The Taliban's Treatment of their Local Hazara Commanders

In a new report for Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN), I conducted a case study of six local Hazara commanders from Daikundi province and the Balkhab district of Sar-e Pul province. Three of them joined the Taliban during their insurgency and fought against the former government in their respective areas. Others assisted the Taliban in taking over their respective districts.

These cases demonstrate the limits to which a Hazara can be accommodated within the Taliban ranks, only as long as they follow the Taliban’s orders, serve their interests, and do not demand communal rights. (Read the full report on AAN’s website here.)