Residents in west Kabul form patrols as crime fuels security fears

Residents of western Kabul say a rise in crime has forced them to take security into their own hands, organizing informal patrols as concerns grow over what they describe as deteriorating conditions.

The concerns are especially acute in neighborhoods such as Dasht-e-Barchi, Haji Nabi township or the Omid Sabz housing complex, areas home to large, predominantly Shiite communities. Residents say armed robberies have become the most common threat, alongside reports of killings and assaults.

“Dasht-e-Barchi has become very unsafe,” said Ruqia, a local resident. “There is a lot of theft and violence. We have been forced to take responsibility for our own security, and we are worried.”

Several residents said they had repeatedly reported incidents to Taliban but had seen little response.

“We have complained many times that robberies are happening and people are being stopped on the roads, but no attention is given,” said another resident, who asked not to be identified for security reasons. “We are worried. Why are we always the victims?”

Residents described forming neighborhood watch groups, with volunteers taking turns guarding streets at night — a measure they say reflects both necessity and a lack of trust in official protection.

The increase in crime has also drawn attention from community leaders. The High Commission of Shiite Muslims of Afghanistan said it had held a meeting on April 22 to review the security situation in western Kabul and called for stronger coordination and urgent action.

“The session opened with remarks by Mohammad Ali Akhlaqi, the commission’s chairman, who emphasized the importance of unity, cooperation and attention to the community’s core concerns,” the commission said in a statement. “The commission stressed the need to continue following up on citizens’ concerns and decided to hold regular meetings with relevant authorities.”

Taliban have repeatedly said they have improved security across the country since returning to power in 2021 and have pledged to protect all citizens without discrimination. But some residents in Shiite-majority areas say they continue to face security concerns, along with what they describe as inconsistent treatment, including during religious gatherings.

This comes as at least 13 people, all from Shiite community, were killed in an armed attack in the western province of Herat this month.