2. Regional description of the security situation in Afghanistan
2.8 West
2.8.2 Badghis
order. […]Ismail Khan has repeatedly claimed that international support for Afghan security forces is ineffective and that only his mujahideen can ensure stability in Herat — a view widely shared among the public given the patchy performance of the police. Rather than protecting the public, however, the rearming of militias is primarily aimed at safeguarding the fixed assets of assorted ex-commanders, politicians, and businessmen.
In Herat, as in other cities, urban security has become a direct function of urban wealth.
Description of the violence
From 1 January to 31 August 2015, Badghis province counted 159 security incidents. (1665) Table 32 provides an overview of the nature of the security incidents: (1666)
Violence targeting individuals 24
Armed confrontations 110
Explosions 12
Security enforcement 9
Non-conflict related incidents 2
Other incidents 2
Total security incidents 159
Table 32: Security incidents by type, Badghis (Jan – Aug 2015)
The map in figure 35 presents the number of security incidents per district in Badghis province. (1667)
Figure35: Badghis, security incidents (Jan – Aug 2015) RFE/RL reported: (1668)
Badghis Province has been a hotbed of fighting by Taliban and IMU militants since 2014, and Afghan security forces have launched several offensives since then in an attempt to drive militants out of the province. Those operations usually are launched in response to the seizure of towns or villages by the militants.
In November 2014, fighting between ALP members and insurgents reportedly resulted in civilian casualties. (1669) In the same month, unidentified gunmen abducted six school teachers in Badghis. (1670)
UNAMA reported an attack launched by insurgents on 23 March 2015 in Bala Murghab against ANA troops. During the subsequent armed clash, ANA fired mortars causing nine civilian casualties (three killed, including one woman, and six injured, including three women and one boy). (1671)
(1665) The district of Ghormach is not included in the total numbers of different kinds of incidents for the province (total 159), because different sources consider it to be resorting under either the province of Faryab or under Badghis.
(1666) For more information on the source of the data and the methodology, see introduction.
(1667) For more information on the source and the methodology of the maps, see introduction.
(1668) RFE/RL, Afghanistan’s New Northern Flash Points, n.d.
(1669) UNHCR, Afghanistan - Conflict-Induced Internal Displacement Monthly Update, November 2014, p. 3.
(1670) Khaama Press, Gunmen abduct 6 school teachers in Badghis province, 19 November 2014.
(1671) UNAMA, Afghanistan Midyear Report 2015, Protection of civilians in armed conflict, August 2015, p. 32.
In April 2015, clashes broke out between two rival tribes, with divided allegiance to the insurgents and the government respectively, in the district of Ab Kamari. (1672) On 22 April 2015, Taliban fighters raided a security checkpost and killed nine ANBP in Badghis. (1673)
On 9 May 2015, the Taliban raided the district administrative centre of Jawand and held it for three days. (1674) On 20 May 2015, more than 200 Taliban fighters launched an assault on border checkpoints in Bala Murghab district.
After heavy fighting, ANSF forces managed to repel the insurgents. (1675)
In June 2015, insurgents attacked several villages and took control of the district of Ab Kamari. Less than a week later, ANSF launched a counter-offensive. In July and August 2015, ANSF also conducted military operations in Ab Kamari. (1676) It was also reported that armed men diverted health supplies and abducted a humanitarian truck driver.
Clinics in Badghis were closed due to the conflict. (1677)
The Taliban also reported on clashes with ANSF and Arbaki or local militia, to which it often refers to as ‘hirelings’. (1678) It also reported on assaults on ANSF or Arbaki outposts or security checkpoints. (1679)
In August 2015, the Taliban attacked ANP in Jawand district, killing seven policemen and 5 civilians. Five insurgents were also killed in the clash. (1680)
In the summer of 2015, the Taliban attacked the district administrative centres of Ab Kamari and Jawand. (1681) The Taliban reported on killing or capturing Arbaki commanders and fighters as well as ANSF personnel. (1682) It also reported on ANSF assaults, using mortars or helicopter airstrikes that hit civilian homes and cause civilian casualties in Ghormach. (1683)
Displacement
Between November 2014 and August 2015, UNHCR documented 2,553 families (approximately 13,900 individuals) displaced by conflict in Badghis. Additionally, displacements to Herat city also took place. They were displaced from Ab Kamari, Ghormach, Muqur, Qadis, Bala Murghab, Jawand and areas surrounding Qala-i Naw city. Most of them relocated to Ab Kamari and the centre of Qala-i Naw. Fighting between insurgents and ANSF, extortion, illegal taxation, targeted killings, kidnappings and insurgent threats to those affiliated with the government and intimidation by insurgents were reported as the main reasons for displacement. (1684)
(1672) UNHCR, Afghanistan - Conflict-Induced Internal Displacement Monthly Update, April 2015, p. 4.
(1673) RFE/RL, Seventeen Killed on Eve of Afghan Taliban’s Spring Offensive, 23 April 2015.
(1674) Khaama Press, Taliban occupy Jawand District in Badghis, 10 May 2015; Tolonews, Taliban Take Control of Badghis’s Jawand District: Officials, 10 May 2015;
Press TV, Afghan troops liberate district from militants, 12 May 2015; RFE/RL, Afghanistan’s New Northern Flash Points, n.d.; Tolonews, Taliban Takes Jawand District, 10 May 2015.
(1675) Tolonews, Badghis Border Siege Thwarted After Large-Scale Offensive, 20 May 2015.
(1676) Afghan Zariza, Security forces regain control of Ab Kamari district in Badghis; insurgents forced to retreat, 7 June 2015; UNHCR, Afghanistan conflict-induced internal displacement monthly update, July 2015, p. 5.
(1677) UNOCHA, Operational Coordination Team – Badghis Province, Meeting Minutes, 2 July 2015.
(1678) Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, 5 including commander killed, 3 wounded, 10 june 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Fighting extends into 5th day in Badghis, 6 May 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, 6 killed and wounded in Badghis clash, 5 August 2015.
(1679) Islamic State of Afghanistan, Outpost, 4 check posts and 8 villagers liberated in Sang Atish, 23 April 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Post dismantled in Bala Marghab, 14 gunmen killed, 23 April 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Post overrun in Badghis, 6 police killed, 29 April 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Key post overrun in Badghis, equipment seized, 30 March 2015.
(1680) Pajhwok Afghan News, Policemen among several dead in Badghis clash, 16 August 2015.
(1681) Anonymous source specialised in security in Afghanistan, emails and briefing, July - October 2015.
(1682) Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Residents of Aab Garmi declare support for Islamic Emirate, 2 July 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Key Arbaki commander killed, 2 detained, 30 May 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Gunman killed in Ghormach, 23 June 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hireling imam killed by Mujahideen, 11 July 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, 3 police, militiaman detained in Ghormach, 8 July 2015; Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, 18 killed and wounded as enemy repelled, 12 August 2015.
(1683) Islamic emirate of Afghanistan, Several civilians injured by enemy bombing, 18 August 2015.
(1684) UNHCR, Afghanistan conflict-induced internal displacement monthly update, August 2015, p. 4; UNHCR, Afghanistan conflict-induced internal displacement monthly update, July 2015, p. 5; UNHCR, Afghanistan - Conflict-Induced Internal Displacement Monthly Update, April 2015, p. 4; UNHCR, Afghanistan - Conflict-Induced Internal Displacement Monthly Update, March 2015, p. 4; UNHCR, Afghanistan - Conflict-Induced Internal Displacement Monthly Update, 31 December 2014, pp. 2-3; UNHCR, Afghanistan - Conflict-Induced Internal Displacement Monthly Update, November 2014, p. 3.
Actors in the conflict
More than 20 insurgent groups are reported to be active in Badghis, including foreign fighters (Uzbeks, Pakistani).
They appeared to be able to gather forces of about 1,000 fighters and also infiltrate neighbouring provinces. It was reported that the district of Bala Murghab became a safe haven for Taliban fighters. (1685)
RFE/RL reported that Taliban and IMU fighters from North Waziristan in Pakistan enter Badghis via the easternmost part of Herat province. (1686)
The Taliban’s local commanders are Nam Haq and Mullah Bismillah. In the province, arbaki, or local militias, also play a significant role. For example, Haji Akhtar was an arbaki commander in Qadis before he was killed at a checkpoint under his command. (1687) The arrest of another local Taliban commander, Mawlawi Salam, was reported by the Afghan interior ministry. (1688) During the summer of 2015, it was reported that insurgents from the neighbouring province of Faryab moved into Badghis. (1689) Mullah Abdulhakim, aka Abdulqayum, was named Taliban shadow governor for Badghis province. (1690)
According to the Taliban, Zaki is a key ANA commander in Badghis who was wounded in clashes with the Taliban. (1691)