![Hazara student Fatima Amiri is pictured at home in Dasht-e-Barchi in Kabul on November 7, 2022. She lost an eye on September 30 that year when a suicide bomber targeted her education center. [Wakil Kohsar/AFP]](/cnmi_st/images/2024/10/31/48015-afp__20221107-739_416.webp)
Afghans are raising concerns that the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) has targeted Shia civilians in recent years, warning that thousands of Afghan families might have to flee.
ISIS-K apparently seeks to deepen the rift between the Shia and Sunni communities, said Alireza Sattari, 56, a tribal elder in Kabul.
"Unfortunately, in recent years, ISIS-K has taken many of our Shia brothers as victims, and this continues today. ... If this situation persists, Shia families will be forced to leave the country," he told Salaam Times.
Sattari noted the dual pressures oppressing the Shia. "On one hand, the rights of this group are being violated, and on the other, ISIS does not leave it in peace, making our life very difficult."
Ali Ahmad Taheri, 53, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif, emphasized his growing fears over the slaughter of Shia, particularly Hazaras, by ISIS-K.
Such fears have circumscribed the daily lives of Afghan Shia, Taheri said.
"We have no choice but to leave the country. Many families are selling their belongings to make this possible," said Taheri, who has lost relatives to ISIS-K attacks over the past three years.
"No one leaves his [or her] home willingly," Taheri added. "But we must leave to survive and secure a better future and education for our children."
"Unfortunately, for several years, we have seen that most of the victims of ISIS attacks in Afghanistan were Shia. So, what is our crime for which we are killed?"
Other Afghan ethnic minorities might soon face similar threats, he said, urging the Kabul authorities to act against ISIS immediately.
Historic persecution decried
Recently, Canada's parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development recognized the centuries-long history of oppression of Afghan Hazaras.
In an October report, the committee designated September 25 for commemorating the 1891-1893 genocide of Hazaras in Afghanistan.
The current persecution "has reignited fears of a situation similar to the 1891–1893 persecution under Abdur Rahman Khan," the committee found.
Hazaras worldwide have called on several countries to recognize the continuing attacks on Afghan Hazaras as genocide.
The Canadian committee heard testimony about anti-Hazara atrocities since 2021, said Mohammad Yasin Samim, a member of a Hazara advocacy group based in Canada.
"Hundreds of Hazaras have been killed and thousands displaced [since 2021]," witness Tahir Shaaran told the committee.
"Canada has been asked to examine the risks facing Afghanistan's Hazaras and to implement effective measures for their protection under international human rights and legal frameworks," said Samim.
Why do we hate ISIS? Because we say that they oppress the people, they kill Afghans, they kill women and children, but what should we call these savages of the 21st century? Look how do they insult and humiliate a young man?! How do they disgrace him? How do these criminals beat a human! Israeli criminals kill young people, they kill women, they kill children, they destroy mosques, they bomb hospitals, they destroy churches, they insult the Jesus Christ (PBUH). These global criminals destroy a human civilization that has spent hundreds of years in the land of Palestine!! But what does the civilized world do? What does the United Nations do? What does the human rights organization do? What does the United States do? What do Russia and China do? What is the fanatical Iran doing?... The day will come when God will ask all people that what were you doing when Palestinian women and children were being killed? Then no one will be safe from the wrath of God, from the blame of Moses (PBUH), Jesus (PBUH) and Muhammad, the Messenger of God (PBUH). Death to the savage ISIS. Death to fanatical Iran. Death to Zionist forces, the killer of children.
ReplySorry, in my previous comment I wanted to add the link to the video that shows the crimes of the Israeli forces. It was published on Twitter, but I forgot to add it before. I hope you would publish it in your news so that people can understand about the atrocities of these criminals.
Reply6 Comment
The latest point is Canada's recognition of the Hazara genocide. If Canada is such a real defender of human rights, she should first apologize for killing Canadian natives and recognize the killing of Canadian natives, then come and interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs.
Reply6 Comment
Many people believe and the signs show that ISIS in Afghanistan is a foreign project run by Pakistan's intelligence agency. It means that, if the government works in harmony with the international community, it will disappear in a short time. Regarding the Shiites, ISIS doesn't really care about Shia or Sunni. Pashtuns and Hazaras are not important for them. Pakistani intelligence pursues two goals; one is killing of Afghans and the other is creating differences among Afghans. When it comes to the responsibility, as who is responsible for this situation? Shiite (Hazara) leaders are responsible for this situation. Leaders of Hazaras used to take money and privileges from Iran's Quds forces and in return they sent Afghan Shiites under the name of Fatemiyoun to the war in Syria and Iraq. The point is that, is the war in Iraq and Syria is ours? Why did the Shia leaders commit this cruelty to kill their youth there and bring the enmity of others to Afghanistan? Killing civilians by anyone is atrocity. Either if the civilians are killed in Palestine or in Afghanistan, it is an unpardonable crime. Another thing you have mentioned in your report is the killing of Shiites and Hazaras by Abdul Rahman Khan. It is not true that Abdul Rahman Khan killed only Hazaras. Abdul Rahman Khan was originally a king who wanted to unite Afghanistan because at that time, Afghanistan was being invaded by Persia (now Iran). On the other hand, it was the betrayals of the Russians and the conspiracies of
Reply6 Comment
In this regard, Abdul Rahman Khan did not solely suppress the Hazara uprisings; he also quelled revolts among Pashtuns, Tajiks, and other groups. Lastly, Canada has officially recognized the genocide of the Hazaras. Canada, which presents itself as a defender of human rights, should first apologize to the Indigenous Canadians for the atrocities committed against them and officially recognize the genocide of Indigenous people. Only then should it involve itself in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.
Reply6 Comment
Many believe, and the signs also indicate, that ISIS in Afghanistan operates as a foreign project directed by Pakistan's intelligence agency. With coordinated efforts between the Afghan government and the international community, its influence could be swiftly dismantled. This issue primarily concerns the Shiite population. ISIS does not distinguish between Shia or Sunni, nor do they regard Pashtuns or Hazaras differently. Pakistan's intelligence agency allegedly pursues two objectives: to incite discord among Afghans and to harm Afghan citizens. The question of accountability remains: who bears responsibility for this situation? The Shiite leaders are considered primarily responsible, as they accepted financial support and privileges from Iran's Quds Force. In exchange, they sent Afghan Shiites, known as Fatimiuns, to conflicts in Syria and Iraq. The point is, what do we have to do with the war in Iraq and Syria? Why did the Shia leaders commit this injustice, sending their young men to be killed there and bringing someone else’s enmity to Afghanistan? The killing of civilians, regardless of who does it, is an act of oppression. Whether civilians are killed in Palestine or Afghanistan, it is an unforgivable crime. Another point you mentioned in your report is about the killing of Shias and Hazaras by Abdur Rahman Khan. The reality is not that Abdur Rahman Khan targeted only the Hazaras. Abdur Rahman Khan was essentially a ruler who wanted to unify Afghanistan. At that time,
Reply6 Comment