Taliban Seizes 18 Acres of Land in Kabul’s Aria Residential Complex

The Taliban’s Ministry of Justice has announced the confiscation of 18.2 acres of land from the Aria residential complex in Kabul, declaring it as property of the ‘Islamic Emirate’.

In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry said the decision followed a review of documents related to a total of 166 acres of land in the complex. The case had been referred to the central zone court by the commission tasked with preventing land grabs.

Located in Kabul’s District 10, the Aria complex has been built by private investors over the past two decades and is considered one of the capital’s modern and well-equipped residential areas.

Since reclaiming control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has repeatedly seized land in various residential areas across the country, citing them as property of the Emirate. In another recent instance, the group claimed ownership of 843 acres of land in the ‘Nowabad’ residential area in central Ghazni province.

Residents and landowners have frequently expressed concerns over such rulings, arguing that the Taliban courts routinely disregard their official property documents. The lack of a transparent, impartial and lawful process in resolving these disputes has raised growing concern. Legal experts have described these actions as arbitrary seizures, in violation of judicial principles and legitimate property rights.