Afghan Witness Reports

First calls for attacks in the territory marks a strategic shift for the group

Using official channels and unofficial pro-NRF accounts, the group promotes its stance to the U.S. and appeals for tougher anti-Taliban policy

Lectures by female scholar and a children’s play among strategies to promote jihadi ideology

Taliban ban TikTok and PUBG, restrict controversial discussions in media and target political analysts

International Court of Justice case against Taliban triggers social media campaigns from both supporters and critics

Propaganda war erupts as both sides share misleading information after days-long clashes.

Their research offers fresh perspectives on key issues and under-reported stories concerning land rights, media freedom, and women’s digital activism in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s cricket team’s meeting with Taliban leaders sparks accusations of sportswashing, with many condemning the move as an attempt to normalise Taliban rule.

In August 2024, the Taliban arrested two social media activists, Khetabullah Bangakh and Abdul Rahman Gulab, for spreading anti-Taliban content. Both were featured in confession videos pledging support to the Taliban.

While the Taliban held large-scale celebrations on 14 August, the day was also marked by women’s protests both indoors and in public.

The recent usage of AI-generated videos to claim ISKP attacks has stirred controversy within pro-IS communities over the religious permissibility of AI technology. Despite increased accessibility to AI tools for propaganda, the isolated efforts and mixed reception suggest AI use in extremist content may remain limited.

On May 17, 2024, reports of a drone strike targeting the Taliban in Logar province surfaced on social media, leading to widespread speculation and conflicting accounts about the incident. Despite official denials of an attack by Taliban authorities, the claim continued to be spread, both by legitimate accounts and by bots.