Minorities | Local sources tell Afghanistan International the Taliban demolished homes in west Kabul's Dasht-e Barchi; not yet confirmed by other sources

ACW | October 21, 2026 — Local sources told Afghanistan International on Wednesday, October 21, that Taliban officials have demolished a number of residential homes in Dasht-e Barchi and Shahrak-e Ittifaq in west Kabul and evicted their residents.

According to the sources, the Taliban cite what they call "construction without a permit" as the reason. The sources said Taliban officials visit homes in these areas together with municipal engineers, police and criminal investigation staff.

Afghanistan International, citing the sources, reported that some families have been forced to pay Taliban officials to stop their homes from being demolished. The report does not say how many homes were demolished, how many families were evicted, or when exactly the demolitions took place.

The Taliban have not yet responded. This report has not yet been confirmed by other sources.

Background: Dasht-e Barchi and the surrounding townships are densely populated, largely Hazara areas of west Kabul. ACW earlier reported, citing KabulNow, that thousands of Hazara and Shia families in Kabul's Omid-e Sabz township are under pressure to pay rent or leave.

Why it matters: Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Afghanistan has been a party since January 24, 1983, recognises everyone's right to adequate housing. According to Etilaatroz, a global campaign this week launched an online petition calling for an end to the forced displacement of Hazaras in Afghanistan.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Source: Afghanistan International — Some west Kabul residents pay Taliban officials to prevent demolition of their homes

Photo: Afghanistan International