Victims:

• 848 civilian casualties (289 deaths and 559 injured)

• 122 women casualties (43 killed and 79 injured)

• 162 children casualties (23 killed and 139 injured)

• Multiple women activists, human rights defenders, and public figures targeted

• Unknown number of young men and teenage boys abducted

• Approximately 600 male prisoners released (some allegedly armed) At least 200 injured child fighters (reportedly forced into combat)

Perpetrators: Taliban

Narrative: From September 28 to October 13, 2015, Taliban forces launched an offensive against, captured, and occupied Kunduz City. During the initial attack, they freed over 600 male prisoners and allegedly provided some with weapons to fight against Afghan security forces. Throughout the occupation period, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented 848 civilian casualties (289 deaths and 559 injured) in the city and surrounding districts. These included 122 women (43 killed and 79 injured) and 162 children (23 killed and 139 injured). The majority of casualties resulted from ground fighting between Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces attempting to reclaim the city with international support, though UNAMA also received reports of deliberate killings and casualties from aerial operations. During this period, medical facilities in Kunduz treated at least 200 injured child fighters, many of whom reported being forced into combat by Taliban who threatened their families if they refused. The Taliban conducted systematic persecution of specific groups, particularly targeting women with public profiles. They looted a high school and destroyed offices of organizations that protected and supported women, forcing many to flee. Media reports of sexual violence against women at Kunduz University dormitory and the women's prison emerged, after which media outlets received threats from the Taliban. Taliban forces established checkpoints on roads leaving Kunduz City toward Takhar, where they stopped vehicles and abducted young men and teenage boys. The whereabouts of most abductees remained unknown. Taliban fighters conducted house-to-house searches using pre-prepared lists containing names and addresses of human rights defenders (particularly women), women active in public life, NGO workers, United Nations staff, journalists, and government officials including legal professionals. They threatened and physically assaulted family members and damaged property when targets were not home. Many activists went into hiding with limited access to food or water, with one woman reporting hiding in a location with approximately 50 others, believing they would have been killed if discovered.