Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, the United Nations has recorded a substantial number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, even with a noticeable drop compared to the preceding years of conflict. A recent report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reveals that from mid-August 2021 to the end of May 2023, there were 3,774 civilian casualties, with 1,095 fatalities. This contrasts with the 8,820 casualties, including 3,035 deaths, reported in 2020 alone.

The UNAMA report indicates that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were responsible for three-quarters of the attacks in populated areas, targeting places like worship centers, schools, and markets. Tragically, among the victims were 92 women and 287 children. A subsequent UN statement highlighted a concerning rise in IED attacks on religious sites, primarily those of the Shiite Muslim minority, compared to the three years before the Taliban takeover. The statement further noted at least 95 fatalities in attacks on schools, educational institutions, and other locations frequented by the Shiite Hazara community.

The Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), a Sunni militant group and a key rival of the Taliban, is believed to be behind the majority of these IED attacks. Fiona Frazer, head of UNAMA’s Human Rights Service, condemned these attacks and urged the Taliban, as the de facto authority, to fulfill their duty to protect the lives of Afghan citizens. However, the UN report also acknowledges a significant number of unclaimed attacks or those that UNAMA couldn't attribute to any specific group.

The report also raises concerns about the increasing lethality of suicide attacks since the Taliban's return, with fewer attacks resulting in more civilian deaths. This occurs amidst a nationwide financial and economic crisis, exacerbated by the decline in donor funding after the Taliban takeover. This has made it increasingly difficult for victims to access necessary medical, financial, and psychological support. Frazer emphasizes that while accessing such support was already challenging before, it has become even more so under the current regime due to reduced donor funding.

The UN report calls for an immediate end to these attacks and holds the Taliban government accountable for the safety of the Afghan people. The Taliban, in response, defends its administration, claiming to have inherited a country on the brink of collapse and having stabilized it through effective governance. They assert that security has improved significantly since August 2021 and that they prioritize the protection of religious sites, including those of the Shiite community.

Despite initial promises of moderation, the Taliban has implemented stringent restrictions, including banning girls' education beyond the sixth grade and barring Afghan women from public life and most employment, mirroring their previous rule in the late 1990s. These actions have drawn international condemnation and further isolated the Taliban, whose government remains unrecognized by the UN and the global community.