SUMMARY

Politics in Afghanistan have often been characterized by violent power struggles between different leaders and groups. Although often labeled ethnic or tribal, the conflicts have been fought along more intricate patterns, often motivated by personal grudges, blood feud, regional power dynamics and/or the control of territory.

Hizb-i Islami-yi Afghanistan (Islamic Party of Afghanistan), in particular, was frequently involved in violence against the other insurgent groups. Being a militarily strong organization with a highly centralized command, Hizb-i Islami-yi Afghanistan set out to conquer territories surrounding their traditional strongholds. In order to strengthen their control they disarmed other groups in these territories and brushed aside the traditional leaders and power structures.

Despite being allies in the conflict against the Mujahideen government in the early 1990s, Hizb-i Islami-yi Afghanistan occasionally clashed with Shia group Hizb-i Wahdat, which was in control in the western parts of Kabul.

The non-state conflict between Hizb-i Islami-yi Afghanistan and Hizb-i Wahdat is first included in UCDP data in 1994. In July that year, clashes in Kabul resulted in at least 25 battle-related deaths.