Summary

A large percentage of the security incidents in Afghanistan take place close to or on the roads. Civilian travelers may be exposed to crossfire, illegal check-points and IEDs (improvised explosive devices).After the withdrawal of the international forces, the conflict pattern in Afghanistan has changed. The insurgency has altered from conducting guerilla fighting to conventional warfare. They fight for territories and several urban centers have been captured by Taliban in recent months. In most cases, the centers were recaptured by the Afghan security forces within hours or days. Armed clashes account for over 50 percent of the registered security incidents across the country and for 30 percent of the civilian casualties.

Mullah Omar´s death and the subsequent change of leadership have led to fragmentation in the Taliban. The division has resulted in some groups pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS). Still, IS plays a limited role in the Afghan insurgency and is only present in a small geographical area.

A large percentage of the security incidents in Afghanistan take place close to or on the roads. Civilian travelers may be exposed to crossfire, illegal check-points and IEDs (improvised explosive devices).