migration (23/9/2020): Information on the socio-economic situation in light of COVID-19 in Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2039345/html , Zugriff 17/11/2020 • IPS - Inter Press Service (12/11/2020): Despite Conflict and COVID-19, Children Still Dream to Continue Their , http://www.ipsnews.net/2020/11/despite-conflict-covid-1 9-children-still-dream-continue-education-afghanistan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm _campaign=despite-conflict-covid-19-children-still-dream-continue-education-afghanistan, Zugriff 17/11/2020 • Martin, Lucile / Parto, Saeed (11/2020): On Shaky Grounds - COVID-19 and Afghanistan’s Social, Political and Economic Capacities for Sustainable Peace, https://www.fes-asia.org/news/on-shaky -grounds/, Zugriff 18/11/2020 • NH - The New Humanitarian (3/6/2020): In Afghanistan, the coronavirus fight goes through Taliban territory, https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2020/06/03/Afghanistan-Taliban-coronavirus -aid , Zugriff 18/11/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (31/7/2020): Border Clashes With Leave 15 Afghan Civilians Dead, Officials Say, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/world/asia/afghanistan-pakistan-border. html , Zugriff 17/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (21/8/2020): Pakistan Reopens Key Border Crossing With Afghanistan, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/pakistan-reopens-key-border-crossing-with-afghani stan/30796100.html , Zugriff 17/11/2020 • RW - Relief Web [Hall, Samuel] (9/2020): Brief report on the impact of COVID-19 on the situation of elderly people, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document-search/?asalt=8b1bb51cc9&country%5B% 5D=afg&countryOperator=should&useSynonyms=Y&sort_by=origPublicationDate&sort_order=d esc&content=Covid-19&page=5, Zugriff 17/11/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA [Tschabuschnig, Florian] (14/7/2020): Afghanistan: IOM- Reintegrationsprojekt Restart III, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2033512/html , Zugriff 17/9/2020

11 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10.8/2020): Afghanistan - PROTEC- TION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT MIDYEAR REPORT: 1 JANUARY—30 JUNE 2020, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unama_poc_midyear_report_2020_-_27_july-revi sed_10_august.pdf, Zugriff 18/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (12/11/2020): Afgha- nistan: COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Response, https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-c ovid-19-multi-sectoral-response-operational-situation-report-12-0 , Zugriff 17/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (15/10/2020): Afgha- nistan: COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Response, https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-c ovid-19-multi-sectoral-response-operational-situation-report-15 , Zugriff 17/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (30.6/2020): Huma- nitarian Response Plan Afghanistan 2018-2021, https://www.who.int/health-cluster/countries/a fghanistan/Afghanistan-Humanitarian-Response-Plan-COVID-19-June-2020.pdf?ua=1 , Zugriff 17/11/2020 • WB - World Bank, The (28/6/2020): Awareness Campains Help Prevent Against COVID-19 in Afghanistan, https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/awareness-campaigns-help-prevent-against- covid-19-afghanistan , Zugriff 19/11/2020 • WHO - World Health Organisation (17/11/2020): Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard, https://covid19/who.int/region/emro/country/af, Zugriff 17/11/2020 • WHO - World Health Organization (8/2020): Situation Report August 2020, http://www.emro.who.i nt/images/stories/afghanistan/situation-report-august2020.pdf?ua=1 , 20/10/2020 • WHO - World Health Organisation (7/2020): AFGHANISTAN DEVELOPMENT UPDATE JULY 2020 - SURVIVING THE STORM, https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports /documentdetail/132851594655294015/afghanistan-development-update-surviving-the-storm, Zugriff 19/11/2020

3 The security situation

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

The security situation in Afghanistan remains volatile (UNGASC 17/3/2020). The Afghan go- vernment remains in control over Kabul, the provincial capitals, most district centers and most parts of the main transit routes. Several parts of the main transit routes are disputed, threatening district centers. Since February 2020, the Taliban have maintained a high level of violence against the ANDFS (Afghan National Security Forces), while avoiding attacks against coalition forces around provincial capitals, probably to avoid risking the U.S.-Taliban agreement. Additionally, in February 2020, IS/ISKP began terrorist attacks against the ANDSF and coalition forces for the first time since the loss of its main fortress in in November 2019 (USDOD 1/7/2020). The number of Taliban attacks on state security forces corresponded to the level of the spring offensives of previous years, even though the offensive has not yet been officially declared this year (AA 16/7/2020; cf REU 6/10/2020).

The implementation of the U.S.-Taliban agreement, contested presidential election results, re- gional political tensions between the and , prisoner-release discussions, war, and the COVID-19 global health crisis have made the second quarter of 2020 perhaps the most complex and challening period in the last two decades for the Afghan National Defense and Se- curity Forces (ANDSF), according to the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) (SIGAR 30.7.2020).

12 The conflict in Afghanistan is still in a ’strategic stalemate’ that can only be resolved through negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban (SIGAR 30/1/2020). For the first time, the Afghan government held personal talks with the Taliban, and negotiations were held on the exchange of thousands of prisoners; until then, the two sides had only talked via video conference (BBC 1/4/2020). The talks are part of an agreement signed between the Taliban and the US Americans, and a first step towards intra-Afghan negotiations (TD 2/4/2020) These aforementioned talks took place against a background of continued violence in the country (BBC 1/4/2020).

During the reporting period 1.1.2020-30.9.2020 UNAMA recorded 5,939 security-related civilian victims. The total number of victims among the civilian population has decreased by 13% com- pared to the same period of the previous year, which is the lowest figure since 2012 (UNAMA 27/10/2020). According to Afghanistan’s National Security Council (NSC), Taliban attacks incre- ased significantly in June 2020, and according to NATO Resolute Support (RS), the number of civilian casualties in the second quarter of 2020 increased by almost 60% compared to the first quarter and 18% compared to the second quarter of last year (SIGAR 30.7.2020).

The security situation remains volatile. The highest number of security-related incidents was re- corded in the southern region, followed by the northern and eastern regions, which all accounted for 68% of incidents. The most active conflict regions were found in the provinces of Kandahar, Helmand, Nangarhar and Balkh. According to seasonal trends, the fighting decreased in the winter months - in late 2019 and early 2020 (UNGASC 17.3.2020).

The security situation in 2019

The geographical distribution of insurgent activities within Afghanistan remained largely constant when comparing the years 2018 and 2019. In 2019, heavy fighting continued in Southern and Western Afghanistan; hostile activity increased and spread to larger areas in the North and East. According to the Resolute Support (RS) Mission (NATO’s support mission in Afghanistan since 2015), 29,083 enemy-initiated attacks were recorded nationwide in 2019. In contrast, the figure for 2018 was 27,417 (SIGAR 30/1/2020). With a high number of security-related incidents - especially in the Southern, Northern and Eastern regions - the security situation remained volatile for the time being, before a period of reduced violence was registered. UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) registered 10,392 civilian casualties for the whole of 2019, which corresponds to a 5% decline compared to 2018 (UNGASC 17/3/2020). Last year (2019) there were a large number of operations by the special forces of the Ministry of Defence (1860) and the police (2412) and hundreds of operations by the National Security Directorate (RA KBL 12/10/2020).

Since the end of 2019, attacks by anti-government elements have increased considerably. The Afghan presidential elections were held in September 2019, and this month also saw the highest number of enemy attacks in a single month since June 2012 and the highest number of effective enemy attacks since the RS mission began recording in January 2010. This level of violence continued after the presidential elections, with October 2019 recording the second highest number of enemy attacks in a single month since July 2013. However, when looking at 2019 as

13 a whole, apparent hostile attacks had decreased since the beginning of the year in the course of the ongoing peace talks. Nevertheless, a turbulent last half year led to increased hostile attacks of 6% in total and effective attacks of 4% in 2019 compared to the already high levels of 2018 (SIGAR 30/1/2020).

Civilian casualties

For 2019, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) registered 10,392 civilian casualties (3,403 dead and 6,989 injured) as a result of the armed conflict, a decrease of 5% compared to the previous year, but also the lowest number of civilian victims since 2013. After the number of civilian casualties caused by ISKP decreased, a decrease in all civilian casualties was recorded. However, the number of civilian casualties caused by the Taliban and international forces, had increased. In the course of 2019, the level of violence was subject to considerable fluctuations due to successes and failures in the peace negotiations between the Taliban and the US. In the first half of 2019, there were intensive air strikes by international forces and search operations by the - in particular the special forces of the Afghan National Directorate of Security Special Forces (NDS) (UNAMA 2/2020).

Due to the search operations of the Afghan armed forces, there were more civilian casualties by pro-government troops than by anti-government troops in the middle of the year. The third quarter of 2019 recorded the highest number of civilian casualties since 2009, mainly due to an increased number of attacks by suicide bombers and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) by the anti-government forces - especially the Taliban - and violence in connection with the presidential elections. The fourth quarter of 2019 recorded a lower number of civilian casualties compared to 2018, although the number of civilian casualties due to air strikes, search operations and IEDs has been at a record level since 2015 (UNAMA 2/2020).

Abbildung 1: UNAMA 27/10/2020

14 The RS Mission also collects information on civilian victims in Afghanistan, which differs from the UNAMA data collection, as the RS Mission has access to a wider range of forensic data and sources. According to the RS Mission, in 2019, the number of civilian victims in most provinces (19 out of 34) has increased compared to 2018, and the focus has shifted. For example, the provinces of Kabul and Nangarhar continued to record the highest number of civilian casualties. In the last quarter, the RS mission attributed 91% of civilian casualties to anti-government forces (29% attributed to the Taliban, 11% to ISKP, 4% to the and 47% to unknown insurgents). 4% were attributed to pro-government/friendly forces (3% to ANDSF and 1% to coalition forces), while 5% were attributed to other or unknown forces. These percentages roughly correspond to the RS casualty figures for early 2019. Improvised explosive devices (43%) remained the main cause of civilian casualties, followed by direct (25%) and indirect fire (5%) - this was also the case at the beginning of 2019 (SIGAR 30/1/2020).

The first half of 2020 was characterized by fluctuating rates of violence that affected the civilian population in Afghanistan. The United Nations documented 3,458 civilian casualties (1,282 killed and 2,176 injured) for the period January to the end of June 2020 (UNAMA 27/7/2020)

High-Profile Attacks (HPAs)

In the first five months of 2019, as well as in the last half of 2019 insurgents, such as Taliban and other militant groupings particularly in the capital region, continue to launch attacks on high-level targets in order to attract media attention, undermine the legitimacy of the Afghan government and create a perception of widespread insecurity (USDOD 12/2019; cf. USDOD 1/7/2020). The Haqqani network did not conduct any HPA in the capital region from September to the end of the reporting period. The total number of high-profile attacks in Kabul as well as in the entire country has steadily decreased over the last year and a half (USDOD 12/2019). Between June 1, 2019 and October 31, 2019, 19 HPAs took place in Kabul (previous year: 17) (USDOD 12/2019); the number of attacks nationwide was 88 (USDOD 12/2019).

High-profile attacks by anti-government elements continued. The majority of these attacks was directed against the ANDSF (Afghan National Defence and Security Forces) and international forces, including a complex Taliban attack on military airport in December 2019. In February 2020, a so-called ’green-on-blue attack’ occurred in Nangarhar province: the attacker wore the uniform of the and opened fire on international forces, killing two US soldiers and one Afghan National Army soldier. Another on a military academy was also carried out in February in the city of Kabul, in which at least 6 people were killed and more than 10 wounded (UNGASC 17/3/2020). This large-scale attack ended several months of relative calm in the Afghan capital (DS 11/2/2020; cf. UNGASC 17.3.2020). Since February, the Taliban have maintained a high level of violence against the ANDSF while avoiding attacks against coalition troops around provincial capitals, probably to avoid risking the US-Taliban agreement (USDOD 6/2020). The Taliban also used improvised explosive devices (IED) in suicide vehicles against ANDSF facilities in the provinces of Kandahar, Helmand and Balkh (UNGASC 17/3/2020).

Attacks targeting worshippers, places of worship, religious minorities

15 After the signing of the agreement between the USA and the Taliban, the ISKP launched its first major attack at the beginning of March 2020 (BBC 6/3/2020; cf. AJ 6/3/2020). The ISKP was not part of the negotiations (BBC 6/3/2020) and claimed responsibility for the attack on a memorial service for a Shiite leader; it is estimated that at least 32 people were killed and 60 injured (BBC 6/3/2020; cf. AJ 6/3/2020).

On March 25, 2020, the ISKP launched a deadly attack on a Sikh (Dharamshala) prayer site in Kabul. 25 people died, 8 others were injured (NYT 26/3/2020; cf. TN 26/3/2020; BBC 25/3.2020, USDOD 6/2020). Sources close to the government in Afghanistan hold the Haqqani network responsible for this attack; they see this as retaliation for the violence against in (AJ 26/3/2020; cf. TTI 26/3/2020). The day after the attack on the place of worship, a magnetic bomb detonated at the Sikh crematorium as the funeral service for the killed Sikh members was underway. At least one person was injured (TTI 26/3/2020; cf. NYT 26/3/2020, USDOD 6/2020).

Opium production and the security situation

Afghanistan is the country where most opium in the world is produced. It has accounted for approximately 84 per cent of global opium production over the past five years. In 2019, the area under opium poppy cultivation decreased, while the harvest yielded approximately the same as in 2018 (UNODC 6/2020; cf. ONDCP 7/2/2020). Most of the opium poppy in Afghanistan is cultivated in Greater Kandahar (i.e. Kandahar and Helmand) in the southwest of the country (AAN 25.6.2020). Opium is a source of revenue for insurgents, as well as a source of corruption in the Afghan government (WP 9/12/2019); opium cultivation thrives in conditions of statelessness and lawlessness as in Afghanistan (Bradford 2019; cf. ONDCP 7/2/2020).

Anti-government groupings

Different anti-government groupings are operating in Afghanistan, and it is in particular the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region that ’remains a sanctuary for various groups’, including the Taliban, Islamic State, al-Qaida, the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Islamic Movement of (USDOD 12/2019; cf. CRS 12/2/2019), and presents security challenges not only for the two countries, but poses ’a threat to regional security and stability’ (USDOD 12/2019):

Taliban

The Taliban position themselves as the shadow government of Afghanistan, and their commissi- on and governing bodies replicate the administrative offices and duties of a typical government (EASO 8/2020; cf NYT 26/5/2020). The Taliban have become an organized political move- ment operating a parallel administration in large swaths of Afghanistan (EASO 8/2020; cf USIP 11/2019) and has evolved to become a local governance actor in the country by gaining and holding territory and thereby undertaking ‘some responsibility for the well-being of local com- munities (EASO 8/2020; cf. USIP 30/4/2020). Regarding militant operations, it is a networked insurgency, with strong leadership at the top and decentralised local commanders who can mobilise resources at the district level (EASO 8/2020; cf. NYT 26/4/2020).

16 The main official political office of the Taliban is located in Qatar (EASO 8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020). Haibatullah Akhundzada continues to be leader of the Taliban (REU 17/8/2019; cf. EASO 8/2020, AnA 28/7/2020, UNSC 27.5.2020) - his deputy leaders are First Deputy Sirajuddin Jallaloudine Haqqani (leader of the Haqqani network) and two others: Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob [Mullah Mohammad Yaqub Omari] (EASO 8/2020; cf. FP 9/6/2020) and Mullah Abdul Ahmad Turk (EASO 8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020).

Foreign Policy Magazine reported in June 2020 that Akhundzada and Jallaloudine Haqqani, and other senior Taliban leaders had contracted COVID-19, and that some may have even died, it was reported that Yaqoob was running operations of Taliban and Haqqani. The Taliban denied these reports (EASO 8/2020; cf. FP 9/6/2020, RFE/RL 2/6/2020)

The Taliban refer to themselves as the Islamic (VOJ n.d.). The governing structure and the military command are laid down in the Layha, a code of conduct (AAN 4/7/2011), which was last published in 2010 (AAN 6/12/2018). The Taliban are not a monolithic organization (NZZ 20/4/2020); all too often the Taliban are seen as a homogeneous unit, while the latter are a loose agglomeration of local tribal leaders, independent warlords and disconnected and isolated cells (BR 5/3/2020). During the U.S.-Taliban negotiations, the Taliban leadership was able to maintain unity within the base, although divisions deepened due to the breaking off of relations with al-Qaeda (EASO 8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020). Since May 2020, a new splinter group of high-ranking Taliban dissidents has emerged, known as Hizb-e Vulayet Islami or Hezb-e Walayat-e Islami (Islamic ’s Party or Islamic Guardianship Party) (EASO 8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020). The group is against the US-Taliban treaty and has ties to Iran (EASO 8/2020; see RFE/RL 9/6/2020). A split leadership in the implementation of the U.S.-Taliban agreement and power struggles within the organization could impair the possible peace process (EASO 8/2020; cf. FP 9/6/2020).

A report on Taliban recruitment practises divides the Taliban fighters into two groups: professional full-time fighters, many of whom are recruited from madrassas, and part-time fighters, who are loyal to local warlords and integrated into the local community (LI 29/6/2017).

The Taliban typically recruit young males from rural communities who are unemployed, educated in madrasas and ethnically Pashtun (EASO 8/2020; cf. Osman 1/6/2020). Estimates of the Taliban’s active fighters range from 40.000 to 80.000 (EASO 8/2020; cf. NYT 12/9/2019) or 55.000 to 85.000 with additional facilitators and non-combatants bringing this number as high as 100.000 (EASO 8/2020; cf. NYT 26/5/2020, UNSC 27/5/2020). Although the large majority of the members of Taliban are still , there is a growing minority of , , Balochs, and even several hundred Hazara members and even fighters (including Shia’s) are with them now (LI 23/8/2017). In some areas in the north, the Taliban are reported to be already predominantly non-Pashtuns, as they draw recruits from the local population (LI 23/8/2017).

The Taliban operate training camps in Afghanistan, with 20 of them having been publicly flaunted’ since the end of 2014. The Khalid bin Walid Camp is said to operate ’12 satellite facilities’ in eight provinces (Helmand, Kandahar, Ghazni, Ghor, Sar-e Pul, Faryab, Farah and Maidan Wardak).

17 It is reported to have ’around 300 military trainers and scholars’ and the capacity to ’train up to 2,000 recruits at a single time’ (LWJ 14/8/2019).

Haqqani Network

The Haqqani Network, which has existed since September 2012, is a semi-autonomous com- ponent of the Afghan Taliban, an ally of al-Qaida (CRS 12/2/2019; cf. EASO 8/2020, UNSC 27/5/2020) and has conections to IS/ISKP (RA KBL 12/10/2020; cf. EASO 8/2020). It is named after (USDOS 19/9/2018; cf. CRS 12/2/2019), a leading member of the anti-Soviet jihad (1979-1989) who became a prominent Taliban official; the Taliban confirmed his death in September 2018. Its current leader is his son Sirajuddin Haqqani (EASO 8/2020c; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020).

The Taliban’s most lethal arm, the Haqqani network, has carried out urban attacks for years (NYT 20/8/2019) and is blamed for some of the deadliest attacks of the (CRS 12/2/2019). The network is mainly active in the southern and eastern parts of the country and in the provinces of Paktika and Khost. They now have more power than in previous years and carry out more operations. There are no major countermeasures by the Afghan government or security forces against the network (RA KBL 12/10/2020).

The Afghan government released three leading members of the network in the course of the pri- soner exchange in November 2019 (RA KBL 12/10/2020; cf. NYT 19/11/2019, BBC 19/11/2019). The Haqqani network is involved in the current peace negotiations (RA KBL 12/10/2020)

Islamic State (IS/ISIS/ISIL/Daesh), Islamic State (ISKP)

First reports about Islamic State (IS, also known as IS, ISIL or Daesh) in Afghanistan date back to the summer of 2014 (AAN 17/11/2014; cf. LWJ 5/3/2015). The IS in Afghanistan calls itself the Khorasan branch of the IS (ISKP). However, it is not proven whether or not it is connected with the IS in Iraq and Syria (RA KBL 12/10/2020). Frequently, the first commanders were disenchanted Afghan and Pakistani Taliban (AAN 1/8/2017; cf. LWJ 4/12/2017). Estimates of ISKP strength ranged from 2,500 and 4,000 (UNSC 13/6/2019) and 4,000 and 5,000 most of whom withdrew to Kunar and the north following US operations during that month aimed at pushing them out of their usual territory in Nangarhar (EASO 8/2020). According to US data from spring 2019, their number has increased to 5,000. The Islamic State is also said to benefit from foreign fighters from Pakistan and Uzbekistan as well as fighters fleeing from Syria (VOA 21/5/2019).

The ISKP came under sustained pressure in its stronghold in Eastern Afghanistan (UNGASC 17/3/2020; cf. RA KBL 12/10/2020). For years, military offensives by the US and Afghan armed forces concentrated on these strongholds. Recently, the Taliban have also intensified their at- tacks against the ISKP in these regions (SIGAR 30/1/2020). For example, 5,000 Taliban fighters are said to have come from to fight the ISKP in Nangarhar (DW 26/2/2020; cf. MT 27/2/2020). In November 2019, the most important stronghold of the Islamic state in eastern Afghanistan collapsed (NYT 2/12/2020; cf. SIGAR 30/1/2020), with more than 1,400 fighters and supporters of the ISKP, including women and children, surrendering (EASO 8/2020c; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020, UNGASC 17/3/2020). However, the Islamic state is to continue to be present

18 in the western areas of (UNGASC 17/3/2020). Since the beginning of 2019, the nationwide manpower of the ISKP has been reduced from 3,000 to between 200 (EASO 8/2020c; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020) and 300 fighters (NYT 2/12/2020).

49 attacks are attributed to the ISKP in the repeorting period of 8.11.2019-6.2.2020; in compa- risson, 194 incidents were recorded in the same period of the previous year. In the reporting period before that, 68 attacks were registered (UNGASC 17/3/2020).

The ISKP’s power in Afghanistan is less than that of the Taliban; it has also lost a lot of territory. The ISKP has not been part of the peace negotiations with the USA and is still in a position to carry out lethal attacks (BBC 25/3/2020). Due to the loss of territory, the recruitment and planning of the ISKP is severely restricted (NYT 2/12/2020).

ISKP has condemned the Taliban as apostate, accusing it of having narrow tribal, ethnic, and/or national interests (CRS 12/2/2019). The Taliban and Islamic State are rivals. In Afghanistan, the Taliban have fought against ISIL, whose ideology and tactics are significantly more extreme than those of the Taliban, for years (WP 19/8/2019; cf. AP 19/8/2019). While the Taliban largely confine their attacks to government targets and Afghan and international security forces (AP 19/8/2019), ISKP aims to foment sectarian violence by targeting Shiites (WP 19/8/2019).

In light of the Taliban’s entry into talks with the US, ISKP continued to preach their mission as a purer form of jihad in contrast with the Taliban’s opening up to US talks (EASO 8/2020; cf. SAS 10/2/2020). According to the UN by doing this, ISKP is setting up a narrative that places ISIL as the only defiant terror group in an effort to gain recruits dissenting from the Taliban and Al Qaeda, especially those who oppose any agreement talks with the US or Afghan governments (EASO 8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020).

On April 4, 2020, the Afghan National Security Directorate (NDS) arrested the ISKP leader in Afghanistan (RA KBL 12/10/2020; cf. AnA 30/4/2020, HRW 6/4/2020), and according to the NDS, the IS main management and coordination body was eliminated, but the sub-networks still exist in various areas. The group is still active and still carries out attacks (RA KBL 12/10/2020)

Al-Qaida and its associates

Al-Qaida continues to see Afghanistan as a safe haven for its leadership, based on its long-stan- ding, strong ties with the Taliban. Both groups have repeatedly, in public statements, emphasised the importance of their alliance (UNSC 15/1/2019). Al-Qaida has grown stronger operating under the Taliban umbrella across Afghanistan and is more active than in recent years; the current number of its members is estimated at 240, with the most significant numbers located in Ba- dakhshan, Kunar and Zabul Provinces. Al-Qaida cadre leaders and mentors are also frequently reported to be active in Helmand and Kandahar (UNSC 13/6/2019). According to one source Al-Qaida is less powerfull than in recent years (RA KBL 12/10/2020b). According to the May 2020 report by the UN, Al Qaeda is covertly active in 12 provinces with 400-600 armed operatives (EASO 8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020)

19 Al-Qaida is seeking to strengthen its presence in , especially in Shighnan District, which shares a border with , but is also eager to expand its presence in in . Moreover, Al-Qaida members act as instructors and religious teachers for Taliban personnel and their family members (UNSC 13/6/2019).

In the course of the US-Taliban agreement, the Taliban promised not to give refuge to terrorist groups such as al-Qaida (NZZ 20/4/2020; cf USDOS 29/2/2020, EASO 8/2020)

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• AA - Auswärtiges Amt [Federal Foreign Office - Germany] (16.7.2020): Bericht über die asyl- und abschieberelevante Lage in der Islamischen Republik Afghanistan (Stand: Juni 2020), https://ww w.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2035827/Ausw%C3%A4rtiges_Amt%2C_Bericht_%C3%BCber_die_asyl- _und_abschiebungsrelevante_Lage_in_der_Islamischen_Republik_Afghanistan_%28Stand_Jun i_2020%29%2C_16.07.2020.pdf , Zugriff 22.10.2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (25/6/2020): New World Drug Report: Opium production in Afghanistan remained the same in 2019, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/econom y-development-environment/new-world-drug-report-opium-production-in-afghanistan-remained-t he-same-in-2019/ , accessed 3/12/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (6/12/2018): One Land, Two Rules (1): Service delivery in insurgentaffected areas, an introduction, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/econom y-development-environment/one-land-two-rules-1-service-delivery-in-insurgent-affected-areas-an -introduction/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (1/8/2017): Thematic Dossier XV: Daesh in Afghanistan, https://www.afghanistananalysts.org/publication/aanthematicdossier/thematicdossierxvdaeshinafg hanistan/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (17/11/2014): Messages in Chalk: ‘Islamic State’ haunting Afghanistan?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/dossiers/thematic-dossier-xv-daesh-in-af ghanistan/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (4/7/2011): The Layha: Calling the Taleban to Account, https: //www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/special-reports/the-layha-calling-the-taleban-to-account/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • AnA - Anadolu Agency (28/7/2020): Taliban leader urges US to comply with peace deal, https: //www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/taliban-leader-urges-us-to-comply-with-peace-deal/1925033 , accessed 23/10/2020 • AnA - Anadolu Agency (30/4/2020). Who is de facto leader of Daesh/ISIS in Afghanistan?, https: //www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/who-is-de-facto-leader-of-daesh-isis-in-afghanistan/1824335 , accessed 23/10/2020 • AJ - Al-Jazeera (26/3/2020): Solidarity for after Afghanistan massacre, https://www.aljazeer a.com/news/2020/3/26/solidarity-for-sikhs-after-afghanistan-massacre , accessed 23/10/2020 • AJ - Al-Jazeera (6/3/2020): Dozens killed in Kabul ceremony attack claimed by ISIL, https://www. aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/kabul-gathering-attended-abdullah-hit-rocket-attack-report-200306 074951081.html , accessed 23/10/2020 • AP - Associated Press (19/8/2019): A look at the Islamic State affiliate’s rise in Afghanistan, https: //www.apnews.com/add4a393afed4ca798401c5a0958f2c2 , accessed 23/10/2020 • BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation (1/4/2020): Afghanistan and Taliban begin direct talks with aim of prisoner swap, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52123951 , accessed 23/10/2020 • BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation (25/3/2020): Afghanistan conflict: Militants in deadly attack on Sikh temple in Kabul, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52029571 , accessed 23/10/2020 • BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation (6/3./2020): Kabul attack: escapes deadly attack, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51766602 , accessed 23/10/2020 • BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation (19/11/2019): US and Australian hostages freed in Taliban prisoner swap, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50471186 , accessed 23/10/2020 • Bradford, James T. (2019): Poppies, Politics, and Power. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation.

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21 • ONDCP - Office of National Drug Control Policy (7/2/2020): ONDCP Releases Data on Poppy Cultivation and Potential Opium Production in Afghanistan, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefin gs-statements/ondcp-releases-data-poppy-cultivation-potential-opium-production-afghanistan/ , accessed 3/12/2020 • Osman, Borham (1/6/2020): Peaceworks - Bourgeois Jihad: Why young, middle-class join the Islamic State, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/20200601-pw_162-bourgeois_j ihad_why_young_middle-class_afghans_join_the_islamic_state.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • RA KBL - Lokaler Rechtsanwalt in Kabul [Local Lawyer in Kabul] (12.10.2020b): Information via E-mail • REU - Reuters (6/10/2020): Exclusive: Taliban, Afghan negotiators set ground rules to safeguard peace talks - sources, https://www.reuters.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-talks-exclusive-int-idUS KBN26R1DJ , accessed 23/10/2020 • REU - Reuters (17/8/2019): Taliban say killing of leader’s brother will not derail U.S. talks, https: //www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan/taliban-say-killing-of-leaders-brother-will-not-derail- us-talks-idUSKCN1V70CJ , accessed 23/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (2/6/2020): Taliban Officials Deny Report That Top Leader Died From Coronavirus, https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-officials-deny-report-that-top-leade r-died-from-coronavirus/30648768.html, accessed 23/10/2020 • SAS - Stars and Stripes (10/2/2020): ISIS in Afghanistan was ‘obliterated’ but fighters who escaped could stage resurgence, https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/isis-in-afghanistan-was-obliter ated-but-fighters-who-escaped-could-stage-resurgence-1.618220 , accessed 23/10/2020 • SIGAR (30/7/2020): SIGAR Quarterly Reports to Congress, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyrep orts/2020-07-30qr.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • SIGAR (30/1/2020): SIGAR Quarterly Reports to Congress, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyrep orts/2020-01-30qr.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (4.11.2019): Grafische Darstellung der sicherheitsrele- vanten Vorfälle 1.1.2018-30.9.2019, is available in the Staatendokumentation-Archive • TD - The Diplomat (2/4/2020): Taliban Ready to Begin Cease-Fires in Virus-Hit Afghan Areas, https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/taliban-ready-to-begin-cease-fires-in-virus-hit-afghan-areas/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (26/3/2020): Sikhs Demand Investigation of Dharamshala Attack, https://tolonews.c om/afghanistan/sikhs-demand-investigation-dharamshala-attack , accessed 23/10/2020 • TTI - The Times of India (26/3/2020): Child injured in blast near Sikh crematorium in Afghan capital, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/child-injured-in-blast-near-sikh-crematorium- in-afghan-capital/articleshow/74832361.cms , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (27/10/2020): PROTECTION OF CI- VILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT: THIRD QUARTER REPORT: 1 JANUARY TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-protection-civilians-armed-conflict-third -quarter-report-1-january-30 , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (27/7/2020): Midyear Update on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: 1 January to 30 June 2020, https://unama.unmissions.o rg/un-urges-parties-prioritize-protection-civilians-and-start-talks , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNGASC - United Nation General Assembly Secretary General (17/3/2020): The situation in Af- ghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://unama.unmissions.org/s ites/default/files/sg_report_on_afghanistan_17_march_2020.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (6/2020): World Drug Report 2020 - Drug Supply, https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/field/WDR20_Booklet_3.pdf , accessed 3/12/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Concil (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban, S/2020/415, https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E 4FF96FF9%7D/s_2020_415_e.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (13/6/2019): Letter dated 10 June 2019 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011)addressed to the

22 President of the Security Council , https://www.undocs.org/pdf?symbol=en/S/2019/481 , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (15/1/2019): Letter dated 15 January 2019 from the Chair of the SecurityCouncil Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011)and 2253 (2015)concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council, https://www.un.org/sc/ctc/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/N1846950_EN.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 23/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defence (12/2019): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jan/23/2002238296/-1/-1/1/1225-REPORT-DECEM BER-2019.PDF , Zugriff 1.3.2020 • USDOS - United States Department of State (29/2/2020): Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afgha- nistan between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan which is not recognized by the United States as a state and is known as the Taliban and the United States of America, https://www.state.gov/wp-c ontent/uploads/2020/02/Agreement-For-Bringing-Peace-to-Afghanistan-02.29.20.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • USIP - United States Institute of Peace (4/2020): Service Delivery in Taliban-Influenced Areas of Afghanistan, Special Reports No. 465, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/20200 430-sr_465-_service_delivery_in_taliban_influenced_areas_of_afghanistan-sr.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • USIP - United States Institute of Peace (11/2019): How the Taliban Makes Policy, Peaceworks No. 153, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/pw_153-insurgent_bureaucracy_how_the_tal iban_makes_policy.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (21/5/2019): Islamic State in Afghanistan Growing Bigger, More Dangerous, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/islamic-state-afghanistan-growing-bigger-more-dan gerous , accessed 23/10/2020 • VOJ - Voice of Jihad (o.D.): Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, http://alemarahenglish.net/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • WP - The Washington Post (9/12/2019): Overwhelmed by opium, https://www.washingtonpost.c om/graphics/2019/investigations/afghanistan-papers/afghanistan-war-opium-poppy-production/ , accessed 3/12/2020 • WP - The Washington Post (19/8/2019): The Islamic State is far from defeated. Here’s what you need to know about its affiliate in Afghanistan, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/08/19/ islamic-state-is-far-defeated-heres-what-you-need-know-about-its-affiliate-afghanistan/?noredirec t=on , accessed 23/10/2020

3.1 Kabul

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

– is located in the centre of Afghanistan (PAJ Kabul n.d.), bordering Parwan and Kapisa in the north, Laghman in the east, Nangarhar in the southeast, Logar in the south, and Wardak in the west. The provincial capital is Kabul City (NPS Kabul n.d.). The province consists of the following districts: , Chahar Asyab, Dehsabz, Estalef, Farza, , Kabul, , Khak-e-Jabar, , Musahi, , Qara Bagh, , and Surubi/Surobi/Sarobi (NSIA 1/6/2020; vgl. IEC Kabul 2019). The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Kabul to be 4,459,463 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020).

Kabul City – geography and demographics

23 Kabul City is both the capital of Afghanistan and a district of Kabul province. With an estimated population of 4,434,559 in 2020-21, it is the city with the most inhabitants in Afghanistan (NSIA 1/6/2020). However, the exact population size is controversial, and estimates range from 3,5 million to a possible 6,5 million (AAN 19/3/2019; ef. IGC 13/2/2020). According to one report, the city, which before 2001 used to have twelve urban districts – also referred to as police districts (USIP 4/2017), PDs or Nahia (AAN 19/3/2019) – grew and expanded both demographically and horizontally to comprise 22 PDs (USIP 4/2017). The population is made up of Pashtuns, Tajiks, , Uzbeks, Turkmen, Balochs, Sikhs and (PAJ Kabul n.d.; cf. NPS Kabul n.d.).

Abbildung 2: STDOK 13/2/2019

Main roads connect the Afghan capital with the rest of the country (UNOCHA 4/2014), including the () which connects the five largest cities of Afghanistan - Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e Sharif, Kandarhar and (USAID o.D.)

The highway between Kabul and Kandarhar is considered unsafe (TN 7/7/2020a). Insurgents are active on the highway (UNGASC 28/2/2019; cf. UNOCHA 23/2/2020) and control parts of the road, and there have been reports of road blockades and insurgent controls directed against members of the government and security forces (LI 22/1/2020; see EASO 9/2020).

The Kabul-Jalalabad Highway is an important trade route, often considered „one of the most dangerous roads in the world“ (referring to the numerous traffic accidents that have occurred on this road) and passes through areas where insurgents are active (TD 13/12/2015; cf. EASO 9/2020).

24 It is reported that 20 kilometers of the Kabul-Bamyan highway connecting the region with the capital are under Taliban control (AAN 16/12/2019) and security incidents on the high- way connecting Kabul with Logar and Paktia provinces reportedly increased in July 2020 (TN 7/7/2020a).

In Kabul City there is an international airport, which is served by international and national passenger flights as of November 2020 (F 24 19/11/2020).

The city is a circle with three concentric rings: The first one comprises Shahr-e Kohna, the old city, Shahr-e Naw, the new city, as well as Shash Darak and Khan, where many foreign embassies, foreign organisations and offices are located. ’The second ring includes neighbourhoods planned and developed between the 1950s and the 1980s by the government to host the slowly growing city population: Taimani, Qalah-e Fathullah, Karte Se, Karte Chahar, Karte Naw, and the microraions (Soviet-style residential districts). The third ring, which mushroo- med after 2001, is – save for a few high-profile residential complexes for VIPs – home to recent immigrants’ (USIP 4/2017) (Afghan immigrants from the provinces) (AAN 19/3/2019).

As for the ethnic distribution of the city’s population, Kabul ’has long been a magnet’ for many ethnic, linguistic and religious groups, each of which settled in a specific area, ’oriented towards the geographic position of their home provinces’. This applies to the old city as much as to ’the outside the downtown’ and becomes all the more obvious in unplanned areas (Noori 11/2010). ’The most recently settled areas are those where residents are more likely to lean exclusively on qawmi networks to find housing and jobs, to carry out collective work to improve their settlement conditions.’ On the other hand, residents of the central areas of the city are more mobile and tend to change residence more often, which has a ’disruptive effect on social networks, exemplified by the often-heard complaint that ‘one does not know one’s neighbours anymore’.’ (AAN 19/3/2019).

Nevertheless, the ’neighbourhoods densely inhabited by recent immigrants from the same re- gional or ethnic background perpetuate a sort of village society, in which everyone knows each other and everybody’s business, and which often have more direct connections with the province of origin than with areas of central Kabul’ (USIP 4/2017). Here are a few examples of the ethnic distribution of Kabul City’s population: Hazaras have settled mainly in the western district of Chandawal in the inner city and in Dasht-e-Barchi as well in Karte Se on its outskirts; Tajiks in Payan Chawk, Bala Chawk and Ali Mardan in the old city and in northern parts of the periphery such as Khairkhana; Pashtuns above all in the eastern part of the inner city, Bala Hisar and further east and south on the periphery such as in Karte Naw and Binihisa (Noori 11/2010; cf. USIP 4/2017), but also in the western parts Kota-e-Sangi and -e-Company (also referred to as Company) (Noori 11/2010); Hindus and Sikhs live in the middle of the city in Hindu Gozar Street (Noori 11/2010; cf. USIP 4/2017).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

The Afghan government retains control over Kabul (USDOD 1/7/2020) and all districts are considered under government control (LWJ o.D.), but high-profile attacks continue to take place, including in the capital (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. NYTM 26/3/2020, HRW 12/5/2020), like the attacks

25 on a Shiite celebrations and a Sikh temple in March (USDOD 1/7/2020) as well as on educational institutions such as the University of Kabul (GN 2./11/2020; cf. AJ 2/11/2020) or a suicide bombing of a school in Kabul in October 2020 (HRW 26/10/2020), for all of which the Islamic state claimed responsibility (HRW 26/10/2020; cf. AY 2/11/2020, GN 2./11/2020). The responsibility for the attack on a maternity hospital in May 2020 has so far not been claimed by any group (AJ 15/6/2020; cf. AP 16/6/2020, HRW 12/5/2020), although the Taliban denied responsibility (AP 16/6/2020; cf. HRW 12/5/2020). For many attacks in Kabul no group assumes responsibility, or they are carried out by unidentified armed groups (UNAMA 7/2020; cf. UNGASC 2/2019, EASO 9/2020).

The USDOD describes the goals of militant groups that carry out suicide bombings in Kabul as an attempt to attract international media attention, create the impression of widespread insecurity, and undermine the legitimacy of the Afghan government and the population’s trust in the Afghan security forces (USDOD 23/1/2020; cf. EASO 9/2020). Afghan government buildings and officials, the Afghan security forces and high-ranking international institutions, both military and civilian, are considered the main targets in Kabul City (USDOS 24/6/2020; cf. LI 22/1/2020, LIFOS 15/10/2019, EASO 9/2020).

Following high-profile attacks on Kabul City, the Afghan government announced, already in August 2017, the development of a new security plan for Kabul (AAN 25/9/2017). Among other things, the Green Village was erected, a heavily fortified ’compound to the east of the city that houses aid agencies and international organizations’ (RFE/RL 2/9/2019; cf. FAZ 2/9/2019) as well as a residential area for foreigners (FAZ 2/9/2019). The compound ’is heavily guarded by Afghan forces and private security guards’ (AJ 3/9/2019). The Green Zone, on the other hand, is separate from, but nearby the Green Village. The Green Zone is ’a heavily fortified part of Kabul that is home to several embassies including the U.S. and British facilities’ (RFE/RL 2/9/2019; cf. GN 15/7/2020) and is surrounded by high walls (GN 15/7/2020).

As in other large cities in Afghanistan, street crime is a problem in Kabul (AVA 1/2020; cf. ArN 11/1/2020, AAN 11/2/2020, AAN 21/2/2020, TN 4/10/2020, TN 17/10/2020, TN 21/10/2020, EASO 9/2020). Last year, thousands of cases of muggers and home invasions were reported in Kabul, Herat and Mazar-e Sharif (ArN 11/1/2020; cf. TN 24/7/2020). After a rise in crime and security incidents in Kabul, Vice President Amrullah Saleh announced in October 2020 that he would take responsibility for security in Kabul for a few weeks at the request of President and take tough action against crime in Kabul (TN 17/10/2020; cf AN 17/10/2020, TN 21/10/2020). The government announced a security plan called the „Security Charter“ to integrate security personnel in ensuring the security of Kabul and other major cities in the country. As part of this plan, President Ghani instructed the security authorities to take action against serious crime in the city (TN 21/10/2020; cf. TN 17/10/2020, AN 17/10/2020).

With respect to the presence of government security forces, Kabul province – with the exception of Surubi district – comes within the responsibility of the 111st ANA Capital , which reports to the Train Advise Assist Command – Capital (TAAC-C) NATO mission led by Turkish forces along with forces from other contributing nations. Surubi district comes within the responsibility

26 of the 201st ANA Corps (UDSDOD 1/7/2020). In addition, a special Crisis Response Unit was formed within the Afghan police to prevent and respond to attacks (LI 5/9/2018).

Taliban fighters are reported to be present in Surubi district (TN 27/9/2020; cf. GW 14/7/2020, EASO 9/2020, UNOCHA 3/2/2020). Given its proximity to Kabul City and the , the district is of ’critical strategic importance’ (WOR 10/9/2018; cf. TN 15/7/2020). It is considered to be under government control, although insecure. The Taliban focus their attacks on the road between Surubi and Jagdalak and were able to bring this section of the road under their control for a short time (TN 27/9/2020). In July 2020, an increasing Taliban presence in the was reported (TN 15/7/2020).

It is reported that the Islamic state is active in the province and capable of carrying out attacks (UNGASC 27/5/2020; cf. EASO 9/2020). However, due to the ANDSF’s (Afghan National De- fence and Security Forces) continuing pressure to disrupt the activities of the Islamic state (LI 22/1/2020; cf. UNGASC 4/2/2020, EASO 9/2020), the militant group showed to be only partially capable of carrying out high-profile attacks in Kabul in 2019 (UNAMA 2/2020; cf. LI 22/1/2020, WP 9/2/2020; EASO 9/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

27 Abbildung 3: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

28 In 2019, UNAMA documented 1,563 civilian casualties (261 killedand 1,302 injured) in Kabul province. This represents a decrease of 16% compared to 2018. The main cause of death was suicide attacks, followed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and targeted killings (UNAMA 2/2020).

In the last quarter of 2019 (LI 22/1/2020) as well as in the first months of 2020 (UNGASC 3/2020) there were fewer attacks in the Kabul-City. Since the second quarter of 2020, violence has reportedly increased again (NYTM 25/6/2020; cf. UNGASC 17/6/2020, RY 30/6/2020, EASO 9/2020).

Suicide bombings (NYTM 29/10/2020a, NYTM 29/10/2020c, HRW 26/10/2020, RFE/RL 29/4/2020, REU 29/4/2020) and IEDs (WP 26/2/2020, AJ 22/8/2020, NYTM 29/10/2020c, TN 4/10/2020, KP 4/6/2020) are taking place, there have been reports of targeted killings (NYTM 26/3/2020, AT 22/8. 2020, TN 21/10/2020, NYTM 5/11/2020) and attacks on military facilities or security forces (NYTM 29/10/2020b, GN 11/2/2020, TN 22/6/2020, TN 8/7/2020, TN 6/7/2020, UNAMA 6/2020, TN 6/6/2020) in Kabul-City as well as in the districts of the province. There are reports of road blockades and attacks on highways by armed groups (UNOCHA 29/1/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020)

Since fall 2018, the ANDSF forces have begun a concerted effort to disband militant groups active in and around Greater Kabul (NYTM 16/1/2019; cf. UNGASC 27/5/2020, USDOD 1/7/2020) and they continue their activities in 2020 with a new Joint Forces Command established in June 2020 (KP 4/6/2020). The Afghan security forces conduct operations against insurgent groups (TN 6/5/2020, KP 6/5/2020, RFE/RL 11/5/202, TN 11/5/202) and criminal gangs (KP 18/5/2020) as well as air strikes (EASO 9/2020) and were able to arrest high-ranking members of the Taliban and the IS (TN 11/5/202, KP 12/2/2020, BBC 11/5/202, TN 11/5/2020, PAJ 26/6/2020), as well as arrest two IS members who allegedly planned attacks on a hospital and a media company (TN 7/7/2020b

Sources:

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30 • KP - Khaama Press (18/5/2020): Gang Leader Killed During a Clash With the Police Forces in Kabul, https://www.khaama.com/gang-leader-killed-during-a-clash-with-the-police-forces-in-kabul -08840/, accessed 20/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (6/5/2020): 5 killed as Special Forces bust Major Network Led by ISIS, Haqqani Network in Kabul, https://www.khaama.com/5-killed-as-special-forces-bust-major-network-led-by- isis-haqqani-network-in-kabul-07786/, accessed 20/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (12/2/2020): NDS Forces Arrest 9 ISIS Sympathisers from a Landmark Mall in Kabul City, https://www.khaama.com/nds-forces-arrest-9-isis-sympathizers-from-a-landmark-mall- in-kabul-city-04447/, accessed 20/11/2020 • LI - Landinfo, Utlendingsforvaltningens fagenhet for landinformasjon [Norway] (22/1/2020): Afghani- stan: Sikkerhetssituasjon og konfliktmonster i 2019, https://landinfo.no/wp-content/uploads/2020/01 /Temanotat-Afghanistan-Sikkerhetssituasjonen-og-konfliktm%C3%B8nster-i-2019-22012020.pdf, accessed 19/11/2020 • LI - Landinfo, Utlendingsforvaltningens fagenhet for landinformasjon [Norway] (5/9/2018): Respons, Afghanistan: Sikkerhetssituasjonen i den sentrale regionen og i det sentrale høylandet-oppdatering, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1443371/4792_1537157489_respons-sikkerhetssituasjonen-i-d en-sentrale-regionen-og-i-det-sentrale-hyaylandet-05092018.pdf , accessed 20/11/2020 • LIFOS - Migrationsverket, Center för landinformation och landanalys inom migrationsområdet [Sweden] (15/10/2019): Afghanistan: Fact-Finding Mission to Kabul in April 2019 - Situation of Returnees in Kabul, https://migri.fi/documents/5202425/5914056/Afghanistan_FFM_Returnees _MIG-1914851.pdf/ebbe969e-aea8-768d-c10b-37fad4b2bbd2/Afghanistan_FFM_Returnees_MIG -1914851.pdf, accessed 19/11/2020News (21/10/2018): Afghan election day plunges into chaos with multiple Taliban attacks on polling stations, https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/suic ide-attack-kills-15-in-afghan-capital-during-national-elections/news-story/f6ef0b7afb286710d7f9f 3fb6a8f6aaa , accessed 20/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (o.D.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 20/10/2020 • Noori, Walid A. (11/2010): Challenges of Traffic Development in Kabul City. Dissertation. Justus- Liebig-Universität Gießen, https://d-nb.info/1010853228/34 , accessed 20/11/2020 • NPS Kabul - Naval Postgraduate School (o.D.): Kabul Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu/w eb/ccs/kabul?inheritRedirect=true , accessed 20/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afghanistan آورد-س-رhttps://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/- -۱۳۹۹- ,2020-21 pdf, accessed 28/9/2020.اول • NYTM - New York Times Magazin, The (5/11/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: November 2020, https://www.NYTMimes.com/2020/11/05/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-november-2020.ht ml, accessed 19/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazin, The (29/10/2020a): Afghan War Casualty Report: May 2020, https://www.NYTMimes.com/2020/05/07/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-may-2020.html , accessed 19/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazin, The (29/10/2020b): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https://www.NYTMimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020.html , accessed 19/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazin, The (29/10/2020c): Afghan War Casualty Report: February 2020, https://www.NYTMimes.com/2020/02/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-february-2 020.html, accessed 19/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazin, The (25/6/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: June 2020, https://www.NYTMimes.com/2020/06/04/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-june-2020.html, accessed 20/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazin, The (26/3/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: March 2020, https://www.NYTMimes.com/2020/03/05/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-march-2020.html, accessed 19/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazin, The (27/2/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: February 2020, https://www.NYTMimes.com/2020/02/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-february-2020.ht ml, • NYTM - New York Times Magazin, The (16/1/2020): In Chaotic Afghan Capital, Crackdown on Crime is Turning Heads, https://www.NYTMimes.com/2019/01/16/world/asia/kabul-crime-terror-af ghanistan.html, accessed 19/11/2020

31 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (26/6/2020): 2 Key Taliban Figures Arrested in Kabul’s Qarah Bagh, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/06/26/2-key-taliban-figures-arrested-kabul%E2%80%99s-qar ah-bagh, accessed 20/11/2020 • PAJ Kabul - Pajhwok Afghan News (o.D.): Kabul province background profile, http://elections.pajh wok.com/en/content/kabul-province-background-profile , accessed 20/11/2020 • REU - Reuters (29/4/2020): Bombing near Afghan Capital Kills Three amid Unabated Violence, https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-afghanistan-attacks/bombing-near-afghan-capital-kills-three-amid -unabated-violence-idUKKCN22B0HB?rpc=401&, accessed 20/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (11/5/2020): Afghan Forces Capture Key Figures From Islamic State’s Branch, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-forces-capture-key-figures-from -islamic-state-s-south-asia-branch/30606322.html, accessed 20/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (29/4/2020): Afghanistan Suicide Bombing Kills at least Three, Wounds 15, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-suicide-bombing-kills-at-least-three-wound s-15/30582627.html, accessed 20/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (2/9/2019): Taliban Attack Rocks, International Area Of Kabul, Killing At Least Five, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-loud-blast-international-area-of-k abul/30143025.html , accessed 20/11/2020 • RY - Reportery (30/6/2020): EU Calls for Immediate Ceasefire as Violence Rises in Afghanistan, http://reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/tuesday-june-30-2020/eu-calls-for-immediate-ceasefire-as-viol ence-rises-in-afghanistan/, accessed 20/11/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (13/2/2019): Kabul Police Distrikts Map, liegt im Archiv der Staatendokumentation auf • TD - The Diplomat (13/12/2015): Next Stop Jalalabad: Traveling on One of the World‘s Most Dangerous Roads, https://thediplomat.com/2015/12/next-stop-jalalabad-traveling-on-one-of-the- worlds-most-dangerous-roads/ , accessed 20/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (21/10/2020): VP Saleh Cracks Down on Undocumented Vehicles, https://tolonews .com/afghanistan-167193, accessed 19/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (17/10/2020): VP Saleh Temporarily Takes Charge of Kabul Security, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-167115, accessed 19/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (4/10/2020): 5 Killed in Spate of Security Incidents in Kabul, https://tolonews.com/a fghanistan-166806, accessed 19/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (27/9/2020): Taliban Attempt to Expand Presence in Surobi District, https://tolone ws.com/afghanistan-166631, accessed 19/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (24/7/2020): Kabul Crime Rising Despite Govt’s New Initiative: Residents, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/kabul-crime-rising-despite-govt%E2%80%99s%C2%A0new-initiative -residents, accessed 19/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (15/7/2020): Residents West of Kabul City Report Rise in Taliban Activity, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/residents-west-kabul-city-report-rise-taliban-activity, accessed 20/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (8/7/2020): Blast Hits Police Vehicle in Kabul City, https://tolonews.com/afghanist an/blast-hits-police-vehicle-kabul-city, accessed 19/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (7/7/2020a): Fierce, Widespread Fighting Surges to Control Afghan Highways, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/fierce-widespread-fighting-surges-control-afghan-highways, accessed 20/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (7/7/2020b): NDS Prevents Attacks Targeting Media Outlet, Hospital in Kabul, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/nds-prevents-attacks-targeting-media-outlet-hospital-kabul, accessed 20/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (6/7/2020): Insurgents Attack Security Checkpoints in Kabul, https://tolonews.com /afghanistan/insurgents-attack-security-checkpoints-kabul, accessed 20/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (22/6/2020): Gunmen Kill Policeman, Wound 2 More in Kabul, https://tolonews.com /afghanistan/gunmen-kill-policeman-wound-2-more-kabul, accessed 20/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (6/6/2020): 15 Soldiers Killed in Past Day Despite Unofficial Truce, https://apnews .com/f799933d236302607dc1b634b70d2ee4, accessed 20/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (11/5/2020): ’Key’ Daesh Leaders Arrested in Kabul: NDS, https://tolonews.com/a fghanistan/key-daesh-leaders-arrested-kabul-nds, accessed 20/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (6/5/2020): Afghan Forces Raid Daesh Hideout North of Kabul, https://tolonews.c om/afghanistan/afghan-forces-raid-daesh-hideout-north-kabul, accessed 20/11/2020

32 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (7/2020): Afghanistan Midyear Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2020, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/fil es/unama_poc_midyear_report_2020_-_27_july-.pdf, accessed 19/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (6/2020): Afghanistan: Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. Special Report: Attacks on Healthcare during the Covid-19 Pandemic, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unama_special_report_attacks_on_healthcare_d uring_the_covid-19_pandemic_20_june_2020.pdf, accessed 20/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/6/2020): The Situation in Afgha- nistan and Its Implications for International Peace and Security, https://unama.unmissions.org/sit es/default/files/sg_report_on_afghanistan_june_2020.pdf, accessed 20/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh Report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team Submitted Pursuant to Resolution 2501 (2019) Concerning the Taliban and Other Associated Individuals and Entities Constituting a Threat to the Peace, Stability and Security of Afghanistan, https://www.undocs.org/S/2020/415, accessed 20/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (3/2020): The Situation in Afghani- stan and Its Implications for International Peace and Security, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites /default/files/sg_report_on_afghanistan_17_march_2020.pdf, accessed 20/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (4/2/2020): Tenth Report of the Secretary-General on the Threat Posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to International Peace and Security and the Range of UN Efforts in Support of Member States in Countering the Threat, https://reliefweb.in t/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/S_2020_95_E.pdf, accessed 20/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (28/2/2019): The Situation in Afgha- nistan and Its Implications for International Peace and Security, https://undocs.org/S/2019/193 , accessed 19/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (23/2/2020): Weekly Humanitarian Update (17 - 23 February 2020), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resour ces/afghanistan-humanitarian_weekly_23_february.pdf, accessed 20/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (3/2/2020): Weekly Humanitarian Update (27 January - 2 February 2020), https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/site s/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/afghanistan-humanitarian_weekly-02_feb ruary.pdf, accessed 20/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (29/1/2020): Opera- tional Coordination Team (OCT) - - Meeting Summary, https://www.humanitarian response.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/minutes_kapisa_oct_m eeting_-_cr_29_january_2020.docx, accessed 20/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Kabul Province - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianre sponse.info/files/Kabul.pdf , accessed 19/11/2020 • USAID - United States Agency for International Development (o.D.): Afghanistan - Infrastructure, https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan/infrastructure, accessed 19/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defence (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 15/9/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defence (23/1/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jan/23/2002238296/-1/-1/1/1225-REPORT-DECEM BER-2019.PDF, accessed 20/11/2020 • USDOS - United States Department of State (24/6/2020): Country Reports on Terrorism 2019, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Country-Reports-on-Terrorism-2019-2.pdf, accessed 20/11/2020 • USIP - United States Institute of Peace (4/2017): Kabul and the challenge of dwindling foreign aid, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2017-04/pw126_kabul-and-the-challenge-of-dwindling-fore ign-aid.pdf , accessed 20/11/2020

33 • WOR - War on the Rocks (10/9/2018): Remembering the French war in Afghanistan, https://waro ntherocks.com/2018/09/remembering-the-french-war-in-afghanistan/ , accessed 20/11/2020 • WP - Washington Post (9/2/2020): Afghanistan Claims the Islamic State Was ‘Obliterated’. But Fighters Who Got Away Could Stage a Resurgence, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/ 02/09/afghanistan-claims-islamic-state-was-obliterated-fighters-who-got-away-could-stage-resur gence/?arc404=true, accessed 20/11/2020 • WP - Washington Post (26/2/2020): U.S. general and senior Afghan official take selfies on Kabul streets in demonstration of peace effort, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/us-ge neral-and-senior-afghan-official-take-selfies-on-kabul-streets-in-demonstration-of-peace-effort/20 20/02/26/5a9bd67c-58ae-11ea-9b35-def5a027d470_story.html, accessed 19/11/2020

3.2 Badakhshan

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Badakhshan is located in the northeast of Afghanistan, sharing borders with Tajikistan, , and Pakistan. Mountainous Badakhshan (OP Badakhshan 1/2/2017) is one of the largest pro- vinces of Afghanistan (RFE/RL 11/4/2019). Within Afghanistan, Badakhshan borders on the provinces of Takhar, Panjsher and Nuristan (UNOCHA Badakhshan 19/2/2014). Badakhshan is divided into the following districts: Arghanj Khwah, Argo, Baharak, Darayim, Darwaz-e-Ba- la (Nesay), Darwaz-e-Payin (Mamay), Eshkashim, Faiz Abad, Jurm, Kishm, Khash, Khwahan, Kufab, Kohistan Kiran wa Menjan, Raghistan, Shar-e-Buzorg, Shignan, Shiki, Shuhada, Tagab, Tashkan, , Warduj, Yaftal-e-Sufla, Yamgan (Girwan), Yawan and Zebak (NSIA 1/6/2020; IEC Badakhshan 2019). The provincial capital of Badakhshan is Fayz Abad. The National Sta- tistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Badakhshan to be 1,054,087 persons for the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Tajiks, Pashtuns, Uzbeks, Hazara, Balochs and Kyrgyz live in the province (OP Badakhshan 1/2/2017).

Faiz Abad has an airport. As of September 2020, there are scheduled flights to and from Ka- bul ( Badakhshan n.d.). A main road connects Faiz Abad with west of Badakhshan and subsequently Kunduz (LCA 29/6/2018). In December 2019, a road was inaugurated, which connects nine districts and the provincial capital (PAJ 2/12/2019).

Badakhshan has significant mineral mines, some of which are controlled by insurgents (KP 8/2/2020), and armed conflict has erupted over the control of lapis lazuli mines in Badakhshan (AVA 25/7/2020; cf FP 22/9/2020; UNSC 27/5/2020; GW 5/6/2016).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Between 1996 and 2001, Badakhshan was one of the few areas in Afghanistan that evaded Taliban rule (RFE/RL 12/2/2018; cf. AAN 3/1/2017). Security in Badakhshan has deteriorated since the U.S. ended its surge in 2012 and began withdrawing significant numbers of troops (LWJ 28/3/2020). As of May 2020, Badakhshan is among the relatively volatile provincesin the north-eastern parts of the country (KP 6/5/2020; cf. AN 21/4/2020), where Taliban militants and terrorists belonging to other groups are actively operating and often attempt to carry out attacks against the government (KP 6/5/2020). According to the Long War Journal, two districts (Arghanj Khwah and Yamgan) are controlled by the Taliban as of the end of September 2020, and about

34 20 other districts are considered contested (LWJ n.d.; cf. LWJ 27/7/2020). Foreign fighters, primarily from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, are also active in the ranks of the Taliban (RFE/RL 29/4/2020; cf. AN 21/4/2020).

In addition to the Taliban, other insurgent groups such as Al Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) operate in the province (UNSC 27/5/2020; AN 21/4/2020; cf. KN 14/12/2019). Local government representatives in Badakhshan claim that the Islamic State (IS) is cooperating with al Qaeda in , and according to military personnel in Badakhshan, the Ansarullah network, IMU and ETIM in some districts are also working with al Qaeda and IS (AN 21/4/2020; cf. TN21/4/2020a). Tajik criminal networks, facilitating the movement of narcotics from Afghanistan into worked with insurgent groups in Badakhshan (UNSC 27/5/2020).

On the government side, Badakhshan is under the responsibility of the 217th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Pamir“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; PAJ 23/5/2020), which reports to the German-led NATO Mission Trai, Advise Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) (USDOD 1/7/2020). American forces are providing intelligence and air support to Afghan ground forces in Badakhshan (WP 18/10/2019).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description; highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

35 Abbildung 4: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.D.

36 In 2019, UNAMA documented 106 civilian casualties (48 killed and 58 injured) in Badakhshan province. This represents an increase of 68% over 2018. The main cause of casualties was air strikes, followed by ground fighting and targeted killings (UNAMA 2/2020). In the first nine months of 2020, UNAMA documented 135 civilian casualties (43 killed and 92 injured) in Badakhshan. This is more than twice as much as in the same period in 2019 (UNAMA 10/2020).

Government forces carried out clearance operations in Badakhshan (BNA 23/8/2020; XI 15/8/2020a; PAJ 23/5/2020; KP 6/5/2020; AnA 11/4/2020; KP 20/2/2020). The Taliban attacked government outposts or checkpoints, followed by direct fighting (PNA 30/9/2020; TN 26/9/2020; NYTM 24/9/2020; XI 31/8/2020; OI 13/7/2020; PAJ 23/5/2020). At the end of March 2020, the Ta- liban retook the district center of Yamgan (AN 28/3/2020; RFE/RL 28/3/2020; cf. AAN 9/4/2020). Yamgan has been liberated by government forces last year after the district had been under insurgent presence for four years (AN 28/3/2020; cf. UNGASC 17/6/2020). IED explosions were furthermore reported (AVA 2/9/2020; XI 14/8/2020; AVA 6/6/2020), including in the provincial capital (XI 1/9/2020).

Sources:

• AnA - Anadolu Agency (11/4/2020): Afghan forces kill 27 Taliban insurgents, https://www.aa.com.t r/en/asia-pacific/afghan-forces-kill-27-taliban-insurgents/1800962 , accessed 1/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (3/1/2017): The Non-Pashtun Taleban of the North (1): A case study from Badakhshan, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/the-non- pashtun-taleban-of-the-north-a-case-study-from-badakhshan/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (21/4/2020): Daesh, al-Qaeda to establish Islamic Caliphate in Badakhshan, https://ariananews.af/daesh-al-qaeda-to-establish-islamic-caliphate-in-badakhshan/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • AN - Ariana News (28/3/2020): Taliban capture Badakhshan district, killing 10, https://ariananews .af/taliban-capture-badakhshan-district-killing-10/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (2/9/2020): Suicide bomb injures four in Badakhshan, https://www.av apress.com/en/news/218034/suicide-bomb-injures-four-in-badakhshan , accessed 1/10/2020 [link currently does not work; source can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation, note] • AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (25/7/2020): Govt And Taliban Clash Over Lapis Lazuli Mine In Ba- dakhshan, https://www.avapress.com/en/news/215432/govt-and-taliban-clash-over-lapis-lazuli-m ine-in-badakhshan , accessed 28/10/2020 • AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (6/6/2020): Taliban Commander Killed in Badakhshan IED Blast, https: //www.avapress.com/en/news/211468/taliban-commander-killed-in-badakhshan-ied-blast , accessed 1/10/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (23/8/2020): Afghan Forces Repulse Taliban Attack in Badakhshan, http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/security/item/43724-afghan-forces-repulse-taliban-attack-in-b adakhshan.html , accessed 30/9/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • GW - Global Witness (5/6/2016): War in the Treasury of the People, https://www.globalwitness.or g/en/campaigns/conflict-minerals/war-treasury-people-afghanistan-lapis-lazuli-and-battle-mineral -wealth/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • FP - Foreign Policy (22/9/2020): The Taliban, at Least, Are Striking Gold in Afghanistan, https: //foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/22/taliban-afghanistan-mining-peace-talks/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • IEC Badakhshan - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elec- tions - Results by Polling Stations: Province Badakhshan, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/p reliminaryresult_by_pc/17 , accessed 28/10/2020 • Kam Air Badakhshan - Kam Air (n.d.): Your Outbound Flight Faizabad - Kabul, Flight schedules as of 29/9/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of the Staatendokumentation

37 • KN - Kabul Now (14/12/2019): Uighur fighters are present in mountainous Badakhshan, https: //kabulnow.af/2019/12/uighur-fighters-are-present-in-mountainous-badakhshan/ , accessed 1/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (6/5/2020): 16 Taliban militants killed, wounded in Badakhshan province, https://www.khaama.com/16-taliban-militants-killed-wounded-in-badakhshan-province-07782/ , accessed 1/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (20/2/2020): Prominent Taliban group leader killed in Afghan forces’ ambush in Badakhshan, https://www.khaama.com/prominent-taliban-group-leader-killed-in-afghan-forces- ambush-in-badakhshan-04471/ , accessed 1/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (8/2/2020): Badakhshan crossing from poppy cultivation to a prospering jewelry production market, https://www.khaama.com/badakhshan-crossing-from-poppy-cultivation-to-a-p rospering-jewelry-production-market-6576578/ , accessed 1/10/2020 • LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (29/6/2018): Afghanistan Road Network, https://dlca.logcluster. org/display/public/DLCA/2/3+Afghanistan+Road+Network?preview=/4228552/13631497/AFG_L CA_Road_A4L_20180625/png#id-2/3AfghanistanRoadNetwork-NorthEasternRegion , accessed 29/9/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (28/3/2020): Northern Afghan district falls to the Taliban, https://www.lo ngwarjournal.org/archives/2020/03/northern-afghan-district-falls-to-the-taliban.php , accessed 30/9/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (27/7/2020): Taliban again promotes its Badakhshan training camp, https: //www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/07/taliban-again-promotes-its-badakhshan-training-camp. php , accessed 30/9/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (o.D.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 30/9/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- /آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (24/9/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 1/10/2020 • OI - Outlook India (13/7/2020): Taliban attacks kill 16 in Afghanistan, https://www.outlookindia.com /newsscroll/taliban-attacks-kill-16-in-afghanistan/1893940 , accessed 1/10/2020 • OP Badakhshan - Office of the President of the of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provin- cial Profile Badakhshan, https://president.gov.af/en/badakhshan/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (23/5/2020): 17 militants killed in Badakhshan airstrike, clash, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/05/23/17-militants-killed-badakhshan-airstrike-clash , accessed 3/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (2/12/2019): Badakhshan ring road project inaugurated, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/12/02/badakhshan-ring-road-project-inaugurated , accessed 29/9/2020 • PNA - Pasbanan News Agency (30/9/2020): The Taliban killed the police commander of Badakhs- han Kohistan district, https://pasbanan.com/%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D 8%AE%D8%AA%D9%86-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D 9%BE%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7% D9%84%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%AA/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (29/4/2020): Afghans Claim Foreign Combatants Figh- ting Alongside Taliban In Violation Of Peace Deal, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghans-claim-foreig n-combatants-fighting-alongside-taliban-in-violation-of-peace-deal/30583552/html , accessed 30/9/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (28/3/2020): Taliban Takes District Headquarters, Says It Will Not Negotiate With Afghan Government Team, https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-takes-district -headquarters-says-it-will-not-negotiate-with-afghan-government-team/30514790/html , accessed 30/9/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (11/4/2019): Women-Led Radio Station Goes Off The Air In Remote Afghan Province, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/women-led-radio-station-goes-off-the- air-in-remote-afghan-province/29875153/html , accessed 5/11/2020

38 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (12/2/2018): Taliban Increasing Presence In Remote Afghan Region Bordering China, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-badakhshan-taliban-chia n-uighur/29035817/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (26/9/2020): Local Police Commander Killed in Taliban Attack in Badakhshan, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan-166595 , accessed 30/9/2020 • TN - Tolonews (21/4/2020a): Daesh, Affiliated Groups on Rise in Badakhshan: Officials, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/daesh-affiliated-groups-rise-badakshan-officials , accessed 1/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi .net/en/document/2039870.html , accessed 4/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/6/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 031963/S_2020_549_E.pdf , accessed 1/10/2020 • UNOCHA Badakhshan - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (19/2/2014): Reference Map Badakhshan Province, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/ sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/Badakhshan_Province_Reference_Map_DD_2014020 9FEB09_A0/pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.undocs.org/S/2020/415 , accessed 30/9/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • WP - Washington Post (18/10/2019): After dodging a Taliban assault, northeast Afghanistan braces for resurgence, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pro-government-forces-make- fragile-gains-against-taliban-in-northeast-afghanistan/2019/10/17/4e4720d4-ee82-11e9-bb7e-d2 026ee0c199_story.html , accessed 1/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (1/9/2020): Targeted attacks continue to take toll in August in Afghanistan, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/01/c_139334026/htm , accessed 1/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (31/8/2020): Afghan gov’t forces kill Taliban shadow district chief in Badakhshan, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/31/c_139331295/htm , accessed 1/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (15/8/2020a): Afghan forces launch operations in Badakhshan, kill 5 militants, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/15/c_139292800/htm , accessed 1/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (14/8/2020): 27 killed in unrest in Afghanistan within day, http://www.xi nhuanet.com/english/2020-08/14/c_139290935/htm , accessed 1/10/2020

3.3 Badghis

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Badghis province is located in the west of Afghanistan (PAJ Badghis n.d.). Its capital is Qala- i-Naw. Badghis borders in the west, Faryab in the east and Ghor in the south, while sharing an international border with in the north. Badghis consists of the following districts: Ab Kamari, , Jawand, Muqur, Qadis, and Qala-i-Naw (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Badghis 2019).The administrative affiliation of Ghormach has changed in the past. Traditionally seen as part of Badghis (AAN 22.2.2017), Ghormach was sometimes attributed to Faryab after 2007 (AAN 22/2/2017; cf. UNODC/MCN 11/2018). In 2018 it was

39 announced that the administrative affairs of Ghormach would be transferred back to Badghis for security reasons (FRP 28/8/2018; cf. NSIA 1/6/2020; IEC Badghis 2019).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Badghis to be 549,583 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). According to the Office of the , Badghis is mainly inhabited by Tajiks, Pashtuns, Uzbeks, and (OP Badghis 1/2/2017).

A part of the strategic Ring Road, which connects Kabul to Herat runs through Baghdis but is currently unpaved and all efforts to begin work on it have faced delays due to several reasons, especially security issues (WVA 2020; cf. SIGAR 6/2018). There have been reports of Taliban roadblocks and clearance operations by government forces on roads in Badghis (TN 6.9.2020; TN 19.8.2020a; ST 20.5.2020; TN 14.11.2019), including along the Ring Road in the Laman area [in Ab Kamari district, note (KP 14.1.2020)] (TN 19.8.2020a; TN 6.9.2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Badghis was the first province in northern Afghanistan to be occupied by the Taliban in 1996 (AAN 22/2/2017). After the fall of the Taliban, several influential warlords ruled over Badghis, among them Abdul Malik, Rashid Dostum, Juma Khan and (NPS Badghis n.d.). The security situation in Badghis continues to be tense at the end of August 2020 (UNOCHA 2/9/2020) and the province has been the scene of heavy clashes in recent years (XI 14/9/2020a), involving government forces and the Taliban (UPI 24/4/2020). According to estimates by the Long War Journal, the districts of Bala Murghab, Ghormach, and Muqur were under Taliban control in the beginning of October 2020, while Ab Kamari, Jawand, Qadis and Qala-i-Naw were contested (LWJ o.D.).

On the government side, Badghis is under the responsibility of the 207th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Zafar“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; XI 8/8/2020), which reports to the Italian-led NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command – West (TAAC-W) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description; highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

40 Abbildung 5: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.D.

In 2019 UNAMA documented 161 civilian casualties (77 killed and 84 injured) in . This represents an increase of 104% over 2018. The main cause of losses was fighting on the ground, followed by air strikes and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2/2020).

Clashes (UNOCHA 23/9/2020; UNOCHA 13/5/2020; UNOCHA 29/4/2020; BAMF 20/4/2020; BAMF 23/3/2020) between the Taliban and government forces, as well as Taliban attacks on security outposts took place in Badghis (NYTM 24/ 9/2020; AT 16/8/2020; TKG 12/8/2020; NYTM 30/7/2020; XI 16/7/2020; KP 24/6/2020; NYTM 30/4/2020; XI 19/4/2020; AAN 8/4/2020). In April and September 2020 this has also happened at the outskirts of the provincial capital (TN 24/4/2020; cf. NYTM 30/4/2020), respectively in Qala-i-Naw itself (NYTM 24/9/2020). The government troops conducted operations on the ground and from the air (AT 16/8/2020; XI 16/7/2020; MENAFN 21/4/2020; PAJ 29/1/2020). Furthermore, incidents with IEDs such as roadside bombs or pressure plate IEDs (NYTM 24/9/2020; XI 14/9/2020b; NYTM 30/7/2020; UNAMA 7/2020; XI 17/2/2020), as well as vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs) were reported (KP 16/9/2020; TN 23/3/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (8/4/2020): Voices from the Districts, the Violence Mapped (2): Assessing the conflict a month after the US-Taleban agreement, https://www.afghanistan-anal ysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/voices-from-the-districts-the-violence-mapped-2-assessing-th e-conflict-a-month-after-the-us-taleban-agreement/ , 1/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (22.2.2017): How Neglect and Remoteness Bred Insurgency and a Poppy Boom: The story of Badghis, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/econ omy-development-environment/how-neglect-and-remoteness-bred-insurgency-and-a-poppy-boo m-the-story-of-badghis/ , Zugriff 30.10.2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (16/8/2020): Over 30 Taliban Insurgents Killed in Badghis, http: //www.afghanistantimes.af/over-30-taliban-insurgents-killed-in-badghis/ , accessed 2/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (20/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2029411/briefingnotes-kw17-2020/pdf , accessed 2/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (23/3/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027822/briefingnotes-kw13-2020/pdf , accessed 2/10/2020

41 • FRP - Frontier Post, The (28/8/2018): Ghormach falls to Taliban as ANA troops move to Maimana, https://thefrontierpost.com/ghormach-falls-to-taliban-as-ana-troops-move-to-maimana , accessed 5/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Badghis - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Badghis, 2018, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preli minaryresult_by_pc/31 , accessed 2/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (24/6/2020): Afghan forces suffer heavy casualties in Taliban attack in Badghis province, https://www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-taliban-attack-in-ba dghis-province-08920/ , accessed 2/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (16/9/2020): 2 Dead In An Unidentified Gunmen Attack, https://www.khaama .com/2-dead-in-an-unidentified-gunmen-attack-987654/ , accessed 5/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (14/1/2020): Seven Taliban Insurgents Join Peace Process, https://www.khaa ma.com/seven-taliban-insurgents-join-peace-process-879876657/ , accessed 1/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 1/10/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (21/4/2020): Clash in Afghanistan’s Badghis provinces leaves 18 insurgents dead, https://menafn.com/1100059977/Clash-in-Afghanistans-Ba dghis-provinces-leaves-18-insurgents-dead , accessed 2/10/2020 • NPS Badghis - Naval Postgraduate School (o.D.): Badghis Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/badghis , accessed 5/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- /آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (24/9/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 1/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/7/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: July 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-july-2020/html?auth=login- email&login=email , accessed 5/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020/html , accessed 2/10/2020 • OP Badghis - Office of the President of the Islamic (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Badghes, https://president.gov.af/en/badghes/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (29/1/2020): 62 security personnel freed from Taliban jail in Badghis, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/01/29/62-security-personnel-freed-taliban-jail-badghis , accessed 5/10/2020 • PAJ Badghis - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Badghis administrative units, http://www.elections.pa jhwok.com/en/content/badghis-administrative-units , accessed 5/11/2020 • SIGAR - Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (6/2018): Afghanistan´s Ring Road from Qeysar to Laman: After more than 12 years and over $249 million spent, the project is only 15 percent complete, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/special%20projects/SIGAR-18-57-SP.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (20/5/2020): Taliban’s blockade of districts in Badghis endangers thousands of lives, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/05/20/feature-02 , accessed 2/10/2020 • TKG - The Killid Group (12/8/2020): 4 Taliban Fighters Killed in Badghis, https://tkg.af/english/202 0/08/12/4-taliban-fighters-killed-in-badghis/ , accessed 2/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (6/9/2020): Herat-Badghis Highway Cleared of Taliban, https://tolonews.com/afgha nistan/herat-badghis-highway-cleared-taliban , accessed 1/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (19/8/2020a): Taliban Control Herat-Badghis Highway: Locals, https://tolonews.c om/afghanistan/taliban-control-herat-badghis-highway-locals , accessed 1/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (24/4/2020): 13 Security Force Members Killed in Badghis, https://tolonews.com/a fghanistan/13-security-force-members-killed-badghis , accessed 2/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (23/3/2020): 3 Army Soldiers Killed in Badghis Explosion, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/3-killed-badghis-roadside-mine-blast , accessed 5/10/2020

42 • TN - Tolonews (14/11/2019): Badghis: District With Mined Roads Faces Food Shortage Crisis, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/badghis-district-mined-roads-faces-food-shortage-crisis , accessed 2/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (7/2020): Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Midyear Report 1 January - 30 June 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file /local/2034915/unama_poc_midyear_report_2020_-_27_july-revised_10_august.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (23/9/2020): Afgha- nistan Weekly Humanitarian Update (14-20 September 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2038015/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_20_september_202 0/pdf , accessed 2/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2/9/2020): Afghani- stan Weekly Humanitarian Update (24-30 August 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/20370 63/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_30_august_2020/pdf , accessed 1/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (13/5/2020): Afgha- nistan Weekly Humanitarian Update (4-10 May 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2029870 /afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_10_may.pdf , accessed 2/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (29/4/2020): Afgha- nistan Weekly Humanitarian Update (20-26 April 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2028987 /afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_26_april.pdf , accessed 2/10/2020 • UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime/MCN – Ministry of Counter Narcotics (11/2018): Afghanistan Opium Survey 2018, https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan/ Afghanistan_opium_survey_2018.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UPI - United Press International (24/4/2020): At least 13 dead in Taliban attack on Afghan outpost, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/04/24/At-least-13-dead-in-Taliban-attack-on-Af ghan-outpost/8051587724586/ , accessed 2/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • WVA - World Vision Afghanistan (2020): Voucher Shop Rapid Market Assessment of Bala Murghab and Ghormach districts of Badghis, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitari anresponse.info/files/assessments/bala_murghab_ghormach_districts_rapid_market_assessmen t_by_world_vision_13_february_2020/docx , accessed 1/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (14/9/2020a): Former senator, 5 guards killed in Taliban ambush in W. Afghanistan, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/asiapacific/2020-09/14/c_139368002/htm , accessed 5/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (14/9/2020b): Roadside bomb kills 5 Afghan soldiers in western Badghis province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/14/c_139366995/htm , accessed 5/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (8/8/2020): Army officer, 5 militants killed in clashes in western Afghani- stan, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/08/c_139274738.htm , accessed 30/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (16/7/2020): Taliban attack on Afghan district repulsed, 13 militants killed, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/16/c_139217492/htm , accessed 2/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (19/4/2020): Militants attack kill 3 police in Afghanistan’s western Badghis, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/19/c_138990041/htm , accessed 2/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (17/2/2020): Roadside bomb wounds 6 civilians in Afghanistan’s western Badghis province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02/17/c_138792446/htm , accessed 5/10/2020

3.4 Baghlan

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

43 Baghlan, which is located in the northeast of Afghanistan, borders on the provinces of Bamyan, Samangan, Kunduz, Takhar, Panjsher, Parwan (UNOCHA Baghlan 4/2014), as well as Balkh, on a very small section (AIMS n.d.). Baghlan is subdivided into the following 15 districts: Andarab, Baghlan-e-Jadeed (also known as Baghlan-e-Markazi), Burka, Dahana-e-Ghuri, Deh Salah, Dushi, Firing Wa Gharu, Gozargah-e-S. Noor, Khinjan, Khost Wa Firing, Khwaja Hejran (Jalga), Nahreen, Pul-e-Hisar, Pul-i-Khumri, and Tala Wa Barfak. The capital of the province is Pul-i- Khumri (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Baghlan 2019).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Baghlan to be 1.014,634 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Tajiks are the majority ethnic group in Baghlan, closely followed by Pashtuns and Hazaras. In addition, ethnic Uzbeks and Tatars live in Baghlan (NPS Baghlan n.d.).

Baghlan is situated at the northern stretch of the national ring road, which is also known as Highway 1. This stretch of Highway 1 connects the capital Kabul via the Salang Pass with the north-eastern as well as northern region of the country and its capital Mazar-e Sharif. There is a road fork at Pul-e Khumri, with the eastern road leading to Kunduz, the regional capital of the north-east, and further on to Tajikistan, via the river port of (AAN 30/10/2019). In September 2020, it was reported that the Taliban were levying customs duties on the transport of goods between Kabul and Kunduz at checkpoints in Baghlan (TN 19/9/2020), and in July 2020, fighting on the outskirts of Pul-i-Khumri interrupted traffic to and from Balkh (TN 6/7/2020). Security in Baghlan is also important for Kabul’s energy supply, as power lines from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan run through the province. Clashes in Baghlan repeatedly led to power cuts (KP 25/8/2020; KP 5/5/2020; KP 23/4/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Baghlan is one of the relatively volatile provinces in Afghanistan (KP 21/6/2020; cf. DFK 13/2/2020) with fierce fighting occurring again and again, mostly between the Taliban and go- vernment troops (DFK 13/2/2020; cf. KP 21/6/2020). The Taleban established themselves at various locations near Highway 1 and its north-eastern fork to Kunduz, creating an ability to interrupt its use during larger attack operations. This has happened for instance in September 2019 (AAN 30/10/2019), when the Taliban attacked Pul-i-Khumri and Kunduz City simultaneous- ly (AAN 9/11/2019; cf. UNGASC 10/12/2019; AAN 30/10/2019). Furthermore, the Islamic State (IS) reportedly maintains a smaller cell in the province (VOA 20/3/2020; cf. TN 12/3/2020).

On the government side, Baghlan is under the responsibility of the 217th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Pamir“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; BNA 31/8/2020), which reports to the German-led NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description; highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

44 Abbildung 6: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.D.

45 In 2019, UNAMA documented 349 civilian casualties (123 killed and 226 injured) in . This represents an increase of 34% over 2018. The main cause of death was fighting on the ground, followed by targeted killings and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2/2020).

Direct fighting between insurgents and government troops occured in Baghlan (AT 26/8/2020; UNOCHA 18/8/2020; BAMF 17/8/2020; RFE/RL 6/8/2020; UNOCHA 15/7/2020; UNOCHA 28/6/2020; BAMF 6/4/2020; RFE/RL 30/3/2020; KP 23/1/2020), with theTaliban attempting to overrun villages (AT 26/8/ 2020) or a district (XI 12/9/2020), as well as government security posts (TN 30/9/2020; NYTM 24/9/2020; NYTM 30/7/2020; NYTM 30/4/2020; AAN 8/4/2020; TN 2/2/2020; AA 28/1/2020), including in the provincial capital Pul-i-Khumri (NYTM 30/7/2020; TN 18/6/2020). The government forces carried out airstrikes (AT 26/8/2020; NYTM 30/7/2020; PAJ 22/7/2020) and clearance operations (TN 16/7/2020; TN 1/2/2020) and recaptured the district of Gozargah-e-Noor in February 2020, which had been under Taliban control for the past five months (TN 1/2/2020).

Detonations of roadside bombs took place in Baghlan (TN 5/8/2020; NYTM 30/7/2020), also in the provincial capital (TN 19/8/2020b; NYTM 30/7/2020; MENAFN 28/7/2020). Furthermo- re, attempted suicide attacks were reported (UNAMA 7/2020; BNA 29/3/2020; PAJ 2/2/2020). According to UNAMA, the Taliban had recruited minors for the suicide attack in early February (UNAMA 7/2020).

Sources:

• AnA - Anadolu Agency (28/1/2020): Taliban attack kills 11 Afghan police in Baghlan, https://www. aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/taliban-attack-kills-11-afghan-police-in-baghlan/1716639 , accessed 5/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (8/4/2020): Voices from the Districts, the Violence Mapped (2): Assessing the conflict a month after the US-Taleban agreement, https://www.afghanistan-anal ysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/voices-from-the-districts-the-violence-mapped-2-assessing-th e-conflict-a-month-after-the-us-taleban-agreement/ , 1/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (30/10/2019): Afghanistan’s 2019 Election (22): Glances at Kunduz, Baghlan, Samangan, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/political-landscap e/afghanistans-2019-election-22-glances-at-kunduz-baghlan-samangan/ , accessed 5/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (11/9/2019): Taleban attacks on Kunduz and Pul-e Khumri: Symbolic operations, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/taleban-atta cks-on-kunduz-and-pul-e-khumri-symbolic-operations/ , accessed 5/10/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AIMS - Afghanistan Information Management System (o.D.): AIMS Political Divisions Map, n.d., https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=2b63527870ef416bacf83bcaf388685f , accessed 5/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (26/8/2020): Taliban Storm Seceral Villages in Baghlan, http://www.afghan istantimes.af/taliban-storm-several-villages-in-baghlan/ , accessed 5/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (17/8/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2037631/briefingnotes-kw34-2020/pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (6/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027827/briefingnotes-kw15-2020/pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (31/8/2020): Mines Neutralized in Baghlan, http://www.bakhtarnews. com.af/eng/security/item/43830-mines-neutralized-in-baghlan.html , accessed 3/11/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (29/3/2020): Suicide Bomber Killed in Baghlan, http://www.bakhtarn ews.com.af/eng/security/item/42643-suicide-bomber-killed-in-baghlan.html , accessed 6/10/2020

46 • DFK - Deutschlandfunk Kultur (13/2/2020): Jung, radikal und hilflos, https://www.deutschlandfun kkultur.de/die-zukunft-der-taliban-jung-radikal-und-hilflos.979/de.html?dram:article_id=470092 , accessed 5/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Baghlan - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Eleciton - Results by Polling Stations: Province Baghlan, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryre sult_by_pc/9 , accessed 3/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (25/8/2020): Baghlan Clashes Lead to Power Outage, https://www.khaama.c om/baghlan-clashes-cause-a-power-outage-564563/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (21/6/2020): Taliban kill prayer leader of a mosque for announcing funeral of an Afghan police, https://www.khaama.com/taliban-kill-prayer-leader-of-a-mosque-for-announcing -funeral-of-an-afghan-police-08909/ , accessed 5/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (5/5/2020): More electricity transmission towers damaged due to clashes in North of Afghanistan, https://www.khaama.com/more-electricity-transmission-towers-damaged-du e-to-clashes-in-north-of-afghanistan-07785/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (23/4/2020): Clashes in Doshi district cut electricity supply to Kabul and other provinces, https://www.khaama.com/clashes-in-doshi-district-cut-electricity-supply-to-kabul-and-o ther-provinces-04712/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (23/1/2020): Afghan forces suffer casualties in Taliban attacks, https://www.kh aama.com/afghan-forces-suffer-casualties-in-taliban-attack-870980986/ , accessed 5/10/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (28.7.2020): Afghanistan- 5 civilians suffer casualties in Taliban roadside bomb in Baghlan province, https://menafn.com/1100554010/Afgh anistan-5-civilians-suffer-casualties-in-Taliban-roadside-bomb-in-Baghlan-province , accessed 3/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ - - - - - .pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 • NPS Baghlan - Naval Postgraduate School (o.D.): Baghlan Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/baghlan , accessed 5/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (24/9/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 1/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/7/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: July 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-july-2020/html?auth=login- email&login=email , accessed 5/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020/html , accessed 2/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (22/7/2020): 8 of a family killed, injured in Baghlan airstrike, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/07/22/8-family-killed-injured-baghlan-airstrike , accessed 5/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (2/2/2020): Bomber killed, 2 civilians injured in Baghlan, https://www. pajhwok.com/en/2020/02/02/bomber-killed-2-civilians-injured-baghlan , accessed 6/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (6/8/2020): Afghan Civilians, Taliban Militants Killed In Attacks Across Afghanistan, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-civilians-taliban-militants-killed-in-attac ks-across-afghanistan/30769780/html , accessed 5/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (30/3/2020): At Least 28 Afghan Soldiers Killed In Taliban Attacks, Prisoner Release Postponed, https://www.rferl.org/a/at-least-28-afghan-soldiers- killed-in-taliban-attacks-prisoner-release-postponed/30517702/html , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (30/9/2020): Taliban Storm Police HQ, 1 Police Officer Killed, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-166702 , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (19/9/2020): Taliban Accused of Extortion on Major Highways, https://tolonews.com /business-166389 , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (19/8/2020b): 2 Security Force Members Killed, 11 Wounded in Baghlan Blast, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/2-security-force-members-killed-11-wounded-baghlan-blast , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (5/8/2020): 12 People Killed in ’Roadside Blast’ in Baghlan, https://tolonews.com/a fghanistan/12-people-killed-roadside-blast-baghlan , accessed 5/10/2020

47 • TN - Tolonews (16/7/2020): 3 Taliban Killed in Clashes With Security forces in Baghlan, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/3%C2%A0taliban-killed-clashes-security-forces-baghlan , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (6/7/2020): Taliban Attacks Stop Traffic on Northern Highway: Sources, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/taliban-attacks-stop-traffic-northern-highway-sources , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (18/6/2020): 7 Police Killed in Baghlan Attack, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/7 %C2%A0police-killed-%C2%A0baghlan-attack , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (12/3/2020): ’Daesh’s Khorasan Branch is Fragile and Divided’: AISS, https://tolone ws.com/afghanistan/daesh%E2%80%99s-khorasan-branch-fragile-and-divided-aiss , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (2/2/2020): Five Security Force Members Killed on Kunduz-Baghlan Highway, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/five-security-force-members-killed-kunduz-baghlan-highway , accessed 5/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (1/2/2020): Afghan Forces Retake Guzargah-e-Noor District of Baghlan, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-forces-retake-gazargah-e-noor-district-baghlan , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (7/2020): Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Midyear Report 1 January - 30 June 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file /local/2034915/unama_poc_midyear_report_2020_-_27_july-revised_10_august.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (10/12/2019): The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/l ocal/2021377/A_74_582_E.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (18/8/2020): Af- ghanistan: Weekly update on the humanitarian situation (covering 10 - 16 August 2020), https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2036050/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_16_august_2020/pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (15/7/2020): Af- ghanistan: Weekly update on the humanitarian situation (covering 6 - 12 July 2020), https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2033806/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_12_july.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (28/6/2020): Af- ghanistan: Weekly update on the humanitarian situation (covering 22 - 28 June 2020), https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2032417/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_28_june_2020.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNOCHA Baghlan - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: North Eastern Region - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1184496/193 0_1415353203_afghanistan-north-eastern-region-Distrikt-atlas.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (20/3/2020): US Admits Taliban Offensive Is Whittling IS’s Grip on Afghani- stan, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/us-admits-taliban-offensive-whittling-iss-grip-af ghanistan , accessed 5/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (12/9/2020): Afghan forces kill 6 militants in northern Baghlan province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/asiapacific/2020-09/12/c_139363650/htm , accessed 6/10/2020

3.5 Balkh

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

48 Balkh is located in the north of Afghanistan, bordering Uzbekistan in the north, Tajikistan in the northeast, Kunduz and Baghlan in the east, Samangan in the southeast, Sar-e-Pul in the southwest, Jawzjan in the west, and Turkmenistan in the northwest (UNOCHA Balkh 13/4/2014; cf. GADM 2018). The provincial capital is Mazar-e Sharif. The province is subdivided into the following districts: Balkh, Char Bolak, Char Kent, Chimtal, Dawlat Abad, Dehdadi, Kaldar, Kishin- deh, Khulm, Marmul, Mazar-e Sharif, Nahri Shahi, Sholgara, Shortepa, and Zari (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Balkh 2019).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Balkh to be 1.509,183 persons in the period of 2020-21, with approximately 484,492 people dwelling in the capital Mazar-e Sharif (NSIA 1/6/2020). Balkh is an ethnically diverse province that is home to Pashtuns, Uzbeks, Hazaras, Tajiks, Turkmen, Aimaqs, Balochs, and Sunnite Hazaras (Kawshi) (PAJ Balkh n.d.; cf. NPS Balkh n.d.), as well as members of the small ethnic group of the Magats (AAN 8/7/2020).

Balkh and Mazar-i Sharif more specifically serve as both an export/import hub as well as regional trading centre for northern Afghanistan (SH 16/1/2017). The national Ring Road (also known as Highway 1) connects Balkh with the neighboring provinces of Jawzjan in the west and Kunduz in the east and subsequently with Kabul (TD 5/12/2017). About 30 km east of Mazar-e Sharif, the National Highway (NH) 89 branches off the Ring Road, leading northwards to the border town of /Termiz (OSM n.d.; cf. TD 5/12/2017). This is the main transit road for cargo from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan (LCA 4/7/2018).

The most volatile road section in is along Highway 1 west of the district centre of Balkh towards Jawzjan province. Incidents occur on an almost daily basis and there is an increased risk of IEDs near government posts in this area, not only along Highway 1 but also on the regional roads (STDOK 21/7/2020). In areas with Taliban presence, such as in the southern districts of Zari (AAN 23/5/2020), Kishindeh and Sholgara, there is a higher risk to encounter Taliban checkpoints (STDOK 21/7/2020; cf. TN 20/12/2019).

Mazar-e Sharif has an airport with scheduled services to national and international destinations (KA Balkh n.d.; STDOK 25/3/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Balkh was among the relatively peaceful provinces in North of Afghanistan but the security situation has deteriorated in some of its remote districts in recent years (KP 10/2/2020; STDOK 21/7/2020) as Taliban militants attempt to expand their foothold in this key northern province (KP 10/2/2020; cf. AA 16/7/2020). The Taliban attack now more frequently and also control more areas in the west, northwest and south of the province, although as of October 2019, no urban centres were under their control (STDOK 21/7/2020). The Long War Journal estimated that the district of Dawlat Abad was under Taliban control in early October 2020, while the districts of Char Bolak, Chimtal and Zari were considered contested (LWJ n.d.).

Mazar-e Sharif is seen as comparatively safe. Smaller IED attacks however took place on an almost monthly base in2019, most of them in the vicinity of the Blue Mosque. The security forces

49 have been the main targets of these attacks, but civilian casualties also occurred. As in other major cities in Afghanistan, crime is a problem in Mazar-e Sharif. Residents of the city reported armed robberies in particular (STDOK 21/7/2020). Furthermore, clashes between militia leaders or local strongmen and government forces erupted in Mazar-e Sharif in December and March 2019 (NYT 16/12/2019; REU 14/3/2019).

On the government side, Balkh is under the responsibility of the 209th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Shaheen“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; TN 22/4/2018), which reports to the German-led NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) (USDOD 1/7/2020). The headquarters of the Shaheen Corps is located in Dehdadi District (TN 22/4/2018). Most soldiers of the German armed forces are stationed in (SP 7/4/2019). In addition, the U.S. Armed Forces maintain a regional hub in the province (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 7: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.D.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 277 civilian casualties (108 killed and 169 injured) in Balkh provin- ce. This represents an increase of 22% over 2018. Fighting on the ground was the main cause of death, followed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and targeted killings (UNAMA 2/2020).

50 In the first three quarters of 2020, UNAMA documented 553 civilian casualties (198 dead, 355 injured) in the province, which is more than double the number of civilian victims compared to the same period last year (UNAMA 10.2020). In the first half of 2020, civilians in the provinces of Balkh and Kabul were most affected by the conflict in Afghanistan regarding the number of victims (UNAMA 7.2020).

In his quarterly reports on the security situation in Afghanistan, which were published in March and June 2020, the UN Secretary-General ranked Balkh among the most conflict-intensive provinces in the country(UNGASC 17/6/2020; UNGASC 17/3/2020; cf. LWJ 10/3/2020) and also in September, Balkh was seen as one of the provinces with the most severe Taliban at- tacks in the country (BAMF 14/9/2020). Direct fighting (UNOCHA 23/9/2020; AJ 1/5/2020; DH 8/4/2020) and attacks by the Taliban on district centers (UNOCHA 23/7/2020; REU 1/5/2020; UNOCHA 26/2/2020) or security posts took place (NYTM 1/10/2020; NYTM 28/8/2020; AnA 18/3/2020; XI 7/1/2020). Government forces conducted clearing operations (AN 25/6/2020; MENAFN 24/3/2020; AA 18/3/2020; XI 25/1/2020).

Incidents such as IED detonations, for example by roadside bombs (NYTM 28/8/2020), as well as vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs), and suicide attacks were reported (TN 25/8/2020; RFE/RL 25/8/2020; RFE/RL 19/9/2020). IED attacks also repeatedly took place in Mazar-e Sharif (NYTM 1/10/2020; AN 19/9/2020; TN 1/7/2020; AP 14/1/2020; TN 4/1/2020). Furthermore, cases of an abduction (DH 8/4/2020) as well as murder of civilians were reported (NYTM 1/10/2020; DH 8/4/2020).

Note: Further information on Balkh and Mazar-e Sharif, including the security situation, can be found in the analysis of the Staatendokumentation „Informationen zu sozioökonomischen und si- cherheitsrelevanten Faktoren in der Provinz Balkh“, released on 21/7/2020 (STDOK 21/7/2020).

Sources:

• AA - Auswärtiges Amt [Federal Foreign Office - Germany] (16.7.2020): Bericht über die asyl-und abschiebungsrelevante Lage in der Islamischen Republik Afghanistan (Stand Juni 2020), https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2035827/Ausw%C3%A4rtiges_Amt%2C_Bericht_%C3%BCber_die_a syl-_und_abschiebungsrelevante_Lage_in_der_Islamischen_Republik_Afghanistan_%28Stand_J uni_2020%29%2C_16.07.2020.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (8/7/2020): Citizens, Finally, But No Place to Settle: The Magats, one of Afghanistan’s most marginalised minorities, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org /en/reports/context-culture/citizens-finally-but-no-place-to-settle-the-magats-one-of-afghanistans -most-marginalised-minorities/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (23/5/2020): The case of Mawlawi Mehdi and : Are the Taleban attracting Hazaras?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-an d-peace/the-case-of-mawlawi-mehdi-and-balkhab-district-are-the-taleban-attracting-hazaras , accessed 8/10/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (1/5/2020): Taliban kills 13 Afghan soldiers in Balkh province, https://www.aljazeer a.com/news/2020/5/1/taliban-kills-13-afghan-soldiers-in-balkh-province , accessed 8/10/2020 • AnA - Anadolu Agency (18/3/2020): Taliban, Afghan forces clash in Balkh province, https://www. aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/taliban-afghan-forces-clash-in-balkh-province-/1770048 , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (19/9/2020): A grim day of assassinations and bombings for Afghans, https: //ariananews.af/a-grim-day-of-assassinations-and-bombings-for-afghans , accessed 8/10/2020

51 • AN - Ariana News (25/6/2020): Four members of a family killed in Afghan airstrike - Balkh, https: //ariananews.af/four-members-of-a-family-killed-in-afghan-airstrike-balkh , accessed 8/10/2020 • AP - Associated Press (14/1/2020): Afghan official: Bombs kill 2 children in northern province, https://apnews.com/article/d5112be0fbbaecc1284a7af21007814e , accessed 8/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (14/9/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2037644/briefingnotes-kw38-2020.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • DH - Deccan Herald (8/4/2020):Taliban kill 7 civilians in Afghanistan’s Balkh province: Official, https://www.deccanherald.com/international/taliban-kill-7-civilians-in-afghanistans-balkh-province -official-822853.html , accessed 8/10/2020 • GADM Global Administrative Areas (2018): Afghanistan [Karte], https://gadm.org/maps/AFG_1.html , accessed 5/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Balkh - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election - Results by Polling Stations: Province Balkh, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresu lt_by_pc/21 , accessed 5/11/2020 • KA Balkh - Kam Air (n.d.): Flight schedules as of 29/9/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of the Staatendokumentation • KP - Khaama Press (10/2/2020): Prominent Taliban leader, in charge of high-tech weapons killed in an airstrike, https://www.khaama.com/prominent-taliban-leader-in-charge-of-high-tech-weapons -killed-in-an-airstrike-04439 , accessed 7/10/2020 • LCA - Logistics Capacity Assessment (4/7/2018): Afghanistan Road Network, https://dlca.logclus ter.org/display/public/DLCA/2.3+Afghanistan+Road+Network , accessed 5/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (10/3/2020): Since agreement with U.S., Taliban has attacked Afghan forces in 27 of 34 provinces, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/03/since-agreement- with-u-s-taliban-has-attacked-afghan-forces-in-27-of-34-provinces.php , accessed 8/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 30/9/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (24/3/2020): Afghanistan- Taliban sustain heavy casualty in Balkh, https://menafn.com/1099905985/Afghanistan-Taliban-sustain-heavy-ca sualty-in-Balkh , accessed 8/10/2020 • NPS Balkh - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Balkh Provincial Review, https://my.nps.edu/web/c cs/balkh , accessed 5/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020.html , accessed 8/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020.html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020 • OSM - Openstreetmap (n.d.): Hairitan [map], https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=haira tan#map=11/36.9930/67.4341 , accessed 5/11/2020 • PAJ Balkh - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background Profile of Balkh, http://elections.pajhwok.co m/en/content/background-profile-balkh , accessed 5/11/2020 • REU - Reuters (1/5/2020): Afghanistan suffers upsurge in fighting and in coronavirus, https://www. reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-taliban-attacks-idUSKBN22D5KO , accessed 12/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (19/9/2020): Paktia Provincial Councilor Shot Dead In Southeastern Afghanistan, https://www.rferl.org/a/paktia-provincial-councilor-shot-dead-in-south eastern-afghanistan/30846975.html , accessed 8/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (25/8/2020): Dozen Killed In Taliban Truck Bomb, Other Attacks Across Afghanistan, https://www.rferl.org/a/dozen-killed-in-taliban-truck-bomb-other-attac ks-across-afghanistan/30801578.html , accessed 8/10/2020 • SH - Samuel Hall (16/1/2017): Samuel Hall, Economic Assessment and Labour Market Survey of Mazar-i Sharif, Pul-i Khumri, Kandahar City and Kunduz City, https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/economic-assessment-and-labour-market-survey-mazar-i- sharif-pul-i-khumri-kandahar , accessed 5/11/2020

52 • SP - Spiegel, der (7/4/2019): kann Camp in Afghanistan nicht anfliegen, https://www. spiegel.de/politik/ausland/bundeswehr-kann-camp-marmal-in-afghanistan-nicht-anfliegen-a-1261 702.html , accessed 8/10/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA [Heugl, Katharina] (21/7/2020): Informationen zu sozio- ökonomischen und sicherheitsrelevanten Faktoren in der Provinz Balkh auf Basis von Interviews im Rahmen der FFM Mazar-e Sharif 2019, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2034797/AFGH_ANA LY_Mazar-e+Sharif_2020_07_21_final.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (25/3/2019): Airports Map, can be retrieved from the archive of the Staatendokumentation • TD - The Diplomat (5/12/2017): Kabul’s Plan to Realize Afghanistan’s Geographic Dividend, https: //thediplomat.com/2017/12/kabuls-plan-to-realize-afghanistans-geographic-dividend , accessed 5/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (1/7/2020): Two Explosions in Mazar-e-Sharif, One Civilian Killed, https://tolonews.c om/index.php/afghanistan/two-explosions-mazar-e-sharif-one-civilian-killed , accessed 8/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (4/1/2020): One Civilian Killed in IED Explosion in Balkh, https://tolonews.com/afg hanistan/one-civilian-killed-ied-explosion-balkh , accessed 8/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (20/12/2019): Drivers Protest Extortion on Key Northern Highway, https://tolonews .com/afghanistan/drivers-protest-extortion-key-northern-highway , accessed 8/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (22/4/2018): 209 Shaheen Corps: The Base The Taliban Attacked, https://www.tolo news.com/afghanistan/209-shaheen-corps-base-taliban-attacked , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNAMA - UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/do cument/2039870.html , accessed 4.11.2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (7/2020): Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Midyear Report 1 January - 30 June 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file /local/2034915/unama_poc_midyear_report_2020_-_27_july-revised_10_august.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/6/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 031963/S_2020_549_E.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/3/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 027422/S_2020_210_E.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (23/9/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (14 - 20 September 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/docume nt/2038015.html , accessed 12/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (23/7/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (13 - 19 July 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/203 4601.html , accessed 12/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (26/2/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (17 - 23 February 2020), https://www.humanitarianresponse .info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/afghanistan-humanitarian_weekl y_23_february.pdf , accessed 12/10/2020 • UNOCHA Balkh - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (13/4/2014): Afghanistan Northern Region District Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.hu manitarianresponse.info/files/Northern.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (25/1/2020): Afghan airstrikes kill 6 insurgents in northern Balkh province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/25/c_138732958.htm , accessed 8/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (7/1/2020): Militants’ attack kills 4 Afghan troopers in northern Balkh province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/07/c_138685413.htm , accessed 8/10/2020

53 3.6 Bamyan

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Bamyan province borders Samangan in the north, Baghlan, Parwan and (Maidan) Wardak in the east, Ghazni and Daikundi in the south, and Sar-e Pul and Ghor in the west (UNOCHA Bamyan 4/2014). It is subdivided into seven districts: Bamyan, Kahmard, Panjab, Saighan, Shebar, Waras, and . In addition, there is the temporary district of Yakawlang Two (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Bamyan 2019). Temporary districts are districts that have been approved after entry into force of the 2004 constitution by the president due to security or other considerations, but have not yet been approved by parliament (AAN 16/8/2018). The provincial capital is Bamyan City (NSIA 1/6/2020).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Bamyan to be 495,557 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Bamyan is conside- red to be the unofficial Hazara capital of Afghanistan (AJ 27/6/2016) and is part of the so-called Hazarajat (DFAT 18/9/2017). After the Hazaras, the Tajiks and Pashtuns are the second and third-largest ethnic groups in Bamyan. About 90% of the population of Bamyan are Shiites (PAJ Bamyan n.d.).

Bamyan has an airport with scheduled flights from and to Kabul (Kam Air Bamyan n.d.). On the ground, Bamyan can be reached from Kabul either via the Kabul-Bamyan highway, via (Maidan) Wardak province or via Parwan (PAJ 26/4/2015). By 2022, Bamyan is to be linked to neighbouring Baghlan by the so-called Baghlan-Bamyan (B2B) Road (WB n.d.). This should create an alternative to the Salang Pass also suitable for larger vehicles in case the pass is closed due to weather conditions or reconstruction (MoT 11/2019). A road connecting with Dara-e-Soof in is under construction (AVA 20/9/2020; cf. XI 9/1/2017).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Bamyan is considered one of the safest regions in the country for the past several years, and has not experienced clashes. But there are concerns of Taliban offensive attacks from Tala-wa-Barfak district (in Baghlan province (NSIA 1/6/2020)) (KP 21/9/2020).

On the government side, Bamyan is under the responsibility of the 203rd Afghan National Army (ANA) „Tandar“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020, GS 6/9/2018), which reports to the Task Force Southeast led by U.S. forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

54 Abbildung 8: *temporary district ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented five civilian casualties (3 killed and 2 injured) in . This represents a decrease of 29% compared to 2018. This corresponds to a 29% decrease compared to 2018, mainly due to unexploded ordnance (UXOs) and landmines (UNAMA 2/2020).

In September 2020, Taliban attacks on a government security post (KP 21/9/2020, KN 21/9/2020) and a special police unit in Shebar district were reported (KP 27/9/2020; cf. MEN- AFN 27/9/2020b). The attack on the security post took place after a visit by President Ashraf Ghani to the province; the Taliban fighters had come to Bamyan from neighboring Baghlan (KN 21/9/2020).

At the end of November 2020, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated at a market place in Bamyan City, killing at least 17 persons and wounding over 50 others. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban denied an involvement in the blasts (XI 25/11/2020; cf. NAT 24/11/2020). According to a security official, this was the first attack of this kind in Bamyan since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 (NAT 24/11/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2018): The Afghanistan Election Conundrum (12): Good news and bad news about district numbers, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/politi cal-landscape/the-afghanistan-election-conundrum-12-good-news-and-bad-news-about-district- numbers/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (27/6/2016): Afghanistan: Who are the Hazaras?, https://www.aljazeera.com/feat ures/2016/6/27/afghanistan-who-are-the-hazaras , accessed 5/11/2020 • AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (20/9/2020): Ghani Arrives in Bamyan Province, https://www.avapress .com/en/news/219209/ghani-arrives-in-bamyan-province , accessed 14/10/2020 • DFAT - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [Australia] (18/9/2017): Hazara in Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/1419305.html , accessed 5/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020

55 • IEC Bamyan - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election - Results by Polling Stations: Province Bamyan, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryre sult_by_pc/10 , accessed 5/11/2020 • Kam Air Bamyan - Kam Air (n.d.d): Your Outbound Flight Bamyan - Kabul, Flight schedules as of 14/10/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of the Staatendokumentation • KN - Kabul Now (21/9/2020): Taliban attack leaves two policemen dead in Bamyan, https://kabuln ow.af/2020/09/taliban-attack-leaves-two-policemen-dead-in-bamyan , accessed 14/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (27/9/2020): Taliban Ambush Claims 4 Elite Police Forces, https://www.khaa ma.com/bamyan-taliban-ambush-claims-4-elite-police-forces-123654/, accessed 14/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (21/9/2020): Security Forces Repulse Taliban Attack in Bamyan, https://www.khaama.com/security-forces-repulse-taliban-attack-bamyan-987465/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (27/9/2020b): Afghanistan- Taliban fighters kill four policemen in Bamyan, https://menafn.com/1100865221/Afghanistan-Taliban-fighters-kill- four-policemen-in-Bamyan , accessed 14/10/2020 • MoT - Ministry of Transport [Afghanistan] (11/2019): Trans Hindukush Road Connectivity Project (THRCP) RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN (RAP), https://mot.gov.af/sites/default/files/2020-05/f inal_revised_rap-seg-5-thrcp_nov_.pdf , accessed 14/10/2020 • NAT - The National (24/11/2020): First bombing in Afghanistan’s Bamyan since 2001 kills 23, https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/first-bombing-in-afghanistan-s-bamyan-since-2001- kills-23-1.1117157 , accessed 1/12/2020 • NPS Bamyan - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.), Bamyan Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/bamyan , accessed 5/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (26/4/2015): reopens for traffic, https://www.pajhwok. com/en/2015/04/26/hajigak-pass-reopens-traffic , accessed 5/11/2020 • PAJ Bamyan - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background Profile of Bamyan Province, http://electi ons.pajhwok.com/en/content/background-profile-bamyan-province , accessed 5/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (27/11/2018a): Alipoor Says He Is ’Ready To Hand Over All Weapons’, https: //www.tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan/alipoor-says-he-%E2%80%98ready-hand-over-all-we apons-officially , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Bamyan Province Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianre sponse.info/files/Bamyan.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (6/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • WB - World Bank, The (n.d.), Trans-Hindukush Road Connectivity Project, www.projects.worldba nk.org/P145347/?lang=en&tab=overview , accessed 5/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (25/11/2020): 17 killed, over 50 wounded in market place blasts in Afghanistan’s Bamyan, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-11/25/c_139540659_2.htm , accessed 1/12/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (9/1/2017): Chinese firm signs contract to build road in Afghanistan, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/09/c_135964706.htm , accessed 5/11/2020

3.7 Daikundi

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

56 Daikundi (also Daykundi) is located in the central region of Hazarajat and borders Ghor in the north and west, Bamyan in the east, Ghazni in the southeast, Uruzgan in the south, and Helmand in the southwest (UNOCHA Daikundi 4/2014). While Daikundi had been part of in the past, it has meanwhile become a province in its own right (PAJ 1/2/2014). In addition to the provincial capital Nili, Daikundi comprises the following districts: Ishterlai, Pato, Kejran, Khedir, Kiti, Miramor, Sang-e-Takht, and Shahristan (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Daikundi 2019). In the past, Gizab/Pato district was counted either towards Uruzgan or Daikundi (AAN 31/10/2011), until Pato became a separate district in June 2018 (AAN 27/1/2019). The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) listed Pato as a temporary district of Daikundi in 2020 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Temporary districts are those districts that have been approved after entry into force of the 2004 constitution by the president due to security or other considerations, but have not yet been approved by parliament (AAN 16/8/2018). In March 2016, the Hazara-dominated district of Nawamish was split from the Pashtun-majority in by presidential order. In June 2017, its administration was transferred to Daikundi (AAN 16/8/2018) and in 2018 the government decided that Nawamish was to become part of Daikundi (Mobasher 2019). While newspaper reports attributed Nawamish to Daikundi in August and May 2020 (MENAFN 19/8/2020; XI 1/5/2020), the NSIA and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) continued to count the district as part of Helmand (NSIA 1/6/2020; IEC Helmand 2019). According to one source, this is a conflict along ethnic lines: While Pashtuns demand that Nawamish should be part of Daikundi, Hazaras favour it being part of Helmand (Mobasher 2019).

The NSIA estimates the population of Daikundi to be 516,504 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Being part of the Hazarajat (UNOCHA Daikundi 4/2014), the majority population in Daikundi is Hazara, with a minority of Pashtun, Baluch, and Sayeed (NPS Daikundi n.d.).

Daikundi is surrounded by mountains. Lack of road infrastructure and long distance from major Afghan cities makes transportation a costly and often risky task (KN 19/5/2020). The province can be reached via Uruzgan or Bamyan (LCA 4/7/2018), but heavy snow in winter makes the accessibility difficult and roads can get cut off because of bad weather (LCA 4/7/2018; cf. AnA 13/2/2020). There is an airport in Daikundi, but according to the provincial governor, it is suitable only for small planes (TN 6/4/2018). There are no scheduled flight services to and from Daikundi (STDOK 25/3/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Daikundi is a relatively peaceful area in the central highlands (RFE/RL 12/7/2020; cf. AAN 27/1/2019), but Kejran is situated near volatile Helmand province (AT 29/9/2020) and in August 2020, a source considered it one of the insecure districts of the province (KP 31/8/2020; cf. PAJ 25/9/2020, AVA 20/6/2020).

On the government side, Daikundi is under the responsibility of the 205th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Atal“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; KP 3/8/2019), which reports to the U.S.-led NATO Mission Train Advise Assist Command - South (TAAC-S) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

57 Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 9: *temporary district ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 70 civilian casualties (44 killed and 26 injured) in Daikundi provin- ce. This represents an increase of 71% over 2018. The main cause of casualties were improvised explosive devices (IEDs; excluding suicide bombings), followed by ground fighting and air ope- rations (UNAMA 2/2020).

The Taliban attacked government security posts in the districts of Kejran (NYTM 30/4/2020, PAJ 29/3/2020) and Pato (NYTM 28/8/2020, NYTM 30/7/2020; cf. RFE/RL 12/7/2020). The government forces conducted clearance operations in Kejran at the turn of 2019/2020 (DOA 2/1/2020; cf. PAJ 27/12/2019). In September 2020, an incident involving a roadside bomb caused the death of 15 civilians in Kejran (AT 29/9/2020; cf. UNAMA 10/2020). Furthermore, kidnappings by Taliban were reported in the district (KP 31/8/2020, AVA 20/6/2020; cf.RY 21/6/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (27/1/2019): The 2018 Election Observed (7) in Daikundi: The outstanding role of women, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/the-parliamentary-election-in-dai -the-outstanding-role-of-women/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2018): The Afghanistan Election Conundrum (12): Good news and bad news about district numbers, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/politi cal-landscape/the-afghanistan-election-conundrum-12-good-news-and-bad-news-about-district- numbers/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (31/10/2011): Trouble in Gizab; the fight everyone chose to ignore, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/trouble-in-gizab-the-fight-everyone-chose-to-ignore/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (o.D.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020

58 • AnA - Anadolu Agency (13/2020): Heavy Snowfall, avalanche leaves 15 dead in Afghanistan, https:// www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/heavy-snowfall-avalanche-leaves-15-dead-in-afghanistan/1733245 , accessed 15/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (29/9/2020): A roadside bomb struck a minivan in Daikundi province, killing at least fifteen civilians, http://www.afghanistantimes.af/a-roadside-bomb-struck-a-minivan-in-daik undi-province-killing-at-least-fifteen-civilians/ , accessed 15/10/2020 • AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (20/6/2020): Taliban Holding 57 Civilians Hostage in Daikundi: Officials, https://www.avapress.com/en/news/212518/taliban-holding-57-civilians-hostage-in-Daikundi-offic ials , accessed 15/10/2020 • DOA - Daily Outlook Afghanistan (2/1/2020): Comprehensive Counter-Taliban Operations Begin in Daikundi, http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/national_detail.php?post_id=25838 , accessed 15/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (o.D.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Daikundi - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election - Results by Polling Stations: Province Daikundi, 2018, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preli minaryresult_by_pc/24 , accessed 4/11/2020 • IEC Helmand - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election Results by Polling Stations: Province Hilmand, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryre sult_by_pc/30 , accessed 15/10/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (19/5/2020): Covid-19 crisis: what is happening in Daikundi?, https://kabulnow.af/ 2020/05/covid-19-crisis-what-is-happening-in-daikundi , accessed 15/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (31/8/2020): Taliban Kill 3 Children in Daikundi, https://www.khaama.com/tal iban-kills-3-children-in-Daikundi-3453/ , accessed 15/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (3/8/2019): Afghan forces inflict heavy casualties on Taliban militants in Daikundi and Kandahar, https://www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-inflict-heavy-casualties-on-taliban-militan ts-in-daikundi-and-kandahar-03540/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (4/7/2018): Afghanistan Road Network, https://dlca.logcluster. org/display/public/DLCA/2/3+Afghanistan+Road+Network#id-2/3AfghanistanRoadNetwork-Nort hEasternRegion , accessed 15/10/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (19/8/2020): Afghanistan- Afghan forces kill 31 Taliban rebels in latest military stings, https://menafn.com/1100663102/Afghanistan-Afghan-for ces-kill-31-Taliban-rebels-in-latest-military-stings , accessed 15/10/2020 • Mobasher, M. Bashir (2019): Constitutional Features of Presidential Elections and the Failure of Cross-ethnic Coalitions to Institutionalize. In: Ratuva, Steven (Hg.): The Palgrave Handbook of Ethnicity. Singapur: Palgrave Macmillan, https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-98 1-13-2898-5_157.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • NPS Daikundi - Naval Postgraduate School (o.D.): Dai Kundi Provincial Overview, https://my.nps .edu/web/ccs/dai-kundi , accessed 5/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020/html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/7/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: July 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-july-2020/html?auth=login- email&login=email , accessed 5/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020/html , accessed 2/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (25/9/2020): Heavy fighting forces thousands of families to flee Gezab, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/09/25/heavy-fighting-forces-thousands-families-flee-gezab , accessed 15/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (29/3/2020): 4 police killed, 8 injured in Daikundi clash, https://www. pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/29/4-police-killed-8-injured-daikundi-clash , accessed 15/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (27/12/2019): 7 Taliban killed in Daikundi operation, https://www.pajh wok.com/en/2019/12/27/7-taliban-killed-daikundi-operation , accessed 15/10/2020

59 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (1/2/2014): Mineral resources of Daikundi province, http://mines.pajh wok.com/news/mineral-resources-daikundi-province , accessed 5/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (12/7/2020): Four Afghan Soldiers Killed In Suspected Taliban Attack, https://www.rferl.org/a/four-afghan-soldiers-killed-in-suspected-taliban-attack/3072 2134/html , accessed 15/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (21/6/2020): Taliban Releases 55 Hostages in Daikundi, http://reporterly.net/live/ newsfeed/sunday-june-21-2020/taliban-releases-55-hostages-in-Daikundi , accessed 15/10/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (25/3/2019): Airports Map, can be retrieved from the archive of the Staatendokumentation • TN - Tolonews (6/4/2018): Daikundi Secure But Lacks Development: Residents, 6 April 2018, https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/daikundi-secure-lacks-development-residents , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNAMA - UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/do cument/2039870.html , accessed 4.11.2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA Daikundi - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Daikundi Province Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www. humanitarianresponse.info/files/Daikundi.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (1/5/2020): Militants attack kills Afghan police in central Daikundi province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/01/c_139023466/htm , accessed 15/10/2020

3.8 Farah

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Farah is located in the west of Afghanistan. The province borders Herat in the north, Ghor in the northeast, Helmand in the southeast, Nimroz in the south, and Iran in the west (UNOCHA Farah 4/2014). The province is subdivided into eleven districts: Anar Dara, Bakwa, Bala Buluk, Farah, Gulistan, Khak-i-Safed, Lash-i-Juwayn, Pur , Pushtrud, Qala-i-Kah (also: Pusht e Koh Qala Ka (OP Farah 1/2/2017)), and Shibkoh (Sheb Koh Qala Ka (OP Farah 1/2/2017)). The provincial capital is also called Farah (NSIA 1.6.2020; cf. IEC Farah 2019). The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Farah to be 563,026 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Most of Farah’s residents are Pashtuns, with Tajik and smaller Hazara communities living mainly in rural areas (NPS Farah n.d.). The province is also home to Aylat, Mugal, Sadat, Bomodi, Aymaq, Barahawi and Baloch tribes (PAJ Farah n.d.).

Farah has an airport with scheduled services to regional destinations (KA Farah n.d.; BFA COI 25/3/2019). Part of the Ring Road runs through Farah, linking the province with the regional centre Herat in the north and Nimroz and Helmand provinces in the south and southeast (TD 5/12/2017). Cross-border transport and trade with Iran is possible through the port of Abu Nasr Farahi (TN 21/9/2018; cf. IRNA 4/11/2018). In November 2019, it was reported that the Taliban had mined a road to the border crossing in order to divert the traffic through areas under their

60 control, enabling them to collect taxes from drivers (KN 30/11/2019). Taliban checkpoints and customs collection also took place on the Herat-Kandahar route (ST 24/1/2020). In March 2020, the Taliban blocked traffic to Herat on a section in Farah (PAJ 19/3/2020).

Farah is one of the main opium poppy growing provinces in Afghanistan (AAN 25/06/2020). The major destination for opiate trafficking from is reportedly the Islamic Republic of Iran (UNODC 1/2020). Also, the Taliban were reported to be in control of 60 per cent of methamphetamine laboratories in the key producing provinces of Farah and Nimruz (UNSC 27/5/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Farah is an insecure province in the west of the country (MENAFN 27/9/2020a; cf. KN 20/1/2020; XI 9/6/2019). The Taliban maintain an active presence in the province (KN 20/1/2020; cf.AA 16/7/2020). For example in 2018 and 2019, Farah City was subject of Taliban attacks (AAN 17/2/2020). According to estimates of the Long War Journal, the districts of Anar Dara, Bala Buluk, Gulistan, Khak-i-Safed, and Shibkoh were under Taliban control in October 2020, while the districts of Bakwa, Farah, Pur Chaman, Pushtrud, and Qala-i-Kah were considered contested (LWJ n.d.; cf. KN 20/1/2020).

Farah is of strategic importance to both insurgents and pro-government figures due to the transport routes into neighbouring Iran (AAN 7/6/2018; cf. KN 30/11/2019). Smuggling goods to and from Iran is also lucrative for criminal groups (KN 8/10/2020; cf. UNODC 1/2020). The Taliban reportedly levy taxes on cross-border traffic (KN 30/11/2019) as well as on the Herat-Kandahar route (ST 24/1/2020).

On the government side, Farah is under the responsibility of the 217th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Zafar“ Corps (USDOD 6/2020; KN 9/2/2020), which reports to the Italian-led NATO Mission Train Advise Assist Command - West (TAAC-W) (USDOD 6/2020). In August 2018, the Afghan Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the deployment of US special forces to assist with the training of the Afghan armed forces in Farah (KP 5/8/2018) [more recent information on the deployment of the US special forces in Farah could not be found, note].

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

61 Abbildung 10: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 147 civilian casualties (87 killed and 60 injured) in Farah province. This represents a decrease of 47% compared to 2018. The main reasons for civilian casualties were IEDs (excluding suicide attacks), ground fighting and air strikes (UNAMA 2/2020).

Direct fighting took place in the province (BAMF 20/4/2020), for example when the Taliban at- tacked security posts of government forces (NYTM 1/10/2020; MENAFN 27/9/2020a; UNAMA 6/2020; PAJ 28/5/2020; PAJ 18/5/2020; PAJ 3/5/2020; PAJ 20/3/2020) as well as an ANA military base (ANI 27/8/2020). Clashes or attacks on security posts also took place in Farah City (PAJ 28/5/2020; PAJ 18/5/2020; PAJ 16/4/2020). Between mid-December 2019 and the end of Fe- bruary 2020, Helmand, Kandahar and Farah Provinces accounted for 44 per cent of air strikes (UNGASC 17/3/2020). Government forces launched a clearance operation called „Bakhtawar“ (Engl. „luck“) in Farah in winter 2019/20 (RY 13/1/2020; VOA 13/1/2020; cf. AT 7/1/2020; KN 9/2/2020) and air strikes were also carried out in summer (PAJ 31/8/2020;REU 5/6/2020). Du- ring the operations at the turn of 2019/20, a Taliban customs house was also destroyed among other things (VOA 13/1/2020; cf. AT 7/1/2020).Incidents with IEDs, for example a detonation of a VBIED in Farah City (PAJ 12/8/2020), as well as explosions of roadside bombs were also reported (NYTM 1/10/2020; BNA 20/7/2020; NYTM 27/2/2020).

Sources:

• AA - Auswärtiges Amt [Federal Foreign Office - Germany] (16/7/2020): Bericht über die asyl-und abschiebungsrelevante Lage in der Islamischen Republik Afghanistan (Stand Juni 2020), https: //www.ecoi.net/en/document/2035827.html , accessed 7/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (25/6/2020): New World Drug Report: Opium production in Afghanistan remained the same in 2019, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/econom y-development-environment/new-world-drug-report-opium-production-in-afghanistan-remained-t he-same-in-2019 , accessed 29/9/2020

62 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (17/2/2020): First Breakthrough Toward Peace? A look at the seven-day ’reduction of violence’, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-pe ace/first-breakthrough-toward-peace-a-look-at-the-seven-day-reduction-of-violence , accessed 12/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (7/6/2018): Why Farah? A short history of the local insurgency (II), https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/why-farah-a-short-history-of-the-local-insurgency-ii , accessed 27/5/2019 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool , accessed 8/10/2020 • ANI - Asian News International (27/8/2020): Taliban attacks army base in Western Afghanistan, https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/taliban-attacks-army-base-in-western-afghanistan20200 827152316 , accessed 13/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (7/1/2020): Several Villages of Farah Purged of Taliban Presence, http: //www.afghanistantimes.af/several-villages-of-farah-purged-of-taliban-presence , accessed 13/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (20/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/document/2029411.html , accessed 13/10/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (20/7/2020): Roadside Mine Took the Life of NDS Officer in Farah, http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/security/item/43414-roadside-mine-took-the-life-of-nds-office r-in-farah.html , accessed 13/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Farah - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Farah, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresu lt_by_pc/33 , accessed 2/11/2020 • IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency (4/11/2018): Afghanistan opens Farah border to Iranian goods, https://en.irna.ir/news/83089168/Afghanistan-opens-Farah-border-to-Iranian-goods , accessed 17/7/2019 • KA Farah - Kam Air (n.d.): Your Outbound Flight Farah - Kabul, flight schedules as of 12/10/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • KN - Kabul Now (8/10/2020): Illegal trade across Afghan-Iran border makes lucrative business for trade mafia, https://kabulnow.af/2020/10/illegal-trade-across-afghan-iran-border-makes-lucrative- business-for-trade-mafia , accessed 13/10/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (20/1/2020): Taliban retail weapons of Afghan forces in Farah, https://kabulnow.a f/2020/01/taliban-retail-weapons-of-afghan-forces-in-farah , accessed 13/10/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (9/2/2020): Five ‘civilians’ killed in airstrike in Farah, https://kabulnow.af/2020/02/ five-civilians-killed-in-airstrike-in-farah , accessed 14/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (5/8/2018): MoD confirms deployment of US Special Forces in Farah province, https://www.khaama.com/mod-confirms-deployment-of-us-special-forces-in-farah-province-05719 , accessed 27/5/2019 • LWJ - Long War Journal (10/3/2020): Since agreement with U.S., Taliban has attacked Afghan forces in 27 of 34 provinces, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/03/since-agreement- with-u-s-taliban-has-attacked-afghan-forces-in-27-of-34-provinces.php , accessed 14/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 30/9/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (27/9/2020a): Insurgents storm security outposts in Farah, killing 7 soldiers, https://menafn.com/1100865215/Insurgents-storm-security-ou tposts-in-Farah-killing-7-soldiers , accessed 13/10/2020 • NPS Farah - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Farah Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu/w eb/ccs/farah , accessed 27/5/2019 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020.html , accessed 13/10/2020

63 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (27/2/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: February 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-february-2020.html , accessed 14/10/2020 • OP Farah - Office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017b): Provincial Profile Farah, https://president.gov.af/en/farah , accessed 14/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (31/8/2020): 11 insurgents killed in Farah airstrike, says ANA, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/08/31/11-insurgents-killed-farah-airstrike-says-ana , accessed 13/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (12/8/2020): 5 police killed, 12 wounded in Farah city blast, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/08/12/5-police-killed-12-wounded-farah-city-blast , accessed 13/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (28/5/2020): 14 security personnel killed in Parwan, Farah attacks, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/05/28/14-security-personnel-killed-parwan-farah-attacks , accessed 13/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (18/5/2020): Influential elder among 6 killed in fresh violence, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/05/18/influential-elder-among-6-killed-fresh-violence , accessed 13/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (3/5/2020): A dozen insurgents killed in Farah firefight, https://www. pajhwok.com/en/2020/05/03/dozen-insurgents-killed-farah-firefight , accessed 13/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (16/4/2020): Security personnel among 8 killed in Farah clash, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/04/16/security-personnel-among-8-killed-farah-clash , accessed 13/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (20/3/2020): Farah: Police officer among 3 killed in insurgent attack, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/20/farah-police-officer-among-3-killed-insurgent-attack , accessed 13/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (19/3/2020): Militants close Herat-Farah highway for traffic, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/19/militants-close-herat-farah-highway-traffic , accessed 13/10/2020 • PAJ Farah - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background Profile of Farah, http://elections.pajhwok. com/en/content/background-profile-farah , accessed 2/11/2020 • REU - Reuters (5/6/2020): U.S. forces conduct airstrikes on Taliban in Afghanistan, https://www.re uters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-taliban-idUSKBN23C27W , accessed 13/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (13/1/2020): Taliban’s Customs Office Destroyed in Farah: MoD, http://reporterly .net/live/newsfeed/monday-january-13-2020/-customs-office-destroyed-in-farah-mod , accessed 13/10/2020 • TD - The Diplomat (5/12/2017): Kabul’s Plan to Realize Afghanistan’s Geographic Dividend, https: //thediplomat.com/2017/12/kabuls-plan-to-realize-afghanistans-geographic-dividend , accessed 24/5/2019 • TN - Tolonews (21/9/2018): Import Ban Affects Business In Farah Port, https://www.tolonews.com /business/import-ban-affects-business-farah-port , accessed 17/7/2019 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (6/2020): Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Special Report: Attacks on Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/unama_special_report_attacks_on_healthcare_d uring_the_covid-19_pandemic_20_june_2020.pdf , accessed 13/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/3/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 027422/S_2020_210_E.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • UNOCHA Farah - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Farah Province Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.hu manitarianresponse.info/files/Farah.pdf , accessed 17/1/2019 • UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (1/2020): ’Voices of the Quchaqbar’ - Un- derstanding opiate trafficking in Afghanistan from the perspective of drug traffickers, https://www. unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/AOTP/AOTP_Voices_of_Quchaqbar_2020_web.pdf , accessed 13/10/2020

64 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.undocs.org/S/2020/415 , accessed 30/9/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (6/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (13.1.2020): Afghan Military: Taliban Customs House Destroyed in Sou- thwest Afghanistan, https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/afghan-military-taliban-customs- house-destroyed-southwest-afghanistan , Zugriff 2.11.2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (9/6/2019): Afghan forces kill 6 militants inwestern Farah province: officer, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-06/09/c_138128829.htm , accessed 2/11/2020

3.9 Faryab

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Faryab province, which is located in the northwest of Afghanistan, borders Turkmenistan in the west and north, Jawzjan and Sar-e Pul in the east, Ghor in the south, and Badghis in the southwest (UNOCHA Faryab 4/2014). The provincial capital is Maimana. The province consists of the following districts: Almar, , Bilchiragh, Dawlat Abad, Gurziwan, Khani Charbagh, Khwaja Sabz Posh-i Wali, Kohistan, Maimana, Pashtun Kot, Qaram Qul, Qaisar, Qurghan, Shirin Tagab (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Faryab 2019). The administrative affiliation of Ghormach has changed in the past. Traditionally seen as part of Badghis (AAN 22.2.2017), Ghormach was sometimes attributed to Faryab after 2007 (AAN 22/2/2017; see UNODC/MCN 11/2018). In 2018 it was announced that the administrative affairs of Ghormach would be transferred back to Badghis for security reasons (FRP 28/8/2018; cf. NSIA 1/6/2020; IEC Faryab 2019).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Faryab to be 1.109,223 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Alongside Sar-e Pul, Faryab is one of two provinces in Afghanistan with an Uzbek majority. In addition, the province is home to Tajiks/Aimaqs, Pashtuns, Hazaras, Moghuls and other smaller ethnic groups (AAN 17/3/2017; cf. PAJ Faryab n.d.), such as the Magats in Andkhoy (AAN 8/7/2020).

A stretch of the Ring Road passes through Faryab, linking it to the neighbouring province of Jawzjan in the east and ultimately Mazar-e Sharif in Balkh, as well as Badghis in the west (TD 5/12/2017; cf. LCA 4/7/2018). In spite of significant funding being disbursed since 2005, only 15% of a 233-kilometer section of the Afghan Ring Road between Qaisar district in Faryab and Laman in Badghis had been completed by September 2017. SIGAR attributed the failure of the project mainly to security problems and was not convinced that, given the growing insecurity in the region, there was a high degree of confidence that the project will be completed (SIGAR 6/2018) [as of November 2020, more recent information on the completion of the project could not be found, note].

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Faryab is strategically important as it connects the western parts of the country with the north (AAN 17/3/2017). It is one of the insecure provinces, where Taliban often carry attacks against

65 civilians, government officials and security forces (KP 11/10/2020). According to the Long War Journal, the districts of Bilchiragh, Kohistan, Pashtun Kot, Qaram Qul and Shirin Tagab were under Taliban control in October 2020, while Almar, Dawlat Abad, Gurziwan, Khwaja Sabz Posh-i Wali, Maimana, Qaisar and Qurghan were contested (LWJ n.d.). By contrast, Khani Charbagh district on the border with Turkmenistan was considered comparatively safe in July 2020 (XI 19/7/2020).

Besides the Taliban, other groups are present in Faryab. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) (UNSC 27/5/2020) as well as the Central Asian Khatiba Imam al-Bukhari (KIB) operate in Faryab. The KIB numbers about 70 fighters; they participate actively in hostilities against Afghan government forces (UNSC 20/1/2020; cf. LWJ 7/7/2020). Up to 25 fighters constitute a covert Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan presence in Faryab (UNSC 4/2/2020).

On the government side, Faryab is under the responsibility of the 209th ANA „Shaheen“ Corps (USDOD 6/2020; cf. NYT 14/8/2019), which reports to the Train Advise Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) NATO mission led by German forces (USDOD 6/2020). In addition to regular go- vernment troops, so-called „People´s Uprising Forces“ („Khezesh-e mardomi“ (AB 2/9/2020)) fight against the Taliban in the province (AVA 29/9/2020; KP 9/10/2020). They are at times part of ´s or Jumbesh´s militia (NYT 4/7/2018; AB 2/9/2020; cf. NYT 17/12/2019).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

66 Abbildung 11: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019 UNAMA documented 665 civilian casualties (199 killed and 466 injured) in . This represents an increase of 3% over 2018. The main cause of casualties was fighting on the ground, followed by air attacks and unexploded ordnance (UXO)/landmines (UNAMA 2/2020). In the first half of 2020, UNAMA counted 233 civilian victims in the province, placing Faryab among the provinces with the highest amount of civilian casualties (UNAMA 7/2020). UNAMA also reported that the Taliban carried out a public execution in Faryab in June 2020, which happens relatively rarely (UNAMA 7/2020; cf. AVA 28/6/2020). Residents in Faryab face increasing restrictions as the Taliban are turning again increasingly towards the type of moral policing imposed by the hard-line Islamist regime a quarter-century ago, as they have now mostly banned music at weddings and other celebrations in areas under their control (RFE/RL 22/9/2020).

Fighting and attacks were reported in Faryab (FRP 9/10/2020; UNOCHA 4/10/2020; UNOCHA 6/9/2020; UNOCHA 18/8/2020; UNOCHA 23/7/2020; BAMF 6/4/2020; BAMF 30/3/2020; BAMF 23/3/2020; BAMF 16/3/2020), with the Taliban attacking security posts (NYTM 24/ 9/2020; NYTM 30/4/2020; RY 16/3/2020; NYTM 30/1/2020) - also in the provincial capital (RY 29/9/2020; NYTM 24/9/2020) -, a military base (NYTM 30/7/2020) and district centres (UNOCHA 23/7/2020; NYTM 30/4/2020; NYTM 30/1/2020). Government forces carried out clearing operations (TOI 5/9/2020; AT 31/8/2020; XI 24/5/2020), also from the air (RY 1/9/2020; XI 5/8/2020a; PAJ 2/1/2020).

67 Furthermore, incidents with IEDs, such as roadside bombs (NYTM 30/4/2020; TN 23/2/2020), as well as targeted killings (NYTM 30/7/2020; NYTM 30/4/2020) and abductions were reported (BNA 21/7/2020; NYTM 30/4/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (8/7/2020): Citizens, Finally, But No Place to Settle: The Magats, one of Afghanistan’s most marginalised minorities, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org /en/reports/context-culture/citizens-finally-but-no-place-to-settle-the-magats-one-of-afghanistans -most-marginalised-minorities/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (17/3/2017): Non-Pashtun Taleban of the North (2): Case studies of Uzbek Taleban in Faryab and Sar-e Pul, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/non-pas htun-taleban-of-the-north-2-case-studies-of-uzbek-taleban-in-faryab-and-sar-e-pul/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (22.2.2017): How Neglect and Remoteness Bred Insurgency and a Poppy Boom: The story of Badghis, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/econ omy-development-environment/how-neglect-and-remoteness-bred-insurgency-and-a-poppy-boo m-the-story-of-badghis/ , Zugriff 30.10.2020 • AB - Afghan Bios (2/9/2020): Qaisari, Nezamuddin Col., http://www.afghan-bios.info/index.p hp?option=com_afghanbios&id=3909&task=view&total=3634&start=2601&Itemid=2 , accessed 20/10/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (o.D.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (31/8/2020): Dozens of Taliban rebels killed in Faryab, http://www.afghan istantimes.af/dozens-of-taliban-rebels-killed-in-faryab/ , accessed 19/10/2020 • AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (28/6/2020): Taliban Executes Young Men For Shaving Beard In Faryab, https://www.avapress.com/en/news/213154/taliban-executes-young-men-for-shaving-beard-in-fa ryab , accessed 20/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (6/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027827/briefingnotes-kw15-2020/pdf , accessed 19/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (30/3/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027826/briefingnotes-kw14-2020/pdf , accessed 19/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (23/3/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027822/briefingnotes-kw13-2020/pdf , accessed 19/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (16/3/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027821/briefingnotes-kw12-2020/pdf , accessed 19/10/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (21/7/2020): Taliban Release a Freelance Journalist in Faryab, www. bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/security/item/43417-taliban-release-a-freelance-journalist-in-faryab.html , accessed 20/10/2020 • FRP - Frontier Post, The (9/10/2020): ASF repulse Taliban attack in Faryab, https://thefrontierpost. com/asf-repulse-taliban-attack-in-faryab/ , accessed 19/10/2020 • FRP - Frontier Post, The (28/8/2018): Ghormach falls to Taliban as ANA troops move to Maimana, https://thefrontierpost.com/ghormach-falls-to-taliban-as-ana-troops-move-to-maimana , accessed 5/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (o.D.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Faryab - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Faryab, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryre sult_by_pc/29 , accessed 28/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (11/10/2020): Taliban Intensified War in Faryab: Governor, https://www.khaa ma.com/taliban-intensified-war-in-faryab-governor-7665 , accessed 16/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (9/10/2020): ASF Repulse Taliban Attack in Faryab, https://www.khaama.com /asf-repulse-taliban-attack-in-faryab-987655 , accessed 20/10/2020 • LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (4/7/2018): Afghanistan Road Network, https://dlca.logcluster. org/display/public/DLCA/2/3+Afghanistan+Road+Network , accessed 19/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (7/7/2020): Uzbek jihadist group claims capture of Afghan militiamen, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/07/uzbek-jihadist-group-claims-capture-of-afghan- militiamen.php , accessed 19/10/2020

68 • LWJ - Long War Journal (o.D.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 30/9/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYT - New York Times, The (17/12/2019): Afghan Warlord Escapes Arrest as Troops Turn City into War Zone, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/16/world/asia/afghanistan-Qaisari-arrest.html , accessed 20/10/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (14/8/2019): The Afghan Army’s Last Stand at Chinese Camp, https: //www.nytimes.com/2018/08/14/world/asia/the-afghan-armys-last-stand-at-chinese-camp.html?m odule=inline , accessed 2/9/2019 • NYT - New York Times, The (4/7/2018): Afghan Province in Chaos After Crackdown on Militia Leader, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/asia/afghanistan-militia-faryab.html , accessed 5/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (24/9/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 1/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/7/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: July 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-july-2020/html?auth=login- email&login=email , accessed 5/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020/html , accessed 2/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/1/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: January 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-january-2020/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (2/1/2020): 22 Taliban killed, 24 injured in strikes, clashes, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/01/02/22-taliban-killed-24-injured-strikes-clashes , accessed 19/10/2020 • PAJ Faryab - Pajhwok Afghan News (o.D.): Background profile Faryab province, https://www.elec tions.pajhwok.com/en/content/background-profile-faryab-province , accessed 5/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty (22/9/2020): In A Return To Moral Policing, Taliban And Clerics Ban Music In Afghan Province, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/in-a-return-to-moral-polici ng-taliban-and-clerics-ban-music-in-afghan-province/30852096/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty (20/1/2020): Afghan Officials: Taliban Kills Six Members Of Same Family, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-officials-taliban-kills-six-members-of-same-family/ 30386688/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (29/9/2020): 3 Security Personnel Killed In Taliban Attacks In Faryab, https://repo rterly.net/live/newsfeed/tuesday-september-29-2020/3-security-personnel-killed-in-taliban-attacks- in-faryab/ , Zugriff 5/11/2020 • RY - Reporterly (1/9/2020): 21 Taliban Killed In Security Forces Counterattack In Faryab, Kandahar, http://reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/tuesday-september-1-2020/21-taliban-killed-in-security-forces-c ounterattack-in-faryab-kandahar/ , accessed 19/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (16/3/2020): Security Force, Civilian Killed in Clashes with Taliban in Faryab, http://reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/monday-march-16-2020/security-force-civilian-killed-in-clashes- with-taliban-in-faryab/ , accessed 19/10/2020 • SIGAR - Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (6/2018): Afghanistan´s Ring Road from Qeysar to Laman: After more than 12 years and over $249 million spent, the project is only 15 percent complete, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/special%20projects/SIGAR-18-57-SP.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • TD - The Diplomat (5/12/2017): Kabul’s Plan to Realize Afghanistan’s Geographic Dividend, https: //thediplomat.com/2017/12/kabuls-plan-to-realize-afghanistans-geographic-dividend/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (23/2/2020): 2 Confirmed Attacks on Afghan Forces on Second Day of RIV, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/2-confirmed-attacks-afghan-forces-second-day-riv , accessed 19/10/2020

69 • TOI - Times of India (5/9/2020): Afghan forces kill 46 Taliban terrorists in Northern Faryab, https: //timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/afghan-forces-kill-46-taliban-terrorists-in-northern- faryab-province/articleshow/77950589/cms , accessed 19/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (7/2020): Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Midyear Report 1 January - 30 June 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file /local/2034915/unama_poc_midyear_report_2020_-_27_july-revised_10_august.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/10/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (28 September - 4 October 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/ document/2038794/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (6/9/2020): Afghani- stan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (31 August - 6 September 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/docu ment/2038025/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (18/8/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (10 - 16 August 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2 036050/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (23/7/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (13 - 19 July 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/203 4601/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • UNOCHA Faryab - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Northern Region - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www. humanitarianresponse.info/files/Northern.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime/MCN - Ministry of Counter Narcotics (11/2018): Afghanistan Opium Survey 2018, https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan/ Afghanistan_opium_survey_2018.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030769/html , accessed 30/9/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (4/2/2020): Tenth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2 024821/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (20/1/2020): Twenty-fifth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2368 (2017) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/202 4173/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (6/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (5/8/2020a): Afghan airstrikes kill 4 militants in northern Faryab province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/05/c_139266783/htm , accessed 19/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (19/7/2020): Feature: Comparative peace could be huge relief in Afghan district, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/19/c_139224446/htm , accessed 19/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (25/4/2020): Afghan forces clear 5 villages from militants in northern Faryab, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/25/c_139007227/htm , accessed 19/10/2020

3.10 Ghazni

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

70 Ghazni is located in the south of Afghanistan, bordering Bamyan and Wardak in the north, Logar, Paktya and Paktika in the east, Zabul in the south, and Uruzgan and Daikundi in the west. Ghazni has no international borders (UNOCHA Ghazni 4/2014). The province is subdivided into 19 districts: the provincial capital Ghazni City and the districts Ab Band, Ajristan, (also referred to as Shelgar (AAN 22/5/2018)), Deh Yak, Gelan, Giro, Jaghatu, Jaghuri, Khwaja Omari, Malistan, Muqur, Nawa, Nawur, Qara Bagh, Rashidan, Waghaz, Wali Shahid (Khugyani), and Zanakhan (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Ghazni 2019).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Ghazni to be 1.362,504 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Almost half of Ghazni’s population is Pashtun, somewhat less than half Hazara and about 5% Tajik (NPS Ghazni n.d.). Furthermore, there are several smaller groups such as Bayats and Sadats (PAJ Ghazni n.d.). In the past, several hundred Sikh families have been living in the city of Ghazni. By now, they have largely left Ghazni. A last Sikh inhabitant of the city emphasized that his community has faced no persecution from Ghazni’s ethnic Pashtun, Tajik, or Hazara residents but the fear of being targeted in attacks by Islamist militants or kidnapped by criminals made them leave (RFE/RL 23/9/2020).

The city of Ghazni is situated near the Ring Road that connects the capital Kabul with the major population centre of Kandahar in the south. Moreover, the road to Sharan, the provincial capital of Paktika, branches off the Ring Road at Ghazni, and the road to , the capital of Paktya province, intersects the Ring Road not far north of there. Control over Ghazni is thus of strategic importance (CJ 13/8/2018). As of September 2020, the main roads connecting Kabul to Ghazni, Kabul to Bamyan, Ghazni to Kandahar and Ghazni to Paktika remain insecure as clashes between ANSF and insurgents are ongoing, which continues to affect civilian movements (UNOCHA 27/9/2020). The Taliban reportedly maintain checkpoints along the Ring Road in Ghazni (RFE/RL 30/10/2020, UNOCHA 6/2020, PAJ 3/3/2020, XI 29/2/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

In August 2020, Ghazni was among the relatively volatile provinces in the south-east of Afghani- stan where Taliban militants have active presence in some of its restive districts (KP 16/8/2020; cf. LWJ 27/1/2020). In July 2020, residents claimed that Taliban fighters had reached close to the security belt around Ghazni city and had blocked roads leading to the provincial capital (AT 7/7/2020; cf. LWJ 10/3/2020). In October 2020 the Long War Journal considered the districts of Ajristan, Andar, Deh Yak, Giro, Jaghatu, Nawa, Nawur, Rashidan, Waghaz, Wali M. Shahid, and Zanakhan to be under Taliban control , while Ab Band, Gelan, Ghazni City, Jaghuri, Khwaja Omari, Malistan, Muqur, and Qara Bagh were considered contested (LWJ n.d.). Another source termed Andar, Deh Yak, Muqur, and Qara Bagh in August 2020 as heavily contested or under Taliban control (AAN 8/2020).

According to a report by UN, Al-Qaida is covertly active in 12 Afghan provinces, one of them being Ghazni (UNSC 27/5/2020).

71 On the government side, Ghazni is under the responsibility of the 203rd Afghan National Army (ANA) „Tandar“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. AAN 25/7/2018), which reports to the US-led Task Force Southeast (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 12: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 673 civilian casualties (213 dead and 460 injured) in . This represents an increase of 3% over 2018. The main cause of death was suicide bombings, followed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and fighting on the ground (UNAMA 2/2020).

Direct fighting occurred in the province (BAMF 17/8/2020, BAMF 20/4/2020, BAMF 30/3/2020, BAMF 23/3/2020), with the Taliban attacking security posts, military facilities or convoys of go- vernment forces and the government forces returning fire (RY 24/ 8/2020, RFE/RL 6/8/2020,

72 NYTM 30/7/2020, KUNA 22/7/2020, KP 12/7/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020, BAAG 2/1/2020). In Au- gust 2020, this has also happened in the provincial capital (NYTM 28/8/2020, KP 16/8/2020). In December 2019, the Taliban carried out an insider attack on a unit of the newly created ANA Territorial Force (ANA-TF) in Qara Bagh district (NYT 14/12/2019, cf. AAN 8/2020). The go- vernment forces conducted clearance operations (KP 11/5/2020, PAJ 3/3/2020, KP 19/2/2020, XI 29/1/2020a) and in September 2020, the deployment of additional troops in the province was reported (KP 7/9/2020).

Incidents with IEDs, such as detonations of roadside bombs (NYTM 30/7/2020, GW 1/5/2020, NYTM 30/4/2020, RFE/RL 13/12/2019) and vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs) occured in Ghazni (HOA 24/8/2020, cf. RY 24/8/2020, XI 9/8/2020); in May 2020, a VBIED attack was also carried out in Ghazni City (VOA 18/5/2020, SAS 18/5/2020). Abductions and killings by the Taliban were also reported in the province (OMCT 4/8/2020, cf. AIHRC 5/8/2020, BAMF 27/7/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (8/2020): Afghanistan’s Newest Local Defence Force: Were „all the mistakes of the ALP“ turned into ANA-TF safeguards?, https://www.afghanistan-analys ts.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/08/ANA-TF-special-paper-Clark-11082020-1/pdf , accessed 20/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (25/7/2018): The Insecure Spring of Ghazni: Results of third- grade treatment by the centre?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/the-insecure-spring-of-ghaz ni-results-of-third-grade-treatment-by-the-centre/ , accessed 11/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (22/5/2018): Uprising, ALP and Taleban in Andar: The arc of government failure, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/uprising-alp-and-taleban-in-andar-the-a rc-of-government-failure/ , accessed 11/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AIHRC - Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (5/8/2020): The Civilian Casualties Report during the Four Days of Eid and Arafa July 30 - Aug. 2, https://www.aihrc.org.af/home/dail y_report/8948 , accessed 21/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (7/7/2020): Ghazni could fall to Taliban, fear residents, http://www.afghanistantimes.af/ghazni-could-fall-to-taliban-fear-residents/ , accessed 21/10/2020 • BAAG - British and Irish Agencies Afghanistan Group (2/1/2020): Afghanistan in December 2019; Key News, https://www.baag.org.uk/news/afghanistan-december-2019-key-news , accessed 21/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (17/8/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2037631/briefingnotes-kw34-2020/pdf , accessed 21/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (27/7/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2034697/briefingnotes-kw31-2020/pdf , accessed 21/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (20/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/document/2029411/html , accessed 21/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (30/3/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/document/2027826/html , accessed 21/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (23/3/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/document/2027822/html , accessed 21/10/2020 • CJ - Clearance Jobs (13/8/2018): Taliban Seizure of Ghazni City Returns Terror Organization to its Roots, https://news.clearancejobs.com/2018/08/13/taliban-seizure-of-ghazni-city-returns-terror-or ganization-to-its-roots/ , accessed 11/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020

73 • GW - Garda World (1/5/2020): Afghanistan: IED attack leads to multiple dead in Ghazni province April 29, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/337996/afghanistan-ied-attack-leads-to-mult iple-dead-in-ghazni-province-april-29 , accessed 21/10/2020 • HOA - Heart of Asia (24/8/2020): 3 Security Force Members Killed in Ghazni Clashes, https: //heartofasia.af/3-security-force-members-killed-in-ghazni-clashes/ , accessed 21/10/2020 • IEC Ghazni - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election - Results by Polling Stations: Province Ghazni, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryre sult_by_pc/11 , accessed 11/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (7/9/2020): Additional Forces Deployed in Ghazni, https://www.khaama.com /additional-forces-deployed-in-ghazni-87676554/ , accessed 21/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (16/8/2020): Afghan forces kill 4 Taliban militants while repulsing a Taliban attack in Ghazni, https://www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-kill-4-taliban-militants-while-repulsing-a- taliban-attack-in-ghazni/ , accessed 20/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (12/7/2020): 10 Taliban militants killed, wounded in Ghazni province: Thunder Corps, https://www.khaama.com/10-taliban-militants-killed-wounded-in-ghazni-province-thunder- corps-08955/ , accessed 21/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (11/5/2020): Over 100 Taliban militants during a 16-day operation in Ghazni province, https://www.khaama.com/over-100-taliban-militants-during-a-16-day-operation-in-ghazn i-province-07799/ , accessed 21/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (19/2/2020): Special Forces storm the largest hideouts of Taliban in Ghazni, https://www.khaama.com/special-forces-storm-the-largest-hideouts-of-taliban-in-ghazni-04467/ , accessed 21/10/2020 • KUNA - Kuwait News Agency (22/7/2020): Clashes kill seven security men, nine rebels in Afgha- nistan, https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2910009&Language=en# , accessed 21/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (10/3/2020): Since agreement with U.S., Taliban has attacked Afghan forces in 27 of 34 provinces, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/03/since-agreement- with-u-s-taliban-has-attacked-afghan-forces-in-27-of-34-provinces.php , accessed 8/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (27/1/2020): U.S. Air Force communications aircraft crashes in Taliban controlled district, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/01/u-s-air-force-communications -aircraft-crashes-in-taliban-controlled-district.php , accessed 20/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 30/9/2020 • NPS Ghazni - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Ghazni Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu /web/ccs/ghazni , accessed 11/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYT - New York Times, The (14/12/2019): At Least 23 Soldiers Killed in Insider Attack in Afghanistan, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/14/world/asia/afghanistan-soldiers-taliban.html , accessed 21/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020/html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/7/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: July 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-july-2020/html?auth=login- email&login=email , accessed 5/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020/html , accessed 2/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (27/2/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: February 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-february-2020/html , accessed 14/10/2020 • OMCT - World Organisation Against (4/8/2020): Afghanistan: Killing of Mr. Asmatullah Salaam, director of the civil society organisation Zhowand, https://www.omct.org/human-rights-de fenders/urgent-interventions/afghanistan/2020/08/d26008/ , accessed 21/10/2020

74 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (3/3/2020): 1,700 Taliban killed in Ghazni this year: Governor, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/03/1700-taliban-killed-ghazni-year-governor , accessed 21/10/2020 • PAJ Ghazni - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background Profile of Ghazni, http://elections.pajhwok. com/en/content/background-profile-ghazni , accessed 11/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (30/10/2020): Taliban Mines Afghan Phone Data In Bid For Control, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/taliban-mines-afghan-phone-data-in-bid-for-control/3091 9738.html , accessed 11/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (23/9/2020): Ghazni Residents Mourn The Loss Of Hindu, Sikh Neighbors, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/ghazni-residents-mourn-the-loss-of-hindu-sikh -neighbors-/30854326/html , accessed 20/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (6/8/2020): Afghan Civilians, Taliban Militants Killed In Attacks Across Afghanistan, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-civilians-taliban-militants-killed-in-attac ks-across-afghanistan/30769780/html , accessed 21/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (13/12/2019): Roadside Bomb Kills 10 Civilians In Eastern Afghanistan, https://www.rferl.org/a/roadside-bomb-kills-10-civilians-in-eastern-afghanista n/30323979/html , accessed 21/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (24/8/2020): 3 Security Forces Killed In Taliban Car Bombing In Ghazni, http: //reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/monday-august-24-2020/3-security-forces-killed-in-taliban-car-bom bing-in-ghazni/ , accessed 21/10/2020 • SAS - Stars and Stripes (18/5/2020): Taliban car bomb kills nine at intelligence base in Ghazni, https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/taliban-car-bomb-kills-nine-at-intelligence-base-in-gha zni-1/630172 , accessed 21/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030769/html , accessed 30/9/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (27/9/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (21 - 27 September 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/docume nt/2038346/html , accessed 20/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (6/2020): Afghanistan HAG Quarterly Report (April to June 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2038127/html , accessed 20/10/2020 • UNOCHA Ghazni - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: South Eastern Region Distrikt Atlas, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1216593/193 0_1415350213_afghanistan-south-eastern-region-Distrikt-atlas.pdf , accessed 23/11/2018 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (18/5/2020): Taliban Spring Offensive Launched, According to Afghan Officials, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/taliban-spring-offensive-launched-accordi ng-afghan-officials , accessed 21/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (9/8/2020): Car bombing kills 7, wounds 16 in Afghanistan’s eastern Ghazni province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/09/c_139276938/htm , accessed 21/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (29/2/2020): Afghan security forces rescue 29 from militants in Ghazni province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02/29/c_138830066.htm , accessed 11/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (29/1/2020a): Afghan security force carries out military operation in Ghazni province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/29/c_138741884/htm , accessed 21/10/2020

75 3.11 Ghor

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Ghor, a mountainous and remote province in Afghanistan’s central highlands (RFE/RL 3/2/2020), is located in the northwest of Afghanistan and has no international borders. It borders Herat and Badghis in the west, Faryab and Sar-e Pul in the north, Bamyan and Daikundi in the east, and Helmand and Farah in the south (UNOCHA Ghor 4/2014). Ghor is subdivided into eleven districts: Chighcheran (Firuzkoh), Char Sada, Dawlatyar, Duleena, Lal Wa Sarjangal, Pasaband, Saghar, Shahrak, Taywara, Tulak (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Ghor 2019), and Murghab (NSIA 1.6.2020). The provincial capital is called Firuzkoh or Chighcheran (AAN 5/2/2020).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Ghor to be 764,472 in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). According to one source, Tajiks account for the largest ethnic group in Ghor, followed by Hazaras and a small number of Pashtuns and Uzbeks (NPS Ghor n.d.). Another source stated that Aimaqs form the majority of the population in Ghor (RFE/RL 19/10/2015). The Aimaqs are related to the Hazaras and, to some degree, also to the Tajiks (NPS Ghor n.d.).

There is a road connection from Ghor to Herat and Kabul, although the roads in Ghor are unpaved and may be impassable in winter due to weather conditions (LCA 4/7/2018; cf. AAN 5/2/2020). In May 2020, the main road between Ghor and Herat was inaccessible as a bridge was destroyed during clashes (UNOCHA 13/5/2020). The provincial capital has an airport with inner-Afghan scheduled flights (Kam Air Ghor n.d.; cf. STDOK 25/3/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Ghor is one of the most impoverished and unstable areas of the country. The provincial go- vernment’s power extends little beyond Firoz Koh (RFE/RL 3/2/2020; cf. RFE/RL 24/7/2020, AAN 5/2/2020). According to a source, there is a confusing multitude of actors in several of the nine districts outside Ghor’s provincial centre. These warring actors include illegal armed groups and armed criminal groups, Taleban insurgents and Afghan government forces, often with no clear lines separating them (AAN 5/2/2020; cf. AAN 7/11/2017). Long War Journal estimated the districts of Char Sada, Dawlatyar, Pasaband, Taywara and Tulak to be contested in October 2020, while the remaining districts were under government control and the Taliban did not control any district of the province entirely (LWJ n.d.).

On the government side, Ghor is under the responsibility of the 207th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Zafar“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020, TN 14/1/2019), which reports to the Italian-led NATO Mission Train Advise Assist Command - West (TAAC-W) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

76 Abbildung 13: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 77 civilian casualties (62 killed and 15 injured) in . This represents an increase of 20% over 2018. The main causes of casualties were targeted or intentional killings, followed by ground fighting and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2/2020). In the first three quarters of 2020, more civilian casualties occurred in Ghor in compari- son to the same period last year [UNAMA however does not name any numbers regarding Ghor in this report, note] (UNAMA 10.2020).

Clashes have been reported in Ghor (UNOCHA 9/8/2020, UNOCHA 15/7/2020, BAMF 20/4/2020, UNOCHA 16/4/2020, UNOCHA 5/4/2020, BAMF 30/3/2020), with the Taliban attacking district centres (AN 17/8/2020, PAJ 25/6/2020) and government security posts (KP 19/10/2020, RFE/RL 25/8/2020, TN 25/7/2020, RFE/RL 13/6/2020, AAN 8/4/2020, PAJ 26/3/2020, KP 16/3/2020). In May 2020, the Taliban also attacked a security checkpoint in the provincial capital (RFE/RL 16/5/2020). At the turn of 2019/2020, the government forces carried out a major clearance offensive along the Ghor-Herat highway (AAN 28/2/2020; cf. PAJ 30/12/2019) and in summer 2020, the ANSF recaptured the district of Murghab after it had been overrun by the Taliban two days earlier (PAJ 19/8/2020). Additionally, further operations or air strikes by the government forces were reported (XI 8/10/2020, KN 17/8/2020, XI 8/4/2020).

Incidents with IEDs took place (UNOCHA 11/10/2020, UNOCHA 6/9/2020, UNOCHA 23/8/2020, UNOCHA 23/7/2020), such as explosions of roadside bombs (KP 30/9/2020a, KP 30/9/2020b, AAN 21/3/2020). In October 2020, a vehicle-borne IED (VBIED) detonated near a police head- quarter in the provincial capital, resulting in 16 deaths and around 150 injured, most of them civilians (TN 19/10/2020; cf. AJ 18/10/2020).

77 During protests over food aid due to the COVID-19 pandemic, violent clashes occurred in May 2020 in Chighcheran/Firuzkoh. Up to six people died in these incidents (BBC 9/5/2020; cf. RFE/RL 9/5/2020). Furthermore, cases of parallel justice (i.e. trials held by insurgents in so called „kangaroo courts“) were reported in Ghor (TN 22/4/2020, RFE/RL 3/2/2020, TN 22/12/2019).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (8/4/2020): Voices from the Districts, the Violence Mapped (2): Assessing the conflict a month after the US-Taleban agreement, https://www.afghanistan-anal ysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/voices-from-the-districts-the-violence-mapped-2-assessing-th e-conflict-a-month-after-the-us-taleban-agreement/ , 1/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (21/3/2020): Voices from the Districts, the Violence Mapped (1): What has happened since the reduction in violence ended?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts .org/en/reports/war-and-peace/voices-from-the-districts-the-violence-mapped-what-has-happene d-since-the-reduction-in-violence-ended/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (28/2/2020): The ’Reduction in Violence’ Week: What did (some of the) people think?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/the- reduction-in-violence-week-what-did-some-of-the-people-think/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (5/2/2020): Placating Ghor, For Now: 10-days protest pushed the government to respond, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/economy-developm ent-environment/placating-ghor-for-now-10-days-protest-pushed-the-government-to-respond/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (7/11/2017): The ’Humvee Bomb’ Series: The October wave of Taleban attacks in 2017 context, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/the-humvee-bomb-serie s-the-october-wave-of-taleban-attacks-in-2017-context/ , accessed 12/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (18/10/2020): Deadly car bomb attack outside Afghanistan police headquarters, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/18/fatal-car-bomb-attack-set-off-outside-afghan-police- headquarters , accessed 22/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (17/8/2020): Taliban seize Murghab district in Ghor province, https://ariananews .af/murghab-district-in-ghor-collapses-to-taliban/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (20/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2029411/briefingnotes-kw17-2020/pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (30/3/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/document/2027826/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation (9/5/2020): Coronavirus: Six killed in clashes at Afghanistan food aid protest, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52601001 , accessed 23/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Ghor - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Ghor, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresu lt_by_pc/23 , accessed 28/10/2020 • Kam Air Ghor - Kam Air (n.d.): Book Flight, flight schedule as of 22/10/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • KN - Kabul Now (17/8/2020): Five Taliban killed, two wounded and 25 arrested in Shakardara, https://kabulnow.af/2020/08/five-taliban-killed-two-wounded-and-25-arrested-in-shakardara/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (19/10/2020): 14 Taliban fighters killed, wounded in Ghor Province, https: //www.khaama.com/14-taliban-fighters-killed-and-wounded-in-ghor-867857654/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (30/9/2020a): „Twin“ Blasts Claimed Civilian Lives: Ghor Province, https: //www.khaama.com/twin-blasts-claimed-civilian-lives-ghor-province-786556/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (30/9/2020b): 1 Child Killed, 2 Injured In Ghor Blast While Playing, https: //www.khaama.com/1-child-killed-2-injured-in-ghor-blast-while-playing-98786/ , accessed 22/10/2020

78 • KP - Khaama Press (16/3/2020): Taliban militants, Afghan forces suffer heavy casualties in Ghor clash, https://www.khaama.com/taliban-militants-afghan-forces-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-ghor-c lash-04520/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • LCA - Logistics Capacity Assessment (4/7/2018): Afghanistan Road Network, https://dlca.logclus ter.org/display/public/DLCA/2/3+Afghanistan+Road+Network , accessed 13/2/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 22/10/2020 • NPS Ghor - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Ghor Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu/web /ccs/ghor , accessed 12/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (19/8/2020): Murghab control wrested back from rebels: Governor, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/08/19/murghab-control-wrested-back-rebels-governor , accessed 22/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (25/6/2020): 13 Taliban killed, 20 wounded in Ghor clashes, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/06/25/13-taliban-killed-20-wounded-ghor-clashes , accessed 22/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (26/3/2020): Taliban’s district chief among 8 killed in Ghor clash, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/26/taliban%E2%80%99s-district-chief-among-8-killed-ghor-clash , accessed 22/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (25/8/2020): Dozen Killed In Taliban Truck Bomb, Other Attacks Across Afghanistan, https://www.rferl.org/a/dozen-killed-in-taliban-truck-bomb-other-attac ks-across-afghanistan/30801578/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (24/7/2020): This Afghan Girl Watched The Taliban Execute Her Parents. Then She Picked Up An AK-47 And Killed Two Militants Herself., https: //www.rferl.org/a/this-afghan-girl-watched-the-taliban-execute-her-parents-then-she-picked-up-an -ak-47-and-killed-two-militants-herself-/30741131/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (13/6/2020): At Least 17 Killed In Attacks Across Af- ghanistan, https://www.rferl.org/a/at-least-17-killed-in-attacks-across-afghanistan/30668915/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (16/5/2020): 11 Afghan Soldiers Killed In Attacks On Security Checkpoints, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-soldiers-killed-in-attacks-on-security-checkp oints/30615942/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (9/5/2020): At Least Two Dead After Afghan Police Fire On Protesters, https://www.rferl.org/a/at-least-two-dead-after-afghan-police-fire-on-protesters/306 02881/html , accessed 23/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (3/2/2020): Afghan Rights Group Investigating Video Of Woman Being Stoned To Death, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-rights-group-investigates-video -of-woman-being-stoned-to-death/30414665/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (19/10/2015): Female Afghan Governor Won’t Back Down Amid Threats, Controversy, https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-ghor-province-female-gover nor-death-thrats/27314931/html , accessed 12/11/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation of BFA (25/3/2019): Airports Map, can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • TN - Tolonews (19/10/2020): Majority of Ghor Attack Victims Are Civilians: Officials, https://tolone ws.com/afghanistan-167173 , accessed 22/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (25/7/2020): Afghan Forces Sustain Casualties in Ghor as Violence Remains High, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-forces-sustain-casualties-ghor-violence-remains-high , accessed 22/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (22/4/2020): Young Man Killed After Trial in Illegitimate Court, https://tolonews.com /afghanistan/young-man-killed-after-trial-illegitimate-court , accessed 23/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (22/12/2019): ‘Lack of Security in Ghor Means More Violence Against Women’, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/%E2%80%98lack-security-ghor-means-more-violence-against -women%E2%80%99 , accessed 23/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (14/1/2019): Territorial Army To Begin Mission In West, https://www.tolonews.com /afghanistan/territorial-army-begin-mission-west , accessed 12/11/2020

79 • UNAMA - UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/do cument/2039870.html , accessed 4/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (11/10/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (5 - 11 October 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2 039157/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (6/9/2020): Afghani- stan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (31 August - 6 September 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/docu ment/2038025/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (9/8/2020): Afghani- stan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (3 - 9 August 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/20356 94/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (23/8/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (17 - 23 August 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2 036565/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (23/7/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (13 - 19 July 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/20346 01/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_22_july-2/pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (15/7/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (6 - 12 July 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/20338 06/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (13/5/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (4 May - 10 May 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2 029870/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (16/4/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (6 April - 12 April 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2 028236/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (5/4/2020): Afghani- stan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (30 March - 5 April 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2 028133/html , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA Ghor - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Ghor Province Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.i nfo/files/Ghor.pdf , accessed 12/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (8/10/2020): Afghan forces kill 20 militants in western Ghor province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/08/c_139426124/htm , accessed 22/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (8/4/2020): 22 Taliban militants killed in W. Afghan airstrikes, http://www. xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/08/c_138957683/htm , accessed 22/10/2020

3.12 Helmand

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Helmand province is located in the south of Afghanistan, bordering Nimruz and Farah in the west, Ghor and Daikundi in the north, as well as Uruzgan and Kandahar in the east. In the south, Helmand shares a 162-km border with Pakistan along the (PAJ Helmand n.d.). Helmand is Afghanistan’s largest province (TD 31/5/2016) and consists of the following districts: Baghran, Dishu, Garm Ser, Kajaki, , Musa Qala, Nad Ali, Marja (formerly part of Nad

80 Ali (AAN 10/3/2016)), Nahr-i-Saraj, Nawa-i-Barikzayi, Nawamish, Nawzad, Reg-i-Khan Nishin, , and Washer. The capital of Helmand province is Lashkargah (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Helmand 2019).

According to the National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA), Marja and Nawamish are so-called ’temporary’ districts (NSIA 1/6/2020), as they have been approved by the president after entry into force of the 2004 constitution due to security or other considerations, while parliament has not (yet) given its consent (AAN 16/8/2018). The Hazara-dominated Nawa- mish district was split from Pashtun-majority Baghran in northern Helmand by presidential order in 2016. In 2017, its administration was transferred to Daikundi (AAN 16/8/2018; cf. Mobasher 2019). However, the parliamentary elections of 2018 were managed from Lashkargah, which led to protests in the district (AAN 16/8/2018; cf. PAJ 29/7/2018). Newspaper reports of May and July 2019 counted Nawamish towards Daikundi (RY 11/7/2019; cf. PAJ 10/5/2019). According to one source, this is a conflict along ethnic lines: while Pashtuns claim that Nawamish should be part of Daikundi, Hazaras favour it being part of Helmand (Mobasher 2019).

The NSIA estimates the population of Helmand to be 1,446,230 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). The majority population in Helmand is Pashtun, with a Baloch minority in the south on the border to Pakistan’s province (NPS Helmandn.d.) and Hazaras in Nawamish in the north (AAN 16/8/2018). While the northern districts of Baghran, Kajaki and Musa Qala are inhabited mainly by members of the tribe, Marja and Nad Ali are more demographically diverse, with members of the , Ishaqzai, Alizai, Alekozai and several smaller tribes living there. The Ishaqzai are considered one of the most religiously conservative tribes across Afghanistan (AAN 10/3/2016). The late Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansur belonged to this tribe (AAN 10/3/2016; cf. GN 26/12/2015).

Helmand is of geostrategic importance (PAJ Helmand n.d.) as a section of the Ring Road runs through the districts of Nahr-i-Saraj, Sangin and Washer (AAN 10/3/2016), linking the population centre of Herat in the west with Kandahar in the east and ultimately with Kabul (TD 31/5/2016; cf. AAN 10/3/2016).There are reports of Taliban checkpoints and roadside bombs along the Ring Road, as well as on secondary roads in Helmand (AST 3/11/2020; cf. RY 28/6/2020). Lashkargah has a regional airport (Bost, BST) with scheduled flight services (Kam Air Helmand n.d.; STDOK 25/3/2019).

Helmand, as a region, is the largest opium producer worldwide. In 2019, Greater Kandahar [an area including Helmand, note] produced 4,920 metric tons of opium, representing more than two-thirds of this year’s total opium production nationwide (AAN 25/6/2020). The province’s key role as an opium poppy cultivation area contributes significantly to its role as a strategic asset for the Taliban: Whoever gains control over Helmand has a valuable source of rent (AREU 5/2019; cf. N-TV 23/12/2015, GN 26/12/2015, AAN 10/3/2016).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Helmand Province, long considered the Taliban’s heartland and an important source of revenue because of its opium production (NYT 30/8/2020; cf. AST 3.11.2020), is predominantly controlled

81 by the insurgent group, though armed strongmen and differing tribal affiliations provide for complex allegiances and agendas in the region (NYT 30/8/2020). Afghan government forces are mostly constrained to the provincial capital and some villages that serve as district centres (NYT 30/8/2020; cf. MT 18/10/2020, AAN 23/4/2020). According to estimates by the Long War Journal, the districts of Baghran, Musa Qala, Nawzad and Sangin in the north of the province, as well as Dishu and Reg-e-Khan Nishin in the south, were under Taliban control as of October 2020, while the remaining districts were considered contested (LWJ n.d.).

Al-Qaida is covertly active in the province (UNSC 27/5/2020; cf. TN 30/7/2020). The presence of Uzbek fighters has been consistently reported in northern Helmand (UNSC 27/5/2020) and according to U.S. intelligence, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) maintains a smaller cell in the province (VOA 20/3/2020) [however, no other up-to-date sources confirming an ISKP presence in Helmand could be found, note].

On the government side, Helmand is under the responsibility of the 215th Afghan National Army (ANA) „“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. AAN 23/4/2020), which reports to the US-led Task Force Southwest (USDOD 1/7/2020). In 2017, US marines were again deployed to Helmand to advise Afghan government forces from inside military bases and to increase air strikes (LAT 15/11/2017; cf. AAN 23/4/2020, NYTM 12/5/2020) and also in 2020, the US forces maintained a regional hub in the province (USDOD 1/7/2020). Additionally, the Kandahar Strike Force (KSF) or NDS 03 is conducting operations in Helmand. According to Human Rights Watch, forces such as the KSF nominally belong to the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS), the country’s primary intelligence agency. However, these forces do not fall under the ordinary chain of command within the NDS, nor under normal Afghan or US military chains of command. They largely have been recruited, trained, equipped, and overseen by the CIA (HRW 31/10/2019, AAN 31/10/2019).

In addition, a government military force called Sangorian operates in Helmand. It is supported by the NDS (TN 14/10/2020) and consists of about 2,000 fighters (SI 15/10/2020). The Sangorian was founded in January 2016 by the operational commander of the Afghan forces in Helmand as a covert anti-Taliban militia with the aim to infiltrate and weaken the Taliban from within. The Sangorian fighters are local residents, Taliban dissidents, and those who were previously part of the Taliban regime (JF 11/1/2019). In October 2020, it was reported that the Sangorian were also responsible for security along the Helmand-Kandahar highway and in the security belt of Lashkargah (TN 10/14/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

82 Abbildung 14: *temporary districts; ACLED attributed incidents in Marja district to in 2019 and incidents in Nawamish district to Baghran district in 2019 and 2020 ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

83 In 2019, UNAMA documented 675 civilian casualties (284 killed and 391 injured) in Helmand. This represents a decrease of 23% compared to 2018. The main cause of casualties was impro- vised explosive devices (IEDs; excluding suicide attacks), followed by air strikes and fighting on the ground (UNAMA 2/2020). In contrast to recent years, Helmand was not amongst the top five provinces for civilian casualties in the first six months of 2020. UNAMA recorded a significant drop in civilian casualties in the province, mainly due to a decrease in civilian casualties from airstrikes and non-suicide IEDs (UNAMA 7/2020). An incident with about 50 civilian victims (19 dead, 31 injured) was reported in June 2020 in , where government mortar shells hit a bustling market instead of a Taliban position behind the market (UNAMA 7/2020; cf. ABC 29/6/2020).

Helmand was one of the most conflict-intensive provinces in Afghanistan in 2020 (UNGASC 17/6/2020; cf. UNGASC 17/3/2020, UNGASC 18/8/2020). There were clashes (BNA 2/9/2020, BNA 25/8/2020, XI 16/6/2020) and attacks by the Taliban (PAJ 22/3/2020, LWJ 10/3/2020), for example on government security posts (NYT 12/10/2020, XI 10/9/2020, TDP 4/3/2020). Government troops conducted operations (XI 11/10/2020, PAJ 22/3/2020, AN 8/2/2020, TN 10/1/2020) and were sometimes supported by US air strikes (TN 12/10/2020; cf. TDP 4/3/2020).

In October 2020, the Taliban carried out an offensive against Lashkargah (WP 14/10/2020; cf. NYT 12/10/2020). For several days, clashes erupted in the city and in surrounding areas (TN 14/10/2020). The US forces carried out air strikes in support of the Afghan armed forces (MT 12/10/2020; cf. TN 12/10/2020). Finally, the Taliban agreed to suspend their operations - accord- ing to a Taliban figure, after the Americans promised to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement the U.S. signed with the insurgents in February (MT 18/10/2020). By November 2020, fighting reportedly continued in Lashkargah and nearby districts (BAMF 9/11/2020; cf. TN 31/10/2020).

Furthermore, incidents with IEDs were reported, such as explosions of vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs) (KP 1/10/2020a, UNI 22/7/2020, ABC 29/6/2020, GW 4/5/2020, VOA 8/2/2020) and roadside bombs (PAJ 10/10/2020, DN 29/6/2020, PAJ 25/3/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (25/6/2020): New World Drug Report: Opium production in Afghanistan remained the same in 2019, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/econom y-development-environment/new-world-drug-report-opium-production-in-afghanistan-remained-t he-same-in-2019/ , accessed 29/9/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (23/4/2020): Static War: Helmand after the US Marines’ return, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/static-war-helmand-after-the-us- marines-return/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (31/10/2019): CIA-backed strike force units in Afghanistan, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/resources/human-rights/cia-backed-strike-force-units-in- afghanistan/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2018): The Afghanistan Election Conundrum (12): Good news and bad news about district numbers, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/politi cal-landscape/the-afghanistan-election-conundrum-12-good-news-and-bad-news-about-district- numbers/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (10/3/2016): Helmand (1): A crisis a long time coming, https: //www.afghanistan-analysts.org/helmand-1-a-crisis-a-long-time-coming/ , accessed 13/11/2020

84 • ABC - ABC News (29/6/2020): Attack on crowded market in Afghanistan kills 23, https://abcnews. go.com/International/wireStory/afghan-official-bomb-mortars-kill-23-civilians-helmand-71508881 , accessed 27/10/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (8/2/2020): Taliban commander along with three men killed - Helmand, https: //ariananews.af/taliban-commander-along-with-three-men-killed-helmand/ , accessed 27/10/2020 • AREU - Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (5/2019): The Sun Cannot be Hidden by Two fingers: Illicit Drugs and the Discussions on a Political Settlement in Afghanistan, https://www.ec oi.net/en/file/local/2011259/1904E-The-Sun-Cannot-be-Hidden-by-Two-Fingers1.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • AST - Asia Times (3/11/2020): On a highway through hell in Afghanistan, https://asiatimes.com/20 20/11/on-a-highway-through-hell-in-afghanistan/ , accessed 16/11/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (9/11/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/document/2040451.html , accessed 13/11/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (2/9/2020): 12 Taliban Insurgents Killed, 7 Injured in Helmand Clash, https://bakhtarnews.com.af/12-taliban-insurgents-killed-7-injured-in-helmand-clash/ , accessed 27/10/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (25/8/2020): Taliban Militants Killed in Helmand Clash, https://bakhta rnews.com.af/taliban-militants-killed-in-helmand-clash/ , accessed 27/10/2020 • DN - Dawn (29/6/2020): Roadside bomb kills six Afghan civilians in Helmand province, https: //www.dawn.com/news/1565868 , accessed 27/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • GN - Guardian, The (26/12/2015): Why capturing Helmand is top of the Taleban’s strategic goals, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/26/taliban-helmand-opium , accessed 13/11/2020 • GW - Garda World (4/5/2020): Afghanistan: Taliban attack kills at least five in Helmand province May 3, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/338721/afghanistan-taliban-attack-kills-at-leas t-five-in-helmand-province-may-3 , accessed 27/10/2020 • HRW - Human Rights Watch (31/10/2019): „They’ve Shot Many Like This“, https://www.hrw.org/ de/node/334982 , accessed 23/10/2020 • IEC Helmand - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Hilmand, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminary result_by_pc/30 , accessed 13/11/2020 • JF - Jamestown Foundation, The (11/1/2019): The Sangorian: Weakening the Taliban from Within, https://jamestown.org/program/the-sangorian-weakening-the-taliban-from-within/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • Kam Air Helmand - Kam Air (n.d.): Book Flight, flight schedules as of 23/10/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • KP - Khaama Press (1/10/2020a): Car Bomb Explosion Kills 9 in Helmand, https://www.khaama.c om/car-bomb-explosion-kills-9-in-helmand-87656/ , accessed 27/10/2020 • LAT - Los Angeles Times (15/11/2017): The Marines Returned To Helmand Province. Is Their Mission A Blueprint For Trump’s Afghanistan Strategy?, https://taskandpurpose.com/afghanistan-h elmand-marines-trump-strategy , accessed 13/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (10/3/2020): Since agreement with U.S., Taliban has attacked Afghan forces in 27 of 34 provinces, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/03/since-agreement- with-u-s-taliban-has-attacked-afghan-forces-in-27-of-34-provinces.php , accessed 8/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 27/10/2020 • Mobasher, M. Bashir (2019): Constitutional Features of Presidential Elections and the Failure of Cross-ethnic Coalitions to Institutionalize. In: Ratuva, Steven (Hg.): The Palgrave Handbook of Ethnicity. Singapur: Palgrave Macmillan, https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-98 1-13-2898-5_157.pdf , accessed 28/10/2020 • MT - Military Times (18/10/2020): Taliban to suspend attacks in Helmand after US pledges to halt strikes, https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/10/18/taliban-to-suspend-attacks-i n-helmand-after-us-pledges-to-halt-strikes/ , accessed 27/10/2020

85 • MT - Military Times (12/10/2020): US forces hit Taliban with airstrikes in Helmand, https://www.mi litarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/10/12/us-forces-hit-taliban-with-airstrikes-in-helmand/ , accessed 27/10/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • N-TV (23/12/2015): Taliban auf dem Vormarsch: In Helmand geht es um Afghanistans Zukunft, https://www.n-tv.de/politik/In-Helmand-geht-es-um-Afghanistans-Zukunft-article16635901.html , accessed 13/11/2020 • NPS Helmand - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Helmand Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/helmand , accessed 13/11/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (12/10/2020): Taliban Test Afghan and U.S. Resolve in Talks by Attacking a City, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/world/asia/taliban-lashkar-gah-afghanistan. html , accessed 27/10/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (30/8/2020): Taliban Violated Afghan Deal With Shelling of American Bases, U.S. Officials Say, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/30/world/asia/taliban-afghanistan-pe ace-us-attacks.html , accessed 27/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine, The (12/5/2020): A Rocket Attack. Two Narratives. This Is What Happened., https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/12/magazine/helmand-afghanistan-rocket-m arines.html , accessed 13/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (10/10/2020): 7 civilians lose lives to Helmand, Herat bombings, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/10/10/7-civilians-lose-lives-helmand-herat-bombings , accessed 27/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (25/3/2020): 8 civilians dead in Helmand roadside bombing, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/25/8-civilians-dead-helmand-roadside-bombing , accessed 27/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (22/3/2020): ’79 Taliban fighters, 15 soldiers killed in last 2 weeks’, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/22/%E2%80%9979-taliban-fighters-15-soldiers-killed-last-2 -weeks%E2%80%99 , accessed 27/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (29/7/2018): Polls in Nawamesh being administered from Helmand, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2018/07/29/polls-nawamesh-being-administered-helmand , accessed 13/11/2020 • PAJ Helmand - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Recognition of southern Helmand province, https: //www.elections.pajhwok.com/en/content/recognition-southern-helmand-province , accessed 13/11/2020 • RY - Reporterly (28/6/2020): Roadside Bombs Kills 6 Civilians in Helmand, http://reporterly.net /live/newsfeed/sunday-june-28-2020/roadside-bombs-kills-6-civilians-in-helmand/ , accessed 16/11/2020 • RY - Reporterly (11/7/2019): Security Incidents Mount in Daikundi; Why Has the Secured Province Faces Insecurity?, http://reporterly.net/narratives/security-incidents-mount-in-daikundi-why-has-t he-secured-province-faces-insecurity/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • SI - Sicurezza Internazionale (15/10/2020): Afghanistan: come vanno i combattimenti ad Helmand, https://sicurezzainternazionale.luiss.it/2020/10/15/afghanistan-vanno-combattimenti-ad-helmand/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (25/3/2019): Airports Map, liegt im Archiv der Staatendo- kumentation auf • TD - The Diplomat (31/5/2016): 5 Reasons Why Helmand Matters to the Taliban, https://thediplo mat.com/2016/06/5-reasons-why-helmand-matters-to-the-taliban/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • TDP - The Defense Post (4/3/2020): US conducts airstrike to defend Afghan forces against Taliban in Helmand, https://www.thedefensepost.com/2020/03/04/us-conducts-airstrike-to-defend-afghan -forces-against-taliban-in-helmand/ , accessed 27/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (31/10/2020): Clashes Continue in Three Southern Provinces: Officials, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan-167430 , accessed 13/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (14/10/2020): Clashes in Lashkargah Continue on 5th Day of Helmand Fighting, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-167049 , accessed 23/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (12/10/2020): US Forces Conduct ‘Targeted Strikes’ in Helmand, https://tolonews.c om/afghanistan-167001 , accessed 27/10/2020

86 • TN - Tolonews (30/7/2020): Al Qaeda Training Taliban in Helmand: Local Officials, https://tolonews .com/afghanistan/al-qaeda-training-taliban-helmand-local-officials , accessed 27/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (10/1/2020): Efforts Underway to Clear 5 Helmand Districts of Insurgents, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/efforts-underway-clear-5-helmand-districts-insurgents , accessed 27/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (7/2020): Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Midyear Report 1 January - 30 June 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file /local/2034915/unama_poc_midyear_report_2020_-_27_july-revised_10_august.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (18/8/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 036902/A_75_378_E.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/6/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 031963/S_2020_549_E.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/3/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 027422/S_2020_210_E.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNI - United News of India (22/7/2020): Two car bomb explosions hit Afghanistan´s southern Helmand province, http://www.uniindia.com/two-car-bomb-explosions-hit-afghanistan-s-southern- helmand-province/world/news/2090227.html , accessed 27/10/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030769.html , accessed 30/9/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (6/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (20/3/2020):US Admits Taliban Offensive Is Whittling IS’s Grip on Afghani- stan, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/us-admits-taliban-offensive-whittling-iss-grip-af ghanistan , accessed 23/10/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (8/2/2020): Afghan Suicide Attack Kills at Police in Helmand; US Soldiers Killed in Nangarhar, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/afghan-suicide-attack-kills-polic e-helmand-us-soldiers-killed-nangarhar , accessed 27/10/2020 • WP - Washington Post, The (14/10/2020): Taliban offensive in Helmand threatens U.S., Afghan peace efforts, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/taliban-helmand-peace-talks-afghan /2020/10/14/64347d34-0dca-11eb-b404-8d1e675ec701_story.html , accessed 27/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (11/10/2020): Afghan forces kill 26 militants in southern Helmand province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/11/c_139431956.htm , accessed 27/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (10/9/2020): Afghan gun battle kills 5 militants in southern Helmand province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/10/c_139358262.htm , accessed 27/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (16/6/2020): Afghan gun battle kills 7 militants in southern Helmand province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/16/c_139143285.htm , accessed 27/10/2020

3.13 Herat

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Herat province is located in the west of Afghanistan and shares an international border with Iran in the west and Turkmenistan in the north. The province also borders Badghis in the northeast, Ghor in the east, and Farah in the south (UNOCHA Herat 4/2014). Herat is subdivided into 20

87 districts: , , Enjil, Fersi, Ghoryan, , Guzera (Nizam-i-Shahid), Herat, Karrukh, , Kushk (Rubat-i-Sangi), Kushk-i-Kuhna, Obe, , Zendahjan, as well as the temporary districts Koh-e-Zore (Koh-e Zawar, Kozeor), Pushtko, , Zawol and Zerko (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Herat 2019). The temporary districts were created when former was further subdivided (AAN 3/7/2015; cf. PAJ 6/1/2015). Their formation has been approved by the president after entry into force of the 2004 constitution due to security or other considerations, while parliament has not (yet) given its consent (AAN 16/8/2018). The capital of Herat province is Herat City (NSIA 1/6/2020). Herat is one of the largest (PAJ Herat n.d.).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Herat to be 2,140,662 persons in the period of 2020-21, 574,276 of them living in the pro- vincial capital (NSIA 1/6/2020). The largest ethnic groups in the province are Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Turkmen, Uzbeks and Aimaqs, with Pashtuns being the majority population in eleven border districts (PAJ Herat n.d.). Historically, Herat City has been a Tajik-dominated enclave in a Pashtun-majority province that includes sizeable Hazara and Aimaq minorities (USIP 2015). Major migration has changed the ethnic set-up of the city. The percentage of Shia Hazaras has grown in particular since 2001, as many have been repatriated from Iran or displaced from central provinces of Afghanistan (AAN 3/2/2019). The degree of ethnic segregation in Herat today is pronounced (USIP 2015; cf. STDOK 13/6/2019).

The Ring Road connects Herat to other urban centres (TD 5/12/2017, LCA 4/7/2018). A main road leads from Herat eastwards to Ghor and Bamyan, and on to Kabul. Other highways connect the provincial capital with , a border post between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, as well as the Afghan-Iranian border crossing at Qala (LCA 4/7/2018), which is one of Afghanistan´s largest ports (KN 7/7/2020). The creation of a further customs border with Iran is planned in Ghoryan district (TN 11/9/2020). A railway linking Herat City to Iran, which will cross the border at that point, is currently under construction (1TV 28/10/2020, TN 11/9/2020). Killings and abductions on the Herat- highway have been reported (UNAMA 7/2020, KN 7/7/2020; cf. PAJ 6/2/2020), as well as IED detonations (KN 7/7/2020; cf. PAJ 6/2/2020), also on the Ring Road (TN 10/10/2020). Additionally, there are reports of extortion by insurgents as well as police officers on the Herat-Kandahar highway (HOA 12/1/2020, PAJ 4/1/2020; cf. NYT 1/11/2020). An airport operating scheduled services to international and national destinations is located in the immediate vicinity of Herat City (STDOK 25/11/2020; cf. Kam Air Herat n.d.).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

City and district-level security conditions differ. While some districts, such as restive Shindand, are insecure because they are contested by the government and the Taleban, the city has mostly seen criminal acts and smaller security incidents for the last several years, no large-scale attacks or open fighting that would have put a temporary stop to daily life. The security incidents which were reported in Herat City lately mostly fell under two categories: targetted killings and attacks on police personnel (AAN 21/4/2020; cf. OA 20/7/2020).Furthermore, in July and September 2020 (UNAMA 10/2020) as well as October 2019 sectarian attacks targetting Shia Muslims took

88 place (AAN 21/4/2020). Criminal acts such as armed robberies and abductions occurred (OA 20/7/2020, AAN 21/4/2020, AN 2/1/2020).

The farther one moves away from Herat City (which was considered ‘very secure’ in January 2019) and its neighbouring districts towards the north, west and south, the greater the influence of the Taliban (STDOK 13/6/2019). Pushtkoh and Zerko are reportedly fully in Taleban hands (AAN 28/2/2020), while the control of the government is limited to the district centre in Obe (AAN 8/4/2020, AAN 20/12/2019) and the ’Taliban headquarters’ of Herat is reportedly in Shindand (AAN 20.12.2019). However, according to the Long War Journal (LWJ), as of the end of Novem- ber 2020, the Taliban do not fully control any district of Herat. Several districts, such as Adraskan, Ghoryan, Gulran, Kushk, Kushk-i-Kuhna, Obe, and Shindand are contested, while the districts surrounding Herat City are under government control (LWJ n.d.; cf. STDOK 13/6/2019).

Following the revelation of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar in 2015, factional strife broke out inside the Taliban (SAS 2/11/2018; cf. RUSI 16/3/2020). Mullah Rasoul, who took a more conciliatory stance towards the government in Kabul, split from the main insurgent command with about 1,000 fighters (SAS 2/11/2018). The Rasoul group, which has operated with the tacit support of the Afghan government, continues to fight the mainline Taliban in Herat, but the clashes between the two groups are not as frequent or heavy as in previous years, a source within the group said in January 2020. Around 15 fighters of the group have been killed in a US drone strike alongside their regional leader at the beginning of 2020 (SAS 9/1/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020).

While a UN report attributed an attack near a Shia mosque in October 2019 to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) (UNGASC 10/12/2019) and a newspaper article of March 2020 stated that ISKP maintained a stronghold in the province (VOA 20/3/2020), another source indicated that it is unclear whether and what kind of presence ISKP has in Herat. Attacks against Shia Muslims are part of ISKP modus operandi but - particularly given the weakness of the group in Afghanistan - a claim by ISKP for a certain attack does not yet fully constitute proof that the group has really committed it (AAN 21/4/2020). A resident of viewed an ISKP presence in Herat unlikely given the presence of the Taliban e.g. in Shindand district (AAN 20/12/2019).

On the government side, Herat is under the responsibility of the 207th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Zafar“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020, ST 2/10/2020), which reports to the Italian-led NATO Mission Train Advise Assist Command - West (TAAC-W). The US forces maintain a regional hub in the province (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

89 Abbildung 15: *temporary districts; ACLED attributes incidents in these districts to Shindand district ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

90 In 2019, UNAMA documented 400 civilian casualties (144 killed and 256 injured) in Herat provin- ce. This represents an increase of 54% over 2018. The main cause of casualties was improvised explosive devices (IEDs; excluding suicide attacks), followed by ground fighting and targeted killings (UNAMA 2/2020). Several cases of civilian casualties because of air strikes have been reported in 2020 (UNAMA 10/2020, AAN 24/2/2020, RFE/RL 22/1/2020).

Clashes between the government forces and Taliban, or attacks by the Taliban on government facilities took place in several districts of Herat province (KP 20/11/2020, NYTM 29/10/2020, PAJ 15/10/2020, NYTM 1/10/2020, KP 5/9/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020, NYTM 30/1/2020). The government forces conducted operations in the province (AN 5/9/2020, AJ 23/7/2020, XI 29/1/2020b, RFE/RL 22/1/2020). Furthermore, detonations of roadside bombs were reported in different districts (KP 22/11/2020, NYTM 29/10/2020, TN 10/10/2020, NYTM 1/10/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, TN 5/7/2020, NYTM 30/1/2020).

Incidents with IEDs, such as explosions of a roadside bomb (NYTM 28/8/2020), a vehicle-borne IED (VBIED) (KP 1/11/2020) as well as another IED occured also in Herat City (GW 10/11/2020; cf. AAN 27/10/2020). Additionally, targetted killings took place in the districts as well as city of Herat (NYTM 29/10/2020, NYTM 1/10/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020, NYTM 30/1/2020).

Note: Further information on Herat, including the security situation, can be found in the analysis of the Staatendokumentation Afghanistan - Informationen zu sozioökonomischen Faktoren in der Provinz Herat’ of 13/6/2019 (STDOK 13/6/2019).

Quellen:

• 1TV - 1TV (28/10/2020): First train from Iran arrives in Afghanistan, https://1tvnews.af/28/10/2020/ 5453/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (27/10/2020): Behind the Statistics: Drop in civilian casualties masks increased Taleban violence, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-pe ace/behind-the-statistics-drop-in-civilian-casualties-masks-increased-taleban-violence/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (21/4/2020): Herat City’s Reported Spike in Insecurity: What a sober reading of events reveals, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-pe ace/herat-citys-reported-spike-in-insecurity-what-a-sober-reading-of-events-reveals/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (8/4/2020): Voices from the Districts, the Violence Mapped (2): Assessing the conflict a month after the US-Taleban agreement, https://www.afghanistan-anal ysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/voices-from-the-districts-the-violence-mapped-2-assessing-th e-conflict-a-month-after-the-us-taleban-agreement/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (28/2/2020): The ‘Reduction in Violence’ Week: What did (some of the) people think?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/the- reduction-in-violence-week-what-did-some-of-the-people-think/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (24/2/2020): Disputed Casualties in Kushk: The cost of blurring lines between fighters and civilians, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and- peace/disputed-casualties-in-kushk-the-cost-of-blurring-lines-between-fighters-and-civilians/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (20/12/2019): Peace in the Districts (2): Prospects, approaches and an emphasis on a ‘good peace’, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-pe ace/peace-in-the-districts-2-prospects-approaches-and-an-emphasis-on-good-peace/ , accessed 30/11/2020

91 • AAN - AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (3/2/2019): Speculation Abounding: Trying to make sense of the attacks against Shias in Herat city, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/speculation -abounding-trying-to-make-sense-of-the-attacks-against-shias-in-herat-city/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2018): The Afghanistan Election Conundrum (12): Good news and bad news about district numbers, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/the-afghanistan -election-conundrum-12-good-news-and-bad-news-about-district-numbers/ , accessed 23/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (3/7/2015): Classics of Conflict (1): Reviewing some of Afghanistan’s most notorious hotspots, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/report s/war-and-peace/classics-of-conflict-1-reviewing-some-of-afghanistans-most-notorious-h otspots/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (23/7/2020): Civilians among 45 killed in Afghan air raids against Taliban, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/7/23/civilians-among-45-killed-in-afghan-air-raids -against-taliban , accessed 30/11/2020 • AN - Ariana News (5/9/2020): 25 Taliban fighters killed in ANDSF operation in Herat, https://ariana news.af/25-taliban-fighters-killed-in-andsf-operation-in-herat/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • AN - Ariana News (2/1/2020): Kidnappers Apprehended - Herat, https://ariananews.af/kidnappers -apprehended-herat/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • GW - Garda World (10/11/2020): Afghanistan: IED explosion injures multiple police officers in Herat city November 9, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/398086/afghanistan-ied-explosion- injures-multiple-police-officers-in-herat-city-november-9 , accessed 30/11/2020 • HOA - Heart of Asia (12/1/2020): Kabul-Herat highway reopened after two weeks, https://heartofa sia.af/kabul-herat-highway-reopened-after-two-weeks/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • IEC Herat - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election - Results by Polling Stations: Province Hirat, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult _by_pc/32 , accessed 30/11/2020 • Kam Air Herat - Kam Air (n.d.): Your Outbound Flight, flight schedules as of 6/11/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • KN - Kabul Now (7/7/2020): Customs staffs on strike over growing insecurity across Islam Qala- Herat highway, https://kabulnow.af/2020/07/customs-staffs-strike-over-insecurity-across-islam-qal a-herat-highway/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (22/11/2020): Roadside Bomb Claims 3, Injures 3 in Herat, https://www.khaa ma.com/herat-roadside-bomb-claims-3-injures-3-8978979/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (20/11/2020): Taliban Attack in Herat Rebuffed, 11 Killed, https://www.khaa ma.com/taliban-attack-in-herat-rebuffed-11-killed-34433/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (1/11/2020): 3 Police Killed in Herat Blast, 1 Civilian Wounded, https://www. khaama.com/3-police-killed-in-herat-blast-1-civilian-wounded-34534/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (5/9/2020): Government Repulses Taliban Attack in Herat, https://www.khaa ma.com/government-repulses-taliban-attack-in-herat-8765435/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (4/7/2018): Afghanistan Road Network, https://dlca.logcluster. org/display/public/DLCA/2.3+Afghanistan+Road+Network , accessed 19/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 30/11/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (1/11/2020): On Afghan Highways, Even the Police Fear the Taliban’s Toll Collectors, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/01/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-bribery.html , accessed 30/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (29/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: June 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-june-2020/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 8/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020/html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020

92 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (27/2/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: February 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-february-2020/html , accessed 14/10/2020 • OA - Outlook Afghanistan (20/7/2020): Concerns over Increases of Insecurity Incidents in Herat Province, http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/topics.php?post_id=27056 , accessed 30/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (15/10/2020): Taliban capture 8 border policemen in Herat, https: //pajhwok.com/2020/10/15/taliban-capture-8-border-policemen-herat/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_m edium=twitter , accessed 30/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (6/2/2020): Transferred to Islam Qala, Herat customs revenue plunges, https://pajhwok.com/2020/02/06/transferred-islam-qala-herat-customs-revenue-plunges/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (4/1/2020): Herat drivers protest against police extortion enters 10th day, https://pajhwok.com/2020/01/04/herat-drivers-protest-against-police-extortion-enters-10th-da y/ , accessed 30/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (6/1/2015): Govt won’t talk peace from a weak position: Ghani, https: //peace.pajhwok.com/en/peace-news/govt-won%E2%80%99t-talk-peace-weak-position-ghani , accessed 30/11/2020 • PAJ Herat - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background profile of Herat province, http://elections.pa jhwok.com/en/content/background-profile-herat-province-1 , accessed 5/7/2019 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (22/1/2020): Officials Say U.S. Drone Strike Killed 10 Civilians In Western Afghanistan, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/officials-say-us-drone-strike-killed-10 -civilians-in-western-afghanistan/30391672/html , accessed 30/11/2020 • RUSI - Royal United Services Institute (16/3/2016): An Interview with Mullah Rasool on Reconcilia- tion between the Taliban and the Afghan Government, https://rusi.org/commentary/interview-mull ah-rasool-reconciliation-between-taliban-and-afghan-government , accessed 30/11/2020 • SAS - Stars and Stripes (9/1/2020): Airstrike in western Afghanistan kills leader of Taliban splinter group, may have killed civilians, https://www.stripes.com/news/airstrike-in-western-afghanistan-kill s-leader-of-taliban-splinter-group-may-have-killed-civilians-1/614105 , accessed 30/11/2020 • SAS - Stars and Stripes (2/11/2018): Taliban vs. Taliban clash in Afghanistan’s west leaves 40 dead, https://www.stripes.com/news/taliban-vs-taliban-clash-in-afghanistan-s-west-leaves-40-de ad-1/554808 , accessed 30/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (2/10/2020): New army recruits in Herat get commando training to better fight terrorism, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/10/02/feature- 01 , accessed 30/11/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (25/11/2020): Airports with scheduled passenger service as of 25/11/2020 [map], can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA [Durante, Xenia] (13/6/2019): Analyse der Staatendoku- mentation: Afghanistan - Informationen zu sozioökonomischen Faktoren in der Provinz Herat auf Basis von Interviews im Zeitraum November 2018 bis Jänner 2019, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/l ocal/2010507/AFGH_ANALYSE_Herat_2019_06_13/pdf , accessed 30/11/2020 • TD - The Diplomat (5/12/2017): Kabul’s Plan to Realize Afghanistan’s Geographic Dividend, https: //thediplomat.com/2017/12/kabuls-plan-to-realize-afghanistans-geographic-dividend/ , accessed 24/5/2019 • TN - Tolonews (10/10/2020): Seven Civilians Killed in Helmand, Herat Blasts, https://tolonews.c om/afghanistan-166936 , accessed 30/11/2020 ,[automatic translation, note] ان و اان ز ا د :(TN - Tolonews (11/9/2020 • https://tolonews.com/fa/business/%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8 %AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%DB%8C %DA%A9-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%DA%AF%D9 %85%D8%B1%DA%A9%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%85% DB%8C%E2%80%8C%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%86%D8%AF , accessed 30/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (5/7/2020): 3 Police Killed in Herat Roadside Mine Blast, https://tolonews.com/afg hanistan/3%C2%A0police-killed-herat-roadside-mine-blast , accessed 30/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi .net/en/document/2039870/html , accessed 4/11/2020

93 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (7/2020): Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Midyear Report: 1 January - 30 June 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/do cument/2034915/html , accessed 30/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (10/12/2019): The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/l ocal/2021377/A_74_582_E.pdf , accessed 30/11/2020 • UNOCHA Herat - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Hirat Province - Distrikt Atlas https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.hu manitarianresponse.info/files/Hirat.pdf , accessed 30/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.undocs.org/S/2020/415 , accessed 30/9/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • USIP - United States Institute of Peace (2015): Political and Economic Dynamics of Herat, https: //www.usip.org/sites/default/files/PW107-Political-and-Economic-Dynamics-of-Herat.pdf , accessed 30/11/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (20/3/2020): US Admits Taliban Offensive Is Whittling IS’s Grip on Afghani- stan, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/us-admits-taliban-offensive-whittling-iss-grip-af ghanistan , accessed 23/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (29/1/2020b): Afghan air raids kill 2 Taliban commander in western Herat province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/29/c_138741205/htm , accessed 30/11/2020

3.14 Jawzjan

Letzte Änderung: 14.12.2020

Jawzjan is located in the north of Afghanistan, bordering Turkmenistan in the north, Balkh in the east, Sar-e Pul in the south, and Faryab in the west (UNOCHA Balkh 4/2014). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Aqchah, Darzab, Faizabad, Khamyab, Khanaqa, Khwaja Dukoh, , , , and Qush Tepa, as well as the provincial capital, (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Jawzjan 2019). The administrative affiliation of Darzab has been shifted from Faryab to Jawzjan for security reasons. Later, the district of Qush Tepa was split from Darzab (AAN 16/8/2018).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Jawzjan to be 602,082 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). In 2008, the two largest ethnic groups in the province were Uzbeks and Turkmen; there are also smaller groups of Pashtuns and so-called Arabs as well as a few Tajiks and Kuchi nomads, whose numbers vary with the seasons (Larsson 11/2008).

The Ring Road connects the capital of Jawzjan province with the large population centre of Mazar-e Sharif in Balkh and with Faryab in the west (TD 5/12/2017; cf. LCA 4/7/2018). It is asphalted and can be traveled by all kind of trucks (ECO 2020), though in one case the Taliban reportedly had dug up the Mazar-e Sharif-Sheberghan highway, probably with the intention

94 of slowing down traffic in order to facilitate controls (STDOK 21/7/2020). The Taliban set up checkpoints along the Ring Road between Sheberghan and Mazar-e Sharif (STDOK 21/7/2020; cf. PAJ 7/1/2020) and residents reported that travellers also often get trapped in clashes between the armed forces and the Taliban on the Sheberghan-Mazar-e Sharif highway (AT 21/10/2020; cf. PAJ 7/1/2020, AN 17/3/2020). Another main road connects neighbouring Sar-e Pul to the Ring Road in Sheberghan (TD 5/12/2017; cf. LCA 4/7/2018). As of November 2020, there are no scheduled flights to and from Jawzjan, with air services being operated through Mazar-e Sharif (Kam Air Jawzjan n.d.; cf. STDOK 25/3/2019). Jawzjan is considered to be a strategically important province due to its immense natural gas reserves (PAJ Jawzjan n.d.; cf. AN 16/8/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Jawzjan is the home province of the formerly powerful ethnic Uzbek factional leader Abdul Rashid Dostum (RFE/RL n.d.; cf. AAN 5/8/2020; KN 15/7/2020); his former militia fighters have a presence there (RFE/RL n.d.). The security situation in the province was described as restive in June 2020 (XI 30/6/2020; cf. UNOCHA 21/6/2020). According to estimations by the Long War Journal, several districts were contested or under Taliban control as of November 2020, while the districts of Mardyan, Mingajik and Sheberghan were under government control (LWJ n.d.; cf. STDOK 21/7/2020). According to other sources, Khamyab and Qarqin have been recaptured by the government forces in April 2020, after the districts had been under Taliban control for the past two years (ST 23/7/2020; USDOD 1/7/2020).

The province had witnessed clashes between the Taliban and a self-proclaimed IS group in the past (AAN 4/8/2018; SP 19/7/2018; AAN 11/11/2017). In July 2018, the Taliban defeated the group, with some of its members surrendering to the Afghan security forces (AAN 4/8/2018; cf. UNSC 13/6/2019). Local residents spoke of atrocities committed by self-styled IS fighters in Darzab at the time they controlled the district (ST 13/12/2018; cf. PAJ 20/6/2018; PAJ 17/4/2018).

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) has a presence in Jawzjan (UNSC 27/5/2020), where it maintains links to splinter groups such as Khatiba Imam al-Bukhari (KIB) (UNSC 27/5/2020; cf. LWJ 7/7/2020).

On the government side, Badakhshan is under the responsibility of the 209th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Shaheen“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. KP 30/6/2020), which reports to the German- led NATO Mission Train Advise Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

95 Abbildung 16: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 123 civilian casualties (29 killed and 94 injured) in Jawzjan pro- vince. This corresponds to a 33% decrease compared to 2018. The main cause of casualties was fighting on the ground, followed by unexploded ordnance (UXO), landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2/2020). Regarding the first three quarters of 2020, UNAMA noted that in contrast to the national trend of an overall reduction in civilian casualties, the num- ber of civilian casualties increased in Jawzjan in comparison to the same period the year before (UNAMA 10/2020).

Clashes erupted in Jawzjan (UNOCHA 25/10/2020; cf. UNOCHA 4/10/2020, UNOCHA 6/9/2020, BAMF 17/8/2020, UNOCHA 7/5/2020, UNOCHA 29/4/2020, BAMF 20/4/2020, UNOCHA 29/3/2020), with the Taliban attacking security outposts or military bases (NYTM 1/10/2020; cf. NYTM 28/8/2020, BAMF 22/6/2020, RFE/RL 17/6/2020, NYTM 30/4/2020, PAJ 28/3/2020, NYTM 30/1/2020) and district centres (NYTM 30/4/2020) as well as taking over a district without fighting (UNGASC 17/3/2020), while the government forces conducted clearing operations (KP 30/6/2020; cf. PNA 20/5/2020, PAJ 12/4/2020, MENAFN 7/3/2020, BNA 4/2/2020) and recap- tured districts (ST 23/7/2020; cf. USDOD 1/7/2020, UNGASC 17/6/2020). In August 2020, an army official said that the security forces had tightened the area of operations against the Taliban in Jawzjan for the past two months (ST 13/8/2020).

Detonations of roadside bombs (NYTM 28/8/2020; cf. AT 24/6/2020, NYTM 30/1/2020), as well as their discovery and controlled explosion (BNA 27/7/2020) and abductions were reported in the province (NYTM 27/2/2020; cf. PAJ 10/12/2019).

Quellen:

96 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (5/8/2020): Still Preoccupied by ‘Who Gets What’: 100 days of the new government, but no full cabinet, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/politi cal-landscape/still-preoccupied-by-who-gets-what-100-days-of-the-new-government-but-no-full-ca binet/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2018): The Afghanistan Election Conundrum (12): Good news and bad news about district numbers, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/politi cal-landscape/the-afghanistan-election-conundrum-12-good-news-and-bad-news-about-district- numbers/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (4/8/2018): Qari Hekmat’s Island Overrun: Taleban defeat ‘ISKP’ in Jawzjan, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/qari-hekmats-island-overrun-taleban-def eat-iskp-in-jawzjan/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (11/11/2017): Qari Hekmat’s Island: A Daesh enclave in Jawzjan?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/qari-hekmats-island-a-daesh-enclave-in-jawzjan/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (16/8/2020): Excavation of gas well completed in Jawzjan, https://aria nanews.af/excavation-of-gas-well-completed-in-jawzjan/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • AN - Ariana News (17/3/2020): #Breaking [Twitter], https://twitter.com/ariananews_/status /1239856663563317250?lang=en , accessed 5/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (21/10/2020): Passengers, Drivers Affected by Security Situation in North, http://www.afghanistantimes.af/passengers-drivers-affected-by-security-situatio n-in-north/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (24/6/2020): Six civilians dead in Jawzjan bomb blast, http://www. afghanistantimes.af/six-civilians-dead-in-jawzjan-bomb-blast/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (17/8/2020): Briefing Notes, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2037631/briefingnotes-kw34-2020.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (22/6/2020): Briefing Notes, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2033948/briefingnotes-kw26-2020.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (20/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2029411/briefingnotes-kw17-2020.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (27/7/2020): Mines Discovered in Jawzjan-Sar-e-Pul Highway, http: //bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/security/item/43477-mines-discovered-in-jawzjan-sar-e-pul-highway.h tml , accessed 6/11/2020 • BNA - Bakhtar News Agency (4/2/2020): Taliban Insurgents Killed in Jawzjan Operation, http: //bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/security/item/42092-taliban-insurgents-killed-in-jawzjan-operation.html , accessed 6/11/2020 • ECO - Economic Cooperation Organization (2020): Final Report - Project for Development of Kyrgyz-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran (KTAI) Road Transport Corridor, https://www.iru.org/system/fil es/Final%20report%20-%20Project%20for%20development%20of%20Kyrgyz-Tajikistan-%20Af ghanistan-Iran%20%28KTAI%29%20road%20transport%20corridor.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Jawzjan - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Jawzjan, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryre sult_by_pc/28 , accessed 6/11/2020 • Kam Air Jawzjan - Kam Air (n.d.): Book Flights, flight schedules as of 5/11/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • KN - Kabul Now (15/7/2020): The first Uzbek marshal of Afghanistan, https://kabulnow.af/2020/07/ the-first-uzbek-marshal-of-afghanistan/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (30/6/2020): Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in Jawzjan province, https://www.khaama.com/taliban-militants-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-jawzjan-province-08931/ , accessed 5/11/2020

97 • Larsson, Katarina (11/2008): A Provincial Survey of Balkh, Jowzjan, Samangan and Saripul, http: //citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10/1/1/373/684&rep=rep1&type=pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (4/7/2018): Afghanistan Road Network, https://dlca.logcluster. org/display/public/DLCA/2/3+Afghanistan+Road+Network , accessed 19/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (7/7/2020): Uzbek jihadist group claims capture of Afghan militiamen, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/07/uzbek-jihadist-group-claims-capture-of-afghan- militiamen.php , accessed 5/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 6/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (7/3/2020): Afghanistan- Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in Jawzjan province, https://menafn.com/1100426647/Afghanistan-Taliban-militants-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-Jawzjan -province , accessed 6/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 8/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020/html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020/html , accessed 2/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (27/2/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: February 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-february-2020/html , accessed 14/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/1/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: January 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-january-2020/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (12/4/2020): Taliban suffer heavy casualties in Jawzjan, Badakhshan provinces: MoD, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/04/12/taliban-suffer-heavy-casualties-jawzjan- badakhshan-provinces-mod , accessed 6/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (28/3/2020): Taliban’s Red Unit loses 7 men in Jawzjan firefight, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/28/taliban%E2%80%99s-red-unit-loses-7-men-jawzjan-firefight , accessed 6/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (7/1/2020): ‘Check-posts bring no security to Mazar highway’, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/01/07/%E2%80%98check-posts-bring-no-security-mazar-highway %E2%80%99 , accessed 5/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (10/12/2019): Taliban abduct 40 elderly men from Jawzjan funeral, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/12/10/taliban-abduct-40-elderly-men-jawzjan-funeral , accessed 6/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (20/6/2018): ‘Daesh atrocities growing in Jawzjan’s Darzab Distrikt’, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2018/06/20/%E2%80%98daesh-atrocities-growing-jawzjan%E2%8 0%99s-darzab-district%E2%80%99 , accessed 6/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (17/4/2018): Jawzjan: Daesh militants behead 12-year-old child, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2018/04/17/jawzjan-daesh-militants-behead-12-year-old-child , accessed 6/11/2020 • PAJ Jawzjan - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Jawzjan background profile, http://elections.pajhwok. com/en/content/jawzjan-background-profile , accessed 6/11/2020 • PNA - Pasbanan (20/5/2020): More than 44 Taliban killed in two province of Afghanistan, https: //pasbanan.com/more-than-44-taliban-killed-in-two-province-of-afghanistan/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (17/6/2020): Afghans Say Taliban Attacks Kill At Least 17 Military Personnel In Northern Provinces, https://www.rferl.org/a/predawn-raid-by-taliban-on-c heckpoint-kills-at-least-12-afghan-soldiers/30675560/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (n.d.): Afghanistan’s New Northern Flash Points, https: //www.rferl.org/a/27013992/html , accessed 6/11/2020

98 • SP - Spiegel, Der (19/7/2018): 120 Tote bei Kämpfen zwischen Taliban und IS, https://www.spiege l.de/politik/ausland/afghanistan-islamischer-staat-und-taliban-bekaempfen-einander-120-tote-a-12 19208/html , accessed 6/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (13/8/2020): Surrendered Taliban fighters in Faryab foresee ’life of dignity’, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/08/13/feature-02 , accessed 6/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (23/7/2020): Residents return home after Afghan forces clear Taliban from Jawzjan districts, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/07/23/ feature-02 , accessed 6/11/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA [Heugl, Katharina] (21/7/2020): Informationen zu sozio- ökonomischen und sicherheitsrelevanten Faktoren in der Provinz Balkh auf Basis von Interviews im Rahmen der FFM Mazar-e Sharif 2019, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2034797/AFGH_ANA LY_Mazar-e+Sharif_2020_07_21_final.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (25/3/2019): Airports Map, can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • TD - The Diplomat (5/12/2017): Kabul’s Plan to Realize Afghanistan’s Geographic Dividend, https: //thediplomat.com/2017/12/kabuls-plan-to-realize-afghanistans-geographic-dividend/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi .net/en/document/2039870/html , accessed 4/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/6/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 031963/S_2020_549_E.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/3/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 027422/S_2020_210_E.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (25/10/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (19 - 25 October 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2 039820/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/10/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (28 September - 4 October 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/ document/2038794/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (6/9/2020): Afghani- stan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (31 August - 6 September 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/docu ment/2038025/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (21/6/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (15 June - 21 June 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document /2032426/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (7/5/2020): Afghani- stan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (28 April - 4 May 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/202 9441/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (29/4/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (20 April - 26 April 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2028987/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (29/3/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (23 March to 29 March 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/docu ment/2027576/html , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA Balkh - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Northern Region - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1087996/1930_141 5352649_afghanistan-northern-region-Distrikt-atlas.pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban

99 and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030769/html , accessed 30/9/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (13/6/2019): Tenth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2255 (2015) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2010658/S_2019_481_E.pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (30/6/2020): 48 militants killed in northern Afghan province, http://www. xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/30/c_139178083/htm , accessed 6/11/2020

3.15 Kandahar

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Kandahar province is located in the south of Afghanistan, bordering Uruzgan and Zabul in the north and Helmand in the west (UNOCHA Kandahar 4/2014), and sharing a long border with Paki- stan along the entire south and east (AAN 12/8/2019; cf. UNOCHA Kandahar 4/2014). Kandahar is subdivided into the following districts: Arghandab, , Daman, , the provincial capital Kandahar, , Maruf, Maiwand, Miyanishin, Nesh, Panjwayee, Reg (Shiga), Shah Wali Kot, Shorabak, , and Zhire (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Kandahar 2019) as well as the ‘temporary’ districts Dand and Takhta Pul (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. AAN 16/8/2018). Temporary districts are districts that have been approved after entry into force of the 2004 constitution by the president due to security or other considerations, but have not yet been approved by parliament (AAN 16/8/2018).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Kandahar to be 1,399,594 persons in the period of 2020-21, with 632,601 persons living in the provincial capital (NSIA 1/6/2020). Pashtuns are by far the largest ethnic group of Kandahar. Furthermore, there are smaller groups of Balochs, Hazaras and Tajiks as well as other ethnic groups, which are usually referred to as , i.e. speakers of Farsi/ (AAN 12/8/2019; cf. NPS Kandahar n.d.).

The Ring Road connects the provincial capital of Kandahar with the large population centres of Herat and Kabul. A northbound road towards Uruzgan and Daikundi branches off in Kandahar City. In the southbound direction, a road connects Kandahar City to the crossing point Spin Boldak-Chaman on the Afghan-Pakistani border (LCA 24/4/2019; cf. TD 5/12/2017), which is one of Afghanistan’s most important border crossings (AAN 12/8/2019; cf. LCA 24/4/2019). Spin Boldak and Chaman are believed to be major smuggling hubs (AAN 12/8/2019). Between March and August 2020, the Pakistani goverment kept the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing closed for travellers and commuters due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan (RFE/RL 21/8/2020; cf. NYT 31/7/2020). In July 2020, at least 15 civilians were reportedly killed on the Afghan side of the border as protestors demanding the reopening of the border crossing, and Pakistani as well as Afghan forces clashed,with thePakistani forces reportedly firing heavy artillery into civilian areas (NYT 31/7/2020).

100 The road conditions to all of Kandahar´s districts are generally good during the dry season, while in the rainy season, the roads to some districts become impassable (LCA 24/4/2019). According to another source, however, most parts of the Kabul-Kandahar highway are damaged due to war and violence (TN 28/9/2020; cf. HOA 7/9/2020) and in October 2020, it was reported that the Taliban had damaged parts of the Kandahar-Uruzgan highway (KP 1/10/2020b; PAJ 3/10/2020) and a stretch of a road leading into a district on purpose (PAJ 3/10/2020). The presence of IEDs and ongoing clashes can restrict civilian movement in Kandahar (UNOCHA 5/11/2020). Drivers furthermore complained about „rising extortion“ by the Taliban as well as government forces on the Kandahar-Kabul and Kandahar-Herat highway (TN 17/1/2020).

Kandahar City has an international airport (LCA 24/4/2019; BFA COI 25/3/2019) serving domestic and international destinations (Kandahar Airport n.d.); as of 9/11/2020, direct flights are however only available to Kabul for the coming weeks (Ariana Kandahar n.d., Kam Air Kandahar n.d., F 24 n.d.). In February 2020, a train service transiting cargo from Pakistan’s port city of Karachi to Chaman and Kandahar was inaugurated (PAJ 22/2/2020).

Kandahar is one of the main opium poppy-growing provinces in Afghanistan (AAN 25/6/2020; cf. UNODC/MCN 11/2018), with farmers citing poverty as the main driver of opium poppy cultivation, as poppy is considered the best cash crop in the impoverished country. Its cultivation straddles territories controlled by the Taliban as well as the government in Kandahar (RFE/RL 7/5/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Kandahar is said to be the ’birthplace’ of the Taliban and is therefore of symbolic importance for the group (ISW n.d.; cf. AAN 12/8/2019, EC 18/5/2019). During their rule from 1996-2001, Kandahar was the capital of the Taliban movement (AAN 12/8/2019; cf. RFE/RL 5/11/2020). After they were ousted in 2001, the Taliban regrouped in Kandahar and began fighting NATO’s occupation (EC 18/5/2019; cf. AJ 18/7/2019). Kandahar province is of strategic importance, owing to its geographic location at the border of the Pakistani province of Balochistan, which serves as a safe haven and prime recruitment centre for the Taliban, as well as because of its opium poppy cultivation (LWJ 19/10/2017; cf. REU 22/5/2018).

The powerful police chief and strongman General Abdul Razeq, who was credited with kee- ping the south of Afghanistan relatively stable and who had ousted the Taliban from parts of Kandahar since 2011, was assassinated in October 2018 (AAN 12/8/2019). In August 2019, government forces had been able to hold on to ‘Middle Kandahar’ under Razeq‘s successor (and brother) Tadin Khan, while the Taliban had made further gains mainly in peripheral districts (AAN 14/8/2019) and also as of November 2020, Long War Journal estimated districts in the centre of the province to be under government control, while districts in the north and south of the province were either contested or controlled by the Taliban (LWJ n.d.).

In April 2020, government officials announced that several high-ranking figures of the Islamic Sta- te Khorasan Province (ISKP) were captured in Kandahar (UNSC 27/5/2020; cf. AAN 13/5/2020), though it remained unclear why they were located in (or transiting through) Kandahar (UNSC 27/5/2020).

101 On the government side, Kandahar is under the responsibility of the 205th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Atal“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020, MENAFN 22/10/2020), which reports to the US-led NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command - South (TAAC-S) (USDOD 1/7/2020). The US forces maintain the base Kandahar Airfield in the province (NYT 1/3/2020; cf. SAS 1/11/2020). In August 2020, it was reported that the base is projected to be closed „in the coming months“ (NYT 30/8/2020; cf. SAS 1/11/2020).

Additionally, the Kandahar Strike Force (KSF) or NDS 03 has its base in Kandahar. According to Human Rights Watch, forces such as the KSF nominally belong to the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS), the country’s primary intelligence agency. However, these forces do not fall under the ordinary chain of command within the NDS, nor under normal Afghan or US military chains of command. They largely have been recruited, trained, equipped, and overseen by the CIA (HRW 31/10/2019, AAN 31/10/2019).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

102 Abbildung 17: *temporary districts; incidents in Dand district are attributed to , incidents in Takhta Pul have been attributed to in 2019 ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

103 In 2019, UNAMA documented 467 civilian casualties (121 killed and 346 injured) in Kandahar province. This represents a decrease of 13% compared to 2018. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs; excluding suicide bombings) were the main cause of casualties, followed by suicide attacks and search operations (UNAMA 2/2020).

Throughout 2020, the UN Secretary General filed Kandahar as one of the provinces with the highest amount of security incidents in the country in his quarterly reports on the security situa- tion in Afghanistan (UNGASC 18/8/2020, UNGASC 17/6/2020, UNGASC 17/3/2020). Clashes erupted in the province (UNOCHA 5/11/2020, UNOCHA 4/10/2020, UNOCHA 13/9/2020, UNO- CHA 23/7/2020, UNOCHA 17/5/2020, RFE/RL 22/4/2020, BAMF 6/4/2020, BAMF 30/3/2020), with the Taliban launching attacks against government security outposts (NYTM 1/10/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, NYTM 30/7/2020, TN 22/7/2020, RFE/RL 6/6/2020, NYTM 30/4/2020, AAN 21/3/2020, NYTM 30/1/2020), and the government forces conducting operations and responding to Taliban attacks (UNOCHA 5/11/2020, MENAFN 31/10/2020, PAJ 22/10/2020, GW 6/9/2020, NYTM 30/7/2020, KP 3/5/2020). Airstrikes were also carried out by the US forces in Kandahar (MENAFN 31/10/2020, NYTM 30/7/2020, PAJ 27/6/2020, RFE/RL 6/6/2020). In autumn 2020, the Taliban launched a major offensive in the surroundings of Kandahar City, leading to approxi- mately ten days of fighting (RFE/RL 5/11/2020; cf. TN 5/11/2020). According to an army official, the areas under attack were eventually cleared of Taliban presence (TN 5/11/2020).

Incidents with IEDs were reported (UNOCHA 5/11/2020, UNOCHA 4/10/2020, NYTM 1/10/2020, UNOCHA 17/5/2020), such as detonations of roadside bombs (NYTM 1/10/2020, UNOCHA 13/9/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, NYTM 30/7/2020, NYTM 30/4/2002, NYTM 27/2/2020) - also in Kandahar City (NYTM 1/10/2020, NYTM 30/7/2020) - as well as attacks with vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs) (AJ 9/11/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020), some of which could be thwarted by the government forces (NYTM 1/10/2020, NYTM 30/7/2020). Furthermore, several targeted killings were reported, many of them being carried out in Kandahar City (NYTM 1/10/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, NYTM 30/7/2020, NYTM 30/4/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020, NYTM 30/1/2020).

Quellen:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (25/6/2020): New World Drug Report: Opium production in Afghanistan remained the same in 2019, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/econom y-development-environment/new-world-drug-report-opium-production-in-afghanistan-remained-t he-same-in-2019/ , accessed 29/9/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (13/5/2020): A Request to Delay: Another Afghan government attempt to prevent an ICC war crimes investigation?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/re ports/rights-freedom/a-request-to-delay-another-afghan-government-attempt-to-prevent-an-icc-wa r-crimes-investigation/ , accessed 9/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (21/3/2020): Voices from the Districts, the Violence Mapped (1): What has happened since the reduction in violence ended?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts .org/en/reports/war-and-peace/voices-from-the-districts-the-violence-mapped-what-has-happene d-since-the-reduction-in-violence-ended/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (31/10/2019): CIA-backed strike force units in Afghanistan, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/resources/human-rights/cia-backed-strike-force-units-in- afghanistan/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (14/8/2019): Kandahar from Razeq to Tadin (2): The collapse foretold that did not happen, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/kandahar-from-razeq-to-tadin- 2-the-collapse-foretold-that-did-not-happen/ , accessed 10/11/2020

104 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (12/8/2019): Kandahar from Razeq to Tadin (1): Building the ‘American tribe’, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/kandahar-from-razeq-to-tadin-1-building-t he-american-tribe/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2018): The Afghanistan Election Conundrum (12): Good news and bad news about district numbers, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/politi cal-landscape/the-afghanistan-election-conundrum-12-good-news-and-bad-news-about-district- numbers/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (9/11/2020): Afghanistan: Deadly car bomb hits police base in Kandahar, https: //www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/9/official-suicide-car-bomber-kills-4-people-in-afghanistan , accessed 10/11/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (18/7/2019): At least 11 killed in Taliban attack on Afghan police HQ, https://www.alja zeera.com/news/2019/07/car-bomb-hits-police-hq-afghanistan-kandahar-190718123727497/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • Ariana Kandahar - (n.d.): Search Flights, flight schedules as of 9/11/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (6/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027827/briefingnotes-kw15-2020/pdf , accessed 10/11/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (30/3/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027826/briefingnotes-kw14-2020/pdf , accessed 10/11/2020 • EC - Economist, The (18/5/2019): Why Afghanistan’s government is losing the war with the Taliban, https://www.economist.com/asia/2019/05/18/why-afghanistans-government-is-losing-the-war-with -the-taliban , accessed 10/11/2020 • F 24 - Flightradar 24 (n.d.): KDH/OAKN Kandahar Airport Afghanistan, https://www.flightradar24/ com/data/airports/kdh , accessed 9/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • GW - Garda World (6/9/2020): Afghanistan: Security forces kill Taliban militants in Kandahar pro- vince September 5, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/376361/afghanistan-security-for ces-kill-taliban-militants-in-kandahar-province-september-5 , accessed 10/11/2020 • HOA - Heart of Asia (7/9/2020): ‘All Afghan Highways Need Major Repair’: Officials, https://hearto fasia.af/all-afghan-highways-need-major-repair-officials/ , accessed 9/11/2020 • HRW - Human Rights Watch (31/10/2019): „They’ve Shot Many Like This“, https://www.hrw.org/ de/node/334982 , accessed 23/10/2020 • IEC Kandahar - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election - Results by Polling Stations: Province Kandahar, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/prelimina ryresult_by_pc/27 , accessed 9/11/2020 • ISW - Institute for the Study of War (n.d.): Regional Command South, http://www.understandingw ar.org/region/regional-command-south-0 , accessed 10/11/2020 • Kam Air Kandahar - Kam Air (n.d.): Your Outbound Flight Kandahar-Kabul, flight schedules as of 9/11/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • Kandahar Airport - Kandahar Airport (n.d.): Destinations, https://kandaharairport.net/destinations.h tml , accessed 9/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (1/10/2020b): Taliban Damages Kandahar-Uruzgan Highway: MoD, https: //www.khaama.com/taliban-damages-kandahar-uruzgan-highway-mod-87655/ , accessed 9/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (1/9/2020): Afghanistan to Implement TAPI Project in Early 2021, https://www. khaama.com/afghanistan-to-implement-tapi-project-in-early-2021-876879/ , accessed 9/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (3/5/2020): 14 Taliban militants killed, wounded in Kandahar and Badakhshan operations, https://www.khaama.com/14-taliban-militants-killed-wounded-in-kandahar-and-badak hshan-operations-04760/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (24/4/2019): Logistics Capacity Assessment Afghanistan, https: //logcluster.org/dlca/Afghanistan-v28-20190424_0739/pdf , accessed 9/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (19/10/2017): Taliban overruns Afghan army camp in Kandahar, https: //www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/10/taliban-overrun-afghan-army-camp-in-kandahar.php , accessed 10/11/2020

105 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 9/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (31/10/2020): Afghanistan- 74 Taliban rebels killed in Kandahar airstrikes, https://menafn.com/1101048225/Afghanistan-74-Taliban-rebels-kill ed-in-Kandahar-airstrikes , accessed 10/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (22/10/2020): Afghanistan- Scores of fighters killed in security operations, https://menafn.com/1101003758/Afghanistan-Scores-of-fighters-kille d-in-security-operations , accessed 9/11/2020 • NPS Kandahar - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Kandahar Provincial Overview, https://my.nps .edu/web/ccs/kandahar , accessed 9/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYT - New York Times, The (30/8/2020): Taliban Violated Afghan Deal With Shelling of American Bases, U.S. Officials Say, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/30/world/asia/taliban-afghanistan-pe ace-us-attacks.html , accessed 9/11/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (31/7/2020): Border Clashes With Pakistan Leave 15 Afghan Civilians Dead, Officials Say, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/world/asia/afghanistan-pakistan-border. html , accessed 9/11/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (1/3/2020): Afghanistan War Enters New Stage as U.S. Military Pre- pares to Exit, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/world/asia/afghanistan-war-troops-cia.html , accessed 9/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 8/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020/html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020/html , accessed 2/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (27/2/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: February 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-february-2020/html , accessed 14/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/1/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: January 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-january-2020/html , accessed 19/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (22/10/2020): Scores of fighters killed in security operations, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/10/22/scores-fighters-killed-security-operations , accessed 10/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (3/10/2020): Taliban plough Kandahar road, dynamite 20 bridges, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/10/03/taliban-plough-kandahar-road-dynamite-20-bridges , accessed 9/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (27/6/2020): 21 rebels killed in Kandahar airstrike, clash, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/06/27/21-rebels-killed-kandahar-airstrike-clash , accessed 10/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (22/2/2020): 1st freight train leaves Karachi for Kandahar, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/02/22/1st-freight-train-leaves-karachi-kandahar , accessed 9/11/2020 • REU - Reuters (22/5/2018): Heavy casualties as blast rocks Afghan city of Kandahar, https://www. reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-blast/heavy-casualties-as-blast-rocks-afghan-city-of-kandahar -idUSKCN1IN0W1 , accessed 10/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (5/11/2020): Taliban Aims Multipronged Offensive At Second Afghan City, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/taliban-aims-multipronged-offensive-at-second-a fghan-city/30932242/html , accessed 9/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (21/8/2020): Pakistan Reopens Key Border Crossing With Afghanistan, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/pakistan-reopens-key-border-crossing-with-afghani stan/30796100/html , accessed 10/11/2020

106 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (6/6/2020): U.S. Air Strikes TargetTaliban In Afghanistan, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/u-s-air-strikes-target-taliban-in-afghanistan/30656228/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (7/5/2020): Afghan Farmers Return To Poppy Fields Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghan-farmers-return-to-poppy-fields-a mid-coronavirus-pandemic/30599463/html , accessed 9/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (22/4/2020): Attacks Across Afghanistan Kill Dozens Of Security Force Members, Civilians, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/attacks-across-afghanistan-kill -dozens-of-security-force-members-civilians/30570750/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • SAS - Stars and Stripes (1/11/2020): Business in discarded US military goods is booming as Kandahar base empties out, https://www.stripes.com/news/business-in-discarded-us-military-goo ds-is-booming-as-kandahar-base-empties-out-1/650666 , accessed 10/11/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (25/3/2019): Airports Map, liegt im Archiv der Staatendo- kumentation auf • TD - The Diplomat (5/12/2017): Kabul’s Plan to Realize Afghanistan’s Geographic Dividend, https: //thediplomat.com/2017/12/kabuls-plan-to-realize-afghanistans-geographic-dividend/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (5/11/2020): Kandahar Districts Cleared of Taliban: Army Chief, https://tolonews.c om/afghanistan-167566 , accessed 10/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (28/9/2020): $7 Billion Spent on Roads, 50% Already Damaged: Ministry, https: //tolonews.com/business-166643 , accessed 9/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (22/7/2020): 7 Security Forces Members Killed in Taliban Attack in Kandahar, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/7%C2%A0security-forces-members-killed-taliban-attack-kandahar , accessed 10/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (17/1/2020): Drivers Outraged Over Extortion on Highways, https://tolonews.com/a fghanistan/drivers-outraged-over-extortion-highways , accessed 9/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (18/8/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 036902/A_75_378_E.pdf , accessed 9/11/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/6/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 031963/S_2020_549_E.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • UNGASC - United Nations General Assembly Security Council (17/3/2020): The situation in Afgha- nistan and its implications for international peace and security, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2 027422/S_2020_210_E.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (5/11/2020): Flash Update 7 - Fighting, displacement and civilian casualties in Southern Afghanistan (5 November 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2040343/html , accessed 9/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/10/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (28 September - 4 October 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/ document/2038794/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (13/9/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (7 - 13 September 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document /2038035/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (23/7/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (13 - 19 July 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/203 4601/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (17/5/2020): Afgha- nistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (11 May - 17 May 2020), https://www.ecoi.net/en/document /2030224/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • UNOCHA Kandahar - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Kandahar Province - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/ww w.humanitarianresponse.info/files/Kandahar.pdf , accessed 10/11/2020

107 • UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime/MCN - Ministry of Counter Narcotics (11/2018): Afghanistan Opium Survey 2018, https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan/ Afghanistan_opium_survey_2018/pdf , accessed 10/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030769/html , accessed 30/9/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020

3.16 Kapisa

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Kapisa province is located in the central east of Afghanistan, bordering Panjsher in the north, Laghman in the east, Kabul in the south, and Parwan in the west (UNOCHA Kapisa 4/2014). Kapisa is subdivided into the following districts: Alasai, Hissa-e-Awali Kohistan, Hissa-e-Duwumi Kohistan, Koh Band, the provincial capital Mahmood Raqi, Nijrab, and Tagab (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Kapisa 2019).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Kapisa to be 488,298 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). The major ethnic groups in Kapisa are Tajiks, Pashtuns, and (FP 11/1/2014; cf. NPS Kapisa n.d.), with Tajiks as the largest individual group living primarily in the northern part of the province (AAN 6/4/2015).

A main road connects the provincial capital Mahmood Raqi with Kabul (LCA 24/4/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Kapisa is a small province and it is easy for insurgents to reach Kapisa’s capital and the neigh- bouring provinces (AAN 24/4/2012). There is a Taliban presence in some of its districts which are not fully under government control (MENAFN 19/7/2020; cf. VOA 8.9.2020). According to estimates by the Long War Journal, the districts of Alasai, Nijrab, and Tagab were contested in November 2020, while the remaining districts were under government control (LWJ n.d.).

According to US intelligence, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) maintains a small cell in Kapisa (VOA 20/3/2020; cf. KP 21/2/2020).

On the government side, Kapisa is under the responsibility of the 201rst Afghan National Army (ANA) „Selab/Silab“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020, PAJ 6/10/2020), which reports to the US- and Po- lish-led NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command - East (TAAC-E) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

108 Abbildung 18: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 124 civilian casualties (49 killed and 75 injured) in Kapisa province. This represents a decrease of 11% compared to 2018. The main cause of casualties was fighting on the ground, followed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and air strikes (UNAMA 2/2020). In the first three quarters of 2020, UNAMA documented an increase in civilian casualties in Kapisa in comparison to the same period last year [UNAMA however does not cite numbers regarding Kapisa in this report, note] (UNAMA 10/2020).

Clashes were reported in Kapisa (AN 19/6/2020, BAMF 6/4/2020), with the Taliban attacking security posts, military bases, villages (NYTM 29/10/2020, NYTM 1/10/2020, TKG 13/9/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, TN 21/3/2020, PN 18.2.2020), and a district centre (NYTM 30/7/2020) and the government forces conducting clearing operations (OI 29/6/2020, PAJ 21/2/2020, AN 2/12/2019). Air- or drone strikes were also carried out by the US forces (AT 25/12/2019, XI 29/11/2019). Furthermore, detonations of roadside bombs occured in Kapisa (TN 8/10/2020, RY 18/3/2020).

Quellen:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (6/4/2015): Fire in the Pashai Hills: A two-district case study from Kapisa, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/fire-in-the-pashai-hills-a-two-district-case-stud y-from-kapisa/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (24/4/2012): In Kabul’s Shadow: the attacks in the provinces on 15-16 April, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/in-kabuls-shadow-the-attacks-in-the-provinc es-on-15-16-april/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (19/6/2020): Clashes underway in Kapisa, 16 Taliban militants killed, https://ariananews.af/clashes-underway-in-kapisa-16-taliban-militants-killed/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • AN - Ariana News (2/12/2019): Taliban Designated Judge Among Six Killed in Kapisa, https://ariananews.af/taliban-designated-judge-among-six-killed-in-kapisa/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (25/12/2019): 6 civilians killed in foreign forces airstrike in Kapisa, http: //www.afghanistantimes.af/6-civilians-killed-in-foreign-forces-airstrike-in-kapisa/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (6/4/2020): Briefing Notes, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2027827/briefingnotes-kw15-2020/pdf , accessed 10/11/2020

109 • FP - Foreign Policy (11/11/2014): Are Ethnic Politics Afghanistan’s Great Hope?, https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/11/11/are-ethnic-politics-afghanistans-great-hope/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Kapisa - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election - Results by Polling Stations: Province Kapisa, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryre sult_by_pc/2 , accessed 10/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (21/2/2020): 19 ISIS militants killed in Afghan Special Forces raid, airstrikes in Kapisa and Kunar, https://www.khaama.com/19-isis-militants-killed-in-afghan-special-raid-airstrike s-in-kapisa-and-kunar-04474/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (24/4/2019): Logistics Capacity Assessment Afghanistan, https: //logcluster.org/dlca/Afghanistan-v28-20190424_0739/pdf , accessed 9/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 10/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (19/7/2020): Afghanistan- Three members of a family killed in Taliban rocket shelling in Kapisa, https://menafn.com/1100508315/Afghanistan- Three-members-of-a-family-killed-in-Taliban-rocket-shelling-in-Kapisa , accessed 10/11/2020 • NPS Kapisa - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Kapisa Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu/w eb/ccs/kapisa , accessed 10/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (29/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: June 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-june-2020/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 8/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020/html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/7/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: July 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-july-2020/html?auth=login- email&login=email , accessed 5/10/2020 • OI - Outlook India (29/6/2020): Scores killed as Afghan warring sides intensify operations, https: //www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/scores-killed-as-afghan-warring-sides-intensify-operations/1 880162 , accessed 10/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (6/10/2020): Inconvenience as ANA forces close district road in Kapisa, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/10/06/inconvenience-ana-forces-close-district-road-kapisa , accessed 10/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (21/2/2020): 2 women among 14 Taliban killed in Kapisa, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/02/21/2-women-among-14-taliban-killed-kapisa , accessed 10/11/2020 • PN - Pasbanan (18/2/2020): Nine local police killed in Taliban attack in Kapisa, https://pasbanan.com/nine-local-police-killed-in-taliban-attack-in-kapisa/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • RY - Reporterly (18/3/2020): Three Police Soldiers Killed in IED Blast in Kapisa, http://reporterly.n et/live/newsfeed/wednesday-march-18-2020/three-police-soldiers-killed-in-ied-blast-in-kapisa/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • TKG - The Killid Group (13/9/2020): 5 Killed in Taliban Attack in Kapisa; Several Injured, https: //tkg.af/english/2020/09/13/5-killed-in-taliban-attack-in-kapisa-several-injured/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (8/10/2020):3 Civilians Killed in Kapisa Roadside Blast, https://tolonews.com/afgha nistan-166868 , accessed 10/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (21/3/2020): 4 Security Force Members Killed in Kapisa, https://tolonews.com/afg hanistan/4-security-force-members-killed-kapisa , accessed 10/11/2020

110 • UNAMA - UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/do cument/2039870/html , accessed 4/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNOCHA Kapisa - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Kapisa Province - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www. humanitarianresponse.info/files/Kapisa.pdf , accessed 10/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (8/9/2020): Taliban Fighters Attack Previously Spared Afghan Province, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/taliban-fighters-attack-previously-spared-afghan-pr ovince , accessed 10/11/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (20/3/2020): US Admits Taliban Offensive Is Whittling IS’s Grip on Afghani- stan, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/us-admits-taliban-offensive-whittling-iss-grip-af ghanistan , accessed 10/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (29/11/2019): Local Taliban leader killed in E. Afghan drone strike, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/29/c_138593280/htm , accessed 10/11/2020

3.17 Khost

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Khost province is located in the east of Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan in the east, Paktika in the southwest, and Paktya in the west and northwest (UNOCHA Khost 4/2014). Khost is subdivided into the following districts: Ali Sher (Tirzayee), Baak, Gurbuz, Jaji Maidan, Khost (Matun), Manduzay (Esmayel Khil), Muza , Nadir Shah Kot, Qalandar, Sabari (Yaqubi), Shamul, Spera, and Tanay. The provincial capital of Khost is Khost City (NSIA 1/6/2020; vgl. IEC Khost 2019). Khost is part of Loya Paktya (i.e. ‘Greater Paktya’), a region comprising the provinces of Paktya, Paktika, and Khost (AAN 18/7/2020).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Khost to be 636,522 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Khost is one of the three major Pashtun regions of the country (Ruttig 2009, 57). While the province’s majority population is Pashtun (TAC 20/5/2013, FP 25/2/2020), around 1% are Tajiks, who, along with various other minorities, live mainly in Khost City. The province is home to a large number of tribes. Depending on the seasons, Khost is also inhabited by Kuchi and Musalyan nomadic groups (TAC 20/5/2013). In the past, Khost also had a Hindu and Sikh community, which has left the province by now (RFE/RL 23/11/2020).

The province has the following border crossings to Pakistan: Ghulam Khan, Babrak Tanai and Jaji Maidan (PAJ 8/7/2016; cf. AAN 28/1/2020, RA KBL 26/10/2019), with Jaji Maidan and Babrak Tanai being inofficial border crossings used by local residents (RA KBL 26/10/2019; cf. AAN 28/1/2020). The Ghulam Khan and Jaji Maidan border crossings have been closed and reopened because of security operations in the past (PAJ 8/7/2016; cf. AAN 28/1/2020, RA KBL 26/10/2019) and in 2019, Babrak Tanai has been also closed (RA KBL 26/10/2019). Ghulam

111 Khan was furthermore temporarily closed, respectively operated with restrictions, due to COVID- 19 measures in 2020 (IMPACCT 14/8/2020; cf. ARNPK 21/6/2020). In 2018 and 2019, border disputes between Afghan and Pakistani security forces led to casualties along in Khost (TN 2/5/2019, PAJ 15/7/2018, PAJ 16/4/2018).

The so-called Khost-Gardez pass links Khost with neighbouring Paktya (SAS 20/5/2009; cf. USAID 7/5/2020), Logar and, ultimately, Kabul (LCA 24/4/2019). A ’strategic highway’ connects Jaji Maidan district with Dand Patan (or Dand Aw Patan) district of Paktya (TN 31/3/2019). Ac- cording to a report of November 2020, government employees have been recently kidnapped and murdered by the Taliban on the highway between Kabul and the city of Khost, while go- vernment employees had been able to travel freely on this route in the past (NYT 1/11/2020a; cf. AAN 18/7/2020). Due to COVID-19 lockdown measures, the Khost-Gardez route was tem- porarily closed in 2020 (UNOCHA 30/6/2020). As of November 2020, there are no scheduled flights to and from Khost (Kam Air Khost n.d.; cf. STDOK 25/3/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Khost was described as a restive province in autumn 2020 (FP 16/11/2020, DH 27/10/2020). In 2018, it featured an active insurgency, but remained somewhat curtailed by strong tribal affiliations and cohesive local communities (AAN 18/8/2018). The Haqqani network is based in Khost (RFE/RL 7/2/2020). In 2009, it was described as the most active insurgent group in the so- called Arc, which stretches over nine districts of Paktya, Paktika, and Khost (Ruttig 2009, 62). The Taliban and the Haqqani network maintain close links: Sirajuddin J. Haqqani, head of the Haqqani network, also holds the position of the first deputy leader of the Taliban (UNSC 27/5/2020) and the network holds all key shadow government posts in this region, including that of shadow provincial governor (UNSC 13/6/2019).

Al Qaida is covertly operating in Khost (UNSC 27/5/2020, UNSC 20/1/2020) and Tehreek-i- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is believed to have a presence there as well (JF 25/9/2020, Dawn 18/8/2020; cf. UNSC 13/9/2019). A newspaper article of September 2020 claimed that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) is active in the province [however, no further up-to-date information on an ISKP presence in Khost could be found, note] (AT 12/9/2020).

On the government side, Khost is under the responsibility of the 203rd Afghan National Army (ANA) „Thunder/Tandar“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; KP 25/7/2020), which reports to the US-led Task Force Southeast (USDOD 1/7/2020). A special unit called Khost Protection Force (KPF) operates in eastern Afghanistan (NYT 17/4/2020, cf. FP 16/11/2020). It has its base in Camp Chapman outside of Khost City and does not respond to the ANDSF chain of command (HRW 31/10/2020) but is nominally commanded by the Afghan intelligence service National Directorate of Security (NDS) and supported by the CIA as well as US-American military advisers (NYT 17/4/2020; cf. HRW 31/10/2019, FP 16/11/2020). The KPF has been accused of violations such as extrajudicial executions and torture [see also next section regarding developments in 2020, note] (FP 16/11/2020; cf. NYT 17/4/2020, HRW 31/10/2019).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

112 The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 19: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 197 civilian casualties (51 killed and 146 injured) in . This represents an increase of 13% compared to 2018. The main cause of casualties was improvised explosive devices (IEDs; excluding suicide attacks), followed by targeted killings and fighting on the ground (UNAMA 2/2020). Regarding the first three quarters of 2020, UNAMA documented an increase in civilian casualties in comparison to the same period last year [UNAMA does not cite numbers regarding Khost in this report, note]. UNAMA further notes that after the US-Taliban agreement, civilian casualties from search operations by the Khost Protection Force all but ceased (UNAMA 10/2020; cf. AAN 27/10/2020, AAN 16/8/2020). In October 2020, members of the KPF however allegedly killed about 14 civilians during raids in the province (FP 16/11/2020).

Clashes between insurgents and government forces were reported in the province (GW 11/9/2020, KP 25/7/2020, PAJ 8/7/2020), with an attack taking place in Khost City in October 2020, which was attributed to the Haqqani network and involved a vehicle-borne IED (VBIED) as well as an hour-long gun-battle (PAJ 27/10/2020; cf. ARN 27/10/2020). Further incidents with IEDs, such as roadside bombs (XI 10/11/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, KP 8/5/2020, UPI 21/4/2020, RFE/RL 17/12/2019) and VBIEDs occured in the province (NYTM 1/10/2020, AT 12/9/2020, RFE/RL 12/5/2020, AJ 2/3/2020). Targeted killings, or killings by unknown gunmen were also

113 reported (NYTM 29/10/2020, NYTM 1/10/2020, TOI 6/6/2020, AP 20/5/2020). The government forces conducted operations in Khost (KP 25/7/2020, XI 10/2/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (27/10/2020): Behind the Statistics: Drop in civilian casualties masks increased Taleban violence, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-pe ace/behind-the-statistics-drop-in-civilian-casualties-masks-increased-taleban-violence/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2020): War in Afghanistan in 2020: Just as much vio- lence, but no one wants to talk about it, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-an d-peace/war-in-afghanistan-in-2020-just-as-much-violence-but-no-one-wants-to-talk-about-it/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (18/7/2020): A Threat at Kabul’s Southern Gate: A security overview of , https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/a-th reat-at-kabuls-southern-gate-a-security-overview-of-logar-province/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (28/1/2020): The Gates of Friendship: How Afghans cross the Afghan-Pakistani border, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/regional-relations/the-g ates-of-friendship-how-afghans-cross-the-afghan-pakistani-border/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (18/8/2018): Hitting Gardez: A vicious attack on Paktia’s Shias, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/hitting-gardez-a-vicious-attack-on- paktias-shias/ , accessed 18/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (2/3/2020): Blast hits football ground in eastern Afghanistan, https://www.al jazeera.com/news/2020/3/2/blast-hits-football-ground-in-eastern-afghanistan , accessed 17/11/2020 • AP - Associated Press (20/5/2020): Afghan officials: Attacks kill 14 civilians, 9 militiamen, https://apnews.com/article/9515ed1c58fba3b3a5884fc3ddb1eedc , accessed 17/11/2020 • ARN - Arab News (27/10/2020): 6 killed, dozens injured after gunmen attack special police unit in Afghan town, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1754761/world , accessed 17/11/2020 • ARNPK - Arab News Pakistan (21/6/2020): Pakistan reopens two border crossings to revive trade with Afghanistan, https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1691791/pakistan , accessed 18/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (14/11/2020): Mastermind of Kabul University attack detained, http://www. afghanistantimes.af/mastermind-of-kabul-university-attack-detained/ , accessed 18/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (12/9/2020): 4 dead after blast hit soldier’s wedding, http://www.afghanista ntimes.af/4-dead-after-blast-hit-soldiers-wedding/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • Dawn (18/8/2020): Breakaway faction, splinter group join TTP, https://www.dawn.com/news/1575 010 , accessed 17/11/2020 • DH - Deccan Herald (27/10/2020): Three dead, dozens wounded in attack on Afghan police base, https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/three-dead-dozens-wounded-in- attack-on-afghan-police-base-907756/html , accessed 17/11/2020 • FP - Foreign Policy (16/11/2020): Atrocities Pile Up for CIA-Backed Afghan Paramilitary Forces, https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/16/afghanistan-khost-protection-forces-cia-us-pullout-taliban/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • FP - Foreign Policy (25/2/2020): With Taliban Talks Soon to Start, Afghan Government Splits Apart, https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/25/taliban-afghanistan-talks-ashraf-ghani/ , accessed 18/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • GW - Garda World (11/9/2020): Afghanistan: Security forces kill Taliban militants in Khost province September 10, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/378116/afghanistan-security-forces-ki ll-taliban-militants-in-khost-province-september-10 , accessed 17/11/2020 • HRW - Human Rights Watch (31/10/2019): „They’ve Shot Many Like This“, https://www.hrw.org/ de/node/334982 , accessed 23/10/2020 • IEC Khost - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 - Results by Polling Stations: Province Khost, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/14 , accessed 16/11/2020

114 • IMPACCT - IMPortation And Customs Clearance Together (14/8/2020): COVID-19 Afghanistan Bulletin n° 7-CIQP: 14 August 2020, https://wiki.unece.org/download/attachments/101548399/Af ghanistan_-_COVID-19_-_CIQP_Bulletin_7/pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1597746065204&a pi=v2 , accessed 18/11/2020 • JF - Jamestown Foundation, The (25/9/2020): Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Factions Reunited for ‘Holy War’ Against Islamabad, https://jamestown.org/program/tehreek-e-taliban-pakistan-factions- reunited-for-holy-war-against-islamabad/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • Kam Air Khost - Kam Air (n.d.): Book Flight, flight schedules as of 16/11/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • KP - Khaama Press (25/7/2020): Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in Khost; at least 29 killed, wounded, https://www.khaama.com/taliban-militants-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-khost-at-least-29- killed-wounded-08983/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (8/5/2020): Khost Police Chief killed in a roadside bomb explosion, https: //www.khaama.com/khost-police-chief-killed-in-a-roadside-bomb-explosion-07785/ , accessed 17/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYT - New York Times, The (1/11/2020a): On Afghan Highways, Even the Police Fear the Taliban’s Toll Collectors, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/01/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-bribery.html , accessed 16/11/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (17/4/2020): To Save Afghan Peace Deal, U.S. May Scale Back C.I.A. Presence, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/world/asia/afghanistan-cia-peace-treaty.html , accessed 17/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (29/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: June 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-june-2020/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 8/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020/html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (27/10/2020): Khost attack ends as all 10 assailants killed, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/10/27/khost-attack-ends-all-10-assailants-killed , accessed 17/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (8/7/2020): 23 Taliban killed in Nangarhar, Khost clashes, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/07/08/23-taliban-killed-nangarhar-khost-clashes , accessed 17/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (15/7/2018): Zazai Maidan residents clash with Pakistani forces, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2018/07/15/zazai-maidan-residents-clash-pakistani-forces , accessed 18/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (16/4/2018): 5 Pakistani soldiers killed in border clash, https://www. pajhwok.com/en/2018/04/16/5-pakistani-soldiers-killed-border-clash , accessed 18/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (8/7/2016): Khost market unaffected by closure of Pakistan border, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2016/07/08/khost-market-unaffected-closure-pakistan-border , accessed 18/11/2020 • SAS - Stars and Stripes (20/5/2009): A rough road to travel: Troops guard artery linking Khost and Gardez, https://www.stripes.com/news/a-rough-road-to-travel-troops-guard-artery-linking-khost- and-gardez-1/91705 , accessed 16/11/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA (25/3/2019): Airports Map, can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • RA KBL - Rechtsanwalt in Kabul (26/10/2019): Antwort per E-Mail, can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (23/9/2020): Ghazni Residents Mourn The Loss Of Hindu, Sikh Neighbors, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/ghazni-residents-mourn-the-loss-of-hindu-sikh -neighbors-/30854326/html , accessed 20/10/2020

115 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (16/6/2020): Tribe Burns Down Houses Of Alleged Murderers In Southeast Afghanistan, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/tribe-burns-down-houses-of-alle ged-murderers-in-southeast-afghanistan/30674054.html , accessed 18/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (12/5/2020): Ghani Says Afghan Troops To Go On The Offensive After Deadly Attacks, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/gunmen-attack-doctors-without-borde rs-clinic-in-kabul/30607380/html , accessed 17/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (7/2/2020): U.S. Citizen Believed Kidnapped In Eastern Afghanistan, https://www.rferl.org/a/us-citizen-believed-kidnapped-in-eastern-afghanistan/30421 850/html , accessed 17/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (17/12/2019): Roadside Bomb Kills 10 From Same Afghan Family, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/roadside-bomb-kills-10-from-same-afghan-family/3032 9968/html , accessed 17/11/2020 • Ruttig, Thomas (2009): ‘s Insurgency: The Haqqani Network as an Autonomous Entity. In Giustozzi, Antonio (Ed.): Decoding the New Taliban. Insights from the Afghan Field, Columbia: Hurst, pp. 57-88/ ch. can be retrieved from: https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/wp-content/uplo ads/2009/07/20090224-HQN-as-autonomous-T-entity.pdf , accessed 18/11/2020 • TAC - Tribal Analysis Center (20/5/2013): Khost Province District Studies, http://www.tribalanalysis center.com/PDF-TAC/Khost%20Province%20Districts%20Studies%20(20May13).pdf , accessed 16/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (2/5/2019): Four Civilians Killed In Cross-Line Shelling By Pakistani Forces, https: //tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan/four-civilians-killed-cross-line-shelling-pakistani%C2%A0fo rces , accessed 18/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (31/3/2019): Afghan Forces Hold ‘Full Control’ Of Key Highway In Southeast, https: //www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-forces-hold-%E2%80%98full-control%E2%80%99-key-h ighway-southeast , accessed 18/11/2020 • TOI - Times of India (6/6/2020): 11 Taliban members killed, 6 injured in clashes in Afghanistan, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/11-taliban-members-killed-6-injured-in-clashes-in-afgh anistan/articleshow/76236877/cms , accessed 17/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi .net/en/document/2039870/html , accessed 4/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (6/2020): Humani- tarian Response Plan Afghanistan 2018-2021, https://www.who.int/health-cluster/countries/afg hanistan/Afghanistan-Humanitarian-Response-Plan-COVID-19-June-2020/pdf?ua=1 , accessed 17/11/2020 • UNOCHA Khost - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: South Eastern Region - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/ www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/Khost.pdf , accessed 16/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030769/html , accessed 30/9/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (20/1/2020): Twenty-fifth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2368 (2017) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/202 4173/html , accessed 17/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (13/6/2019): Tenth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2255 (2015) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.undocs.org/pdf?symbol=en/S/2019/481 , accessed 6/8/2019 • UPI - United Press International (21/4/2020): Explosion targets provincial leader in Afghanistan; 5 hurt, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/04/21/Explosion-targets-provincial-leader- in-Afghanistan-5-hurt/3231587471307/ , accessed 17/11/2020

116 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (10/11/2020): Roundup: Over 90 killed in 24 hours as fighting intensifies in Afghanistan http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-11/10/c_139506435/htm , accessed 17/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (10/2/2020): 4 Haqqani militants arrested in raid in E. Afghanistan, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02/10/c_138770881/htm , accessed 17/11/2020

3.18 Kunar

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Kunar is located in the east of Afghanistan, at the border with Pakistan. The province borders Nuristan in the north, Pakistan ( province) in the east, Nangarhar in the south, and Laghman in the west (NPS Kunar n.d.; cf. UNOCHA Kunar 4/2014). In addition to the provincial capital Asad Abad, the province is subdivided into the following districts: Bar Kunar (also referred to as Asmar), Chapa Dara, Dangam, Dara-e-Pech (Manogi), Ghazi Abad, Khas Kunar, Marawara, Narang wa Badil, Nari, S. Noorgal, Sar Kani, Sawkay (Chawkay), Shigal, Watapoor, and Sheltan (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Kunar 2019, UNOCHA Kunar 4/2014, NPS Kunar n.d., OP Kunar 1/2/2017). Sheltan is a ‘temporary’ district (NSIA 1/6/2020), which means that its formation has been approved by the president after entry into force of the 2004 constitution due to security or other considerations, while parliament has not (yet) given its consent (AAN 16/8/2018).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Kunar to be 499,393 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Kunar is mainly inhabited by Pashtuns, followed by Pashais and Nuristanis (NPS Kunar n.d.; cf. OP Kunar 1/2/2017).

A primary road connects Asad Abad to Jalalabad in the southwest as well as to a border crossing with Pakistan in the northeast. Additionally, a secondary road leads eastwards from Asad Abad to the Pakistani border; another road connects Kunar to Nuristan (LCA 24/4/2019). Inofficial, motor- able border crossings between Pakistan and Kunar exist in the districts of Sar Kani, Marawara, and Nari (AAN 28/1/2020). The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan was drawn by the British in the 19th century and left ethnic split. Consecutive Afghan governments have questioned the legitimacy of the division, known as the Durand Line, as an official bor- der. Efforts by Pakistan’s government to build reinforced fences and security checkpoints along the border have angered Afghan officials and communities in the area (NYT 31/7/2020; cf. AN 16/7/2020, TN 8/6/2020, TRT 3/2/2020); the fence is said to separate families who are living on different sides of the border (TN 8/6/2020). Skirmishes and cross-border shellings between Af- ghan and Pakistani forces were reported in 2020 (RY 19/10/2020, AN 16/7/2020, TRT 3/2/2020, MENAFN 20/1/2020) and before (TN 8/6/2020). In July 2020, six civilians reportedly died in such an event (AN 16/7/2020).

117 Precious stones are mined illegally in some of Kunar´s districts. Profits reaped from these stones reportedly contribute to the perpetuation of the conflict (RFE/RL 24/4/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Kunar is among the volatile provinces in the east of Afghanistan where Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) militants as well as insurgents of groups such as the Taliban and Al Qaeda have a considerable presence in some of its restive districts (KP 5/3/2020). According to estimates by the Long War Journal (LWJ), was under Taliban control in November 2020, Asad Abad was under government control and the remaining districts were considered contested (LWJ n.d.), while another source reported in July 2020 that has been largely under Taliban control for nine years now (WP 12/7/2020).

After the defeat of ISKP in Nangarhar, Kunar became the remaining key base of a weakened Islamic State in Afghanistan (AAN 1/3/2020; cf. UNSC 4/2/2020), though it has continued to see losses in this province as well (UNSC 4/8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020, USDOD 1/7/2020). Estimates of ISKP strength varied between 1,000 (VOA 12/5/2020, TN 8/1/2020) and 2,100 fighters in Kunar in the first half of 2020 (UNSC 4/2/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020). Al Qaeda is covertly active in Kunar (UNSC 27/5/2020; cf. AT 14/3/2020). Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) (UNSC 27/5/2020; cf. Dawn 14/2/2020), Jaish-i-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba have a presence in the province as well (UNSC 27/5/2020).

On the government side, Kunar is under the responsibility of the 201st Afghan National Army (ANA) „Silab“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020, KP 5/3/2020), which reports to the US- and Polish-led NATO Mission Train Advise Assist Command - East (TAAC-E) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

118 Abbildung 20: *temporary district ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

119 In 2019 UNAMA documented 256 civilian casualties (77 killed and 179 injured) in Kunar province. This represents a decrease of 36% compared to 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground, followed by unexploded ordnance (UXO), landmines and targeted killings (UNAMA 2/2020).

Taliban and ISKP members are fighting each other as well as the government forces in Ku- nar (VOA 23/12/2019; cf. AAN 18/7/2020, VOA 20/3/2020, UNOCHA 9/3/2020). The Taliban launched an offensive against ISKP in spring 2020 (VOA 20/3/2020) and the US and Afghan government forces conducted operations against ISKP as well (XI 5/8/2020b, VOA 20/3/2020, KP 5/3/2020, SAS 25/2/2020). According to reports citing anonymous security officials, the US forces have helped the Taliban fighting ISKP by not attacking Taliban units engaged with ISKP (VOA 20/3/2020) as well as conducting strategic airstrikes against ISKP positions in the wake of Taliban attacks against these positions (WP 22/10/2020).

Clashes between government forces and the Taliban, or attacks by the Taliban against go- vernment posts, were also reported in Kunar in 2020 (NYTM 1/10/2020, PAJ 22/8/2020, XI 15/8/2020b, XI 7/6/2020, GW 8/4/2020). Additionally, detonations of roadside bombs (AnA 14/10/2020, AnA 13/2/2020b) as well as of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) (NYTM 1/10/2020) and abductions occurred in the province (UNAMA 6.2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (18/7/2020): A Threat at Kabul’s Southern Gate: A security overview of Logar province, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/wa r-and-peace/a-threat-at-kabuls-southern-gate-a-security-overview-of-logar-province/ , accessed 17/11/2020

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (28/1/2020): The Gates of Friendship: How Afghans cross the Afghan-Pakistani border, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/regi onal-relations/the-gates-of-friendship-how-afghans-cross-the-afghan-pakistani-border/ , accessed 17/11/2020

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (1/3/2020): Hit from Many Sides 1: Unpicking the recent victory against the ISKP in Nangrahar, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/re ports/war-and-peace/hit-from-many-sides-1-unpicking-the-recent-victory-against-the-iskp- in-nangrahar/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2018): The Afghanistan Election Conundrum (12): Good news and bad news about district numbers, https://www.afghanistan-analysts .org/the-afghanistan-election-conundrum-12-good-news-and-bad-news-about-district-n umbers/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020

• AN - Ariana News (16/7/2020): Pakistani shelling kills six civilians in Kunar, https://ariana news.af/pakistani-shelling-kills-six-civilians-in-kunar/ , accessed 23/11/2020

120 • AnA - Anadolu Agency (14/10/2020): Afghanistan: 13 civilians killed in landmine blasts, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/afghanistan-13-civilians-killed-in-landmine-blasts/2 006269 , accessed 23/11/2020

• AnA - Anadolu Agency (13/2/2020b): Pakistani Taliban confirm killing of top leader, https: //www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistani-taliban-confirm-killing-of-top-leader/1732537 , accessed 23/11/2020

• AT - Afghanistan Times (14/3/2020): Al-Qaeda recruits fighters from Taliban in Kunar, http://www.afghanistantimes.af/al-qaeda-recruits-fighters-from-taliban-in-kunar/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• Dawn (14/2/2020): Senior TTP leader killed in Kunar bomb blast, https://www.dawn.com /news/1534347 , accessed 23/11/2020

• GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020

• GW - Garda World (8/4/2020): Afghanistan: Security forces engage militants in Kunar province April 6, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/330231/afghanistan-security -forces-engage-militants-in-kunar-province-april-6 , accessed 23/11/2020

• IEC Kunar - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Kunar, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/ home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/15 , accessed 23/11/2020

• JF - Jamestown Foundation (20/11/2020): Islamic State Khorasan Province’s Seminary Attack and War Against Afghan Taliban Hanafis, https://jamestown.org/program/ islamic-state-khorasan-provinces-peshawar-seminary-attack-and-war-against-afghan-tal iban-hanafis/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• KP - Khaama Press Press (5/3/2020): U.S. airstrike kills 7 ISIS militants in Kunar province of Afghanistan, https://www.khaama.com/u-s-airstrike-kills-7-isis-militants-in-kunar-provi nce-of-afghanistan-04474/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (24/4/2019): Logistics Capacity Assessment Afghani- stan, https://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/2.3+Afghanistan+Road+Network , accessed 9/11/2020

• LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.long warjournal.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 30/9/2020

• MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (20/1/2020): Skirmish breaks out with Pakistan in Kunar, https://menafn.com/1099578776/Skirmish-breaks-out-with-Pakis tan-in-Kunar , accessed 23/11/2020

• NPS Kunar - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Kunar Provincial Overview, https://my.n ps.edu/web/ccs/kunar?inheritRedirect=true , accessed 23/11/2020

121 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Af- آورد-س-/ghanistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06 pdf , accessed 28/9/2020ر-۱۳۹۹- -اول • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-septe mber-2020.html , accessed 8/10/2020

• NYT - New York Times, The (31/7/2020): Border Clashes With Pakistan Leave 15 Afghan Civilians Dead, Officials Say, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/world/asia/afghanista n-pakistan-border.html , accessed 9/11/2020

• OP Kunar - Office of the President, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1.2.2017): Provincial Profile Kunar, https://president.gov.af/en/kunar/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (22/8/2020): Pakistanis among 6 Taliban killed in Kunar clash, https://pajhwok.com/2020/08/22/pakistanis-among-6-taliban-killed-kunar-clash/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (24/4/2020):Precious Stones Illegally Mined In Afghan Province, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/precious-stones-illegally-mined-in-afghan -province/30574298.html , accessed 23/11/2020

• RY - Reporterly (19/10/2020): Child Killed In Pakistani Rocket Firing In Kunar, https: //reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/monday-october-19-2020/child-killed-in-pakistani-rocket-fir ing-in-kunar/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• SAS - Stars and Stripes (25/2/2020): US forces in Afghanistan strike ISIS during partial truce with Taliban, https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/us-forces-in-afghanistan-st rike-isis-during-partial-truce-with-taliban-1.620165 , accessed 23/11/2020

• TD - The Diplomat (14.5.2019): The Peculiar Presence of the Islamic State in Kunar, https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/the-peculiar-presence-of-the-islamic-state-in-kunar/ , accessed 23/11/2020

• TN - Tolonews (8/6/2020): ’Pakistani Forces Building Facilities on Afghan Soil’: Residents, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/pakistani-forces-building-facilities-afghan-soil-residents , accessed 23/11/2020

• TN - Tolonews (8/1/2020): More Than 1,000 Daesh Fighters Active In Kunar: Governor, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/more-1000-daesh-fighters-active-kunar-governor , accessed 23/11/2020

• TRT - Türkiye Radyo Televizyon Kurumu World (3/2/2020): Mortar fired from Afghanistan kills seven in Pakistan, https://www.trtworld.com/asia/mortar-fired-from-afghanistan-kills- seven-in-pakistan-33435 , accessed 23/11/2020

122 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (6.2020): Afghanistan Pro- tection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Special Report: Attacks on Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2032031.html , accessed 23/11/2020

• UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2.2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org /sites/default/files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_februar y.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020

• UNOCHA - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (9/3/2020): Af- ghanistan: Update on the situation in Kunar Province, https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanist an/afghanistan-update-situation-kunar-province-flash-update-09-march-2020 , accessed 23/11/2020

• UNOCHA Kunar - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Kunar Province - District Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/ www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/Kunar.pdf , accessed 23/11/2020

• UNSC - United Nations Security Council (4/8/2020): Eleventh report of the Secretary- General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of UnitedNations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2036553/S_2020_774_E.pdf , accessed 23/11/2020

• UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/203 0769/html , accessed 30/9/2020

• UNSC - United Nations Security Council (4/2/2020): Tenth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat, https: //www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2024821/S_2020_95_E.pdf , accessed 23/11/2020

• USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Sta- bility in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHAN CING_SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020

• VOA - Voice of America (12/5/2020): Pushed to the Brink Again, Islamic State’s Afghan Affiliate Claims Deadly Attacks, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/pushed-brin k-again-islamic-states-afghan-affiliate-claims-deadly-attacks , accessed 23/11/2020

• VOA - Voice of America (20/3/2020): US Admits Taliban Offensive Is Whittling IS’s Grip on Afghanistan, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/us-admits-taliban-offensive-w hittling-iss-grip-afghanistan , accessed 23/11/2020

123 • VOA - Voice of America (23/12/2019): On the run, ISIS remnants face imminent defeat in Kunar Province, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/201 9/12/23/feature-02 , accessed 23/11/2020

• WP - Washington Post (22/10/2020): Our secret Taliban air force, https://www.washingt onpost.com/outlook/2020/10/22/taliban-isis-drones-afghanistan/?arc404=true , accessed 23/11/2020

• WP - Washington Post, The (12/7/2020): Within the Taliban, clashing views of Afghanistan’s future, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/07/12/afghanistan-taliban-territory- peace-deal/?arc404=true , accessed 24/11/2020

• XI - Xinhua News Agency (15/8/2020b): Militants attack kills 2 policemen in Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/15/c_139292673.htm , accessed 23/11/2020

• XI - Xinhua News Agency (5/8/2020b): Afghan forces capture IS top commander in eastern Kunar province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/05/c_139266933.htm , accessed 23/11/2020

• XI - Xinhua News Agency (7/6/2020): Afghan gun battle kills 9 militants in eastern Kunar province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/07/c_139119596.htm , accessed 23/11/2020

3.19 Kunduz

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Kunduz province is located in the north of Afghanistan, bordering Tajikistan in the north, Takhar province in the east, Baghlan province in the south, and Balkh province in the west (UNOCHA Kunduz 4/2014). The provincial capital is Kunduz (City) (OP Kunduz 1/2/2017); the province is subdivided into the following districts: Ali Abad, Chahar Darah (Chardarah), Dasht-e-Archi, (Hazrati) , , Kunduz, and Qala-e-Zal (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Kunduz 2019) as well as the temporary districts of Aqtash, Calbad (Gulbad), and Gultipa (NSIA 1/6/2020). Their formation has been approved by the president after entry into force of the 2004 constitution due to security or other considerations, while parliament has not (yet) given its consent (AAN 16/8/2018).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of to be 1,136,677 persons in the period of 2020-21, with 365,529 persons living in Kunduz City (NSIA 1/6/2020). The population is made up mainly of Pashtuns, followed by Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turkmen, Hazaras, Aymaqs and Pashais (NPS Kunduz n.d.; cf. OP Kunduz 1/2/2017).

Strategically Kunduz was termed a „gateway in the north“ to mineral-rich provinces and to central Asia; it is a hub for transportation (REU 14/9/2020) and drug-smuggling (REU 14/9/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020). A section of the Asian AH7 highway leads from Kabul through the provinces of

124 Parwan and Baghlan, linking the capital with Kunduz and with the border crossing into Tajikistan at the port of Sher Kan (also referred to as Sher Khan Bandar) (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. LCA 24/4/2019, RFE/RL 26/8/2007). National Highway 93 (NH93) runs through eastwards into Takhar and Badakhshan (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. UNOCHA Kunduz 4/2014, AAN 12/10/2016). Towards Khulm in Balkh province in the west, a National Highway is currently under construction. It is anticipated to significantly reduce the driving distance and time between Kunduz and Khulm (GAFG 23/8/2020, GIZ 7/2019).

According to residents, insecurity on land routes is a major challenge in the province (FRP 30/9/2020; cf. PAJ 22/6/2020). The road leading southwards from Kunduz into Baghlan was described as „well-paved and quiet“ in June 2020, though partially leading through Taliban terri- tory (TEL 10/6/2020). Armed militants put up checkpoints there (TEL 10/6/2020, PAJ 22/6/2020) as well as on the Takhar-Kunduz highway (PAJ 22/6/2020, ST 8/6/2020, AAN 21/3/2020). The Takhar-Kunduz highway was furthermore temporarily blocked in 2020 because of fighting (XI 6/10/2020, MENAFN 15/8/2020, ST 8/6/2020).

As of November 2020, scheduled flight services between Kabul and Kunduz exist (Kam Air Kunduz n.d., FRP 30/9/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Kunduz was the Taliban’s last stronghold before they were driven from power in 2001 (RFE/RL n.d.). Both in 2015 and 2016, the provincial capital Kunduz City was temporarily captured by the Taliban (UNAMA 24/2/2019), and at the end of August 2019, the Taliban also temporarily took over parts of the city (BAMF 2/9/2019): No other provincial capital has come under such sustained pressure from all sides. The Taliban continue to infiltrate its outskirts (AAN 12/10/2020). According to a source of October 2019, the Taliban attempt to attack Kunduz City on a yearly basis in order to show their capability to do so (STDOK 21/7/2020). In November 2020, the Long War Journal (LWJ) estimated the districts of Aqtash, Calbad, Dasht-e-Archi, Gultipa, and Khan Abad in the east as well as Qala-e-Zal in the west to be under Taliban control, and the remaining districts were considered contested (LWJ n.d.), while another source estimated that all of Kunduz besides its administrative centres were under Taliban control in October 2019 (STDOK 21/7/2020).

Al Qaida is covertly active in the province. Additionally, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU, sometimes referred to as Jundullah), which remains under the command and financial control of the Taliban, and the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) are present in Kunduz (UNSC 27/5/2020). Following Afghan military operations in the second half of 2019 in Kunduz, foreign terrorist fighters from China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and elsewhere broke into small groups and escaped to other provinces (UNSC 20/1/2020).In 2019, it was reported that Islamic State cells have appeared in Kunduz (NYT 14/6/2019; vgl. JF 6/4/2018) [however, no current information about an ISKP’s presence in Kunduz could be found, note].

On the government side, Kunduz is under the responsibility of the 217th Afghan National Army (ANA) „Pamir“ Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020, TST 17/6/2020), which reports to the German-led

125 NATO Mission Train Advise Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) (USDOD 1/7/2020).At the end of November 2020, the German forces abandoned their base in Kunduz and transferred the remaining soldiers to Mazar-e Sharif (BAMF 30/11/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: district of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 21: *temporary districts ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 492 civilian casualties (141 killed and 351 injured) in Kunduz province. This represents an increase of 46% over 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground, followed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and air strikes (UNAMA 2/2020). In the first half of 2020, Kunduz was among the five provinces where civilians were most affected by the conflict (205 civilian casualties in total) (UNAMA 7/2020). In September and May 2020, UNAMA documented the death of several civilians because of airstrikes by the government forces (UNAMA 10/2020, UNAMA 7/2020) and civilian casualties because of mortar shelling were reported on several occassions (GW 20/11/2020, RY 12/10/2020, NYTM 1/10/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020).

The Taliban launched offensives against Kunduz City at the end of August and in May 2020, seizing several checkpoints and two bases on arterial roads into the city in August, respectively attacking outposts in the security belt around the city from several directions in May. Supported by the , both attacks could be eventually repelled (REU 14/9/2020, NYT 19/5/2020, FR24 19/5/2020, WP 19/5/2020). Further Taliban attacks on district centres (XI 8/9/2020, NYTM 30/4/2020) and security outposts were reported in different districts (GW 3/11/2020, NYTM 29/10/2020, XI 28/9/2020, PT 20/9/2020, NYTM 28/8/2020, VOA 20/7/2020, TST 17/6/2020,

126 NYTM 30/4/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020, GW 16/1/2020) and the government forces conducted operations and retaliatory airstrikes in Kunduz (XI 6/10/2020, PT 20/9/2020, MENAFN 21/8/2020, KP 17/12/2019).

Incidents with IEDs were reported, such as detonations of roadside bombs (NYTM 29/10/2020, NYTM 1/10/2020, AJ 2/6/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020, PAJ 14/2/2020) and of a vehicle-borne IED (VBIED) in Kunduz City (FR24 19/5/2020), as well as an assault on security personnel at the governor´s compound in Kunduz City, which might have been carried out by an IED attached to a small drone (NYT 1/11/2020b; cf. TRT 24/11/2020). Abductions and killings took also place in Kunduz (NYTM 29/10/2020, NYTM 27/2/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (12/10/2020): Taleban Opportunism and ANSF Frustration: How the Afghan conflict has changed since the , https://www.afghanistan-analys ts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/taleban-opportunism-and-ansf-frustration-how-the-afghan-confli ct-has-changed-since-the-doha-agreement/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (21/3/2020): Voices from the Districts, the Violence Mapped (1): What has happened since the reduction in violence ended?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts .org/en/reports/war-and-peace/voices-from-the-districts-the-violence-mapped-what-has-happene d-since-the-reduction-in-violence-ended/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/8/2018): The Afghanistan Election Conundrum (12): Good news and bad news about district numbers, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/the-afghanistan -election-conundrum-12-good-news-and-bad-news-about-district-numbers/ , accessed 23/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (12/10/2016): The TalebanAssault on Kunduz city: Déjà vu, but why?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/the-taleban-assault-on-kunduz-city-deja-vu-but-why/ , accessed 25/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (2/6/2020): Roadside bomb in Taliban-controlled area kills Afghan civilians, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/6/2/roadside-bomb-in-taliban-controlled-area-kills -afghan-civilians , accessed 25/11/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (30/11/2020): Briefing Notes, per e-Mail • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Germany] (2/9/2019): Briefing Notes, per e-Mail • FR24 - France 24 (19/5/2020): Afghan forces repel Taliban attack on key city, https://www.france 24/com/en/20200519-afghan-forces-repel-taliban-attack-on-key-city , accssed 25/11/2020 • FRP - Frontier Post, The (30/9/2020): Kabul-Kunduz flights resumed after 10 years, https://thefro ntierpost.com/kabul-kunduz-flights-resumed-after-10-years/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • GAFG - Germany in Afghanistan (23/8/2020): A National Highway between Kunduz and Khulm… [Twitter], https://twitter.com/germanyinafg/status/1297418233117577217 , accessed 24/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • GIZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (7/2019): Kunduz-Khulm National Highway - Infrastructure Triggers Economic Revival, https://www.ez-afghanistan.de/sites/default/fi les/FS_2019_HKK_EN_0.pdf , accessed 24/11/2020 • GW - Garda World (20/11/2020): Mortar attack kills seven on outskirts of Kunduz November 18, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/401816/mortar-attack-kills-seven-on-outskirts-of-kund uz-november-18 , accessed 25/11/2020 • GW - Garda World (3/11/2020): Afghanistan: Militants conduct complex attack on security outpost in Kunduz province, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/396011/afghanistan-militants-co nduct-complex-attack-on-security-outpost-in-kunduz-province , accessed 25/11/2020 • GW - Garda World (16/1/2020): Afghanistan: Taliban militants kill 11 policemen in Kunduz province January 15, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/305456/afghanistan-taliban-militants-kill -11-policemen-in-kunduz-province-january-15 , accessed 25/11/2020

127 • IEC Kunduz - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 - Results by Polling Stations: Province Kunduz, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/19 , accessed 24/11/2020 • JF - Jamestown Foundation (6/4/2018): Islamic State a Deadly Force in Kabul, https://jamestown. org/program/islamic-state-a-deadly-force-in-kabul , accessed 26/11/2020 • Kam Air Kunduz - Kam Air (n.d.): Your Outbound Flight Kunduz - Kabul, flight schedules as of 24/11/2020 can be retrieved from the archive of Staatendokumentation • KP - Khaama Press (17/12/2019): Special Forces conduct major offensive against Taliban com- pounds in Kunduz, https://www.khaama.com/special-forces-conduct-major-offensive-against-tali ban-compounds-in-kunduz-04424/ , accessed 25/11/2020 • LCA - Logistics Cluster Afghanistan (24/4/2019): Logistics Capacity Assessment Afghanistan, https: //dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/2.3+Afghanistan+Road+Network , accessed 9/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (n.d.): Mapping Taliban Control in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjourn al.org/mapping-taliban-control-in-afghanistan , accessed 24/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (21/8/2020): Afghanistan- Afghan forces kill over 100 Taliban fighters in different military stings, https://menafn.com/1100675703/Afghanistan- Afghan-forces-kill-over-100-Taliban-fighters-in-different-military-stings , accessed 25/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (15/8/2020): Afghanistan- Highway blocked due to Taliban attacks in north, https://menafn.com/1100641540/Afghanistan-Highway-blocked-du e-to-Taliban-attacks-in-north , accessed 24/11/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 24/11/2020 • NPS Kunduz - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Kunduz Provinical Review, https://nps.edu/web/ ccs/kunduz , accessed 24/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYT - New York Times, The (1/11/2020b): Deadly TalibanAttack Probably Used Drone, a Worrisome Shift, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/01/world/asia/taliban-drone-afghanistan.html , accessed 25/11/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (19/5/2020): Clinic Bombed as Afghan Forces Fend Off Taliban Attack on Kunduz, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-kunduz.html , accessed 25/11/2020 • NYT - New York Times, The (14/6/2019): U.S. Special Forces Battle Against ISIS Turns to Contain- ment, and Concern, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/world/asia/afghanistan-islamic-state.ht ml , accessed 26/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (29/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: June 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-june-2020/html , accessed 10/11/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (1/10/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: September 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/03/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-september-2020/html , accessed 8/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (28/8/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: August 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-august-2020/html?auth=lo gin-email&login=email , accessed 12/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020/html , accessed 2/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (27/2/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: February 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-february-2020/html , accessed 14/10/2020 • OP Kunduz - Office of the President, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Kunduz, https://president.gov.af/en/kunduz/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (14/2/2020): 5 children injured in Kunduz roadside blast, https://pajh wok.com/2020/02/14/5-children-injured-kunduz-roadside-blast/ , accessed 25/11/2020

128 • PT - Pars Today (20/9/2020): Dozens of Taliban fighters killed in twin airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunduz, https://parstoday.com/en/news/world-i126947-dozens_of_taliban_fighters_killed_in_twi n_airstrikes_in_afghanistan%27s_kunduz , accessed 25/11/2020 • REU - Reuters (14/9/2020): Fight and talk: Facing negotiations, Taliban almost took key Afghan city, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-taliban-talks-kunduz-idUSKBN2651AU , accessed 24/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (26/8/2007): Tajikistan/Afghanistan: Road Bridge Opens With Aim Of Strengthening Trade, https://www.rferl.org/a/1078359/html , accessed 25/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (n.d.): Afghanistan’s New Northern Flash Points, https://www.rferl.org/a/27013992/html#intro , accessed 25/11/2020 • RY - Reporterly (12/10/2020): 5 Civilians Killed In Kunduz By ‘Taliban’ Shelling, https://reporter ly.net/live/newsfeed/monday-october-12-2020/5-civilians-killed-in-kunduz-by-taliban-shelling/ , accessed 25/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (8/6/2020): Taliban continue extortion, killing of travellers on highways, https: //afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/08/06/feature-03 , accessed 24/11/2020 • STDOK - Staatendokumentation des BFA [Heugl, Katharina] (21/7/2020): Informationen zu sozio- ökonomischen und sicherheitsrelevanten Faktoren in der Provinz Balkh auf Basis von Interviews im Rahmen der FFM Mazar-e Sharif 2019, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2034797/AFGH_ANA LY_Mazar-e+Sharif_2020_07_21_final.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • TEL - Telegraph, The (10/6/2020): Through mountain passes and Taliban land: the longest journey in the world for Covid-19 samples, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-diseas e/mountain-passes-taliban-land-long-road-afghanistans-covid-19/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • TRT - Türkiye Radyo Televizyon Kurumu World (24/11/2020): Afghan spy chief: Taliban rigging hobby drones to drop bombs, https://www.trtworld.com/asia/afghan-spy-chief-taliban-rigging-hob by-drones-to-drop-bombs-41724 , accessed 25/11/2020 • TST - The Statesman (17/6/2020): 17 soldiers killed in Taliban attack in Afghanistan; several injured, https://www.thestatesman.com/world/17-soldiers-killed-taliban-attack-afghanistan-several-injured -1502900758/html , accessed 24/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (10/2020): Afghanistan Protection of civilians in armed conflict; Third Quarter Report: 1 January - 30 September 2020, https://www.ecoi .net/en/document/2039870/html , accessed 4/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (7/2020): Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Midyear Report 1 January - 30 June 2020, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file /local/2034915/unama_poc_midyear_report_2020_-_27_july-revised_10_august.pdf , accessed 5/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/2/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (24/4/2019): Quarterly Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: 1 January to 31 March 2019, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file /local/2007452/unama_protection_of_civilians_in_armed_conflict_-_first_quarter_report_2019_e nglish_.pdf , accessed 26/11/2020 • UNOCHA Kunduz - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afgha- nistan: Kunduz Province - District Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humani tarianresponse.info/files/Kunduz.pdf , accessed 25/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Eleventh report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2501 (2019) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030769/html , accessed 30/9/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (20/1/2020): Twenty-fifth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2368 (2017) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals andentities, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/20241 73/S_2020_53_E.pdf , accessed 24/11/2020

129 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_SECURIT Y_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 • VOA - Voice of America (20/7/2020): TalibanAttacks Continue as Negotiations Near, https://www.vo anews.com/south-central-asia/taliban-attacks-continue-negotiations-near , accessed 25/11/2020 • WP - Washington Post, The (19/5/2020): Afghanistan’s civilian casualties rise following U.S.-Taliban peace deal, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghanistans-civilian-casualties-ri se-following-us-taliban-peace-deal/2020/05/19/18c9e52a-99a6-11ea-ad79-eef7cd734641_story.h tml , accessed 25/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (6/10/2020): Afghan forces kill 5 militants, reopen Takhar-Kunduz highway, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/06/c_139421827/htm , accessed 24/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (28/9/2020): Taliban attack on Afghan district repulsed, 12 killed, http: //www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/28/c_139403706/htm , accessed 25/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (8/9/2020): Taliban attack on Afghan district repulsed, 10 including 7 militants killed, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/asiapacific/2020-09/08/c_139352346/htm , accessed 25/11/2020

3.20 Laghman

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Laghman is located in the east of Afghanistan and borders Panjsher and Nuristan in the north, Kunar in the east, Nangarhar in the south, and Kabul and Kapisa in the west (NPS Laghman n.d.). The provincial capital of Laghman is Mehtarlam (UNOCHA Laghman 4/2014; cf. NPS Laghman n.d., OPr Laghman 1/2/2017). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Alingar, Alishing, Dawlat Shah, Mehtarlam, Qarghayi, and Bad Pash (also referred to as Bad Pakh) (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Laghman 2019, UNOCHA Laghman 4/2014, NPS Laghman n.d., OPr Laghman 1/2/2017). Bad Pash is a temporary district (NSIA 1/6/2020).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Laghman to be 493,488 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). The majority ot the population is ethnic Pashtun (BMC 6/3/2020; c.f. PAJ Laghman n.d., NPS Laghman n.d.), other residents are members of Tajik and Pashai tribes (PAJ n.d.la; cf. NPS n.d.la). The province has abundant water ressources and a good part of the population earns a living in agriculture (PAJ 14/7/2020).

The Kabul-Jalalabad highway (a section of the AH-1 Asian Highway) runs through , (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. UNOCHA Laghman 4/2014, PAJ 30/12/2019). In 2019 at least 45 people were killed and around 100 people injured in traffic accidents on this road in (PAJ 30/12/2019). There are reports of insurgents attacking convoys of the security forces along the Kabul-Jalalabad highway (TN 7/7/2020). From Qarghayi district an asphalt road branches off to the provincial capital Mehtarlam (UNOCHA Laghman 4/2014; cf. YT 10/8/2019, YT 30/4/2019). From Mehtarlam, a road continues to Nurgeram in Nuristan (UNOCHA Laghman 4/2014).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

The Taliban are active in Laghman (NYT 23/11/2020; cf. Express 5/10/2020). Laghman, together with other provinces, was considered one of the strongholds of the ISKP (AJ 10/6/2019; cf. UNSC

130 1/2/2019). The ISKP was driven out of the eastern part of the province after fights against the Taliban (LI 22/1/2020) and was officially declared defeated after military operations in winter 2019/spring 2020 (taz 3/8/2020). In March 2020, ISKP surrendered in Laghman province after being surrounded by government troops and the Taliban (ST 23/3/2020). Nevertheless, there are still reports of an ISKP presence in Laghman (Belliard 21/11/ 2020). The Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e Taiba (LeT) also has a small presence in Laghman (EFSAS 10/4/2020).

On the government side, Laghman is under the responsibility of the 201st Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, which reports to the NATO Mission Train Advise Assist Command - East (TAAC-E), led by U.S. and Polish forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 22: *temporary district; ACLED attributes incidents in Bad Pash to Mehtarlam ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 282 civilian casualties (80 killed and 202 injured) in Laghman province. This represents an increase of 4% over 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground, followed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide attacks (UNAMA 2/2020). Set in relation to the population, the amount of civilian victims is high in Laghman (LIFOS 7/4/2020).

In October 2018 and January 2019, Laghman Province was described as a relatively calm province (KP 22/1/2019; cf. KP 1/10/2018). In August 2020 locals increasingly complain about insecurity. The provincial governor also issued a warning about illegal gunmen in the capital Mehtarlam. To improve the security situation, two military battalions are to return to Laghman (PAJ 16/8/2020).

In the province, security operations (KN 21/10/2020, GW 5/10/2020, CGVSRA 12/3/2020) and air strikes are carried out by Afghan security forces (PAJ 7/9/2020, XI 24/12/2019). Attacks by

131 insurgents on security forces or governmental officers are taking place (DjW 28/9/2020, TN 11/5/2020, GW 2/5/2020). In October 2020, eight people perished in an explosives attack on the provincial governor, who remained unharmed (Express 5/10/2020; cf. GW 5/10/2020).

Sources: • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (10/6/2019): ISIL expands its reach in Afghanistan, threatening the West, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/isil-expands-reach-afghanistan-threatening-west-19061 0062113025.html , accessed 26/11/2020 • Belliard, Jean-René (21/11/2020): Afghanistan : Au moins huit morts dans l’explosion de 23 roquet- tes au centre de Kaboul, https://jrbelliard.blog.tdg.ch/archive/2020/11/21/afghanistan-au-moins-h uit-morts-dans-l-explosion-de-23-roque-310863.html , accessed 25/11/2020 • BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Thommesen, T., Kismul, H., Kaplan, I. et al. (6/3/2020): „The midwife helped me … otherwise I could have died“: women’s experience of professional midwifery services in rural Afghanistan - a qualitative study in the provinces Kunar and Laghman, https: //bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-020-2818-1 , accessed 25/11/2020 • CGVSRA - Commissariaat-generaal voor de Vluchtelingen en de Staatlozen (12/3/2020): Veilig- heidssituatie in Jalalabad, en Surkhrod, https://www.cgvs.be/nl/landeninfo/veiligheidssit uatie-jalalabad-behsud-en-surkhrod-0 , accessed 25/11/2020 • DjW - Daijiworld.com (28/9/2020): Taliban attacks 24 Afghan provinces in a day, https://www.daijiw orld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=755590 , accessed 26/11/2020 • EFSAS - European Foundation for South Asian Studies (10/4/2020): Pakistan’s role in the has been established, and its mounting despondency is becoming starkly evident, https://www.efsas.org/commentaries/pakistan%E2%80%99s-role-in-the-kabul-gurdwara-attack- has-been-established/ , accessed 25/11/2020 • Express, l’ (5.10.2020): Afghanistan: huit morts dans une attaque visant un gouverneur, https: //www.lexpress.fr/actualites/1/monde/afghanistan-huit-morts-dans-une-attaque-visant-un-gouvern eur_2135765.html , accessed 25/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • GW - Garda World (5/10/2020): Afghanistan: SVBIED attack hits provincial governor’s convoy in (Laghman province) October 5, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/386171/af ghanistan-svbied-attack-hits-provincial--convoy-in-mihtarlam-laghman-province-october -5 , accessed 26/11/2020 • GW - Garda World (2/5/2020): Afghanistan: Blast kills three civilians in Mehtarlam (Laghman province) May 2, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/338311/afghanistan-blast-kills-three- civilians-in-mehtarlam-laghman-province-may-2 , accessed 26/11/2020 • IEC Laghman - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Laghman, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_b y_pc/07 , accessed 26/11/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (21/10/2020): 116 Taliban militants killed in 26 provinces, says MoD, https://kabu lnow.af/2020/10/116-taliban-militants-killed-in-26-provinces-says-mod/ , accessed 26/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (22/1/2019): Afghan forces foil Taliban attack on an army outpost in Laghman province, https://www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-foil-taliban-attack-on-an-army-outpost-in-laghm an-province-03165/ , accessed 26/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (1/10/2018): Four key Taliban group leaders ambushed in Laghman province, https://www.khaama.com/four-key-taliban-group-leaders-ambushed-in-laghman-province-06069/ , accessed 26/11/2020 • LI - Landinfo, Utlendingsforvaltningens fagenhet for landinformasjon [Norway] (22/1/2020): Tema- notat Afghanistan: Sikkerhetssituasjon og konfliktmønster i 2019, https://landinfo.no/wp-content/u ploads/2020/01/Temanotat-Afghanistan-Sikkerhetssituasjonen-og-konfliktm%C3%B8nster-i-2019- 22012020.pdf , accessed 26/11/2020 • LIFOS - Migrationsverket, Center för landinformation och landanalys inom migrationsområdet [Sweden] (7/4/2020): Landinformation: Säkerhetsläget i Afghanistan (version 2.0), https://lifos.mi grationsverket.se/dokument?documentAttachmentId=47563 , accessed 26/11/2020

132 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 26/11/2020 • NPS Laghman - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Laghman Provincial Overview, https://my.nps .edu/web/ccs/laghman , accessed 26/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 -اول • NYT - New York Times (23/11/2020): Transporting You Far Away, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/1 1/20/podcasts/daily-newsletter-taliban-thanksgiving-cooking.html , accessed 26/11/2020 • OPr Laghman - Office of the President – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Laghman, https://president.gov.af/en/laghman/ , accessed 26/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (7/9/2020): 25 insurgents killed, 8 wounded in Laghman airstrike, https://pajhwok.com/2020/09/07/25-insurgents-killed-8-wounded-laghman-airstrike/ , accessed 26/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (16/8/2020): New Laghman governor vows improved security, https: //pajhwok.com/2020/08/16/new-laghman-governor-vows-improved-security/ , accessed 26/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (14/7/2020): Greenhouse culture gains momentum in Laghman, https://pajhwok.com/2020/07/14/greenhouse-culture-gains-momentum-laghman/ , accessed 25/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (30/12/2019): This year’s accidents on Kabul-Jalalabad road kill 45, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/12/30/year%E2%80%99s-accidents-kabul-jalalabad-road-kill-4 5 , accessed 12/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (23/3/2020): Stepped up operations force ISIS fighters to lay down arms in Laghman, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/03/23/feature- 04 , accessed 26/11/2020 • taz, die tageszeitung (3/8/2020): IS-Angriff auf Gefängnis, https://taz.de/Haeftlinge-in-Afghanistan -befreit/!5700052/ , accessed 26/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (11/5/2020): ’27’ Afghan Forces Killed in Taliban Attack in Laghman: Source, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/6%C2%A0afghan-forces-killed-taliban-attack-laghman-mod , accessed 25/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (7/7/2020): Fierce, Widespread Fighting Surges to Control Afghan Highways, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/fierce-widespread-fighting-surges-control-afghan-highways , accessed 25/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 26/11/2020 • UNOCHA Laghman - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghanistan: Laghman Province – Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/ww w.humanitarianresponse.info/files/Laghman.pdf , accessed 26/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (1/2/2019): Eighth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat, https://www.un.org/sc/ctc/wp-content /uploads/2019/02/N1901937_EN.pdf , accessed 26/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 24/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (24/12/2019): 8 militants killed in airstrikes in Afghanistan: military, http: //www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/24/c_138654584.htm , accessed 26/11/2020 • YT - Rahmat Dewan via Youtube (10/8/2019): Jalalabad to Kabul by Road | Afghanistan Travel Videos, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LagSIxcyIjE , accessed 25/11/2020 • YT - Rahmat Dewan via Youtube (30/4/2019): Kabul to Laghman by Road | Afganistan Vlogs | Af- ghanistan Travel Videos, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvuzxVZ1r5s , accessed 25/11/2020

133 3.21 Logar

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

The province of Logar [alternate spellings: Lugar, Lawghar, Lowghar] is located in the centre of Afghanistan, some 65 kilometres south of Kabul (PAJ Logar n.d). It borders Kabul province in the north, Nangarhar in the northeast, Paktya in the south, and Ghazni and Wardak in the west (NPS Logar n.d.). Sources are not clear whether in the east of the province directly borders Pakistan (AAN 18/7/2020). Various sources indicate that the district of Azra has an unguarded border of about eight kilometres with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (EASO 1/2016, UNOCHA Logar 4/2014, TN 30/6/2019), while other sources state that this is not the case (AAN 18/7/2020, OSM 15/7/2020, GooM n.d.). The provincial capital of Logar is Pul-e-Alam (NPS Logar n.d.; cf. NSIA 1/6/2020). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Azra, , Charkh, Khar War, Khushi, Mohammad Agha, and Pul-e-Alam (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Logar 2019, UNOCHA Logar 4/2014, NPS Logar n.d.).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Logar to be 434,374 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). The majority of the population is Pashtun; Tajiks and Hazaras also live in the province (AAN 18/7/2020; cf. NPS Logar n.d., PAJ Logar n.d.). The districts of Kharwar and Azra are completely Pashtun; Kharkh has a Tajik majority of around 75 percent. In the remaining districts, between 20 (Pul-e Alam) and 40 percent (Baraki Barak, mainly in the district centre) of the population are Tajik. Some of these Tajik are Shiite. Hazara and Sayyed communities, which are entirely Shiite, live in the Khoshai district (25 percent of the population) and in small communities in the provincial capital and Baraki Barak (AAN 18/7/2020).

A paved road (USAID 7/5/2019) runs from Kabul to Logar and beyond, to Paktia (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. TN 7/7/2020) and Khost to the border crossing Ghulam Khan with Pakistan (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. PAJ 21/8/2019, USAID 7/5/2019). There is a strong Taliban presence along the section in Logar Province (AAN 18.7.2020; cf. SATP 16.7.2020) that runs through the districts of Mohammad Agha and Pul-e-Alam (UNOCHA Logar 4/2014).

The province is of strategic importance to the Taliban because of its proximity to Kabul and because of the supply routes to the neighbouring provinces that pass through Logar (AAN 18/7/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

The Taliban are active in the province (t-online 31/7/2020) and exercise control over parts of the province (WZ 27/11/2019; cf. KP 13/9/2020, LWJ 7/10/2020). Charkh is one of three districts controlled by the Taliban. Three other districts, including Baraki Barak, are contested. Only one district, Khoshi, is under government control (LWJ 7/10/2020). According to locals, increasingly abusive behaviour by state security forces - including the Public Uprising Forces - leads to the population being more loyal to the Taliban, which in turn further consolidates their presence in Logar (AAN 18/7/2020).

134 On the government side, Logar is under the responsibility of the 203rd Afghan National Ar- my (ANA) Corps, which reports to the US-led NATO Mission Task Force Southeast (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 23: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 218 civilian casualties (95 killed and 123 injured) in Logar province. This represents an increase of 52% compared to 2018. The main causes of casualties were air attacks, followed by fighting on the ground and targeted killings (UNAMA 2/2020).

Fighting has increased over the past six years, reaching a peak in 2019, and ups and downs in 2020. No party of the conflict was able to significantly increase control over territory or popu- lation. Logar is considered a „statically disputed“ province. Clearing operations by government forces show poor results. The Taliban have resilient structures in Logar. Other reasons for the continuing insecurity throughout the province include the fight for controlling the drug and chro- mite smuggling and the harassment of locals by state security forces. Even in the absence of clear territorial progress, the Taliban’s position in such a situation appears to be improving (AAN 18/7/2020).

In Logar, the Taliban regularly attack government forces (AAN 18.7.2020; cf. MENAFN 29.6.2020, XI 1.5.2020, KP 27.4.2020, Nau 16.4.2020) or Public Uprising Forces (KP 13/9/2020). Security operations (KP 1/11/2020, WION 24/9/2020, GW 1/5/2020, TN 22/4/2020) and air strikes are carried out (PAJ 12/8/2020, AT 19/4/2020, SHN 19/12/2019).

Sources:

135 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (18/7/2020): A Threat at Kabul’s Southern Gate: A security overview of Logar province, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/a-th reat-at-kabuls-southern-gate-a-security-overview-of-logar-province/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata. com/data-export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (19/4/2020): 10 Taliban rebels killed in Logar airstrike, http://www.afghanistantimes.af/10-taliban-rebels-killed-in-logar-airstrike/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • EASO - European Asylum Support Office (1/2016): EASO Country of Origin Information Report - Afghanistan Security Situation, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1005791/1226_1454492894_eas o-coi-afghanistan-security-situation-bz0416001enn-fv1.pdf , accessed 24/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 /Afghanistan, https://www.google.com/maps/place | و | GooM - Google Maps (n.d.): Lugar • Lugar,+Afghanistan/@34.0492045,69.7760155,12.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x38d6aef5ab3f850d: 0xb7591e989b3dafbc!8m2!3d34.0145518!4d69.1923916 , accessed 24/11/2020 • GW - Garda World (1/5/2020): Afghanistan: Security forces kill suspected Taliban militants in Logar province April 30, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/338101/afghanistan-security-forces- kill-suspected-taliban-militants-in-logar-province-april-30 , accessed 24/11/2020 • IEC Logar - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Logar, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/05 , accessed 24/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (1/11/2020): Security Officials Seize Ammunition, Nab 4 in Logar Operation, https://www.khaama.com/security-officials-seize-ammunition-nab-4-in-logar-operation-34534/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (13/9/2020): Logar Clashes Claim 4 People Uprising Forces, https://www.kh aama.com/logar-clashes-claim-4-people-uprising-forces-34534/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (27/4/2020): Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in Logar province, https: //www.khaama.com/taliban-militants-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-logar-province-04731/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • LWJ - FDD’s Long War Journal (7/10/2020): Taliban parades forces in Logar province, https: //www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/10/taliban-parades-forces-in-logar-province.php , accessed 24/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (29/6/2020): Afghanistan- Taliban attacks pushed back in Logar, Ghazni: Army, https://menafn.com/1100407217/Afghanistan-Taliban-attack s-pushed-back-in-Logar-Ghazni-Army , accessed 24/11/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • Nau.ch (16/4/2020): Taliban töten elf afghanische Sicherheitskräfte, https://www.nau.ch/news/ausl and/taliban-toten-elf-afghanische-sicherheitskrafte-65694271 , accessed 24/11/2020 • NPS Logar - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Logar Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu/w eb/ccs/logar , accessed 24/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- -ر-۱۳۹۹- - nistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ pdf , accessed 28/9/2020. -اول • OSM - Openstreetmap and Contributors (15/7/2020): Relation: Lugar (1674874) - Version #36, https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/1674874 , accessed 24/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (12/8/2020): 20 militants killed in Logar, Paktia violence, https://pajh wok.com/2020/08/12/20-militants-killed-logar-paktia-violence/ , accessed 24/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (21/8./2019): Progress in talks to reopen Ghulam Khan Port, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/08/21/progress-talks-reopen-ghulam-khan-port , accessed 4/11/2020 • PAJ Logar - Pajhwok afghan News (n.d.): Background Profile of Logar, http://elections.pajhwok.co m/en/content/background-profile-logar , accessed 24/11/2020 • SATP - South Asia Terrorism Portal (16/7/2020): Detail of Terrorism Update - Thursday, July 16, 2020: Taliban militants kill two persons in Kabul-Gardez Highway, https://www.satp.org/terrorism-u pdate/taliban-militants-kill-two-persons-in-kabul-gardez-highway , accessed 4/11/2020 • SHN - Sayhoon News (19/12/2019): Taliban commander killed In Logar airstrike: MoD, https: //sayhoon.com/public/post/3757/english# , accessed 24/11/2020

136 • t-online. (31/7/2020): Viele Tote bei Bombenanschlägen in Afghanistan, https://www.t-online.de/na chrichten/ausland/krisen/id_88320322/afghanistan-viele-tote-bei-bombenanschlaegen-in-provinz- logar.html , accessed 24/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (7/7/2020): Fierce, Widespread Fighting Surges to Control Afghan Highways, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/fierce-widespread-fighting-surges-control-afghan-highways , accessed 4/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (22/4/2020): Afghan Forces Launch Operation in Taliban-Held District in Logar, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-forces-launch-operation-taliban-held-district-logar , accessed 24/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (30/6/2019): Insecurity Hardens Access To Logar’s Azra Distrikt, https://tolone ws.com/afghanistan/insecurity-hardens-access-logar%E2%80%99s-azra-district , accessed 24/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 24/11/2020 • UNOCHA Logar - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afghani- stan: Logar Province – Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitari anresponse.info/files/Logar.pdf , accessed 24/11/2020 • USAID - United States Agency for International Development (7/5/2019): Gardez-Khost National Highway (NH08), https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/fact-sheets/gardez-khost-national-hig hway-nh08 , accessed 4/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 24/11/2020 • WION - World is One News (24/9/2020): Forces kill 13 militants in Afghanistan’s easter Logar province, https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/forces-kill-13-militants-in-afghanistans-easter-log ar-province-329940 , accessed 24/11/2020 • WZ - Wiener Zeitung (27/11/2019): Pädophilie in Afghanistan: Die Rache trifft die Opfer, https: //www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/politik/welt/2039990-Paedophilie-in-Afghanistan-Rache-trifft- die-Opfer.html , accessed 24/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua (1/5/2020): Fighting in Afghanistan leaves 18 dead in eastern Logar province, http: //www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/01/c_139023339.htm , accessed 24/11/2020

3.22 Nangarhar

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Nangarhar is located in the east of Afghanistan along the border with Pakistan. The province borders Laghman and Kunar in the north, Pakistan (tribal districts Kurram, Khyber and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) in the south, and Logar and Kabul in the west (NPS Nangarhar n.d.; cf. UNOCHA 16/4/2010, UNOCHA Nangarhar 4/2014). The provincial capital of Nangarhar is Jalalabad (NPS Nangarhar n.d.; cf. OPr Nangarhar 1/2/2017). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Achin, Bati Kot, Behsud, Chaparhar, Dara-e-Nur, Deh Bala [also referred to as Haska Mena; cf. TBIJ 13/11/2019, VoA 28/6/2019], Dur Baba, Goshta, Hesarak, Jalalabad, Kama, Khugyani, Kot, Kuzkunar, Lalpoor, Muhmand Dara, Nazyan, Pachiragam, Rodat, Sher Zad, Shinwar, and Surkh Rud (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Nangarhar 2019, UNOCHA Nangarhar 4/2014, NPS Nangarhar n.d.); plus one temporary district: Spin Ghar (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Nangarhar 2019).

Nangarhar is one of the most densely populated provinces of Afghanistan and the economic centre of the eastern region (AREU 6/2020). The National Statistics and Information Authority

137 of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Nangarhar to be 1,701,698 persons in the period of 2020-21, of which 271,867 reside in the provincial capital Jalalabad (NSIA 1/6/2020). The majority of the population is ethnic Pashtun, followed by Pashai, Arab and Tajik (NPS Nangarhar n.d.). Many members of Jalalabad’s Sikh and Hindu community (EASO 5/8/2020) have left Afghanistan in the past decades (Wire 5/4/2020). Following an attack on Kabul’s Sikh community in March 2020, the remainder of Jalalabad’s Hindu and Sikh community announced to entirely relocate to another country (KP 4/4/2020).

The Highway Kabul-Jalalabad and further on to border crossing with Pakistan (Dawn 14/12/2019; cf. MoPW 16/10/2015, Zenger 10/10/2020) is one section of the Asian Highway AH-1 running from to Edirne (ESCAP 8/8/2019) as well as part of the motorway project Peshawar-Kabul-Dushanbe (Dawn 14/12/2019); running through the districts of Surkhrod, Jalal- abad, Behsud, Rodat, Batikot, Shinwar and Muhmand Dara (UNOCHA Nangarhar 4/2014). The section on the Pakistani side of the border from Peshawar via the to the border crossing in Torkham is to be upgraded to motorway standards, whereas as of December 2019 no upgrading works are undertaken on the continuing section Torkham-Kabul (Dawn 14/12/2019).

Jalalabad Airport is used for military purposes by the NATO (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. BW 12/7/2020); although it is also used for civilian purposes on demand, especially for Hajj-charters to (BW 12/7/2020). The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which is an airline ope- rator mainly for humanitarian staff, UN and diplomats, serves Jalalabad two times weekly from Kabul, as of October 2020 (WFP/UNHAS 27/9/2020). As of 13/11/2020 there are no commercial scheduled flights by civil aviation companies (F24 13/11/2020). A new civilian airport is about to be erected in the area of Kozkunar. Start of construction of the 40 million dollars project, bound to be finished in two years, was in July 2020 (BW 12/7/2020).

Insurgents attack convoys of the security forces on the Highway Kabul-Jalalabad (TN 7/7/2020). During 2019, at least 45 people got killed and approx. 100 people have been injured in accidents along this route (PAJ 30/12/2019). Border crossing procedures in Torkham are slow (Zenger 10/10/2020). The Tailban levy taxes along the roads in the province (AREU 6/2020) and the mountainous topography allows insurgents for uncontrolled border crossings into the pakistani former Tribal Areas (VoA 28/6/2019; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Nangarhar was considered as one of Afghanistan’s strongholds of ISKP (RAND 14/9/2020; cf. UNSC 1/2/2019). The manpower of ISKP in Nangarhar and the neighbouring eastern provinces was estimated at 2,500 to 4,000 fighters in 2019 (UNSC 13/6/2019; cf. UNAMA 24/2/2019). Continuing pressure by US and Afghan forces (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. NYT 2/12/2019, SI- GAR 30/1/2020, UNSC 27/5/2020, taz 14/5/2020) and by the Taliban (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. NYT 2/12/2019, SIGAR 30/1/2020, RAND 14/9/2020, UNSC 27/5/2020, PM 23/12/2019, taz 14/5/2020) resulted in the defeat of ISKP in Nangarhar in November 2019 and in neighbouring Kunar in March 2020 (VoA 12/5/2020; cf. NYT 2/12/2019, SIGAR 30/1/2020, UNSC 27/5/2020). ISKP had to give up territorial control in Nangarhar (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020) but still has an operative network in Kabul and a presence in the east of Afghanistan (VoA 12/5/2020;

138 cf. taz 14/5/2020). Several high ranking ISKP-members escaped to Pakistan after their military defeat (AAN 1/3/2020).

Both the Taliban and government forces have made territorial gains. While the government now controls most parts of the lowlands, the Taliban expanded their control to the remote, mountainous parts of the province. Government forces now almost entirely control ten out of Nangrahar’s 22 districts (Behsud, Kama, Dara-ye Nur, Batikot, Kot, Shinwar, Dur Baba, Pachir wa Agam, Achin and Momand Dara). In eight other districts (Gushta, Spinghar, Lalpur, Nazyan, Rodad, Kuz Kunar, Deh Bala and Chaparhar), its presence is larger than the Taliban’s. The Taliban control large parts of four districts (, , Hesarak and Surkhrod). Some areas are controlled by Pakistani militant groups Lashkar-e Islam, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, and Jabhat ul-Ahrar. The government’s civilian administrations in two districts (Sherzad and Hesarak) operate from the provincial capital Jalalabad. The security forces in these districts remain largely in the district centres and nearby villages (AAN 1/3/2020). While in previous times, governmental forces could only clear areas from the ISKP for a short time, after November 2019 the government forces could hold their areas and prevent ISKP-fighters from returning (UNSC 27/5/2020).

Al Qaeda is covertly active in Nangarhar. Also, Pakistani insurgent groups are present in Nangar- har under Taliban’s umbrella (UNSC 27/5/2020).

Local communities are operating vigilante groups in the districts of Achin, Khogyani, and Sherzad. They recieve military and logistic support by the NDS and CIA and they had an important role in the fight against the ISKP (AAN 1/3/2020): Military special units are active in Nangarhar, known as counter-terrorism pursuit teams. They are inofficially trained and supervised by the US Central Intelligence Agency CIA. They are accused of performing extrajudicial killings, mass executions, and torture, with impunity. The unit active in Nangarhar is referred to as NDS-02 (HRW 31/10/2019; cf. WIIPA 21/8/2019).

On the government side, Nangarhar is under the responsibility of the 201st Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, which reports to the NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command - East (TAAC-E), led by US and polish forces (USDOD 1/7/2020). International forces have retreated from parts of Nangarhar in May 2020 and handed over responsibility to the ANA (ST 5/10/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

139 Abbildung 24: *temporary district ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

140 In 2019 UNAMA documented 1,070 civilian casualties (356 killed and 714 injured) in Nangarhar province. This represents a decrease of 41% compared to 2018. The main causes were impro- vised explosive devices (IEDs; excluding suicide bombings), followed by ground fighting and suicide attacks (UNAMA 2/2020).

After the government declared the defeat of ISKP in November 2019, the National Army took con- trol of the districts of Spin Ghar, Achin, Haska Mina, and . According to residents, the se- curity situation in these districts has subsequently improved (ST 5/10/2020; cf. NAT 21/11/2019, Obs 3/12/2019). According to reports from , the infrastructure was widely destroy- ed after the clearing from ISKP and there were hazards from landmines and unexploded war remnants (NAT 21/11/2019; cf. Obs 3/12/2019). After clearing from ISKP by the Taliban, health centres were reopened (PM 23/12/2019).

In 2020, the security situation in Nangarhar is still described as ’volatile’ (UNOCHA 4/11/2019, UNOCHA 2/9/2020, UNOCHA 24/6/2020, KN 10/6/2020). There are security operations against IS-sleeper cells in Jalalabad (UNSC 27/5/2020).

Attacks in Jalalabad city and other places, often attributed to the IS (ACLED 18/8/2020; cf. RTL 5/8/2020, UNSC 5/8/2020), indicate that this group is still capable of performing complex attacks (ACLED 18/8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020).

There are reports of fighting in the districts of Sherzad and Khogyani in October 2020 (UNOCHA 4/11/2020, UNOCHA 22/10/2020). Airstrikes against Taliban are performed on behalf of the state (ACLED 28/10/2020, PI 15/2/2020) and there are armed clashes between security forces and Taliban (PAJ 6/10/2020, AJ 3/10/2020, MENAFN 18/9/2020, AT 7/7/2020). Insurgents perform attacks against civilian targets (BW 3/9/2020, TN 14/6/2020, NDTV 12/5/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (1/3/2020): Hit from Many Sides 1: Unpicking the recent victory against the ISKP in Nangrahar, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peac e/hit-from-many-sides-1-unpicking-the-recent-victory-against-the-iskp-in-nangrahar/ , accessed 12/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (28/10/2020): Regional Overview: Central Asia and the Caucasus, 18-24 October 2020, https://acleddata.com/2020/10/28/regional-overview-cen tral-asia-and-the-caucasus18-24-october-2020/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (18/8/2020): Mid-Year Update: 10 Conflicts to Worry About in 2020 - Afghanistan, https://acleddata.com/2020/08/18/mid-year-update-10-conflict s-to-worry-about-in-2020/#1597759451635-8d69639a-54e5 , accessed 13/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (3/10/2020): Deadly car bomb targets gov’t building in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/3/at-least-13-dead-in-suicide-bomb-attack-in-eastern-af ghanistan , accessed 13/11/2020 • AREU - Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit; Mansfield (6/2020): Mules, Pick-ups and Container Traffic: Cross-Border Production and Trade and the Shaping of the Political Economy of Nangarhar, https://areu.org.af/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2008E-Mules-Pick-ups-and-Container- Traffic.pdf , accessed 12/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (7/7/2020): Local police commander, three companions killed in Nangarhar blast, http://www.afghanistantimes.af/local-police-commander-three-companions-killed-in-nangar har-blast/ , accessed 13/11/2020

141 • BW - Businessworld (3/9/2020): 3 civilians killed in roadside mine blast in Afghanistan, http://www. businessworld.in/article/3-civilians-killed-in-roadside-mine-blast-in-Afghanistan/03-09-2020-31611 0/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • BW - Businessworld (12/7/2020): Afghan government to build civilian airport in eastern Nangarhar province, http://www.businessworld.in/article/Afghan-government-to-build-civilian-airport-in-easter n-Nangarhar-province/12-07-2020-296516/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • Dawn (14/12/2019): World Bank to lend $407m for 48km ‘road to nowhere’ , https://www.dawn.c om/news/1522197/world-bank-to-lend-407m-for-48km-road-to-nowhere , accessed 12/11/2020 • EASO - European Asylum Support Office (5/8/2020): COI Query Response - Situation of Hindus and Sikhs (2018-2020), https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1311886/download , accessed 12/11/2020 • ESCAP - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (8/8/2019): Asian Highway Route Map, https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/AH-map_0.pdf , accessed 12/11/2020 • F 24 - Flightradar24 (13/11/2020): JAA/OAJL Jalalabad, Afghanistan - Routes, https://www.flightra dar24.com/data/airports/jaa/routes , accessed 13/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • HRW - Human Rights Watch (31/10/2019): „They’ve Shot Many Like This“ - Abusive Night Raids by CIA-Backed Afghan Strike Forces, https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/10/31/theyve-shot-many/a busive-night-raids-cia-backed-afghan-strike-forces , accessed 12/11/2020 • IEC Nangarhar - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Nangarhar, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult _by_pc/06 , accessed 13/11/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (10/6/2020): NDS operatives seize Taliban drone and weapon depot in Nangarhar, https://kabulnow.af/2020/06/nds-operatives-seize-taliban-drone-and-weapon-depot-in-nangarhar/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (4/4/2020): Afghanistan’s Hindu and Sikh communities take tough decision after deadly Kabul attack, https://www.khaama.com/afghanistans-hindu-and-sikh-communities-tak e-tough-decision-after-deadly-kabul-attack-04604/ , Zugrifrf 12/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East and North Africa Financial Network (18/9/2020): Afghanistan- Security personnel among 49 killed in Nangarhar attacks, https://menafn.com/1100816696/Afghanistan-Se curity-personnel-among-49-killed-in-Nangarhar-attacks , accessed 13/11/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • NAT - National, The (21/11/2020): With ISIS gone, Afghan villagers struggle to rebuild from rubble, https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/with-isis-gone-afghan-villagers-struggle-to-rebuild-f rom-rubble-1.940724 , accessed 13/11/2020 • NDTV - New Delhi Television Limited (12/5/2020): Blast At Funeral In Afghanistan, 40 Killed, https: //www.ndtv.com/world-news/blast-at-funeral-in-afghanistans-nangarhar-40-killed-2227449 , accessed 13/11/2020 • NPS Nangarhar - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Nangarhar Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu/web/ccs/nangarhar , accessed 12/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020. -اول • NYT - (2/12/2019): ISIS Is Losing Afghan Territory. That Means Little for Its Victims., https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/02/world/asia/ISIS-afghanistan-baghdadi.html , accessed 13/11/2020 • Obs, l’ (3.12.2019): Après la défaite de l’EI, les Afghans d’Achin pansent leurs plaies, https://www. nouvelobs.com/monde/20191203.AFP9820/apres-la-defaite-de-l-ei-les-afghans-d-achin-pansent- leurs-plaies.html , accessed 13/11/2020 • OPr Nangarhar - Office of the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Nangarhar, https://president.gov.af/en/nangarhar/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (6/10/2020): 3 border policemen killed in Nangarhar blast, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/10/06/3-border-policemen-killed-nangarhar-blast , accessed 13/11/2020

142 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (30/12/2019): This year’s accidents on Kabul-Jalalabad road kill 45, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/12/30/year%E2%80%99s-accidents-kabul-jalalabad-road-kill-4 5 , accessed 12/11/2020 • PI - Le Point International (15/2/2020): Afghanistan: au moins huit civils tués dans une frappe aérienne, https://www.lepoint.fr/monde/afghanistan-au-moins-huit-civils-tues-dans-une-frappe-aer ienne-15-02-2020-2362856_24.php , accessed 13/11/2020 • PM - Paris Match (23/12/2019): Afghanistan : la revanche des talibans, https://www.parismatch.c om/Actu/International/Afghanistan-la-revanche-des-talibans-1666275 , accessed 13/11/2020 • RAND Corporation (14/9/2020): The Islamic State in Afghanistan Is Down, but Not Out, https: //www.rand.org/blog/2020/09/the-islamic-state-in-afghanistan-is-down-but-not-out.html , accessed 12/11/2020 • RTL Today - Radio Télévision Luxembourg (8/8/2020): Islamic State jihadists on the run after Afghan prison raid, https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/1559875.html , accessed 13/11/2020 • SIGAR (30/1/2020): SIGAR Quarterly Reports to Congress, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyrep orts/2020-01-30qr.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (5/10/2020): Nangarhar residents confident Afghan forces can hold security gains, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/10/05/feature-01 , accessed 13/11/2020 • taz, die tageszeitung (14/5/2020): Chance auf Frieden vertan, https://taz.de/Krieg-und-Terror-in-A fghanistan/!5683368/ , accessed 13/11/2020 • TBIJ - The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (13/11/2019): Afghanistan: Reported US covert actions 2017 | AFG433, https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/drone-war/data/get-the-data-a-list -of-us-air-and-drone-strikes-afghanistan-2017#strike-11804 , accessed 12/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (14/6/2020): Civilian Killed, 2 Wounded in Nangarhar Blast, https://tolonews.com/a fghanistan/civilian-killed-2-wounded-nangarhar-blast , accessed 13/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (7/7/2020): Fierce, Widespread Fighting Surges to Control Afghan Highways, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/fierce-widespread-fighting-surges-control-afghan-highways , accessed 12/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (24/2/2019): Afghanistan - Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Annual Report 2018, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files /afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2018_final_24_feb_2019_v3.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/11/2020): Afghanistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (26 October - 1 November 2020), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb. int/files/resources/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_1_november.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (22/10/2020): Afghanistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (12 - 18 October 2020), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/ resources/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_18_october.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2/9/2020): Afghanistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (24 - 30 August 2020), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/re sources/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_30_august_2020.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (24/6/2020): Afghanistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (15 June - 21 June 2020), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/file s/resources/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_21_june_2020.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNOCHA Nangarhar - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4.2014): Afghanistan: Nangarhar Province - District Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/ww w.humanitarianresponse.info/files/Nangarhar.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (16/4/2010): Border area - Afghanistan, F.A.T.A. and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/reso urces/79AA003AB64327CE852577620066C885-map.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (5/8/2020): Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sc14271.doc.htm , accessed 13/11/2020

143 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Letter dated 19 May 2020 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) addressed to the President of the Security Council, https://www.undocs.org/S/2020/415 , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (13/6/2019): Letter dated 10 June 2019 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) addressed to the President of the Security Council, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2010658/S_2019_481_E.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (1/2/2019): Eighth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat, https://www.un.org/sc/ctc/wp-content /uploads/2019/02/N1901937_EN.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 22/10/2020 • VoA - Voice of America (12/5/2020): Pushed to the Brink Again, Islamic State’s Afghan Affiliate Claims Deadly Attacks, https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/pushed-brink-again-islamic- states-afghan-affiliate-claims-deadly-attacks , accessed 12/11/2020 • VoA - Voice of America (28/6/2019): IS Still Active in Ravaged Eastern Afghan District, https: //www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/still-active-ravaged-eastern-afghan-district , accessed 12/11/2020 • WFP/UNHAS - World Food Programme / United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (27/9/2020): UNHAS Weekly Flights Schedule, Effective 01 Oct, 2020, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/ sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/unhas_weekly_flight_schedule_effecti ve_01_oct_2020.pdf , accessed 13/11/2020 • WIIPA - Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Brown University; Astri Suhrke, Antonio De Lauri (21/8/2019): The CIA’s „Army“: A Threat to Human Rights and an Obstacle to Peace in Afghanistan, https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/papers/2019/Costs%20of%20 War%2C%20CIA%20Afghanistan_Aug%2021%2C%202019.pdf , accessed 12/11/2020 • Wire, The (5/4/2020): No, the Shameful Attack on Sikhs in Kabul Still Doesn’t Justify the CAA, https://thewire.in/south-asia/no-the-shameful-attack-on-sikhs-in-kabul-still-doesnt-justify-the-caa , accessed 12/11/2020 • Zenger (10/10/2020): Long Road to Torkham — Travels Through Khyber Pass, https://www.ze nger.news/2020/10/10/the-long-road-to-torkham-travels-through-the-khyber-pass/ , accessed 12/11/2020

3.23 Nimroz

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Nimroz province [alternate spelling: Nimruz] is located in the south of Afghanistan along the border with Iran and Pakistan (Pajhwok Nimroz n.d.). The province borders Farah in the north, Helmand in the east, Pakistan (Balochistan province) in the south, and Iran ( and Balochi- stan province) in the west (NPS Nimroz n.d.; cf. UNOCHA Nimroz 4/2014). The provincial capital is (NPS Nimroz n.d.; cf. AREU 9/2020). Nimroz is subdivided into the following districts: Asl-i-Chakhansur, Char Burjak, Kang, Khashrod, and Zaranj (NSIA 1/6/20202; cf. UNOCHA Nim- roz 4/2014, NPS n.d.ni, IEC Nimroz 2019). is classified as ‘temporary district’ (NSIA 1/6/2020).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Nimroz to be 183,554 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). The ethnic group of Baloch has the majority with 61% of the province’s population, 27% of the population are Pashtun (PAJ Nimroz n.d.; cf. AREU 9/2020). Other ethnic groups residing in the province are

144 Tajiks (PAJ Nimroz n.d.; cf. AREU 9/2020), Brahui (AREU 9/2020), and Uzbeks (NPS Nimroz n.d.). The topography is mostly flat with considerable desert terrain (NPS Nimroz n.d.; cf. AREU 9/2020). The population is concentrated around the provincial capital Zaranj (AREU 9/2020). As of June 2020, Nimroz is still affected by the consequences of the drought and floodings of the years 2018 and 2019 (IFRC 12/6/2020; cf. AREU 9/2020). The construction of the dam Kamal-Khan along the river Helmand, located in Dhahar Burjak district, is in its final phase. The project aims to produce electricity as well as to facilitate irrigation and protect from floodings (TN 7/9/2020; cf. AN 7/1/2020).

The Ring Road (Highway One) touches Nimroz province in (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. UNOCHA Nimroz 4/2014). From there, an approx. 215 km long highway built by India connects the Ring Road with the border crossing to Iran at Zaranj (city) (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. UT 12/7/2020). This road is important for the transportation of goods through the Iranian port of (UT 12/7/2020). This highway runs through the districts of Khashrod, Chakhansur and Zaranj (UNOCHA Nimroz 4/2014). Zaranj Airport is served by Kam Air with scheduled passenger flights from Kabul twice a week, as of November 2020 (Kam Air 10/11/2020; cf. F24 10/11/2020).

The finalization of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project, which was due 2019, is delayed (MENAFN 1/9/2020). A special forces unit has been deployed to grant security for the construction site (XI 21/10/2019; cf. HoA 22/10/2019).

The provincial capital Zaranj has developed into an important international trade hub. At the same time, illicit commercial activities have been on the rise in the province. The political and economic situation of the province is influenced by the neighbouring countries Iran and Pakistan (TN 25/9/2020; cf. AREU 9/2020, JHS 23/10/2019). Narcotics are trafficked from the eastern and northern provinces through Nimroz to Iran and Pakistan, both via official and informal border crossing points (UNODC 2/2020; cf. AREU 9/2020, JHS 23/10/2019). The province is a key producer of methamphetamine (UNSC 27/5/2020). The central government can only provide limited services in the province (AREU 9/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Nimroz has a lower level of violence compared to other provinces of the country, especially the provinces in the South and Southwest of Afghanistan (AREU 9/2020; cf. JHS 23/10/2019). Zaranj is considered relatively secure (AREU 9/2020). Only the districts of Khashrod, and Delaram see sporadic insurgent activity (JHS 23/10/2019). Al Qaeda is covertly active in Nimroz (UNSC 27/5/2020; cf. VoA 10/11/2020) and is cooperating with the Taliban against governmental forces (ST 6/8/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020). But in October 2020, violence has spiked, which was partially explained by the fact that the Taliban had been defeated in neighbouring Helmand province and therefore now perform attacks in Nimroz (KN 10/2020).

The province also sees violent crimes connected to human and drug trafficking, as well as acquisitive crimes by drug addicts (JHS 23/10/2020). In the tri-border region Afghanistan-Iran- Pakistan near Charburjak there is a risk of violent robberies. And a large number of security forces are present to protect the Kama-Khan dam construction site (AREU 9/2020). On the government

145 side, Badakhshan is under the responsibility of the 215th Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, which reports to the US-led NATO Mission Task Force Southwest (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 25: *temporary district ACLED n.d; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 62 civilian casualties (30 killed and 32 injured) in Nimroz province. This represents a decrease of 24% compared to 2018. The main causes were air attacks, follo- wed by fighting on the ground, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines (UNAMA 2/2020).

Security forces carry out operations in the province in which insurgents get killed (AT 18/1/2020) or drug runners are arrested (MENAFN 18/10/2020, AT 8/6/2020). There are armed clashes between insurgents and governmental forces (KP 24/10/2020, TN 23/10/2020, TN 20/10/2020, UNOCHA 4/12/2019).

Sources:

• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (7/1/2020): Kamal Khan Water Dam entangled in challenges from Neighbors, https://ariananews.af/kamal-khan-water-dam-entangled-in-challenges-from-neighbors/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • AREU - Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit; David Mansfield (9/2020): Catapults, Pickups and Tankers: Cross-Border Production and Trade and How It Shapes the Political Economy of the Borderland of Nimroz, https://areu.org.af/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2013E-Catapults-Pickups-a nd-Tankers.pdf/ , accessed 11/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (8/6/2020): Police seize 95kg opium in Nimroz, http://www.afghanistantim es.af/police-seize-95kg-opium-in-nimroz/ , accessed 11/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (18/1/2020): 22 militants killed in ops, http://www.afghanistantimes.af/22 -militants-killed-in-ops/ , accessed 11.11.2020 • F 24 - Flightradar24 (10/11/2020): Flight history for Kam Air flight RQ172, https://www.flightradar2 4.com/data/flights/rq172 , accessed 10/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020

146 • HoA - Heart of Asia (22/10/2019): Operations launched to secure TAPI route in Afghanistan, http: //heartofasia.af/operations-launched-to-secure-tapi-route-in-afghanistan/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • IEC Nimroz - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Nimroz, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/ 34 , accessed 11/11/2020 • IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (12/6/2020): Emergency Plan of Action Operation Update: Afghanistan: Drought and Flash Floods, http://adore.ifrc.org/Dow nload.aspx?FileId=311060 , accessed 10/11/2020 • JHS - Journal of Human Security | Ingrid L.P. Nyborg, Jaishankar Ganapathy, Ajmal Nimruzi (23/10/2019): From Guns to Roses: Understanding Community-Oriented Policing in Afghanistan, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337207621_From_Guns_to_Roses_Understanding_C ommunity-Oriented_Policing_in_Afghanistan/fulltext/5dcb52b8299bf1a47b3331f8/From-Guns-to- Roses-Understanding-Community-Oriented-Policing-in-Afghanistan.pdf , accessed 11/11/2020 • KMF - Kam Air (10/11/2020): Zaranj (ZAJ) - Kabul (KBL): Thu, Nov 12 | 1 Adult, 0 Child, 0 Infant | One Way, https://book-kamair.crane.aero/ibe/availability/?language=en&inlineRadioOptions=on&t ripType=ONE_WAY&depPort=ZAJ&arrPort=KBL&departureDate=11%2F12%2F2020&returnDat e=10%2F10%2F2020&adult=1&child=0&infant=0 , accessed 10/11/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (10/2020): What factors lay behind recent violence in Nimruz?, https://kabulnow.a f/2020/10/what-factors-lay-behind-recent-violence-in-nimruz/ , accessed 11/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (24/10/2020): 6 Killed, 2 Injured In A Militant Attack on Kamal Khan Dam: Nimroz, https://www.khaama.com/6-killed-2-injured-in-a-militant-attack-on-kamal-khan-dam-nimro z-987676/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (18/10/2020): Afghanistan- CNPA Nabs 1 over Drug Trafficking in Nimruz, https://menafn.com/1100974823/Afghanistan-CNPA-Nabs-1-over -Drug-Trafficking-in-Nimruz , accessed 11/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (1/9/2020): Afghanistan to Implement TAPI Project in Early 2021, https://menafn.com/1100727639/Afghanistan-to-Implement-TAPI-Project-in -Early-2021 , accessed 10/11/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 11/11/2020 • NPS Nimroz - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Nimroz Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu /web/ccs/nimroz , accessed 11/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020. -اول • PAJ Nimroz - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background profile of Nimroz, http://elections.pajhwok. com/en/content/background-profile-nimroz , accessed 11/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (6/8/2020): Al-Qaeda and Taliban collaborate in Nimroz in breach of peace agreement, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/08/06/featur e-01 , accessed 10/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (23/10/2020): 20 ANA Personnel Killed in Taliban Attack in Nimroz: Official, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan-167258 , accessed 11/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (20/10/2020): 12 Police Force Members Killed in Nimroz Blasts, https://tolonews.c om/afghanistan-167191 , accessed 11/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (25/9/2020): Nimroz Has Become Hub for Trading, Smuggling: AREU Report, https: //tolonews.com/business-166589 , accessed 10/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (7/9/2020): Kamal Khan Dam in Nimroz Province ’Nearly Finished’: Official, https: //tolonews.com/business/kamal-khan-dam-nimroz-province-nearly-finished-official , accessed 10/11/20202 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 11/11/2020 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/12/2019): Afghanistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (25 November - 1 December 2019), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefwe b.int/files/resources/afghanistan-humanitarian_weekly-_1_december.pdf , accessed 11/11/2020

147 • UNOCHA Nimroz - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afgha- nistan: Nimroz Province - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humani tarianresponse.info/files/Nimroz.pdf , accessed 11/11/2020 • UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2/2020): AOTP Update: „Voices of the Quchaqbar“ - Understanding opiate trafficking in Afghanistan from the perspective of drug traffickers, https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/AOTP/AOTP_Voices_of_Quchaqbar_202 0_web.pdf , accessed 10/11/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Letter dated 19 May 2020 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) addressed to the President of the Security Council, https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6 D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2020_415_e.pdf , accessed 10/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 11/11/2020 • UT - Utkal Today (12/7/2020): Delaram-Zaranj - Boosting trade and commerce, https://www.utkaltoday.com/delaram-zaranj/ , accessed 10/11/2020 • VoA - Voice of America (10/11/2020): Key Al-Qaida Leader Killed in Western Afghanistan, https: //www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/key-al-qaida-leader-killed-western-afghanistan , accessed 11/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (21/10/2019): Special Afghan combat unit starts operation for TAPI project security, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/21/c_138490445.htm , accessed 10/11/2020

3.24 Nuristan

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Nuristan [alternate spelling: Nooristan] is located in the east of Afghanistan, on the border with Pakistan. The province borders Badakhshan in the north, Pakistan in the east, Kunar and Laghman in the south, and Panjsher in the west (NPS Nuristan n.d.; cf. UNOCHA Nuristan 4/2014). The provincial capital of Nuristan is Paroon [, Poruns]. The province is subdivided into the following districts: Bargi Matal, Duab, , Mandol, Noor Gram, Paroon, Wama, and Waygal (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. UNOCHA Nuristan 4/2014, OPr Nuristan /2/2017, IEC Nuristan 2019, AAN 17/11/2018).

Nuristan is mountaineous and one of the poorest provinces of Afghanistan (XI 17/10/2020). It features three hard-to-reach valleys: the Alingar valley in the west, the Pech valley in the centre, and the Landay Sin valley in the east (AAN 17/11/2018). The declaration of the entire province into a National Park in June 2020 was supported by the population. The development of Tourism and the local economy is expected (TN 9/6/2020; cf. XI 17/10/2020). Growing and exporting pine nuts to China supports the income of peasants (XI 17/10/2020).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Nuristan to be 163.814 persons in the period of 2020-21. (NSIA 1/6/2020); it is made up mainly of Nuristani, followed by Pashai, Pashtun, Gujar and Tajik (NPS Nuristan n.d.; cf. PAJ Nuristan n.d.). Although ’Nuristanis are widely considered to be a single ethnic group, they, in fact, are comprised of various ethnic and sub-ethnic groups, many of them speaking distinct, Indo- European languages, sometimes summarily called Dardic’ (AAN 17/11/2018; cf. OI 25/5/2020).

The roads within the province are usually accessed by smaller vehicles (pick-ups). During the winter period (December - February) roads are prone to flood, rock falls, snow and therefore

148 may become inaccessible (DLCA 24/4/2019). A 108 km long road connects the neighbouring Kunar province’s capital Asadabad to Paroon, of which 61 km are unpaved. Paving a 21 km long section starting from Paroon should be finished within the next three years; the paving of the entire road should be finished within the next five years. According to the provincial government, this road is considered safe to use (ST 5/8/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Nuristan has been described as a relatively volatile province (KP 11/6/2019) and as an Islamic State’s (ISKP) stronghold in 2019 (UNSC 1/2/2019). In May 2020 a possible presence of the ISKP in Nuristan (RFE/RL 31/5/2020) and increased Taliban activities near the border to Pakistan were reported (TN 11/5/2020). In June 2020 reports emerged about Pakistani insurgent groups being active in Nuristan under the protection of the Taliban (OI 2/6/2020; cf. BN 26/8/2020, HT 16/4/2020). According to the provincial government in August 2020, the security situation has considerably improved compared to the previous years (ST 5/8/2020).

There are no units of the (ALP) present in Nuristan. In connection with the commissioning of the National Park, the province plans to recruit former ALP-forces from neighbouring provinces into an environmental police to hinder illegal logging and poaching (ST 22/10/2020).

On the government side, Nuristan is under the responsibility of the 201st Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, which reports to the NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command - East (TAAC-E), led by US and polish forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 26: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

149 In 2019, UNAMA documented 22 civilian casualties (8 dead and 14 injured) in . This represents an 8% decrease compared to 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground, followed by targeted killings and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2/2020).

There are security operations against Pakistani armed groups near the national boundary (BN 26/8/2020). In cross border shootings performed by Pakistani forces, civilians in Nuristan get harmed (TN 18/7/2020). In June 2020 there was an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Nuristan’s provincial governor in Kabul province (AN 21/6/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (17/11/2018): The 2018 Election Observed (5) in Nuristan: Disfranchisement and lack of data, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/the-2018-election-obser ved-4-in-nuristan-disfranchisement-and-lack-of-data/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (21/6/2020): Nuristan Governor survives gun attack - Kabul, https://ariananews .af/nuristan-governor-survives-gun-attack-kabul/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • BN - Bakhtar News (26/8/2020): Pakistani Insurgents Killed in Nuristan Clash, http://www.bakhtarn ews.com.af/eng/security/item/43773-pakistani-insurgents-killed-in-nuristan-clash.html , accessed 6/11/2020 • DLCA - Digital Logistics Cluster Analysis / Styles, Lucy (24/4/2019): Logistics Capacity Assessment Afghanistan, Version 28, https://logcluster.org/dlca/Afghanistan-v28-20190424_0739.pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • HT - Hindustan Times (16/4/2020): Afghan forces intercept Taliban fighters, find Jaish terrorists training for , https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/afghan-border-clash-with-talib an-exposes-jaish-terror-camps-for-kashmir/story-GyRErS9kvUzbYcq544s6bO.html , accessed 6/11/2020 • IEC Nuristan - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Nooristan, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_p c/16 , accessed 6/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (11/6/2019): 550 kgs of explosives discovered from a vegetables truck in Nuristan province, https://www.khaama.com/550-kgs-of-explosives-discovered-from-a-vegetables- truck-in-nuristan-province-03586/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • NPS Nuristan - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Nuristan Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/nuristan?inheritRedirect=true , accessed 6/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020. -اول • OI - Outlook India; News Scroll (2/6/2020): ”Pak terror groups send trainers to Afghanistan for targeted assassinations”, https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/pak-terror-groups-send-trainer s-to-afghanistan-for-targeted-assassinations/1853629 , accessed 6/11/2020 • OI - Outlook India; Outlook Traveler (25/5/2020): Kalash: A Secret from the Mountains, https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/70475/have-you-heard-about-the-kal ash-tribe-of-pakistan , accessed 6/11/2020 • OPr Nuristan - Office of the President, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Nuristan, https://president.gov.af/en/nuristan/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • PAJ Nuristan - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background Profile of Nuristan, http://elections.pajh wok.com/en/content/background-profile-nuristan , accessed 6/11/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (31/5/2020): The Taliban, The Government, And Islamic State: Who Controls What In Afghanistan?, https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-government-isl amic-state-who-controls-what-in-afghanistan-/30644646.html , accessed 6/11/2020

150 • ST - Salaam Times (22/10/2020): Disbanded Local Police to get priority in job market after years of fighting, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/10/22/featur e-01 , accessed 6/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Tiomes (5/8/2020): ’Beautiful and green’ Nuristan sees spike in tourism amid improved security, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/08/05/feature- 02 , accessed 6/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (18/7/2020): MPs Condemn Pakistani Shelling of Eastern Provinces, https://tolone ws.com/afghanistan/mps-condemn-pakistani-shelling-eastern-provinces , accessed 6/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (9.6.2020): Residents Welcome Designation of National Park in Nuristan, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/residents-welcome-designation-national-park-nuristan , accessed 6.11.2020 • TN - Tolonews (11.5.2020): Al Qaeda, Jaish-e-Mohammad Align With Taliban in East: Officials, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/al-qaeda-jaish-e-mohammad-align-taliban-east-officials , Zurgff 6.11.2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2.2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 6.11.2020 • UNOCHA Nuristan - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4.2014): Af- ghanistan: Nuristan Province - Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.hu manitarianresponse.info/files/Nuristan.pdf , accessed 6.11.2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (1.2.2019): Eighth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat, https://www.un.org/sc/ctc/wp-content /uploads/2019/02/N1901937_EN.pdf , accessed 6.11.2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1.7.2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 6.11.2020 • XI - Xinhua News (17.10.2020): Feature: Pine nut exports to China help Afghan farmers in poor Nuristan province increase income, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/17/c_139447781 .htm , accessed 6.11.2020

3.25 Paktia

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Paktia Province [less common spelling: Paktya, Paktiya] is located in the east of Afghanistan (NPS Paktia n.d.). The province borders Logar in the north, Pakistan in the east, Khost in the southeast, Paktika in the south, and Ghazni in the west (UNOCHA Paktia 4/2014). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Ahmadaba, Jaji (or ), Dand Patan, the provincial capital Gardez, Jani Khel, Laja Ahmad Khel (or Laja Mangel), Samkani (also referred to as , Tsamkani), Karam (or Mirzaka), Shwak, Wuza Zadran, and Zurmat (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Paktia 2019, UNOCHA Paktia 4/2014, NPS Paktia n.d., PAJ Paktia n.d.). There are also four temporary districts: Laja Mangel, Mirzaka, Garda Siray, Rohany Baba (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Paktia 2019). The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Paktia to be 611.952 persons in the period of 2020-21. (NSIA 1/6/2020). It is made up mainly of Pashtuns, followed by Tajiks (NPS Paktia n.d.; cf. OPr Paktia 1/2/2017). A small shiite community named Sadat (singular: Sayyed) resides in Khwajah Hassan, northeast of the provincial capital, for the most part without conflicts with the sunni majority population (tajik and pashtun) (AAN 18/8/2018).

151 A national highway links Kabul via Logar to the provincial capital Gardez (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. TN 7/7/2020) and continues through the districts of Shawak and Zadran into Khost province, to Ghulam Khan on the Afghan-Pakistani border (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. PAJ 21/8/2019, USAID 7/5/2019). The road is paved (USAID 7/5/2019). There is a strong presence by the Taliban in the road section through Logar province (AAN 18/7/2020, SATP 16/7/2020). Another paved national highway connects Ghazni with Gardez (JIA/AADA 12/2019; cf. MoPW 16/10/2015, BSCPL n.d.). Since the 2019 spring offensive this road is blocked by the Taliban and all traffic is rerouted over a dirt road through Sultanbagh (JIA/AADA 12.2019; cf. PAJ 3/11/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

After the US military base was evicted in March 2020, Taliban influence has increased in the province with targeted killings on the rise (WP 10/10/2020). During summer 2020 the security situation in Paktia has deteriorated. The Taliban have intensified their attacks and blocked several local collector roads (PAJ 1/10/2020). But the province is not heavily contested, there are small scale attacks and the Talibanhave not attempted to push into urban areas. Instead, the fighters have consolidated the territory they have held for years (WP 10/10/2020).

The Haqqani Network has a strong presence in Paktia (LWJ 23/6/2019; cf. TSG 24/5/2020, AnA 29/5/2020). Dand-e-Pathan district is considered a stronghold of the Haqqanis (AnA 29/5/2020). Al-Qaida has a presence in rural areas, e.g. in Jaji district among others (ST 16/7/2020; cf. LWJ 23/6/2019, CT 22/10/2019). Jaish-e-Mohammad also maintain a small presence in the province (JeM) (EFSAS 10/4/2020; cf. BW 25/6/2020). In the first half of 2019 the Islamic State (ISKP) has tried unsuccessfully to conquer the provinces of Logar and Paktia (UNSC 31/7/2019).

A special unit called Khost Protection Force (KPF) is also active for the central government in Paktia (AAN 17/8/2019). KFP is supported by the US intelligence service CIA and does not report to the provincial government. The KFP has allegedly commited human rights violations like extralegal killings, torture and indiscriminate arrests (AAN 21/1/2019; cf. TRT 20/11/2019, WOZ 7/11/2019, TRT 8/5/2019).

On the government side, Paktia is under the responsibility of the 203th Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. WP 10/10/2020), which reports to the US led NATO Mission Task Force Southeast (TAAC-N) (USDOD 1/7/2020). In the context of the US-Taliban-Treaty, the US-base near Gardez has been evicted in march 2020 (WP 10/10/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

152 Abbildung 27: *temporary districts ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

153 In 2019, UNAMA documented 218 civilian casualties (78 dead and 140 injured) in . This represents a 49% decrease compared to 2018. The main causes of the victims were fighting on the ground, followed by targeted killings and search operations (UNAMA 2/2020).

The province sees security operations(PAJ 11/2/2020, PAJ 30/1/2020, BN 25/8/2019) and air stikes being conducted by Afghan and foreign security forces (BN 10/10/2020, Qantara 5/6/2020, PAJ 5/11/2019), There are armed clashes between insurgents and security forces (GW 2/11/2020, AnA 29/5/2020, XI 16/5/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (18/7/2020): A Threat at Kabul’s Southern Gate: A security overview of Logar province, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/a-th reat-at-kabuls-southern-gate-a-security-overview-of-logar-province/ , accessed 4/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (17/8/2019): ’Murder Is Always’: The Kulalgo night raid killings, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/murder-is-always-the-kulalgo-night-raid-killings/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (21/1/2019): Khost Protection Force Accused of Fresh Killings: Six men shot dead in Zurmat, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/khost-protection-force-accuse d-of-fresh-killings-six-men-shot-dead-in-zurmat/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (18/8/2018): Hitting Gardez: A vicious attack on Paktia s Shias, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/hitting-gardez-a-vicious-attack-on -paktias-shias/ , Zugriff 10.11.2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AnA - Anadolu Agency (29/5/2020): Taliban kill 14 Afghan forces days after Eid truce, https://www. aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/taliban-kill-14-afghan-forces-days-after-eid-truce/1857614 , accessed 5/11/2020 • BN - Bakhtar News (10/10/2020): Taliban Insurgents Killed in Paktia Air Strike, http://www.bakhta rnews.com.af/eng/security/item/44307-taliban-insurgents-killed-in-paktia-air-strike.html , accessed 5/11/2020 • BN - Bakhtar News (25/8/2019): Coalition Forces Raid Kill Taliban Rebels in Paktia, http://www.ba khtarnews.com.af/eng/security/item/39667-coalition-forces-raid-kill-taliban-rebels-in-paktia.html , accessed 5/11/2020 • BW - Business World (25/6/2020): How Pakistan deceived US on Afghanistan and terrorism, http: //www.businessworld.in/article/How-Pakistan-deceived-US-on-Afghanistan-and-terrorism/25-06-2 020-291223/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • CT - Critical Threats (22/10/2019): Al Qaeda Expands its Presence in Afghanistan, https://www.cr iticalthreats.org/briefs/al-qaeda-global-tracker/al-qaeda-expands-its-presence-in-afghanistan , accessed 5/11/2020 • EFSAS - European Foundation for South Asian Studies (10/4/2020): Pakistan’s role in the Kabul Gurdwara attack has been established, and its mounting despondency is becoming starkly evident, https://www.efsas.org/commentaries/pakistan%E2%80%99s-role-in-the-kabul-gurdwara-attack- has-been-established/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • GW - Garda World (2/11/2020): Afghanistan: VBIED explosion kills and wounds 15 in Paktia province November 1, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/395501/afghanistan-vbied-expl osion-kills-and-wounds-15-in-paktia-province-november-1 , accessed 4/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC Paktia - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Paktya, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/ 13 , accessed 5/11/2020 • JIA/AADA - The Johanniter International Assistance / Agency for Assistance and Development of Afghanistan (12/2019): Assessment Report - Health and Integrated Protection Needs in Ghazni Province, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/asse

154 ssments/afg_ghazni_health_access_and_protection_assessment_response_plan_johanniter-aa da_dec_2019.pdf , accessed 4/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (23/6/2019): Al Qaeda growing stronger under Taliban’s umbrella, UN finds, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/06/al-qaeda-growing-stronger-under-talibans -umbrella-un-finds.php , accessed 5/11/2019 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 5/11/2019 • NPS Paktia - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Paktya Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu/w eb/ccs/paktya , accessed 5/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020. -اول • OPr Paktia - Office of the President – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Paktia, https://president.gov.af/en/paktia/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (1/10/2020): Negligence, no coordination behind Paktia insecurity, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/10/01/negligence-no-coordination-behind-paktia-insecurity , Zugirff 4/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (11/2/2020): Paktia people say still suffer casualties in night raids, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/02/11/paktia-people-say-still-suffer-casualties-night-raids , accessed 4/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (30/1/2020): 10 Haqqani Network members arrested in Paktia, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/01/30/10-haqqani-network-members-arrested-paktia , accessed 5/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (12/11/2019): 8 members of a family killed in Paktia airstrike, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/11/12/8-members-family-killed-paktia-airstrike , accessed 5/11/2019 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (3/11/2019): 18 months on, Ghazni-Paktika road remains shut, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/11/03/18-months-ghazni-paktika-road-remains-shut , accessed 4/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (21/8/2019): Progress in talks to reopen Ghulam Khan Port, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/08/21/progress-talks-reopen-ghulam-khan-port , accessed 4/11/2020 • PAJ Paktia - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background Profile Paktia province, http://elections.pa jhwok.com/en/content/background-profile-paktia-province-0 , accessed 5/11/2020 • Qantara.de (5/6/2020): Tod durch Drohnenangriff [Death by drone stike], https://de.qantara.de/in halt/kriegsverbrechen-in-afghanistan-tod-durch-drohnenangriff , accessed 5/11/2020 • SATP - South Asia Terrorism Portal (16/7/2020): Detail of Terrorism Update - Thursday, July 16, 2020: Taliban militants kill two persons in Kabul-Gardez Highway, https://www.satp.org/terrorism-u pdate/taliban-militants-kill-two-persons-in-kabul-gardez-highway , accessed 4/11/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (16/7/2020): ’Unbreakable’ links between Taliban, al-Qaeda pose quandary for peace, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/07/16/feature-02 , accessed 5/11/2020 • TN - Tolonews (7/7/2020): Fierce, Widespread Fighting Surges to Control Afghan Highways, https: //tolonews.com/afghanistan/fierce-widespread-fighting-surges-control-afghan-highways , accessed 4/11/2020 • TRT - Türkiye Radyo Televizyon World [Turkish Radio and Television] (8/5/2019): Clandestine operations and CIA-backed forces endanger peace in Afghanistan, https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/clandestine-operations-and-cia-backed-forces-endanger-peac e-in-afghanistan-26488 , accessed 5/11/2020 • TSG - Sunday Guardian Live (24/5/2020): Taliban, Haqqani, LeT, Jaish plan to target high-profile Kabul entities, https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/taliban-haqqani-let-jaish-plan-target-hi gh-profile-kabul-entities , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • UNOCHA Paktia - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afgha- nistan: Paktya Province Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanita rianresponse.info/files/Paktya.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020

155 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (31/7/2019): Ninth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat [S/2019/612], https://www.ecoi.net/en/ file/local/2014117/S_2019_612_E.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • USAID - United States Agency for International Development (7/5/2019): Gardez-Khost National Highway (NH08), https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/fact-sheets/gardez-khost-national-hig hway-nh08 , accessed 4/11/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 22/10/2020 • WOZ - Die Wochenzeitung [the Weekly Newspaper] (7/11/2019): Die Todesschwadronen der CIA, https://www.woz.ch/-a20f , accessed 5/11/2020 • WP - Washington Post (10/10/2020): With U.S. troops gone, Taliban expands influence in one Afghan province, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/10/10/afghanistan-us-troop-withd rawal/ , accessed 4/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (16/5/2020): 9 militants killed, 2 soldiers wounded in water dam attack in Afghanistan, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/16/c_139061732.htm , accessed 4/11/2020

3.26 Paktika

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Paktika is located in the east of Afghanistan. It borders Ghazni in the northwest, Paktya, and Khost in the north, the pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North and South Wasiristan) in the east, Balochistan (Pakistan) in the south, and Zabul in the southwest (UNOCHA Pak- tika 4/2014; cf. NPS Paktika n.d.). The provincial capital is Sharan/Sharana. The province is subdivided into the following districts: Barmal, Dila Wa Khushamand, Gomal, Giyan, Jani Khel, Mata Khan, Nika (Naka), Omna, Surobi, Sar Rawzah, Sharan, Turwo, Urgoon, Wazakhwah, Wormamay, Yahya Khel, Yosuf Khel, Zarghun Shahr (aka Khairkot), and Ziruk (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Paktika 2019, UNOCHA Paktika 4/2014, NPS Paktika n.d., PAJ Paktika n.d.). According to information on the official website of the Office of the President of Afghanistan, the province also has the following non-official districts: Shakeen, Bak Khil, Charbaran, and Shakhil Abad (OPr Paktika 1/2/2018).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Paktika to be 775,498 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). It is made up mainly of Pashtuns, with a Tajik minority in the cities of Sharan and Urgoon (AAN 13/11/2018; cf. PAJ Paktika n.d.).

A paved highway links the provinces of Ghazni and Paktika (JII/AADA 12/2019; cf. MoPW 16/10/2015, ON 21/10/2020) and leads to the Afghan-Pakistani border crossing point Angoor Ada (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. TNN 11/7/2020). Despite 25 km of this highway have not yet been constructed, this road is anyway considered as an important trade route (MENAFN 14/9/2020). On the roads in Paktika province, the Taliban repeatedly cause temporary closures and security- relevant incidents (JII/AADA 12/2019; cf. ON 21/10/20208).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

156 Paktia is considered as a stronghold of the Haqqani Network (ASP 9/2020; cf. TSG 24/5/2020, FE 8/6/2020, Hill 11/6/2020, LWJ 8/4/2020). A significant part of the province is under Taliban control (USIP 11/2019). With assistance of the Taliban, Al-Qaeda wants to expand its presence in the district of Barmal and Al-Qaeda is continuing to cooperate closely with Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Haqqani Network (ZM 21/2/2020; cf. LWJ 17/6/2019).

The Khost Protection Force (KPF) and the in 2019 newly formed „Shaheen Forces“ are armed groups supporting the government and active in Paktika. These groups do not report to the government and it was reported, that they commit abuses with impunity and recieve assistance from foreign intelligence services. These groups are blamed for targeted killings of civilians (UNAMA 2/2020).

On the government side, Paktika is under the responsibility of the 203rd Afghan National Ar- my (ANA) Corps, which reports to the US-led NATO Mission Task Force Southeast (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

157 Abbildung 28: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

158 In 2019, UNAMA documented 168 civilian casualties (128 dead and 40 injured) in Paktika province. This represents an increase of 11% over 2018. The main causes of casualties were search operations, followed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and air strikes (UNAMA 2/2020).

The province sees security operations (KP 19/5/2020; cf. AN 16/5/2020, PAJ 19/12/2019, AT 30/11/2019) and airstrikes being conducted against insurgents by the Afghan security forces (XI 20/1/2020; cf. AT 22/12/2019, MENAFN 17/12/2019) and armed clashes between insurgents and security forces (TRT 25/9/2020; cf. ARN 24/9/2020, HT 19/6/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (13/11/2018): The 2018 Election Observed (4) in Paktika: Pre-election fraud and relatively peaceful polling, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/the-201 8-election-observed-4-in-paktika-pre-election-fraud-and-relatively-peaceful-polling/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (16/5/2020): Taliban suffer heavy casualties in Paktika, Urozgan operations, https://ariananews.af/taliban-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-paktika-urozgan-operations/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • ARN - Arab News (24/9/2020): 65 Taliban insurgents killed in eastern Afghanistan, https://www.ar abnews.com/node/1739541/world , accessed 6/11/2020 • ASP - American Security Project; Devin Lurie (9/2020): Perspective: The Haqqani Network - The Shadow Group Supporting the Taliban’s Operations, https://www.americansecurityproject.org/wp -content/uploads/2020/08/Ref-0241-The-Haqqani-Network.pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan TImes (22/12/2019): 18 Haqqani militants killed in Paktika raids, http://www.afgh anistantimes.af/18-haqqani-militants-killed-in-paktika-raids/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (30/11/2019): 55 insurgents killed in fresh raids, http://www.afghanistantim es.af/55-insurgents-killed-in-fresh-raids/ , accessed 6.11.2020 • FE - Financial Express (8/6/2020): Afghanistan: Pakistan proxy Haqqani network driving Taliban’s strategy, https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/afghanistan-paksitan-proxy-haqqani-network- driving-talibans-strategy/1984817/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • Hill, the (11/6/2020): The Taliban’s emerging tactical terror alliances, https://thehill.com/opinion/in ternational/502358-the-talibans-emerging-tactical-terror-alliances , accessed 6/11/2020 • HT - Hindustan Times (19/6/2020): 17 Taliban terrorists killed, 20 others injured in Afghanistan, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/17-taliban-terrorists-killed-20-others-injured-in-afgh anistan/story-KRdtOmxJZry4g9nKMgEtEI.html , accessed 6/11/2020 • IEC Paktika - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Paktika, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/ 12 , accessed 6/11/2020 • JII/AADA - The Johanniter International Assistance / Agency for Assistance and Development of Afghanistan (12/2019): Assessment Report - Health and Integrated Protection Needs in Ghazni Province, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/asse ssments/afg_ghazni_health_access_and_protection_assessment_response_plan_johanniter-aa da_dec_2019.pdf , accessed 5/11/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (19/5/2020): 20 Taliban militants killed in Ghazni, Paktika and Wardak provinces, https://www.khaama.com/20-taliban-militants-killed-in-ghazni-paktika-and-wardak-provinces-0884 2/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (8/4/2020): Taliban touts more elite ‘Red Unit’ fighter training on social media, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/04/taliban-touts-more-elite-red-unit-fighter-tr aining-on-social-media.php , accessed 6/11/2020

159 • LWJ - Long War Journal (17/6/2020): Analysis: Taliban is caught in a lie by denying Al Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/06/analysis-taliban-is-ca ught-in-a-lie-by-denying-al-qaedas-presence-in-afghanistan.php , accessed 6/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network, Inc. (14/9/2020): Afghanistan- Calls to turn Angoor Adda road into transit route, https://menafn.com/1100795036/Afghanistan-Calls-to-turn-An goor-Adda-road-into-transit-route , accessed 5/11/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network, Inc. (17/12/2019): Afghanistan- 6 Haqqani rebels eliminated in Paktika airstrike, https://menafn.com/1099434871/Afghanistan-6-Haqqani-re bels-eliminated-in-Paktika-airstrike , accessed 6/11/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering S22.10ystem - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov .af/Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • NPS Paktika - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Paktika Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.edu /web/ccs/paktika , accessed 6/11/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020. -اول • ON - Orbandnews (21/10/2020): In a first-ever move, Taliban allow Govt.-funded road construction in Paktia, https://orbandnews.net/505/InafirstevermoveTalibanallowGovtfundedroadconstructioni nPaktia , accessed 5/11/2020 • OPr Paktika - Office of the President – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2018): Provincial Profile Paktika, https://president.gov.af/en/paktika/ , accessed 6/11/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (19/12/2019): 7 Taliban killed in Paktika operations, https://www.pajh wok.com/en/2019/12/19/7-taliban-killed-paktika-operations , accessed 6/11/2020 • PAJ Paktika - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Back ground profile of Paktika, http://www.vote.af/en/c ontent/back-ground-profile-paktika , accessed 5/11/2020 • TNN - Tribal News Network (11/7/2020): Pak-Afghan border in Angoor Adda reopens for trade, pedestrians, https://www.tnn.com.pk/pak-afghan-border-in-angoor-adda-reopens-for-trade-pedest rians/ , accessed 5/11/2020 • TRT - Türkiye Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu (25/9/2020): Fighting leaves dozens of Taliban insur- gents dead in eastern Afghanistan, https://www.trtworld.com/asia/fighting-leaves-dozens-of-taliba n-insurgents-dead-in-eastern-afghanistan-40040 , accessed 6/11/2020 • TSG - Sunday Guardian Live (24/5/2020): Taliban, Haqqani, LeT, Jaish plan to target high-profile Kabul entities, https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/taliban-haqqani-let-jaish-plan-target-hi gh-profile-kabul-entities , accessed 6/11/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/ AF/ProtectionCiviliansAnnualReport2019.pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • UNOCHA Paktika - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afgha- nistan: Paktika Province – Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.huma nitarianresponse.info/files/Paktika.pdf , accessed 4/7/2019 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 6/11/2020 • USIP - United States Institute of Peace; Ashley Jackson, Rahmatullah Amiri (11/2019): Peaceworks; Insurgent Bureaucracy: How the Taliban Makes Policy, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/201 9-11/pw_153-insurgent_bureaucracy_how_the_taliban_makes_policy.pdf , accessed 6/11/2020 • XI - Xinhua News (20/1/2020): Afghan airstrikes kill 7 Taliban militants, including commander in eastern Paktia province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/20/c_138721083.htm , accessed 6/11/2020 • ZM - Zone Militaire; Opex360.com (21/2/2020): L’Otan et la Russie se félicitent de l’accord que s’apprêtent à signer les États-Unis et les talibans afghans [NATO and Russia are happy over the yet to be signed agreement between USA and afghan Taliban], http://www.opex360.com/2020/02/ 21/lotan-et-la-russie-se-felicitent-de-laccord-que-sappretent-a-signer-les-etats-unis-et-les-taliban s-afghans/ , accessed 6/11/2020

160 3.27 Panjsher

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Panjsher (orPanjshir) is located in the centre of Afghanistan and borders the provinces Baghlan and Takhar in the north, Badakhshan in the northeast, Nuristan in the east, Laghman and Kapisa in the south, and Parwan in the west (NPS Panjsher n.d.; cf. UNODC/MCN 11/2018). The provincial capital of Panjsher is Bazarak. The province is subdivided into the following districts: Bazarak, Darah (or Hes-e-Duwumi), Hissa-e-Awal (or Khinj), Unaba (or Anawa), Paryan, Rukha, and Shutul (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Panjsher 2019, UNOCHA Panjsher 4/2014, PAJ Pajsher n.d., NPS Panjsher n.d.); plus the temporary district Ab Shar (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Panjsher 2019). The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Panjsher to be 169.962 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). The majority of the population are ethnic Tajik (NYT 28/9/2020), Other ethnic groups residing in the province are Hazara, Pashai, Nuristani, and Ghilzai-Pashtun (NPS n.d.pj; cf. PAJ n.d.pj).

Panjsher province is surrounded by high mountains and one of the least accessible provinces of Afghanistan (AoN 8/2020). A road branches off the main highway Kabul-Mazar-e Sharif near Jabulussaraj, , leadig north-east into Panjsher province. Idetntity checks are performed at the provincial boundary (AoN 8/2020). The distance Kabul-Bazarak is approx. 150 km (TS 4/3/2015) and a Taxi from Kabul costs approx. 45 US-Dollar (AoN 8/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Panjsher province led the resistance against the Soviets and the in the 1980s and 1990s. The province is the home of Tajik Massoud, the ‘Lion of Panjsher’, who fought the Soviets and led the against the Taliban (NYT 28/9/2020; cf. AoN 8/2020). Many Panjsheri are outraged by the effort to make peace with the Taliban. Some factions are openly calling to re-establish the Northern Alliance, raising fears that the provincemight take up arms and try to force more autonomy for itself (NYT 28/9/2020).

Many Panjshiri have little confidence into the central government and although they say the national government does not represent them (NYT 28/8/2020), Panjsheri have for years made up a large slice of Afghanistan’s political and security elite (NYT 28/9/2020; cf. Reuters 20/1/2019, PAJ n.d.pj).

Panjsher province is considered as relatively peaceful and safe (LWJ 4/8/2019; cf. AoN 8/2020, VoA 8/9/2020, PLM 28/9/2020). Afghan security forces and local uprising groups are vigilant in , to defend it against Taliban attacking from neighbouring Badakhshan province, if necessary (TN 2/8/2019; cf. LWJ 4/8/2019).

On the government side, Badakhshan is under the responsibility of the 201st Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, which reports to the NATO Mission Task Force East led by U.S. and Polish forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

161 The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 29: *temporary district ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, the same as the year before, UNAMA registered no civilian casualties in Panjsher province (UNAMA 22/2/2020, 24/2/2019).

For the first time during two decades of hostilities in Afghanistan, the Taliban staged two attacks in Panjsher province in September 2020 (VoA 8/9/2020, AVA 8/9/2020; KP 22/9/2020, PLM 28/9/2020). Attacks in the district Ab Shar (VoA 8/9/2020; cf. AVA 8/9/2020) and Unaba (KP 22/9/2020; cf. PKM 28/9/2020) were each repulsed due to collective defense by the population and security forces (VoA 8/9/2020, AVA 8/9/2020; KP 22/9/2020, PLM 28/9/2020). In the Ab Shar incident, some local residents have briefly been taken hostage (VoA 8.9.2020; cf. RIA 8.9.2020).

Sources:

• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • VA - Afghan Voice Agency (8/9/2020): Taliban Attack On Abshar District Of Panjshir Repulsed, https://www.avapress.com/en/news/218445/taliban-attack-on-abshar-district-of-panjshir-repulsed , accessed 23/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC - Independent Election Commission (2019pj): 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Panjshir, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/08 , accessed 23/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press News Agency (22/9/2020): Afghan Forces Repulse Panjshir Attack, https: //www.khaama.com/afghan-forces-repulse-panjshir-attack-987654/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (4/8/2019): Taliban threatens , https://www.longwarjourn al.org/archives/2019/08/taliban-threatens-panjshir-province.php , accessed 23/10/2020 • NPS Panjsher - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Panjsher Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/panjsher , accessed 23/10/2020

162 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- رآورد-س-ر-۱۳۹۹- nistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ pdf , accessed 28/9/2020. -اول • NYT - New York Times (28/9/2020): In Proud Corners of Afghanistan, New Calls for Autonomy, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/28/world/asia/panjshir-afghanistan-taliban.html , accessed 23/10/2020 • PAJ Panjsher- Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Panjsher background profile, http://elections.pajhwok. com/en/content/panjsher-background-profile , accessed 23/10/2019 • PLM - La Prensa Latina Media (28/9/2020): 9 Afghan security personnel killed in Taliban attack amid peace talks, https://www.laprensalatina.com/9-afghan-security-personnel-killed-in-taliban-att ack-amid-peace-talks/ , accessed 23/10/2020 • Reuters (20/1/2019): Afghanistan’s Ghani launches bid for second presidential term, https://www. reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-election/afghanistans-ghani-launches-bid-for-second-president ial-term-idUSKCN1PE0CT , accessed 23/10/2020 • RIA Novosti (8/9/2020): В Афганистане талибы захватили в заложники около десяти человек [In Afghanistan, Taliban abducted approx. 10 people as hostages], https://ria.ru/20200908/taliban- 1576921123.html , Zugriff 23/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (2/8/2019): Local Forces Mobilize To Purge Taliban Threats In Panjshir, https: //www.tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan/local-forces-mobilize-purge-taliban-threats-panjshir , accessed 23/10/2020 • TS - Tagesspiegel [Daily Mirror] (4/3/2015): Mit dem Stolz der Löwen [With lions’ pride], https://ww w.tagesspiegel.de/politik/das-panjshirtal-in-afghanistan-mit-dem-stolz-der-loewen/11458832.html , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (22/2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (24/2/2019): Afghanistan - Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Annual Report 2018, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files /afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2018_final_24_feb_2019_v3.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNOCHA anjsher - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014j): Afgha- nistan: Panjsher Province Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humani tarianresponse.info/files/Panjsher.pdf , accessed 23/10/2020 • UNODC/MCN - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime / Ministry of Counter Narcotics of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (11.2018): Afghanistan Opium Survey 2018 - Cultivation and Production, https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan/Afghanistan_opium_s urvey_2018.pdf , accessed 23.10.2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1.7.2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 22.10.2020 • VoA - Voice of America (8/9/2020): Taliban Fighters Attack Previously Spared Afghan Province, https: //www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/taliban-fighters-attack-previously-spared-afghan-province , accessed 23/10/2020

3.28 Parwan

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Parwan is located in the central part of Afghanistan. The province borders Baghlan in the north, Panjsher and Kapisa in the east, Kabul and Wardak in the south and southeast, and Bamyan in the west (NPS Parwan n.d.; cf. UNOCHA Parwan 4/2014). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Bagram, the provincial capital , Syahgird (or Ghurband), Jabulussaraj, Koh-e-, Salang, Sayyid Khel, Shaykh Ali, Shinwari, and Surkhi Parsa (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf.

163 UNOCHA Parwan 4/2014, OPr Parwan 1/2/2017, IEC Parwan 2019). The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Parwan to be 737, persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Ethnic groups residing in the province are Pashtun, Tajik, Uzbeks , Kuchi and Hazara (NPS Parwan n.d.). Dari speakers outnum- ber speakers in the province in the ratio 2:5. There are approx. 30,000 Kuchi nomads present in the province in winter and 120,000 in summer; of which two thirds are short-range migrants and one third are long-range migrants (MoF/ADB 7/2019).

One section of the Ring Road (MoPW 16/10/2015; cf. ESCAP 8/8/2019) runs through the districts of Charikar, Jabulissaraj, and Salang (UNOCHA 4/2014pw). In the course of this section, the 2.7 km long Salang tunnel connects the provinces of Parwan and Baghlan and beyond; it is the only major road connecting Kabul to northern Afghanistan (TN 15/9/2020; cf. USAID 5/12/2019, DR n.d.). The roads leading to the tunnel are in bad condition and not properly maintained (Telegraph 10/6/2020; cf. XI 17/9/2019, DR n.d.). Road closures due to avalanches in winter and accidents occur frequently (DR n.d.; cf. LCA 24/4/2019). The Trans-Hindukush Road Connectivity Project provides the frame to rehabilitate the Salang road and tunnel until 2022 (WB 4/2020).

Another main highway connects Parwan to its neighbour Bamyan through the Ghorband valley and the districts of Charikar, Jabulussaraj, Shinwari, Syahgird, Shaykh Ali to the (UNOCHA 4/2014pw; cf. MoPW 16/10/2015; ESCAP 8/8/2019). This road is paved and in good condition (OTWA 5/2/2020). Continuing from beyond this route, a currently unpaved 152 km long secondary road from Bamyan to Baghlan (also known as: B2B-Road) is currently about to become paved (WB 4/2020; cf. TN 15/9/2020) and upgraded to a backup route for the Salang pass (TN 15/9/2020).

Parwan province hosts Bagram Air Base, the largest NATO facility in Afghanistan (LWJ 5/8/2018; cf. NYT 12/1/2020, USDOD 1/7/2020). Before 2014 80% of economic output by the city of Bagram was due to the airbase; more than 3,000 local staff was working there. But because of security concerns and a reduction of troops most of local staff was replaced by foreign contractors after 2014 (NYT 12/1/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

In May 2019, one source counted Parwan province among the relatively calm provinces of Afghanistan (KP 8/5/2019). In June 2019, however, the same source reported that the security situation in some districts of the province had deteriorated during recent years (KP 12/6/2019). The security situation of Parwan has been declared as unstable in 2020 (IFRC 8/9/2020).

Insurgents, especially the taliban, are present in the districts of Siya Gird, Shinwari, Koh-e Safi, and Bagram (IFRC 8/9/2020). Taliban presence in the district of Koh-e Safi has been indicated as small but growing in July 2020 (AAN 18/7/2020).

According to the local population, the presence of Bagram air base has a negative impact on the district’s security situation (NYT 12/1/2020). Attacks on the air base by the Islamic State (AJ 9/4/2020; cf. USDOD 1/7/2020) and the Taliban (NYT 11/12/2019) as well as attacks on local employees of the base are reported (TN 17/4/2020).

164 On the government side, Badakhshan is under the responsibility of the 201st Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, which reports to the Task Force East led by U.S. and Polish forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 30: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 246 civilian casualties (65 dead and 181 injured) in Parwan province. This represents an increase of 500% over 2018. The main causes of casualties were suicide attacks, followed by ground fighting and search operations (UNAMA 2/2020).

Security operations (RY 4/7/2020; cf. PAJ 28/4/2020, BN 4/2/2020) and air strikes are perfor- med by the security forces in the province (XI 30/6/2020). There are regular armed clashes between insurgents and security personnel (TN 13/7/2020; cf. ArN 29/5/2020). Insurgents attack checkpoints by security forces along the main highways (IFRC 8/9/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (18/7/2020): A Threat at Kabul’s Southern Gate: A security overview of Logar province, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/a-th reat-at-kabuls-southern-gate-a-security-overview-of-logar-province/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (9/4/2020): Five rockets hit US airbase in Afghanistan, https://www.aljazeera.com/ news/2020/4/9/five-rockets-hit-us-airbase-in-afghanistan , accessed 22/10/2020 • ArN - Arab News (29/5/2020): Afghan forces killed in first ‘Taliban attack’ since Eid cease-fire, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1681121/world , accessed 22/10/2020

165 • BN - Bakhtar News (4/2/2020): Drug Smuggler Arrested in Parwan, http://www.bakhtarnews.com. af/eng/security/item/42083-drug-smuggler-arrested-in-parwan.html , accessed 22/10/2020 • DR - Dangerousroads.org (n.d.): Salang Tunnel: hostile and toxic, https://www.dangerousroads.o rg/asia/afghanistan/9271-salang-tunnel.html , accessed 22/10/2020 • ESCAP - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (8/8/2019): Asian Highway Route Map, https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/AH-map_0.pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IEC - Independent Election Commission (2019pw): 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Parwan, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_by_pc/03 , accessed 22/10/2020 • IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (8/9/2020): Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) - Afghanistan: Flash Floods, http://adore.ifrc.org/Download.aspx?FileId=343446 , accessed 22/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press News Agency (12/6/2019): Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in North of Afghanistan, https://www.khaama.com/taliban-militants-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-north-of-afg hanistan-03596/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press News Agency (8/5/2019): Airstrike destroys car bomb in Bagram district of Parwan province, https://www.khaama.com/airstrike-destroys-car-bomb-in-bagram-district-of-par wan-province-03916/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • LCA - Logistics Capacity Assessment / Lucy Stiles (24/4/2019): Afghanistan, Version 28, https: //logcluster.org/dlca/Afghanistan-v28-20190424_0739.pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • LWJ - Long War Journal (5/8/2018): Taliban suicide bomber kills 3 Czech soldiers, https://www.lo ngwarjournal.org/archives/2018/08/taliban-suicide-bomber-kills-3-czech-soldiers.php , accessed 22/10/2020 • MoF/ADB - Ministry of Finance [Afghanistan] / (7/2019): Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan - Afghanistan: North-South Power Transmission Enhancement Project (500-kV Transmission line, Section one- Parwan Province), Project Number: 46392-001, https: //www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/46392/46392-001-rp-en_0.pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • NPS Parwan - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.pw): Parwan Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/parwan , accessed 22/10/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-----.pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 • NYT - New York Times (12/1/2020): A Growing U.S. Base Made This Afghan Town. Now It’s Dying, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/12/world/asia/Bagram-military-base.html , accessed 22/10/2020 • NYT - New York Times (11/12/2019): Taliban Attack U.S. Base in Afghanistan as Negotiators Talk Peace, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/11/world/asia/Afghanistan-bagram-airfield-attack.html , accessed 22/10/2020 • OPr Parwan - Office of the President – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Parwan, https://president.gov.af/en/parwan/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • OTWA - On the Way Around (5/2/2020): Bamiyan Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know, https://onthewayaround.com/bamiyan-travel-guide/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (28/4/2020): Parwan: Taliban’s district intelligence head killed, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/04/28/parwan-taliban%E2%80%99s-district-intelligence-head-killed , accessed 22/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (4/7/2020): Taliban District Governor Killed In Security Operations In Ghazni, https://reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/saturday-july-4-2020/taliban-district-governor-killed-in-security -operations-in-ghazni/ , Zugfriff 22/10/2020 • Telegraph, The (10/6/2020): Through mountain passes and Taliban land: the longest journey in the world for Covid-19 samples, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/moun tain-passes-taliban-land-long-road-afghanistans-covid-19/ , accessed 22/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (15/9/2020): Govt Criticized for Delay in Doshi-Bamiyan Road Project, https://tolo news.com/business-166334 , accessed 22/10/2020

166 • TN - Tolonews (13/7/2020): 4 Security Force Members Killed in Parwan Clashes, https://tolonews.c om/afghanistan/4%C2%A0security-force-members-killed-parwan-clashes , accessed 22/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (17/4/2020): 6 Afghan Bagram Base Workers Killed in Attack, https://tolonews.com /afghanistan/attack-workers-bagram-airbase-kills-5-wounds-4 , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • UNOCHA Parwan - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afgha- nistan: Parwan Province – Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.huma nitarianresponse.info/files/Parwan.pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • USAID - United States Agency for International Development (5/12/2019): Salang Tunnel Substa- tion, https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1871/Salang_Tunnel_Substation.pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 22/10/2020 • WB - The World Bank Group in Afghanistan (4/2020): Trans-Hindukush Road Connectivity Project; in: Country Update Issue 056, April 2020, page 32, http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/ 968941585747221862/pdf/The-World-Bank-Group-in-Afghanistan-Country-Update.pdf , accessed 22/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua (30/6/2020): Afghan airstrikes kill 17 militants in eastern province, http://www.xinhuane t.com/english/2020-06/30/c_139177895.htm , accessed 22/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua (17/9/2019): Feature: Afghanistan’s vital Salang Pass Tunnel in dire need of restoration, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/17/c_138398954.htm , accessed 22/10/2020

3.29 Samangan

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Samangan province is located in the north of Afghanistan and borders Balkh in the north and nor- theast, Baghlan in the east, Bamyan in the south, and Sar-e Pul in the west (UNOCHA Samangan 4/2014). The capital of Samangan is Aybak (UNOCHA Samangan 4/2014; cf. OPr Samangan 1/2/2017, NSIA 1/6/2020; IEC Samangan 2019), aka Samangan [City] (AAN 30/10/2019; cf. NYTM 2/5/2019; WD 26/4/2020, ACCORD 9/4/2015, OSM 29/1/2020). The province is subdivi- ded into the following districts: the provincial capital Aybak, Dara-e-Soof-e-Payin [Lower Dara- e-Soof], Dara-e-Soof-e-Bala [Upper Dara-e-Soof], Feroz Nakhcheer, Hazrat-e-Sultan, Khuram Wa Sarbagh, and Rui-Do-Ab (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf.IEC Samangan 2019; UNOCHA Samangan 4/2014; OPr Samangan 1/2/2017).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Samangan to be 430,489 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). About 65% of the population are Tajik and 30% Uzbek; other ethnic groups residing in the province are Pashtun, Hazara, Arab, Tatar (NPS Samangan n.d.), and Aimaq (OPr Samangan 1/2/2017).

The section Kabul - Mazar-e Sharif of the Ring Road (Highway 1), which has tarmac surface (ACCORD 9/4/2015) runs through the provincial capital Aybak (ACCORD 9/4/2015; cf. UNOCHA Samangan 4/2014; cf. MoPW 16/10/2015) as well as through the districts of Khuram Wa Sarbagh and Hazrat-e-Sultan (UNOCHA Samangan 4/2014). A section of the North-South-Corridor Road Project (NSCRP) is under construction as of Juny 2019, in which an existing 178,9 km long

167 mud- and gravel track between Yakawlang (Bamyan province) and Dara-e Soof is in the process of being upgraded to a main highway. The NSRCP will serve as an additional route variant between Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif as well as a backup and alternative routing for the Salang pass (MoT 7/2019).

In connection to the peace agreement between the Taliban and the USA, which was signed on 29/2/2020 in Doha, the Taliban committed to not perform any attacks on vital highways, among them the Baghlan-Samangan section. Anyway, in July 2020 there were several massive attacks by the Taliban on this very road section (TN 22/7/2020). Along the road connecting Dara-e Soof to Mazar-e Sharif, security forces and Taliban alike are extorting money from travelers (TN 20/12/2019, PAJ 9/12/2019) and abductions are reported (PAJ 9/12/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

While Samangan is considered more secure than its neighbour Baghlan (AAN 30/10/2020; cf. RFE/RL n.d.), it was also counted among the relatively volatile provinces of the country in April (XI 11/4/2019). Since early 2016, the province reported more terrorist attacks, Taliban incursions and incidents of fighting (AAN 30/10/2019). Dara-e Soof-e Payin is for the biggest part controlled by the Taliban (AAN 30/10/2019)who are trying to conquer coal mines in this district, and to levy taxes from the population (ST 14/4/2020; cf. ST 18/12/2019). Clashes between Taliban and local vigilante groups result in fatalities on both sides (ST 14/4/2020; cf. Garda 8/4/2020). Governmental presence is higher in the remaining five districts (AAN 30/10/2019).

On the government side, Samangan is under the responsibility of the 209th Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, which reports to the German-led NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

168 Abbildung 31: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019 UNAMA documented 45 civilian casualties (11 dead and 34 injured) in Samangan province. This represents a 2% decrease compared to 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground, followed by targeted killings and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2/2020).

Security operations (ST 14/4/20200, BN 21/1/2020) and airstrikes are performed in the province (KP 30/4/2020). There are armed clashes between insurgents and security forces (XI 29/8/2020, KN 21/7/2020, National 14/7/2020, NYTM 30/4/2020). Among others, also civilians get killed (KN 21/7/2020, ST 14/4/2020) or kidnapped in those incidents (HRW 30/6/2020).

Sources

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (30/10/2019): Afghanistan’s 2019 Election (22): Glances at Kunduz, Baghlan, Samangan, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/political-landscap e/afghanistans-2019-election-22-glances-at-kunduz-baghlan-samangan/ , accessed 16/10/2020 • ACCORD - Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation (9/4/2015): Anfragebeantwortung zu Afghanistan: Flugmöglichkeiten von Kabul nach Masar-i Scha- rif, Kosten; Straßenverbindung zwischen Masar-i Scharif und Aybak, Entfernung zwischen den Städten, Minibusse, Fahrtkosten, Sicherheit der Straße [a-9122-1], https://www.ecoi.net/de/doku ment/1070685.html , accessed 16/10/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • BN - Bakhtar News (21/1/2020): NDS Arrest Taliban Militants in Samangan, http://www.bakhtarn ews.com.af/eng/security/item/41923-nds-arrest-taliban-militants-in-samangan.html , accessed 16/10/2020 • GW - Garda World (8/4/2020): Afghanistan: Suspected Taliban militants clash with residents in Samangan province April 7, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/330351/afghanistan-susp ected-taliban-militants-clash-with-residents-in-samangan-province-april-7 , accessed 16/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • HRW - Human Rights Watch (30/6/2020): „You Have No Right to Complain“ - Education, Social Restrictions, and Justice in Taliban-Held Afghanistan, https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/06/30/ you-have-no-right-complain/education-social-restrictions-and-justice-taliban-held , accessed 16/10/2020

169 • IEC Samangan - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Samangan, 2019, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminary result_by_pc/20 , accessed 16/10/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (21/7/2020): Taliban attack residential areas in Ghazni and Samangan, https: //kabulnow.af/2020/07/taliban-attack-residential-areas-in-ghazni-and-samangan/ , accessed 16/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (30/4/2020): Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in preemptive airstrikes in Samangan, https://www.khaama.com/taliban-militants-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-preemptive-a irstrikes-in-samangan-04746/ , accessed 16/10/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 16/10/2020 • MoT - Ministry of Transport [Afghanistan] (7/2019): Semi–Annual Environmental Monitoring Report - AFGHANISTAN: Transport Network Development Investment Program, Tranche 3 (Dar-i-Suf to Yakawlang (178 Km) Road Project, Financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), https: //www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/44482/44482-024-emr-en_1.pdf , accessed 16/10/2020 • National, The (14/7/2020): ’undermined’ by Taliban Samangan attack, https: //www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/afghan-peace-process-undermined-by-taliban-samangan -attack-1.1049131 , accessed 16/10/2020 • NPS Samangan - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Samangan Provincial Review, https://my.nps .edu/web/ccs/samangan , accessed 16/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (30/4/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 2020, https: //www.NYTMimes.com/2020/04/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-2020.html , accessed 16/10/2020 • NYTM - New York Times Magazine (2/5/2019): Afghan War Casualty Report: April 26-May 2, https: //www.NYTMimes.com/2019/05/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-april-26-may-2.html , accessed 16/10/2020 • OPr Samangan - Office of the President – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Samangan, https://president.gov.af/en/samangan/ , accessed 16/10/2020 • OSM - OpenStreetMap and Contributors (29/1/2020): Node: Samangan (312781018) - Version #11, https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/312781018/ , accessed 16/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (9/12/2019): Security forces, Taliban extort money on Mazar-Dara-i- Suf road, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/12/09/security-forces-taliban-extort-money-mazar-d ara-i-suf-road , accessed 16/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (n.d.): Afghanistan’s New Northern Flash Points, https://www.rferl.org/a/27013992.html , accessed 16/10/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (14/4/2020): Samangan residents foil Taliban attack, kill over a dozen fighters, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/04/14/feature-02 , accessed 16/10/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (18/12/2019): 13 Taliban fighters surrender in Samangan, citing disgust with group’s tactics, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2019/12/18/fe ature-01 , accessed 16/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (22/7/2020): 250 Afghan Soldiers Killed in 3 Weeks: TOLOnews Investigation, https://tolonews.com/afghanistan/250-afghan-soldiers-killed-3-weeks-tolonews-investigation , accessed 16/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (20/12/2019): Drivers Protest Extortion on Key Northern Highway, https://tolonews .com/afghanistan/drivers-protest-extortion-key-northern-highway , accessed 16/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 16/10/2020 • UNOCHA Samangan - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4.2014): Samangan Province District Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitari anresponse.info/files/Samangan.pdf , accessed 9.11.2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 6/10/2020

170 • WD - Wikidata (26/4/2020): Samangan (Q1020649), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1020649 , accessed 16/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (29/8/2020): Taliban attack on Afghan district repulsed, 3 killed, http: //www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/29/c_139327687.htm , accessed 16/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (11/4/2019): Taliban kidnap 60 truck drivers in Afghanistan’s northern Samangan province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-04/11/c_137968980.htm , accessed 16/10/2020

3.30 Sar-e Pul

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Sar-e Pul province is located in the north of Afghanistan. It was split from Jawzjan to become a separate province of its own in 1988 (PAJ Sar-e Pul n.d.). Sar-e Pul borders Jawzjan in the north, Balkh in the northeast, Samangan in the east, Bamyan and Ghor in the south, and Faryab in the west (UNOCHA Sars-e Pul 4/2014). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Balkhab, Gosfandi, Kohistanat, Sancharak, the provincial capital Sar-e-Pul, Sayyad, and Sozma Qala (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Sar-e Pul 2019, UNOCHA Sar-e Pul 4/2014, OPr Sar-e Pul 1/2/2017). The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Sar-e Pul province to be 621,002 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). It is made up mainly of Uzbeks (NPS Sar-e Pul n.d.; cf. AAN 17/3/2017). Other ethnic groups residing in the province are Hazara, Tajik, Pashtun, Arab, Aimaq, and Baloch (OPr 1/2/2017sp).

An approx. 51 km long paved National Highway connects the provincial capital Sar-e Pul to the northern section of the Ring Road (Mazar-e Sharif - Herat) at Sheberghan, the capital of neighbouring Jawzjan province (FCC 2018; cf. MoPW 16/10/2015, UNOCHA SAr-e Pul 4/2014). Along this connector road security relevant incidents are registered, like the placement of mines (BN 27/7/2020) or attacks by the Taliban (KN 6/6/2020, NYT 2/1/2020).

The Taliban attack infrastructure, among them oil wells near Sar-e Pul City (ST 18/5/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Alongside the Taliban, fighters of the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU; also known as Islamic Jihad Group, IJG) (AAN 7/9/2018; cf. GS n.d.) and of the Islamic State are operating in Sar-e Pul province (DP n.d.; cf. Sputnik 22/11/2019). The Taliban are recruiting Uzbek and other non- Pashtun fighters within the province (AAN 17/3/2017). A shiite Hazara is commander of the Taliban for the district Balkhab (Hindu 9/5/2020).

Camps and training centres for foreign extremists (esp. citizens of central asian countries) and even training centres for female terrorists are located in the province. Explosives used for suicide attacks are produced in the district of Kohistanat in an industrial dimension (Sputnik 22/11/2019).

With respect to the presence of government security forces, Sar-e Pul province comes within the responsibility of the 209th ANA Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. KP 4/8/2019), which reports to

171 the Train, Advise, and Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) NATO mission led by German forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 32: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 217 civilian casualties (48 dead and 169 injured) in the province of Sar-e Pul. This represents an increase of 115% over 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground, followed by unexploded ordnance (UXO), landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2/2020).

The security situation in the province is volatile (MENAFN 21/2/2020; cf. AT 4/11/2019). Secu- rity operations (BN 26/12/2019, KP 13/11/2019, RY 10/11/2019) and airstrikes (TN 28/6/2020, MENAFN 21/2/2020, KP 13/11/2019); in which insurgents get killed are regularly performed across the province (TN 28/6/2020, MENAFN 21/2/2020, BN 26/12/2019, KP 13/11/2019, RY 10/11/2019). There are armed clashes between insurgents and security forces or attacks by insurgents on security forces (PT 11/10/2020, AT 28/4/2020, RFE/RL 22/4/2020, KP 13/11/2019).

In early October 2020 some 150 Taliban Fighters laid down their arms and joined the peace process in the province (ST 7/10/2020).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (7/9/2018): New Confusion About ISKP: A case study from Sar-e Pul, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/new-confusion-about-iskp-a-case-study-from-sar- e-pul/ , accessed 15/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (17/3/2017): Non-Pashtun Taleban of the North (2): Case studies of Uzbek Taleban in Faryab and Sar-e Pul, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/non-pas htun-taleban-of-the-north-2-case-studies-of-uzbek-taleban-in-faryab-and-sar-e-pul/ , accessed 14/10/2020

172 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (o.D.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (28/4/2020): Taliban attack repulsed in Sar-e-Pul, http://www.afghanistant imes.af/taliban-attack-repulsed-in-sar-e-pul/ , accessed 15/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (4/11/2019): Women in bad condition in Sar-e-Pul, http://www.afghanista ntimes.af/women-in-bad-condition-in-sar-e-pul/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • BN - Bakhtar News (27/7/2020): Mines Discovered in Jawzjan-Sar-e-Pul Highway, http://bakhta rnews.com.af/eng/security/item/43477-mines-discovered-in-jawzjan-sar-e-pul-highway.html , accessed 14/10/2020 • BN - Bakhtar News (26/12/2019): ASF Raids Kill Taliban Insurgents in Sar-e-Pul, http://www.ba khtarnews.com.af/eng/security/item/41560-asf-raids-kill-taliban-insurgents-in-sar-e-pul.html , accessed 15/10/2020 • DP - Defense Post, the (n.d.): Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), https://www.thedefensepo st.com/tag/islamic-state-khorasan-province-isis-k/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • FCC - Fayz Construction Company (2018): Company Profile, https://fayz-group.com/wp-content/ uploads/2020/04/1586804256-Fayz-Construction-Co-2018.pdf , accessed 14/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • GS - Global Security (n.d.): Islamic Jihad Union; AKA Islamic Jihad Group; AKA Jama’at al-Jihad; AKA The Libyan Society; AKA The Kazakh Jama’at; AKA The Jamaat Mojahedin; AKA Jamiyat; AKA Jamiat al-Jihad al-Islami; AKA Dzhamaat Modzhakhedov; AKA Islamic Jihad Group of Uzbekistan; AKA al-Djihad al-Islami; AKA Islomiy Jihod Ittihodi; AKA Ittihad al-Jihad al-Islami, https://www.glob alsecurity.org/military/world/para/iju.htm , accessed 14/10/2020 • Hindu, the (9/5/2020): Taliban reaches out to Shias, https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/ taliban-reaches-out-to-shias/article31545562.ece , accessed 14/10/2020 • IEC Sar-e Pul - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections - Results by Polling Stations: Province Sar-e-Pul, 2019, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryre sult_by_pc/22 , accessed 15/10/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (6/6/2020): Civilians killed in Taliban attacks in Sar-e-Pul, https://kabulnow.af/20 20/06/civilians-killed-in-taliban-attacks-in-sar-e-pul/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • KN - Kabul Now (23/10/2019): Suspicious families settled in Sar-e-Pul province, says local officials, https://kabulnow.af/2019/10/suspicious-families-settled-in-sar-e-pul-province-says-local-officials/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (13/11/2019): Two key Taliban commanders among 29 killed, wounded in Sar-e Pul clash, https://www.khaama.com/two-key-taliban-commanders-among-29-killed-wounde d-in-sar-e-pul-clash-04331/ , accessed 15/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (4/8/2019): Taliban militants behead a disabled man in Sar-e-Pul province, https://www.khaama.com/taliban-militants-behead-a-disabled-man-in-sar-e-pul-province-03550/ , accessed 15/10/2020 • MENAFN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network (21/2/2020): Afghanistan- Airstrike kills 5 Taliban, destroys weapons cache in Sar-e Pul province, https://menafn.com/1099737412/Afgh anistan-Airstrike-kills-5-Taliban-destroys-weapons-cache-in-Sar-e-Pul-province , accessed 14/10/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 15/10/2020 • NPS - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.sp): Sar-i-Pol Provincial Review, https://my.nps.edu/web/ccs/sar-i-pol , accessed 15/10/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-----.pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 • NYT - New York Times Magazine (2/1/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: January 2020, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-january-2020.html , accessed 14/10/2020 • OPr Sar-e Pul - Office of the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Sar e Pul, https://president.gov.af/en/sar-e-pul/ , accessed 15/10/2020 • PAJ Sar-e Pul - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background Profile Sar-i-Pul province, http://electi ons.pajhwok.com/en/content/background-profile-sar-i-pul-province , accessed 15/10/2020

173 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty; Gandhara (22/4/2020): Attacks Across Afghanistan Kill Dozens Of Security Force Members, Civilians, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/attacks-across-afgh anistan-kill-dozens-of-security-force-members-civilians/30570750.html , accessed 15/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (10/11/2019): Security Forces Started „Shahin 216“ Operation in Sar-e Pul, http: //reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/sunday-november-10/security-forces-started-shahin-216-operation-i n-sar-e-pul/ , accessed 15/10/2020 • Sputnik News Kyrgyzstan (22/11/2019): Активизация талибов в Афганистане — прямая угроза Центральной Азии [Taliban activities in Afghanistan are a direct threat to Central Asia], https: //ru.sputnik.kg/asia/20191122/1046308932/aktivizaciya-talibov-v-afganistane.html , accessed 15/10/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (7/10/2020): Nearly 300 Taliban fighters lay down arms in Balkh, Sar-e-Pul, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/10/07/feature-03 , accessed 15/10/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (18/5/2020): In favour of darkness: the Taliban’s war on Afghan infrastructure, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/05/18/feature-01 , accessed 14/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (28/6/2020): ’Heavy’ Taliban Casualties in Sar-e-Pul Airstrike: Officials, https://tolo news.com/afghanistan/heavy-taliban-casualties-sar-e-pul-airstrike-officials , accessed 15/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 15/10/2020 • UNOCHA Sar-e Pul - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Sar- e-Pul Province - District Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianre sponse.info/files/documents/files/Sar-e-Pul_0.pdf , accessed 15/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 6.10.2020

3.31 Takhar

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Takhar province is located in the northeast of Afghanistan (UNOCHA Takhar 4/2014; cf. PAJ Takhar n.d.) and shares a border with Tajikistan in the north (UNOCHA Takhar 4/2014). The 1,344 km long state border can only be insufficiently controlled by Afghanistan (A+ 5/3/2020; cf. AsT 3/7/2020). Neighbouring provinces are Badakhshan in the east; Panjsher, and Baghlan in the south and southwest; and Kunduz in the west (UNOCHA 4/2014t). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Baharak, Bangi, Chahab, Chal, Darqad, Dasht-e-Qala, Eshkamesh, Farkhar, Hazar Sumuch, Kalafgan, Khwaja Bahawuddin, Khwaja Ghar, Namak Ab, Rustaq, the provincial capital Taluqan (), Warsaj, and Yangi Qala (IEC Takhar 2019; cf. NSIA 1/6/2020, UNOCHATakhar 4/2014, PAJ Takhar n.d.).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Takhar to be 1,093,092 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). Two thirds of the population are Tajik and one quarter Uzbek (TakI 5/2020). Other ethnic groups residing in the province are Pashtun, Hazara (PAJ Takhar n.d.; cf. NPS Takhar n.d., OPr Takhar 1/2/2017), Gujari, Pashai and Arab (OPr Takhar 1/2/2017).

174 A highway runs from Kunduz via Takhar to Badakhshan, passing the province’s districts of Kalafgan, Taloqan and Bangi (UNOCHA Takhar 4/2014; cf. MoPW 16/10/2015). The Taliban operate checkpoints along this route (UNOCHA 29/4/2020, ST 6/8/2020, AAN 21/3/2020).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Takhar is one of the volatile provinces in Afghanistan. A majority of the districts is contested between insurgents and the government (AJ 20/8/2020; cf. Ariana 1/9/2020). The Taliban are levying taxes from farmers and businesses (RtP 10/11/2019; cf. Sph 31/10/2019). In September 2019 the Taliban attempted to conquer the provincial capital Taloqan (NO 9.2020) and gained control over the districts of Yangi Qala and Darqad (RFE/RL 10.9.2019; cf. NO 9.2020). Security forces could repel the attack on Taloqan and retake both districts in October 2019 (ST 15.10.2019; cf. TO 25.10.2019).

The main drug trafficking route from Afghanistan to Tajikistan runs through the province’s districts of Darqad and Khawaja Bahawuddin (RtP 10/11/2019; cf. RY 9/6/2020, UNSC 27/5/2020). Apart from the Taliban (RtP 10/11/2019; cf. Sph 31/10/2019) also the Jamaat Ansarullah Tajikistan are involved in drug trafficking (RY 9/6/2020; cf. UNSC 27/5/2020). Border guards, governmental officers and impoverished people from both sides of the border are lured to grant the safe passage of smuggled goods (RtP 10.11.2019; cf. AsT 3.7.2020).

Pockets of the Islamic State (Lenta 18/12/2019, VB 21/6/2020); the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU; also know as Islamic Jihad Group, IJG) (CACA 3/6/2020; cf. GS n.d.), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) (UNSC 27/5/2020), and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) are present in Takhar (UNSC 23/7/2020).

On the government side, Takhar is under the responsibility of the 209th Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, which reports to the German-led NATO Mission Train, Advise, and Assist Command - North (TAAC-N) (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1.1.2019-30.9.2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

175 Abbildung 33: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

176 For the year 2019, UNAMA documented 192 civilian victims (60 dead and 132 injured) in Takhar province. This represents an increase of 70% over 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground followed by air strikes and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2/2020).

In the province, there are regular reports about security operations (AN 30/5/2020, AN 31/12/2019, BN 23/12/2019, TN 25/10/2019), and air strikes (XI 12/9/2020, AN 15/2/2020), in which insurgents (XI 12/9/2020, AN 15/2/2020, AN 31/12/2019, BN 23/12/2019, TN 25/10/2019) or criminals get killed (AN 30/5/2020). There are regular armed clashes between insurgents and security forces that result in fatalities on both sides (e.g. AJ 20/8/2020, VEČ 18/5/2020, TakI 5/2020, Sputnik 20/4/2020, Standard 1/1/2020, XI 25/10/2019). Security related incidents fre- quently result in civilian victims (NYT 2/7/2020, S24 18/6/2020, BN 26/12/2019, AN 2/11/2019).

Sources:

• A+ - Media Group Asia-Plus Tajikistan (5/3/2020): США договорились с талибами: Что это даст Таджикистану? [USA and Taliban found an agreement: How will Tajikistan benefit?], https://asiaplus tj.info/ru/news/tajikistan/politics/20200305/ssha-dogovorilis-s-talibami-chto-eto-dast-tadzhikistanu , accessed 13/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (21/3/2020): Voices from the Districts, the Violence Mapped (1): What has happened since the reduction in violence ended?, https://www.afghanistan-analysts .org/en/reports/war-and-peace/voices-from-the-districts-the-violence-mapped-what-has-happene d-since-the-reduction-in-violence-ended/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (20/8/2020): Afghan security forces killed in clashes in Takhar province, https: //www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/8/20/afghan-security-forces-killed-in-clashes-in-takhar-province , accessed 13/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (1/9/2020): Afghan Air Force chopper carrying bodies of fallen soldiers crashes in Takhar, https://ariananews.af/afghan-air-force-chopper-carrying-bodies-of-fallen-soldiers-crashe s-in-takhar/ , accessed 13/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (30/5/2020): Police arrest irresponsible armed men, rescue woman – Takhar, https://ariananews.af/police-arrest-irresponsible-armed-men-rescue-woman-takhar/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (15/2/2020): Seven Taliban fighters killed in Afghan airstrikes – Takhar, https: //ariananews.af/seven-taliban-fighters-killed-in-afghan-airstrikes-takhar/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (31/12/2019): 17 Taliban Militants Killed in Takhar Operation: MoI, https://ariana news.af/17-taliban-militants-killed-in-takhar-operation-moi/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (2/11/2019): Roadside Bomb Kills Nine Children in Takhar, https://ariananews.a f/roadside-bomb-kills-nine-children-in-takhar/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • AsT - Asia Times (3/7/2020): Tajikistan’s fears, hopes on intra-Afghan peace, https://asiatimes.co m/2020/07/tajikistans-fears-hopes-on-intra-afghan-peace/ , accessed 13/10/2020 • BN - Bakhtar News (23/12/2019): Armed Terrorists Killed in Takhar Operation, http://www.bakhta rnews.com.af/eng/security/item/41516-armed-terrorists-killed-in-takhar-operation.html , accessed 14/10/2020 • BN - Bakhtar News (26/12/2019): Three Afghan Residents Gunned Down by Tajikistan Border Forces, http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/security/item/41573-three-afghan-residents-gunned -down-by-tajikistan-border-forces.html , accessed 13/10/2020 • CACA - The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst (3/6/2020): Central Asian Salafi-Jihadi Groups and the US-Taliban Peace Agreement, https://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/analytical-articles/item/ 13621-central-asian-salafi-jihadi-groups-and-the-us-taliban-peace-agreement.html , accessed 13/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020

177 • GS - GlobalSecurity.org (n.d.): Islamic Jihad Union; AKA Islamic Jihad Group; AKA Jama’at al- Jihad; AKA The Libyan Society; AKA The Kazakh Jama’at; AKA The Jamaat Mojahedin; AKA Jamiyat; AKA Jamiat al-Jihad al-Islami; AKA Dzhamaat Modzhakhedov; AKA Islamic Jihad Group of Uzbekistan; AKA al-Djihad al-Islami; AKA Islomiy Jihod Ittihodi; AKA Ittihad al-Jihad al-Islami, https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/iju.htm , accessed 13/10/2020 • IEC Takhar - Independent Election Commission (2019): 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Takhar, 2019, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminaryresult_b y_pc/18 , accessed 14/10/2020 • Lenta.ru [the Ribbon] (18/12/2019): Патрушев предупредил об угрозе вторжения боевиков в Центральную Азию [Patrushev warned of the threat of militants invading Central Asia], https: //lenta.ru/news/2019/12/18/invasion/ , accessed 13/10/2020 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 14/10/2020 • NO - Natsionaľnaya Oborona [National Defence] (9/2020): Афганистан. Долгая дорога к миру; in: Национальная Оборона №9-сентябрь 2020 [Afghanistan: Long way to peace; in: National Defence No.9 – September 2020], https://oborona.ru/includes/periodics/geopolitics/2020/0601/19 2629562/detail.shtml , accessed 14/10/2020 • NPS Takhar - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.): Takhar Provincial Review, https://my.nps.edu/w eb/ccs/takhar , accessed 14/10/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-----.pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 • NYT - New York Times Magazine (2/7/2020): Afghan War Casualty Report: June 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/magazine/afghan-war-casualty-report-june-2020.html , accessed 14/10/2020 • OPr Takhar - Office of the President – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Takhar, https://president.gov.af/en/takhar/ , accessed 14/10/2020 • PAJ Takhar - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.): Background profile of Takhar province, http://elections. pajhwok.com/en/content/background-profile-takhar-province , accessed 14/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty; Gandhara (10.9.2019): Taliban Capture Key Afghan Districts Bordering Central Asia, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/taliban-capture-key-afghan-districts- bordering-central-asia/30156988.html , accessed 4.11.2020 • RtP - Rise to Peace (10/11/2019): Narcotics and Insecurity: How the Afghan-Tajik Drug Trade Derails Peace, https://www.risetopeace.org/2019/11/10/narcotics-and-insecurity-how-the-afghan-t ajik-drug-trade-derails-peace/shah1505/ , accessed 13/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (9/6/2020): Taliban Continues to Profit from Narcotics Trafficking: UN Report, http://reporterly.net/latest-stories/taliban-continues-to-profit-from-narcotics-trafficking-un-report/ , accessed 13/10/2020 • S24 - Salzburg 24 (18/6/2020): Kinder bei Granaten-Spiel in Afghanistan getötet [Children in Af- ghanistan killed after playing with grenades], https://www.salzburg24.at/news/welt/afghanistan-ne un-kinder-bei-granaten-spiel-getoetet-89058247 , accessed 14/10/2020 • Sph - Sayhoon News (31/10/2019): Taliban earns 2M Afghanis daily from drug smuggling through Tajik-Afghan border, https://sayhoon.com/post/3314/english , accessed 13/10/2020 • Sputnik News Tajikistan (20/4/2020): Близ таджико-афганской границы при атаке талибов погибли 19 военных [19 security personnel killed in Taliban attack near Tajik-Afghan border], https://tj.sputniknews.ru/country/20200420/1031096154/Bliz-tadzhiko-afganskoy-granitsy-atake-t alibov-pogibli-19-voennykh.html , accessed 13/10/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (6/8/2020): Taliban continue extortion, killing of travellers on highways, https: //afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2020/08/06/feature-03 , accessed 13/10/2020 • ST - Salaam Times (15.10.2019): Afghan forces clear out Taliban from 45 villages in Takhar, https: //afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2019/10/15/feature-02 , accessed 4.11.2020 • Standard, der [the Standard] (1/1/2020): Mindestens 31 Sicherheitskräfte in Afghanistan getötet [At least 31 security personnel killed in Afghanistan], https://www.derstandard.at/story/200011282 6029/mindestens-31-sicherheitskraefte-in-afghanistan-getoetet , accessed 13/10/2020

178 • TakI - Takshashila Institution (5/2020): Recent Political Developments in Afghanistan – An Assess- ment, https://takshashila.org.in/recent-political-developments-in-afghanistan-an-assessment/ , accessed 13/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (25/10/2019): Takhar’s Darqad Cleared of Insurgents: MoD, https://tolonews.com/a fghanistan/takhar%E2%80%99s-durqad-cleared-insurgents-mod , accessed 14/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 14/10/2020 • UNOCHA Takhar - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Afgha- nistan: Takhar Province – Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humani tarianresponse.info/files/Takhar.pdf , accessed 27/6/2019 • UNOCHA - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (29/4/2020): Afghanistan: Weekly Humanitarian Update (20 April – 26 April 2020), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/afghanistan_humanitarian_weekly_26_april .pdf , accessed 13/10/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (23/7/2020): Letter dated 16 July 2020 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council, https://www. securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_202 0_717.pdf , accessed 13/10/2020 • UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Letter dated 19 May 2020 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) addressed to the President of the Security Council, https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6 D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2020_415_e.pdf , accessed 13/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 6/10/2020 • VB - Vecherniy Bishkek [the Eveningly Bishkek] (21/6/2020): На востоке создают новую армию халифата? [A new army of the Califate is created in the east], https://www.vb.kg/doc/390230_n a_vostoke_sozdaut_novyu_armiu_halifata.html , accessed 13/10/2020 • VEČ - Vechyorka [Little Evening] (18/5/2020): В Афганистане были атакованы афганские проправительственные посты на границе с Таджикистаном [In Afghanistan, Afghan government posts on the border with Tajikistan were attacked.], https://vecherka.tj/archives/44434 , accessed 13/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (12/9/2020): Airstrikes kill 12 militants in Afghanistan’s northern Takhar province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/12/c_139363097.htm , accessed 14/10/2020 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (25/10/2019): Taliban attack repulsed, 25 including 15 militants killed in Afghanistan’s Takhar province, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/25/c_138502908.htm , accessed 13/10/2020

3.32 Uruzgan

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Uruzgan province is located in central Afghanistan and is also known as Rozgan or Uruzganis (PAJ Uruzgan n.d.a). Uruzgan borders Daikundi in the north, Ghazni in the east, Zabul, and Kandahar in the south, and Helmand in the west (UNOCHA Uruzgan 4/2014; cf. PAJ Uruzgan n.d.b). Uruzgan is subdivided into the following districts: Chora, Dehraoud, Gizab, Khas Urozgan, Shahidhassas, and the provincial capital Tirinkot/ (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Uruzgan 2019; UNOCHA 4/2014u; PAJ Uruzgan n.d.b). Around 2014, was ceded by Daikundi to Uruzgan, (UNODC/MCN 11/2018; cf. PAJ 6/5/2018; NSIA 1/6/2020; IEC Uruzgan 2019), with Pato district being split from Gizab district and allocated to Daikundi province in 2018 (PAJ

179 6/5/2018; cf. NSIA 1/6/2020; ADLT n.d.; IEC Daikundi 2019). Chinarto district does not yet have any official status („temporary district“), it was part of until maximum 2018 (ADLT n.d.; cf. NSIA 1/6/2020).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Uruzgan to be 436,079 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020).It is made up mainly of Pashtuns, Hazaras (REU 3/11/2018; PAJ Uruzgan n.d.a), and Kuchi nomads (PAJ Uruzgan n.d.a).

The highway which connects Kandahar with Uruzgan runs through the districts of Chora and Ti- rinkot (UNOCHA Uruzgan 4/2014; cf. MoPW 16/10/2015, IDLG 5/11/2018). For years, upgrading of this road is protracted due to Taliban activities (PAJ 24/3/2020) and the road gets damaged (KP 1/10/2020) or blocked by the Tailban (AT 23/8/2020; cf. PAJ 24/3/2020). The Taliban plant mines along the road and stop travelers (PAJ 24/3/2020). To clear the road from Taliban insur- gents, military operations are performed (AT 23/8/2020; cf. KP 7/2/2019, PAJ 1/6/2019). The road can be inpassable in winter due to snowfall (IFRC 20/1/2020).

As of early October 2020, Tirinkot airport is served by Kam Air with scheduled passenger flights three times per week (Kam Air 7/10/2020; cf. F24 7/10/2020, CHA 23/12/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

There are frequent clashes between members of the ethnic groups of Pashtuns and Hazara residing in the province (AAN 29/11/2018; cf. REU 3/11/2018). In late October 2018 there were targeted attacks against Hazara by the Taliban in (Maley 4/3/2020; cf. AJ 18/9/2019) resulting in the killing of dozens of civilians and the displacement of at least 500 families (AJ 18/9/2019).

The rural parts of the province are controlled by the Taliban (RFE/RL 21/8/2020; cf. SIGAR 30/1/2019, ARN 9/2/2020). Especially the provincial capital Tirinkot registered a rise in insur- gent activity since the announcement of the Taliban’s spring offensive 2019 (KP 24/4/2019; cf. RFE/RL 21/8/2020, SIGAR 30/1/2019, ARN 9/2/2020). Control over the province by the Afghan government is limited. 80% of all lawsuits are decided by Tailban courts (ARN 9/2/2020). In Dehraoud district, among others, Taliban are distributing and selling state-owned land and are levying taxes. The Afghan government has not been capable of levying taxes itself during the past ten years (AAN 15/4/2020).

On the government side, Badakhshan is under the responsibility of the 205th Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. KP 24/4/2019), which reports to the Train Advise Assist Command – South (TAAC-S) NATO mission led by U.S. forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

180 Abbildung 34: *ACLED attributes incidents in Chinarto district to Shah Wali in Kandahar pro- vince ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 145 civilian casualties (73 dead and 72 injured) in Uruzgan province. This represents a decrease of 16% compared to 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground, followed by air strikes and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (UNAMA 2.2020).

Reports in June 2019 said that the security situation in some districts had deteriorated over recent months (KP 18/6/2019).There are armed clashes between insurgents and security for- ces (GW 23/9/2020; cf. SOFREP 14/9/2020, IAR 22/7/2020, GW 15/8/2020, TN 20/4/2020, AJ 4/3/2020). The province regularly sees security operations (AVA 16/5/2020; cf. PAJ 16/12/2019, IF 10/11/2019), and air strikes (RFE/RL 29/9/2020; cf. XI 20/8/2020, AO 6/4/2020), in which insur- gents are killed (RFE/RL 29/9/2020; cf. XI 20/8/2020, AVA16/5/2020, AO 6/4/2020, IF 10/11/2019, PAJ 16/12/2019) or Taliban prisoners liberated (PAJ 16/12/2019; cf. ARN 26/5/2019).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (15/4/2020): One Land, Two Rules (10): Three case studies on Taleban sales of state land, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/economy-deve lopment-environment/one-land-two-rules-three-case-studies-on-taleban-sales-of-state-land/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (29/11/2018): Taleban Attacks on Khas Uruzgan, Jaghori and Malestan (II): A new and violent push into Hazara areas, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/taleb an-attacks-on-khas-uruzgan-jaghori-and-malestan-ii-a-new-and-violent-push-into-hazara-areas/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (n.d.): ACLED Data https://acleddata.com/data -export-tool/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • ADLT - Afghanistan District Lookup Tool (n.d.): District_Lookup_Sheet, https://www.arcgis.com/a pps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=8d899b0f5b29476c9ca356c0484694c6 , accessed 7/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (18/9/2019): What peace means for Afghanistan’s Hazara people, https://www.alja zeera.com/opinions/2019/9/18/what-peace-means-for-afghanistans-hazara-people/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AJ - Al Jazeera (4/3/2020): US conducts first air strike against Taliban since peace deal, https: //www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/3/4/us-conducts-first-air-strike-against-taliban-since-peace-deal , accessed 8/10/2020

181 • AO - Arab Observer (6/4/2020): Series of airstrikes in Uruzgan and Zabul „Afghanistan“ killed at least 39 Taliban militants, https://www.arabobserver.com/series-of-airstrikes-in-uruzgan-and-zabul -afghanistan-killed-at-least-39-taliban-militants/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • ARN - Arab News (26/5/2019): UN says Taliban captives in Afghanistan subjected to abuse, https: //www.arabnews.com/node/1502211/world , accessed 8/10/2020 • ARN - Arab News (9/2/2020): Afghans turn to Taliban in forgotten province, https://www.arabnews .com/node/1625056/world , accessed 8/10/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (23/8/2020): Taliban block third line of Kandahar-Uruzgan road, http://ww w.afghanistantimes.af/taliban-block-third-line-of-kandahar-uruzgan-road/ , accessed 7/10/2020 • AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (16/5/2020): 23 Taliban Insurgents Killed in Uruzgan, https://www.av apress.com/en/news/210093/23-taliban-insurgents-killed-in-uruzgan , accessed 8/10/2020 • CHA - ch-aviation (23/12/2019): Ariana Afghan Airlines issues six-month turboprop ACMI RFP, https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/84651-ariana-afghan-airlines-issues-six-month-turbopro p-acmi-rfp , accessed 7/10/2020 • F 24 - Flightradar24 (7/10/2020): TII/OATN Tarinkot Airport Afghanistan – Routes Tarinkot, https: //www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/tii/routes , accessed 7/10/2020 • GW - Garda World (15/8/2020): Afghanistan: Taliban attacks kill nine security force members in Uruzgan and Baghlan provinces August 14, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/369461/ afghanistan-taliban-attacks-kill-nine-security-force-members-in-uruzgan-and-baghlan-provinces- august-14 , accessed 8/10/2020 • GW - Garda World (23/9/2020): Afghanistan: Militant attack kills 14 security force members in Uruzgan province September 21, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/382126/afghanista n-militant-attack-kills-14-security-force-members-in-uruzgan-province-september-21 , accessed 8/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (n.d.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • IAR - Informazionnoye Agentstvo „Regnum“ [News Agency „Regnum“] (22.7.2020):В афганской провинции Урузган при взрыве погибли семь силовиков [In Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province Seven Security Forces Were Killed in an Explosion], https://regnum.ru/news/accidents/3017097.h tml , accessed 8/10/2020 • IDLG - Independent Directorate of Local Governance (5/11/2018): Construction of Kandahar – Uruzgan Highway inaugurated, https://idlg.gov.af/en/1745/ , accessed 7/10/2020 • IEC Uruzgan - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Elections – Results by Polling Stations: Province Uruzgan, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/preliminary result_by_pc/25 , accessed 8/10/2020 • IF - Interfax (10/11/2019): В Афганистане ликвидированы два местных лидера „Талибан“[Two Local Taliban Leaders Eliminated in Afghanistan], https://www.interfax.ru/world/683610 , accessed 8/10/2020 • IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (20/1/2020): Information bulletin - Afghanistan: Severe winter, https://www.ifrc.org/docs/Appeals/20/IBAFsw200120.pdf , accessed 7/10/2020 • Kam Air (7/10/2020): Departing / Arrival Information: Tarin Kowt (TII) - Kabul (KBL), https://book-k amair.crane.aero/web/FlightSchedule.xhtml?faces-redirect=true , accessed 7/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (18/6/2019): Airstrikes kill 14 Taliban militants in Uruzgan province, https: //www.khaama.com/airstrikes-kill-14-taliban-militants-in-uruzgan-province-03659/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (24/4/2019): 79 Taliban militants Killed in Uruzgan province in the last week, https://www.khaama.com/79-taliban-militants-killed-in-uruzgan-province-in-the-last-week-03792/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (7/2/2019): Militants suffer heavy casualties in ANDSF operations in Kandahar and Zabul, https://www.khaama.com/militants-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-andsf-operations-in-kand ahar-and-zabul-03256/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (1/10/2020): Taliban Damages Kandahar-Uruzgan Highway: MoD, https: //www.khaama.com/taliban-damages-kandahar-uruzgan-highway-mod-87655/ , accessed 7/10/2020 • Maley, William / Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy (4/3/2020): On the Return of Hazaras to Afgha- nistan, https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Maley-Hazaras-4.3.20.pdf , accessed 8/10/2020

182 • MoPW - Ministry of Public Works [Afghanistan] (16/10/2015): Application of Road Numbering System - National Highways, https://web.archive.org/web/20171226091440/http://mopw.gov.af/ Content/files/Road_Numbering_System%20v1_0(1).pdf , accessed 8/10/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- آورد-س-رnistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-۱۳۹۹- pdf , accessed 28/9/2020. -اول • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (1/6/2019): Residents in trouble as Taliban close Chnartu road, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/06/01/residents-trouble-taliban-close-chnartu-road , accessed 8/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (6/5/2018): Daikundi: 80pc of Pato residents without Tazkira, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2018/05/06/daikundi-80pc-pato-residents-without-tazkira , accessed 8/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (16/12/2019): 12 civilians freed from Taliban prison in Uruzgan, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/12/16/12-civilians-freed-taliban-prison-uruzgan , accessed 8/10/2020 • PAL - Pajhwok Afghan News (24/3/2020): Insecurity delays work on Kandahar-Uruzgan highway, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/03/24/insecurity-delays-work-kandahar-uruzgan-highway , accessed 8/10/2020 • PAJ Uruzgan - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.a): Brief introduction of Uruzgan province, http://electi ons.pajhwok.com/en/content/brief-introduction-uruzgan-province , accessed 8/10/2020 PAJ Uruzgan - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.d.b): Uruzgan administrative units, http://elections.pajh wok.com/en/content/uruzgan-administrative-units , accessed 8/10/2020 • REU - Reuters (3/11/2018): Afghan Shi’ite militia battles Taliban, raising sectarian fears, https: //www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-security/afghan-shiite-militia-battles-taliban-raising-sect arian-fears-idUSKCN1N80FC?fbclid=IwAR1mC-NcvaJU_GOYiTW8QTS42XxlkOLIfav3wT_VycGi 7p6xVzdDZxsRLJ8 , accessed 8/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty; Gandhara (29/9/2020): Scores Killed In Air Strike, Roadside Bombing In Afghanistan, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/roadside-bomb-kills-14-civilians-in -afghanistan/30864187.html , accessed 8/10/2020 • RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty; Gandhara (21/8/2020): Rural Afghan Province Still Struggling With Internet Access, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/rural-afghan-province-still-struggling- with-internet-access/30796288.html , accessed 8/10/2020 • SIGAR - Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (30/1/2019): Quarterly Report to the United States Congress, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2019-01-30qr.pdf , accessed 8/10/2020 • SOFREP - Special Operations Forces Report (14/9/2020): Peace in Afghanistan? Not if the Taliban Can Help It, https://sofrep.com/news/peace-in-afghanistan-not-if-the-taliban-can-help-it/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (20/4/2020): Five Police Killed in Attack in Uruzgan, https://tolonews.com/afghanist an/five-police-killed-attack-uruzgan , accessed 8/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 8/10/2020 • UNOCHA Uruzgan - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4.2014): Af- ghanistan: Uruzgan Province – Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www. humanitarianresponse.info/files/Uruzgan.pdf , accessed 8/10/2020 • UNODC/MCN - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime / Ministry of Counter Narcotics of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (11/2018): Afghanistan Opium Survey 2018 - Cultivation and Production, https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan/Afghanistan_opium_s urvey_2018.pdf , accessed 8/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 6/10/2019 • XI - Xinhua News Agency (20/8/2020): 3 Taliban militants killed in airstrike in S. Afghanistan, http: //www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/20/c_139305609.htm , accessed 8/10/2020

183 3.33 (Maidan) Wardak

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Wardak province, also known as Maidan Wardak, borders Parwan, and Bamyan in the north, Kabul in the east, Logar in the south, and Ghazni in the west (UNOCHA Wardak 4/2014, NPS Wardak n.d., OPr Wardak 1/2/2017). The province is subdivided into the following districts: Chak-e-Wardak, Daimir Dad, Hissa-e-awali Behsud, Jaghatu, Jalrez, Markaz-e-Behsud, Maidan Shahr, Nerkh, Sayyid Abad (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Wardak 2019, UNOCHA Wardak 4/2014, NPS Wardak n.d., OPr Wardak 1/2/2017). Maidan Shahr, the provincial capital, is some 40-50 km to the southwest of Kabul (OPr Wardak 1/2/2017; cf. ARTE 3/4/2020).

The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Wardak to be 637,634 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). It consists of Tajik, Pashtun and Hazara (OPr Wardak 1/2/2017; cf. NPS Wardak n.d.).

Wardak is a key province due to its strategic location and proximity to Kabul, and also because it is located in the middle of highways that connects the west to the east, and the north to the south of Afghanistan (ARN 23/6/2019).The Kabul-Kandahar highway traverses the districts of Maidan Shahr, Narkh, and Saydabad (UNOCHA Wardak 4/2014). Taliban-operated checkpoints are occasionally implemented along this stretch (AVA 1/10/2019; cf. UNSG 7/12/2018, PAJ 27/10/2018, AP 7/10/2018). This road is considered as one of the most dangerous in Afghanistan. But during the three-day ceasefire during Eid-al-Fitr in August 2020, no clashes were registered along this road and the Taliban temporailly disbanded their checkpoints (WP 10/8/2020).

Another important road connects Maidan Shahr via the districts of Jalrez, Hesa-e Awal-e Behsud, Markaz-e Behsud with the Haji-gak pass, continuing to Bamyan (UNOCHA Wardak 4/2014; cf. AAN 16/12/2019). The road’s section in is under Taliban control (AAN 16/12/2019; cf. KNow 25/8/2019). The Taliban are operating checkpoints along the road, levying taxes (AAN 16/12/2019; cf. KNow 25/8/2019, PAJ 5/11/2018); there are reports of cases of travelers being abducted or killed (KNow 25/8/2019; cf. DA 11/6/2019, RY 2/6/2019); predominantly targeting Hazaras (KNow 25/8/2019).

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Wardak is one of the most contested provinces in Afghanistan and the majority of its territory is under Taliban control (WP 10/8/20202; cf. PBS 31/12/2019). The equilibrium of power in the province had been stable for many years (WP 10/8/2020) but during 2019, the security situation has deteriorated (KP 19/7/2019; cf. KP 2/7/2019, DA 11/6/2019). Since the USA and the Taliban signed a peace deal in February 2020, Taliban influence in the province has increased (WP 10/8/2020).

Police forces manning outposts at the boundary between governmental and Taliban control- led areas report about frequent attacks by the insurgents. Residents of districts outside of government control report increased artillery shelling by governmental forces (WP 10/8/2020). Also, in volatile fighting between government forces and Taliban is reported

184 nearly on a daily basis during the last couple of years. In this district, security forces have des- troyed about 80 civilian residential houses in November 2019, according to residents. Houses of this kind have been used by Taliban for shelter and fortification, according to governmental sources (AN 3/11/2019).

The female mayor of Maidan Shahr, Zafira Ghafari, performs a daily commute from her residence in Kabul to her official seat 50 km away, due to security reasons (ARTE 3/4/2020).

On the government side, Wardak is under the responsibility of the 203rd Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; cf. KP 4/7/2020), which reports to theTask Force Southeast led by U.S. forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Forces of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), which are supported by the US-intelligence agency CIA, perform night operations in Wardak. Indiscriminate attacks as well as extralegal executions and other human rights violations against civilians are reported to be performed during these operations. The perpetrators are not held responsible for their actions (FP 6/2/2020, HRW 30/10/2019, BAMF 15/7/2019).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 35: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

In 2019, UNAMA documented 184 civilian victims (108 killed and 76 injured) in Wardak province. This represents a decrease of 18% compared to 2018. The main causes of casualties were fighting on the ground, followed by air attacks and search operations (UNAMA 2/2020).

185 Security operations (TN 18/2/2020; cf. PAJ 24/10/2019, KP 9/8/2019; KP 6/8/2019; KP 19/7/2019; KP 2/7/2019) and airstrikes are carried out on a regular basis (PAJ 18/2/2020; cf. PAJ 24/10/2019, NG 17/10/2019, AT 8/12/2019). The Taliban are attacking service posts, facilities and convois of the security forces on a regular basis and there are armed clashes with government troops resul- ting in casualties among both security forces and insurgents (ATV 23/9/2020; cf. WP 10/8/2020, AN 3/11/2019, GW 21/7/2020, AN 6/9/2020, IAR 21/9/2020, FRP 29/7/2020, TN 18/2/2020, PAJ 24/10/2019, NG 17/10/2019, KP 6/8/2019, KP 2/7/2019).

In a Taliban assault on an NDS base near the provincial capital Maidan Shahr in January 2019 more than 100 security forces have been killed (NYT 21/1/2019; cf. Guardian 21/1/2019, ORF 21/1/2019).

Sources:

• AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (16/12/2019): One Land, Two Rules (9): Delivering public services in insurgency-affected Jalrez district of Wardak province, https://www.afghanistan-analys ts.org/en/reports/economy-development-environment/one-land-two-rules-9-delivering-public-servi ces-in-insurgency-affected-jalrez-district-of-wardak-province/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (o.D.): ACLED Data http://www.acleddata.com/ data/ , accessed 8/10/2020 • AN - Ariana News (3/11/2019): Afghan Forces Destroy 80 Residential Houses in Wardak: Villagers, https://ariananews.af/afghan-forces-destroy-80-residential-houses-in-wardak-villagers/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • AN - Ariana News (6/9/2020): Commander ‘Sword’s’ men allegedly behind ANDSF checkpoints attack, https://ariananews.af/commander-swords-men-allegedly-behind-andsf-checkpoints-attack/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • AP - Associated Press (7/10/2018): Afghan officials say highway reopened after Taliban assault, https://www.apnews.com/abefcf4fe2c64e97bd22010bb6119c1d , accessed 6/10/2020 • ARN - Arab News (23/6/2019): In the line of fire: Wardak residents struggle to stay afloat in Afgha- nistan, https://www.arabnews.com/node/1514761/world , accessed 6/10/2020 • ARTE - Association Relative à la Télévision Européenne [Association for European Television] (3/4/2020): Afghanistan: Eine Bürgermeisterin gegen die Taliban [Afghanistan: A Female Mayor Against the Taliban], https://www.arte.tv/de/videos/094785-000-A/afghanistan-eine-buergermeist erin-gegen-die-taliban/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • AT - Afghanistan Times (8/12/2019): Three civilians killed in Wardak drone attack, http://www.afgh anistantimes.af/three-civilians-killed-in-wardak-drone-attack/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • ATV - Telekanal Asia TV (23/9/2020): Кровавое воскресенье в Афганистане: Убиты около 57 военных [Bloody Sunday in Afghanistan: Around 57 Fighters Killed], http://asiatv.kg/2020/09/23/% D0%BA%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D0%BE %D1%81%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C%D0%B5-%D0%B 2-%D0%B0%D1%84%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0% BD%D0%B5-%D1%83/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (1/10/2019): Taliban Set Up Checkpoints on Kabul-Ghazni Highway: Officials, https://www.avapress.com/en/news/192420/taliban-set-up-checkpoints-on-kabul-ghazni -highway-officials , accessed 5/10/2020 • BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Fremdenwesen [Germany - Federal Office for Migration and Refugees] (15/7/2019): Briefing Notes 15. Juli 2019, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2013151/D eutschland___Bundesamt_f%C3%BCr_Migration_und_Fl%C3%BCchtlinge%2C_Briefing_Notes %2C_15.07.2019_%28deutsch%29.pdf , accessed 6/10/2020 • DA - Didpress Agency (11/6/2019): Jalrez; Running Sore of Afghan Central Region’s Highway, https://www.didpress.com/en/2019/06/11/jalrez-running-sore-of-afghan-central-regions-highway/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • FP - Foreign Policy (6/2/2020): Is Afghan Intelligence Building a Regime of Terror With the CIA’s Help?, https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/06/nds-afghanistan-intelligence-dissident-murder-cia-hel p/ , accessed 6/10/2020

186 • FRP - Frontier Post, The (29/7/2019): Taliban suffer heavy casualties in Khost, Wardak, https: //thefrontierpost.com/taliban-suffer-heavy-casualties-in-khost-wardak/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • GIM - Globalincidentmap (o.D.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 • Guardian, The (21/1/2019): Taliban kill ‘more than 100 people’ in attack on Afghan military base, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/21/taliban-kill-more-than-100-in-attack-on-afghan-m ilitary-base , accessed 6/10/2020 • GW - Garda World (21/7/2020): Afghanistan: VBIED attack kills eight soldiers in July 20, https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/361521/afghanistan-vbied-attack-kil ls-eight-soldiers-in-maidan-wardak-province-july-20 , accessed 6/10/2020 • Hindu, the (22/3/2020): Seizure of Afghan meth on high seas triggers concern, https://www.thehindu .com/news/national/seizure-of-afghan-meth-on-high-seas-triggers-concern/article31136531.ece , accessed 6/10/2020 • HRW - Human Rights Watch (30/10/2019): Afghanistan: Von CIA unterstützte Einheiten verüben Gräueltaten [Afghanistan: CIA-Backed Forces Commit Atrocities], https://www.hrw.org/de/new s/2019/10/30/afghanistan-von-cia-unterstuetzte-einheiten-verueben-graeueltaten , accessed 6/10/2020 • IAR - Informatsionnoye Agentstvo „Regnum“ [News Agency „Regnum“] (21/9/2020): В Афганистане по пути следования военной колонны взорвался грузовик [A Truck Exploded in the Way of a Military Convoy in Afghanistan], https://regnum.ru/news/accidents/3068901.html , accessed 6/10/2020 • IEC Wardak - Independent Election Commission (2019): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election - Results by Polling Stations: Province Wardak, 2018, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/prelimi naryresult_by_pc/18 , accessed 6/10/2020 KNow - Kabul Now (25/8/2019): Dozens of families flee homes as Taliban launch attacks in Maidan Wardak, https://kabulnow.af/2019/08/dozens-of-families-flee-homes-as-taliban-launch-attacks-in -maidan-wardak/ , accessed 30/9/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (9/8/2019): Airstrikes, Special Forces raids inflict casualties on Taliban militants in 3 provinces, https://www.khaama.com/airstrikes-special-forces-raids-inflict-casualties-on-talib an-militants-in-3-provinces-03603/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press (6/8/2019): Special Forces kill, detain 13 Taliban militants during the operations in Wardak, https://www.khaama.com/special-forces-kill-detain-13-taliban-militants-during-the-oper ations-in-wardak-03566/ , accessed 29/8/2019 • KP - Khaama Press News Agency (19/7/2019): 4 Taliban militants killed, 5 detained in Wardak and Logar operations, https://www.khaama.com/4-taliban-militants-killed-5-detained-in-wardak-and-l ogar-operations-03667/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press News Agency (4/7/2019): U.S. airstrikes kill Haqqani Network commander, 14 Taliban militants in Wardak, https://www.khaama.com/u-s-airstrikes-kill-haqqani-network-comma nder-14-taliban-militants-in-wardak-03819/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • KP - Khaama Press News Agency (2/7/2019): Airstrikes kill 4 Taliban militants in 2 districts of Wardak province, https://www.khaama.com/airstrikes-kill-4-taliban-militants-in-2-districts-of-warda k-province-03797/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • NG - Nezawisimaya Gazeta [Independent Newspaper] (17/10/2019): «Талибан» несет большие потери от ударов афганской авиации [„Taliban“ Suffer Higher Losses from Strikes by Afghan Airforce], https://www.ng.ru/world/2019-10-17/100_191017talib.html , accessed 6/10/2020 • NPS - Naval Postgraduate School (n.d.w): Mayden Wardak Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/maydan-wardak , accessed 6/10/2020 • NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/-----.pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 • NYT - New York Times (21/1/2019): After Deadly Assault on Afghan Base, Taliban Sit for Talks With U.S. Diplomats, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-attack-intelli gence-wardak.html , accessed 6/10/2020 • OPr Wardak - Office of the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (1/2/2017): Provincial Profile Maidan Wardak, https://president.gov.af/en/maidan-wardak-2/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • ORF - Österreichischer Rundfunk [Austrian Broadcasting] (21/1/2019): Über 100 Tote bei Taliban- Angriff in Afghanistan [Over 100 Killed in Taliban Attack in Afghanistan], https://orf.at/stories/31085 34/ , accessed 6/10/2020

187 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (27/10/2018): 7 people killed, 37 wounded in Maidan Wardak car bombing, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2018/10/27/7-people-killed-37-wounded-maidan-wardak-c ar-bombing , accessed 6/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (24/10/2019): Clearing operation ongoing in Maidan Wardak, https: //www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/10/24/clearing-operation-ongoing-maidan-wardak , accessed 6/10/2020 • PAJ - Pajhwok Afghan News (18/2/2020): Maidan Wardak rally demands airstrikes on civilians must stop, https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2020/02/18/maidan-wardak-rally-demands-airstrikes-civil ians-must-stop , accessed 6/10/2020 • PBS - Public Broadcasting Service, PBS News Hour (31/12/2019): What life is like for Afghans under Taliban control [Transcript], https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-life-is-like-for-afghan s-under-taliban-control , accessed 6/10/2020 • RY - Reporterly (2/6/2019): Taliban Kills Three Passengers in Jalrez District of Maidan Wardak, http://reporterly.net/live/newsfeed/sunday-june-2/taliban-kills-three-passengers-in-jalrez-district-of- maidan-wardak/ , accessed 6/10/2020 • SIGAR - Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (30/10/2019): October 30, 2019 Quarterly Report to Congress, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2019-10-30qr.pdf , accessed 6/10/2020 • TN - Tolonews (18/2/2020): 11 Insurgents Killed In Wardak And Zabul Operations, https://tolonews .com/afghanistan/11-insurgents-killed%C2%A0-wardak-and-zabul%C2%A0operations , accessed 6/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default /files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 6/10/2020 • UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (11/2018): Afghanistan: Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Special Report: 2018 Elections Violence, https://unama.unmissions.o rg/sites/default/files/special_report_on_2018_elections_violence_november_2018.pdf , accessed 6/10/2020 • UNOCHA Wardak - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4/2014): Wardak Province Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.i nfo/files/Wardak.pdf , accessed 6/10/2020 • UNSG - United Nations Secretary-General (7/12/2018): The situation in Afghanistan and its impli- cations for international peace and security, Report of the Secretary General, https://undocs.org/S /2018/1092 , accessed 6/10/2020 • USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan June 2020, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING _SECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 6/10/2019 • WP - Washington Post (10/8/2020): As Afghanistan struggles to start peace talks, violence fills the void, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/spike-in-violence-fills-void-in-afghanist an-during-peace-talks-delay/2020/08/09/97a251fc-d3fd-11ea-826b-cc394d824e35_story.html , accessed 6/10/2020

3.34 Zabul

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Zabul province is located in the south of Afghanistan and borders Pakistan as well as the provinces of Kandahar, Uruzgan, Ghazni, and Paktika. The provincial capital is Qalat (previously known as Qalat-i Ghilzai) (NPG Zabul n.d.). Zabul is subdivided into the following districts: the provincial capital Qalat, Arghandab, Atghar, Daichopan, (also known as Khak-e Afghan), Mizan, Naw Bahar, Shah Joi, Shinkay, Shemel Zayi (Shomulzay), Tarang Wa Jaldak (also known as Shahr Safa) (NSIA 1/6/2020; cf. IEC Zabul 2019 UNOCHA Zabul 4/2014; PAJ Zabul n.d.; OPr. Zabul n.d., AAN 5/11/2019).

188 The province is sparsely populated (Guardian 2/5/2020; cf. RFE/RL 16/12/2018). The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA) estimates the population of Zabul to be 384,349 persons in the period of 2020-21 (NSIA 1/6/2020). The majority of the population are Pashtun and Baloch (OPr Zabul n.d.; cf. NPS Zabul n.d.). The province is also known as ’Zabalistan’ and is considered to be ’the native region of the Pashtun tribe’ (PAJ n.d.).

A stretch of more than 170 km of the highway Kabul-Kandahar - also known as Highway One (TEL 9/9/2012) - is located in the province. It is in bad state of repair (AN 23/1/2020). The province’s section of the highway runs through the districts of Tarnak wa Jaldak, Qalat, and Shahjoy (UNOCHA Zabul 4/2014; cf. AAN 5/11/2019). Connecting the capital with Kandahar, the road is of great strategic importance and a major supply route for the south (RFE/RL 16/12/2018; cf. JF 6/4/2018, AN 23/1/2020), even though driving time for the 483 km between Kabul and Kandahar have increased due to bad road conditions from five to 16 hours (AN 23/1/2020). Conflict-related security incidents, such as attacks on police posts by illegal armed groups and detonations of IEDs, are said to take place occasionally on some sections of the highway in the province (AAN 5/11/2019, NYT 20/3/2020, SAM 5/6/2020) and the Taliban operate their own checkpoints along the road (AAN 5/11/2019).

The province of Zabul is mountainous and off the main highway traffic movement are difficult. The road conditions are good during the dry season, but during the rainy season the roads are impassable in the districts of Arghandab, Daychoopan, Nawbahar, Shinkay, Shamalzai, and Atghar. Accessibility of the province in winter is negatively affected by snowfall (DLCA 24/4/2019)

Background information on the conflict and the actors involved

Zabul province is located deep in the conservative Pashtun belt. It has historical significance for the Taliban, as it is where they began their fight to gain control of the country in the 1990s. Also, Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar belonged to the tribe, one of the two major tribes in the province. According to a report, Zabul residents feeling ’forgotten’ is one of the reasons for the strong presence of the Taliban in the area (RFE/RL 16/12/2018; cf. AAN 5/11/2019). The security situation in the province has deteriorated in 2019 compared to the year before (AAN 5/11/2019).

Zabul is among the relatively volatile provinces in the south of Afghanistan; insurgents are active in several districts, attacking government and security forces while government forces are carrying out ’counter-terrorism operations’ (MENA FN 4/5/2020, KPNA 9/4/2020, STN 20/3/2020, AVA 16/3/2020, ST 26/11/2019, AAN 5/11/2019, KPNA 6/7/2019). In October 2018, the RS mission registered (high) insurgent activity in four districts, while six districts were contested, and one was under government control (SIGAR 30.1.2019). AAN reported in november 2019 that only one single district (Shahr-e-Safa) was mainly under government control. Nine other districts are by majority under Taliban control. In seven of these, the government is only present with military forces. Two more districts - Daychopan, and Kakaran) are fully controlled by the Taliban (AAN 5/11/2019).

189 In the past, the Taliban are said to have fought ISKP members also in Zabul (RFE/RL 2/6/2019; cf. GCA 21/5/2019; ARN 27/6/2018). According to a representative of the federal government the Islamic State (ISKP, Daesh) is, present in the districts of Kakaran and Daychopan (AAN 5/11/2019; cf. GCA 21/5/2019) but not militarily active (AAN 5/11/2019; cf. CTC 12/2018). A report by the UN Security Council of June 2019 mentions no ISKP presence in Zabul (UNSC 13/6/2019), as well as a representative of the provincial government is negating a presence of ISKP (AAN 5/11/2019). A report on ISKP activities in Afghanistan of December 2018 did not record any ISKP attacks in the province in 2018 (CTC 12/2018).

According to the UN Security Council, fighters of Al Qaeda and the Islamic Movement Uzbekistan are present in the province(UNSC 27/5/2020).

In 2019 the Taliban allowed the reopening of schools for the first time in the northern districts of the province, among them Daychopan, Khaki Afghan, and Arghandab. This seemed to be a result of local mediation during which local leaders had been convinced that the school openings are also in their own interest (USIP 19/11/2019). The Tailban are granting access to medical staff into districts under their control to contain COVID-19 (NH 3/6/2020; cf. Guardian 2/5/2020).

Zabul province is within the responsibility of the 205th ANA Corps (USDOD 1/7/2020; KPNA 6/7/2019), which reports to the Train Advise Assist Command – South (TAAC-S) NATO mission led by U.S. forces (USDOD 1/7/2020).

Latest developments and impacts on the civilian population

The following table shows the number of security-relevant incidents in the province according to ACLED and GlobalIncidentMap (GIM) in the period of 1/1/2019-30/9/2020 (see disclaimer for source description, highlighted: District of the provincial capital):

Abbildung 36: ACLED n.d.; GIM n.d.

190 In 2019 UNAMA documented 496 civilian casualties (142 killed and 354 injured) in Zabul province. This represents an increase of 69% over 2018. The main cause of casualties was fighting on the ground, followed by suicide attacks and air strikes (UNAMA 2/2020).

Zabul province regularly sees security operations being conducted by Afghan and foreign security forces (AVA 16/3/2020; cf. ST 26/11/2019, KP 6/7/2019) and air strikes (AN 10/11/2019; cf. Express 29/5/2020, MoD 4/9/2020, KV 26/9/2020), with insurgents being killed (ST 26/11/2019; cf. KP 6/7/2019, MoD 4/9/2020, AVA16/3/2020). Also, there are recurrent armed clashes between insurgents and Afghan security forces (MENA FN 4/5/2020; cf. KP 9/4/2020, STN 20/3/2020, AVA 16/3/2020). According to the Afghan Ministry of Defence an important Taliban commander was killed in the district of Shinkay during an airstrike in November 2019 (AN 10/11/2019).

Sources:

• [noitemsep] AAN - Afghanistan Analysts Network (5/11/2019): Government Rule Confined to District and Provincial Centres: Zabul’s capital under threat, https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/re ports/war-and-peace/government-rule-confined-to-district-and-provincial-centres-zabuls-cap ital-under-threat/ , accessed 30/9/2020 – ACLED - Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (o.D.): ACLED Data http://www.acledda- ta.com/data/, accessed 8/10/2020 – AN - Ariana News (23/1/2020): Kabul – Kandahar highway in need for grave reconstruction, https://ariananews.af/kabul-kandahar-highway-in-need-for-grave-reconstruction/ , accessed 28/9/2020 – AN - Ariana News (10/11/2019): MoD: Airstrike Kills Zabul’s „Most Dangerous“ Taliban Com- mander, https://ariananews.af/mod-airstrike-kills-zabuls-most-dangerous-taliban-commande r/ , accessed 29/9/2020 – ARN - Arab News (27/6/2018): In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s anti-Daesh squad gains a reputa- tion for ruthlessness, http://www.arabnews.com/node/1329441/world , accessed 30/9/2020 – AVA - Afghan Voice Agency (16/3/2020): Afghan Security Forces Kill 14 Taliban Insurgents in Helmand, Zabul provinces, https://www.avapress.com/en/news/205575/afghan-security-forc es-kill-14-taliban-insurgents-in-helmand-zabul-provinces , accessed 30/9/2020 – CTC - Combating Terrorism Center Sentinel (12/2018): Allied & Letal: Islamic State Khorasan’s Network and Organizational Capacity in Afghanistan and Pakistan, https://ctc.usma.edu/wp- content/uploads/2018/12/Allied-Lethal.pdf , accessed 30/9/2020 – DLCA - Digital Logistics Cluster Analysis / Styles, Lucy (24/4/2019): Logistics Capacity As- sessment Afghanistan, Version 28, https://logcluster.org/dlca/Afghanistan-v28-20190424_0 739.pdf , accessed 30/9/2020 – Express, l’ [the Express] (29/5/2020): Afghanistan : une première attaque des talibans depuis le cessez-le-feu, 14 morts [Afghanistan: first Taliban attack since ceasefire, 14 dead], https: //www.lexpress.fr/actualite/monde/asie/afghanistan-une-premiere-attaque-des-talibans-dep uis-le-cessez-le-feu-14-morts_2127078.html , accessed 29/5./2020 – GCA - Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada (21/5/2019): The Islamic State- Khorasan: Capacities and Future Prospects, https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence -service/corporate/publications/afghanistan-the-precarious-struggle-for-stability/the-islamic-st ate-khorasan-capacities-and-future-prospects.html , accessed 30/9/2020 – GIM – Globalincidentmap (o.D.): Globalincidentmap displaying Terrorist Acts, Suspicious Activity, and General Terrorism News, www.globalincidentmap.com , accessed 5/10/2020 – Guardian, the (2/5/2020): Civil war, poverty and now the virus: Afghanistan stands on the brink, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/02/afghanistan-in-new-battle-against-ra vages-of-covid-19 , accessed 28/9/2020 – IEC - Independent Election Commission (2019z): Afghanistan 2019 Presidential Election – Results by Polling Stations: Province Zabul, 2018, http://www.iec.org.af/results/en/home/pre liminaryresult_by_pc/26 , accessed 28/9/2020

191 JF - Jamestown Foundation (6/4/2018): Islamic State a Deadly Force in Kabul, https://jamest own.org/program/islamic-state-a-deadly-force-in-kabul/ , accessed 28/9/2020 – KP - Khaama Press (6/7/2019): 10 militants killed; BM-1 rocket launcher destroyed in Zabul airstrikes: 205th Atal Corps, https://www.khaama.com/10-militants-killed-bm-1-rocket-launc her-destroyed-in-zabul-airstrikes-205th-atal-corps-03840/ , accessed 30/9/2020 – KP - Khaama Press (9/4/2020): Taliban commander among 6 killed as Afghan forces thwart Taliban attack in Zabul, https://www.khaama.com/taliban-commander-among-6-killed-as-afg han-forces-thwart-taliban-attack-in-zabul-04635/ , accessed 30/9/2020 – KV - Krasnaya Vesna [Red Spring] (26/9/2020): ВВС Афганистана нанесли удар по позициям боевиков в Забуле [Afghanistan Airforce reports strike on fighter’s positions in Zabul], https://rossaprimavera.ru/news/962fa220 , accessed 29/9/2020 – MENA FN - Middle East North Africa Financial Network, Inc. (4/5/2020): Afghanistan- Afghan forces repel ’Zabul attack’, kill 16 rebels, https://menafn.com/1099973373/Afghanistan-Afgh an-forces-repel-Zabul-attack-kill-16-rebels , accessed 29/9/2020 – MoD - Ministry of Defense [Afghanistan] (4/9/2020): 78 Insurgents Were Killed!, https://mod. gov.af/index.php/en/node/1148 , accessed 30/9/2020 – NH - The New Humanitarian (3/6/2020): In Afghanistan, the coronavirus fight goes through Taliban territory, https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2020/06/03/Afghanistan-Taliban -coronavirus-aid , accessed 29/9/2020 – NPS Zabul - Naval Postgraduate School (n.D.): Zabul Provincial Overview, https://my.nps.e du/web/ccs/zabul , accessed 28/9/2020 – NSIA - National Statistics and Information Authority (1/6/2020): Estimated Population of Afgha- رآورد-س-ر- /nistan 2020-21, https://www.nsia.gov.af:8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/06 pdf , accessed 28/9/2020.۱۳۹۹- -اول – NYT - New York Times (20/3/2020): Taliban Kill 24 Afghan Troops, With Inside Help, https: //www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/world/asia/taliban-insider-attack-afghanistan.html , accessed 29/9/2020 – OPr Zabul - Office of the President – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (n.D.): Provincial Profile: Zabul, https://president.gov.af/en/zabul/ , accessed 28/9/2020 – PAJ Zabul - Pajhwok Afghan News (n.D.): Background profile of Zabul, http://elections.pajh wok.com/en/content/background-profile-zabul , accessed 28/9/2020 – RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (2/6/2019): IS Militants Pose Major Threat In Afghanistan, https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/is-militants-pose-major-threat-in-afghanistan/30033 307.html , accessed 30/8/2019 – RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (16/12/2018): The Forgotten Afghan Province That Is A Key Taliban Stronghold, https://www.rferl.org/a/the-forgotten-afghan-province-that -became-taliban-country/29659327.html , accessed 28/9/2020 – SAM - South Asia Monitor (5/6/2020):Taliban attack in Zabul leaves 10 soldiers dead, https: //southasiamonitor.org/afghanistan/taliban-attack-zabul-leaves-10-soldiers-dead , accessed 29/9/2020 – SIGAR - Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (30/7/2020): July 30, 2020 Quarterly Report to the United States Congress, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2 020-07-30qr.pdf , accessed 30/9/2020 – SIGAR - Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (30/1/2019): Quarterly Report to the United States Congress, https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2019-01-3 0qr.pdf , accessed 30/9/2020 – ST- Salaam Times (26/11/2019): Taliban lose over 100 fighters in joint security operations in Zabul, https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2019/11/26/featur e-01 , accessed 30/9/2020 – STN - Südtirol News [South Tyrol News] (20/3/2020): Mehrere afghanische Sicherheitskräfte bei Angriff getötet [Several afghan security forces killed in attack], https://www.suedtirolnews. it/politik/mehrere-afghanische-sicherheitskraefte-bei-angriff-getoetet , accessed 29/9/2020 – UNAMA - United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2/2020): Afghanistan Annual Report On Protection Of Civilians In Armed Conflict: 2019, https://unama.unmissions.org/sit es/default/files/afghanistan_protection_of_civilians_annual_report_2019_-_22_february.pdf , accessed 30/09/2020

192 – UNOCHA Zabul - United Nations Office on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (4.2014): Zabul Province Distrikt Atlas, https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitari anresponse.info/files/Zabul.pdf , accessed 28/9/2020 – UNSC - United Nations Security Council (13/6/2019): Tenth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2255 (2015) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2010658/S_2019_481_E.pdf , accessed 30/9/2020 – UNSC - United Nations Security Council (27/5/2020): Letter dated 19 May 2020 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) addressed to the President of the Security Council, https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65 BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2020_415_e.pdf , accessed 30.9.2020 – USDOD - United States Department of Defense (1/7/2020): Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan, https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/2002348001/-1/-1/1/ENHANCING_S ECURITY_AND_STABILITY_IN_AFGHANISTAN.PDF , accessed 30/9/2020 – USIP - United States Institute of Peace / Ashley Jackson, Rahmatullah Amiri (19/11/2019): Insurgent Bureaucracy: How the Taliban Makes Policy, https://www.usip.org/sites/default/fil es/2019-11/pw_153-insurgent_bureaucracy_how_the_taliban_makes_policy.pdf , accessed 29/9/2020

3.35 Connectivity

Letzte Änderung: 16.12.2020

Infrastructure remains a critical constraint for Afghanistan, even though significant infrastructure investments and improvements have been achieved since 2002 (TD 5/12/2017). Since the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan’s basic transport infrastructure in urban and rural areas has seen a makeover - most notably, the Afghan National Ring Road, which connects the center with the periphery and the periphery with Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries (TD 26/1/2018). Infrastructure investments into an integrated transport network are systematically planned and implemented. This involves, for instance, rail linkages and road investments (e.g. completion and maintenance of the Kabul Rind Road, the Salang Tunnel, the Lapis Lazuli corridor etc.) (STDOK 4/2018; cf. TD 5/12/2017), but also foreign investments to upgrade and expand the road network and transport routes (USAID n.d.a; cf STDOK 4/2018, TD 8/1/2019, TN 25/5/2019, CWO 26/8/2019, WB 17/1/2020, ESRI 13/4/2020, AN 11/11/2020). Since 2017, the World Bank and the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund have been working with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development and the Ministry of Public Works to build more than 2,200 kilometers of new roads and upgrade and maintain more than 6,000 kilometers of existing roads (WB 17/1/2020; cf. ESRI 13/4/2020).

Annually, hundreds of people die in traffic accidents on highways across the country - mostly as a result of unpaved roads, speeding and careless driving (GIZ 7/2019; cf. AT 23/11/2019, PAJ 12/12/2019, ABC News 1/10/2020). The presence of insurgents, clashes between them and Afghan security forces, as well as the risk of mugging and kidnappings along some road sections impact Afghan road safety with incidents also targeting Highway 1 (Afghanistan’s national Ring Road highway) (USDOS 24/6/2020; cf. EASO 9/2020). Some examples are the sections Kabul- Kandahar (TN 17/1/2020; cf. ST 24/4/2019), Herat-Kandahar (TN 17/1/2020; cf. PAJ News

193 5/1/2019), Kunduz-Takhar (KP 20/8/2018; cf. CBS News 20/8/2019) and Ghazni-Paktika (AAN 30/12/2019).

Ring Road

Abbildung 37: TD 5/12/2017

The Ring Road, also known as Highway One, encircles the heart of the country (HP 9/10/2015; cf. FES 2015)and is part of the 3,360 kilometres of main highway project, connecting 16 provinces and major cities such as Kabul, Mazar, Herat, Ghazni und Jalalabad’ (TN 9/12/2017; cf. USAID n.d.a).

Even though President Ghani announced in 2015 that the Ring Road would be completed within nine months, some sections remain unpaved, including a 150 km section between Badghis and Faryab (Sigar 15/7/2018). In the future, the missing 151 km are to connect the Qaisar district (Faryab province) with Dar-e Bum (Badghis province); this section is the last of the 2,200 km long road. As of November 2020 the work on this part of the Ring Road is still going on, although reluctantly because of obstacles like insecurity, lack of cooperation from local people, lack of performance by the responsible authorites and subcontractors which makes it difficult to estimate when the project will be finished (RA KBL 20/11/2020).

In mid-September 2017, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) granted the Afghan government a long-term loan of USD 74 million for the construction of the Kabul Ring Road, which is to extend over 95 km; the road is to be constructed within five years (TKT 25/9/2017). In August 2019, the

194 Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) announced it would be investing USD 48 million in a project concerning the Ring Road in Kabul (CWO 26/8/2019; cf. AVA 26/7/2020).

Kandahar - Kabul - Herat section

Afghanistan’s Ring Road connects major Afghan cities such as Herat, Kandahar, Mazar-e Sharif and Kabul (TD 12/4/2018). It runs south of Kabul and is the main link between the capital and the major southern city of Kandahar (REU 13/10/2015). ’The Kandahar to Kabul section of the Afghan Ring Road stretches east and northeastward from Kandahar into Zabul and then Ghazni provinces. The Ring Road, after departing Kandahar, runs westward to Gereshk on the Helmand and continues on to Delaram in Nimroz (ISW n.d.).

The section between Kabul and Herat is 1,400 km long (IWPR 26/3/2018). The 218 km Zaranj- Dilram highway (Nimroz province), also referred to as Route 606, is to link Afghanistan with Chabahar in Iran in the future (AD 15/8/2017; cf. TET 9/8/2017, TD 24/5/2017).

Residents complain about the bad condition of the Kandahar-Kabul-Herat section (TN 14/3/2018), due to lack of maintenance and continued attacks by insurgents (IWPR 26/3/2018). Most parts of the Kabul-Kandahar highway are damaged due to war and violence (TN 28/9/2020; cf. HOA 7/9/2020)

Baghlan-Balkh section

The Baghlan-Balkh highway, which forms part of the Ring Road connecting the north with the west of the country, is a vital transit route between the capital of Baghlan province, Pul-e Khumri and the north-western provinces of Samangan, Balkh, Jawjzan, Sar-e Pul and Faryab (AAN 15/8/2016).

Salang tunnel/Salang corridor

The Salang corridor is a marvel of engineering from the and was first inaugurated in 1964 (TD 21/10/2015). It is the only direct route between the of Kabul and the north of the country (WP 22/1/2018; TD 21/10/2015). The tunnel is a strategic asset through which over 80 percent of Afghanistan’s north-south commerce passes (USAID n.d.b) and is 2/7 km (1/7 miles) long. It was built for a daily use of 1,000 to 2,000 vehicles, but now, as many as 10,000 traverse it each day, which has increased the need for maintenance (WP 22/1/2018). The construction of the Salang Tunnel Substation was completed on 15/10/2019 and offsets the use of one million liters of diesel fuel each year previously required to operate the tunnel’s generators (USAID n.d.; cf. PAJ 19/12/2019).

By 2022, the World-Bank financed Trans-Hindukush Road Connectivity Project will refurbish also the Salang corridor, thanks to an USD 55 million grant (WB n.d.; cf. TN 15/9/2020, TN 1/9/2018, RW 6/7/2017). In June 2018, the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) said that the technical and geological surveys and the design of the new Salang Tunnel will be finalised towards the end of next year (TN 18/6/2018). In September, the Ministry of Public Works announced that work on the first 10 km of the Salang pass had started (TN 1/9/2018).

195 Other highways

Gardez - Khost highway (NH08)

The Gardez-Khost highway, also called G-K highway, is 101/2 km long (USAID 7/11/2016; cf. PAJ 15/12/ 2015) and connects Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, with Khost City, the capital of Khost province’ (PAJ 15/2/2015). It also connects eastern Afghanistan with the Ghulam-Khan highway in Pakistan. After reconstruction, the Gardez-Khost highway was opened in mid-December 2015. Moreover, a total of 410 small bridges and 25 km of protection walls have been constructed along this highway (PAJ 15/12/2015; cf. USAID 7/11/2016).

Grand Trunk Road - Jalalabad-Peshawar section / Pak-Afghan Highway

The , commonly known as the G.T. Road, is the oldest, longest and most famous highway in the ’ (GS n.d.; cf. Doaks n.d., Dawn 30/12/2018; EIPB 2006). ’The 2,500 km long route runs from ’s Chittagong, to Delhi in India, and continues to and Peshawar in Pakistan, Khyber Pass at the Afghan-Pakistan border, finally ending in Kabul’ (Samaa 9/8/2017; cf. Scroll 4/5/2018, EIPB 2006). The Khyber Pass runs for 53 km through the Safed-Koh hills and is one of the major links between Afghanistan and Pakistan; it connects Kabul to Peshawar (EB 30/3/2017; cf. BL n.d., NG n.d.).

The Torkham-Peshawar highway connects Jalalabad to Peshawar in Pakistan, via the Afghan border town of Torkham in Nangarhar province. It is one of the most heavily used roads in Afgha- nistan. The Afghan part of the road consists of two sections: the 76 km long Torkham-Jalalabad roadway and the Jalalabad-Kabul link, which extends over 155 km (ET 27/10/2016). The road, also known as Pak-Afghan Highway, is used as a trade route between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the South Asian countries (ET 7/3/2016; cf. PAJ 28/8/2015, PCQ n.d.).

Baghlan-Bamiyan highway

The Baghlan-Bamiyan road construction project is part of the Trans-Hindukush Road Connec- tivity Project funded by the World Bank. The Doshi-Bamiyan road connects Bamiyan province in central Afghanistan with Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan as an alternative to the Salang Pass, the only route connecting Kabul with the north of the country. According to the Ministry of Public Works, a Chinese company has been contracted to work on the project (TN 15/9/2020; cf. WB 3/11/2020). In June 2020, the bank has cancelled over $100 million of the $170-million project to support the Afghan government’s COVID-19 relief fund but said the can- cellation is temporary and will not affect the ongoing construction contracts (TN 15/9/2020; cf. WB 3/11/2020). Only 20% of the construction have been completed and work was stopped in June 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic and its implications (USDOS 24/6/2020; cf. AT 24/6/2020). In September 2020 the government was criticized for a delay in the construction work of the project. According to the Ministry of Public Works, lack of budget has delayed the implementation of the project (TN 15/9/2020).

Kabul-Bamyan and Bamyan-Mazar-e Sharif highway sections

196 The Kabul-Bamyan road was inaugurated on 29 August 2016. Financed by the Italian Deve- lopment Agency, the road project is to facilitate connectivity between Kabul and Bamyan and promote an economic upswing of the region. The newly constructed road has reduced travelling time from Kabul to Bamyan to two and a half hours (Farnesina 29/8/2016).

Constructed by a Chinese company, the second part of the ’Dare-e-Sof and Yakawlang Road’ project was launched. The first phase of the corridor, which connects Mazar-e Sharif with Ya- kawlang district in Bamyan by a road, has already been completed. ’The second part of the project, a 178km long road passing through more than 37 villages, will connect Dare-e-Sof district in Samangan province to Yakawlang district’; plans are being made for a third phase, ’a 550km road which connects Bamyan to Kandahar province’ (XI 9/1/2017). In September 2018, a contract for maintenance of 45km of road from Yakawlang to Sighnan in Bamiyan province was signed (PAJ 4/9/2018).

Transport

Afghanistan’s system of transport is considered to be ‘relatively good’. There are some regular bus services within Kabul and to Afghanistan’s major cities (IE n.d.). The central issue remains safety (IWPR 26/3/2018). There are some national bus companies that operate between Mazar-e Sharif, Kabul, Herat, Jalalabad and Bamyan; these include Bazarak Panjshir, Herat Bus, Khawak Panjshir, Ahmad Shah Baba Abdali (confidential source 14/5/2018; cf. IWPR 26/3/2018).

For reasons of convenience, travellers who are able to afford them will rather use shared taxis to Mazar-e Sharif, Kabul, Herat, Jalalabad and Bamyan (confidential source 14/5/2018). The following table indicates the prices for travel to these destinations:

Distance Price Kabul - Mazar AFN 5,000-6,000 (one passenger); AFN 1,200 (per Passenger in a shared taxi) Mazar - Herat No direct taxi route Kabul - Jalalabad AFN 1,500-1,800 (one passenger); AFN 300 (per Passenger in a shared taxi) Kabul - Bamyan AFN 2,000 (one passenger); AFN 700 (per Pas- senger in a shared taxi)

Tabelle 1: RA KBL 20/11/2020

Examples of bus services

Kabul City

The lack of buses, notably during rush hours in Kabul City, is a challenge for the Afghan go- vernment. Over the years, attempts have been made to solve the problem in that India provided hundreds of buses for the Kabul transport system (TD 8/1/2019). According to the Kabul mayor,

197 there are plans to set up a metro bus service or ’Bus Rapid Transit’ in Kabul City. The first phase of the project will cover 8 kilometres route between Deh Afghana and Sara-e-Shamali, whereas the second phase of the project will start from Baraki square and will cover and Deh Mazang to connect with the Deh Afghana area. In total, 111 km of the city will be covered with metro bus service (KP 12/9/2017; cf. TN 15/6/2017). In July 2018, a Kabul municipality spokesman said that the planning phase will be completed in the near future and acknowledged that the project had faced delays (TN 8/7/2018). As of November 2020, only few kilometers of road are paved and no regular work is done. Neither have buses been purchased nor are there services provided within this project as of yet (RA KBL 20/11/2020).

Mazar-e Sharif

There are a number of bus services between Mazar-e Sharif and Kabul. Up to 50 different companies offer rides from and to Kabul 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Companies operating those bus services are, amongst others, Bazarak Panjshir Bus, Hesarak Panjshir Bus, Jawid Bus, Khorshid Bus, and Jabal Seraj Bus. Prices per passenger range between 400 and 1000 Afghani and largely depend on the amenities offered on the bus. There is, for instance, a Mercedes Benz bus with toilets, refrigerators and Internet connectivity. Bus trips are considered to be relatively cheap (STDOK 4/2018).

Ahmad Shah Baba Abdali Bus Service

According to a spokesperson for the ministry of transport, ’Ahmad Shah Baba Abdali had been ranked among the country’s top transportation companies in 2017’. In recent years, the company was involved in several accidents along the Kandahar-Kabul-Herat route. According to a report by IWPR, several sources mentioned ’speeding, drug-taking of drivers, fear of attacks and poor road conditions as reasons for the high number of traffic accidents (IWPR 26/3/2018). According to a company official, Ahmad Shah Baba Abdali is the largest bus corporation in Afghanistan. Its buses transport passengers from Kandahar to Kabul, Helmand, Nimroz, Herat and other provinces (PAJ 18/3/2015).

Examples of bus prices

Distance Price Kabul - Mazar AFN 600 Mazar - Herat Approx. AFN 1,500 (no direct connection: Ma- zar-Kabul and Kabul-Herat) Kabul - Jalalabad AFN 200 (minibus only) Kabul - Bamyan No buses

Tabelle 2: RA KBL 20/11/2020

Flight connections

198 The map below provides information on active military, regional and international airports in various cities in Afghanistan.

[Comment by COI Department: Please note that flight connections might change at short notice and that the map shows only such airports which, according to sources, operated scheduled passenger services on 13/11/2020 or one scheduled flight within a period up to seven days after submission of the query. Please also note that especially during times of a pandemic flights might be chancelled, delayed or postphoned on short notice]

Abbildung 38: STDOK 26/11/2020; cf. WFP/UNHAS 27/9/2020, Kam Air n.d., F24 n.d.

The flight connections listed by way of example in the following are based on online airline flight schedules which were accessed via a tracking site (F 24) and relate to the period 13/11/2020 to 10/12/2020 Destinations and/or flights may have been added or cancelled at a later date.

International airports in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a total of four international airports (Kabul, Mazar-e Sharif, Herat and Kandar- har); all are used for military and civilian flight operations (Migrationsverket 23/1/2018). In spite of year-long conflicts, the Afghan aviation industry has seen an increase in the number of its competitive flight routes. This has resulted in easier access to flights for the Afghan population. Domestic carriers are seeing a rise in competition from international airlines. Routes such as Kabul - Herat and Kabul - Kandahar, which used to be exclusively operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines, are now also served by international carriers (AG 3/11/2017).

199 International Airport [Kabul International Airport]

Formerly known as Kabul International Airport, it was renamed Hamid Karzai International Airport in 2014. The airport is situated 16 km from the centre of Kabul and has been upgraded and expanded in recent years. A new international terminal was added, the old terminal is now used for domestic flights (HKA n.d.).

National (Kam Air, Ariana Air) and international Airlines (e.g. Air India, Air Arabia, Fly …) operate international flights to Kabul from , India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, , Kuwait, Iran, and China (F 24 13/11/2020, F 24 10/12/2020)

Domestic flights from and to Kabul (operated by Kam Air and/or Ariana Afghan Airlines) serve the airports of Kandahar, Bost (Helmand, near Lashkargah), Zaranj, Farah, Herat, Mazar-e Sharif, Maimana, Bamyan, Kunduz, Faizabad, Chighcheran and Tarinkot (F 24 13/11/2020, F 24 10/12/2020).

Mazar-e Sharif International Airport

The international Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi airport was inaugurated in 2013 in Mazar-e Sharif, the capital of Balkh province (PAJ 9/6/2013). As the Mazar-e Sharif airport currently is unable to cope with increased passenger and freight volumes, it needs to be upgraded to internatio- nal standards, including appropriate air traffic control and airspace surveillance facilities. The Afghan government is planning to launch this project as a joint venture with the German federal government and with financial support from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). In the long term, the airport is to significantly boost economic development in the region as an international traffic hub connecting Europe and Asia (STDOK 4/2018).

National Airlines (Kam Air, Ariana Air) operate international flights to Mazar-eh Sharif from Russia, India and Iran (F 24 13/11/2020, F 24 10/12/2020).

Domestic flights from and to Mazar-e Sharif (operated by Kam Air and/or Ariana Afghan Airlines) serve the airports of Kabul and Maimana (F 24 13/11/2020, F 24 10/12/2020).

Kandahar International Airport

Kandahar International Airport is 16 km from Kandahar City and one of the largest airports in Afghanistan (MB n.d.). One part of the airport is reserved for use by international armed forces. It hosts a separate military base for a part of the Afghan armed forces besides buildings for some companies (LCA 5/1/2018).

Ariana Air and international Airlines (e.g. Air India, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai…) operate international flights to Kandarhar from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and United Arab Emirates (F 24 13/11/2020, F 24 10/12/2020).

Domestic flights to and from Kandahar (by Kam Air and/or Ariana Afghan Airlines) are operated to Kabul airport (F 24 13/11/2020, F 24 10/12/2020).

Herat International Airport

200 The Herat Airport is located approximately 10 km south of Herat-City. Currently, the airport manages about 350,000 passengers per year, and the airport management and the maintenance of the airfield are performed by the NATO forces under Italian Command (TECH n.d.)

National Airlines (Kam Air, Ariana Air) operate international flights to Herat from Iran (F 24 13/11/2020, F 24 10/12/2020).

Domestic flights are operated to and from Herat (by Kam Air and/or Ariana Afghan Airlines) to Kabul, Maimana and Chighcheran airports (F 24 13/11/2020, F 24 10/12/2020).

Railroad connections

Afghanistan has three railroad lines in total: One line runs across the northern border with Uzbekistan (from Hairatan to Mazar-e Sharif), and two short lines connect Serhetabat in Turk- menistan with Torghundi (in Herat province) and (in Faryab province) in Afghanistan (RoA 25/2/2018; cf. RoA n.d., RFE/RL 29/11/2016; cf. confidential source 16/5/2018). While all three railroad connections are intended for freight transport, they could basically also transport passen- gers (confidential source 16/5/2018), however there is still no railway or railroad connection in Afghanistan for the transport of passengers. There are plans to change that but it is not expected to happen in the near future (RA KBL 20/11/2020). Afghanistan’s various leaders have often opposed railway construction, fearing that foreign powers could use railways to threaten their independence (RoA n.d.).

A number of meetings were held in recent years between representatives of Afghanistan and neighbouring states, to promote and enhance ongoing connectivity projects such as the Five- Nation Railway Corridor and the Afghanistan Rail Network (TD 26/1/2018). The Five-Nation Railway Corridor project is to connect China with Iran and cross Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan over a total distance of 2,100 km. Over one thousand kilometres of the rail corridor will stretch through the Afghan provinces of Herat, Badghis, Faryab, Jawzjan, Balkh and Kunduz (TN 14/2/2018). The Afghanistan Rail Network Plan (ANRP) aims to promote transport in the areas of agriculture, construction, mining and other sectors. Works to construct a rail connection between the Iranian city of Khaf and Herat in Afghanistan are under way (RoA 23/1/2018; cf. ID 11/4/2018). In November 2017, Afghanistan and five other countries signed the Lapis Lazuli Corridor Agreement which seeks to create a system of road, rail and maritime transport routes (SIGAR 4/2018). The Lapis Lazuli Corridor, which includes roads, railway and maritime routes that run from Afghanistan to Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia before crossing the Black Sea to Turkey and eventually Europe, was inaugurated in December 2018 (CGTN 14/12/2018).

Another project, China-India Plus, is a project to extend the rail link between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan with help from India and China. For Uzbekistan, the aim is to gain access to the via Afghanistan and Iran (CGTN 10/10/2018; cf. India Today 16/10/2018).

Sources:

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