News - Afghanistan

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) is concerned at the growing strength of the “illegal armed groups” in western Ghor province who are using force and violence against local residents.

AIHRC head in Ghor Jawad Rezayi said the groups are setting up their own systems of rule, even forcing residents to help fund their activities.

“The local commanders have made parallel administrations in the province,” he said Saturday. “It’s hard for Ghor security forces to prevent them.”

Along with forcing residents to give them money, Rezayi said the groups are involved in narcotics trafficking, land grabbing and claimed they had killed six women and other innocent people.

The AIHRC said violence against women was on the rise with 12 women killed in Ghor during the first six months of this year – six at the hands of the illegal armed groups.

Head of Ghor Provincial Council Ramazan Akhonzadqa blamed the Afghan central government for its failure to punish crime.

“The government’s neglect has caused all the problems here because criminals and offenders have not been punished in the province,” he told TOLOnews.

But Interior Ministry deputy minister of counter-narcotics Baz Mohammad Ahmadi said that there will be a joint military operation against the Taliban and other illegally armed groups in the province.

“If we do not prevent the actions of these illegal groups, insecurity and other problems will increase in Ghor province,” he said.

Ghor Governor Sayed Anwar Rahmati and the residents of Ghor welcomed the operation.

“Afghan National Army and police forces will launch an operation to clear it of insurgents and all who destroy the security here,” Rahmati said.

Ghor residents said they urged the government to disarm all the illegal groups for fear of further deteriorating security.