Bibi Ayesha

Bibi Ayesha is a military leader and the only female warlord in Afghanistan, she controls a force of 50-150 men in the Nahrin district of Baghlan Province.[1]

Also known as Kaftar ("The Pigeon"), she operated for at least two decades, fighting against the Soviet invasion and the Taliban takeover.[1]

She dismissed notions that the roles of women in Afghanistan should exclude military roles, saying "It makes no difference if you are a man or a woman when you have the heart of a fighter." [1]

However, she does insist that a mahram male relative, accompany her into battle.[1]

On 18 October 2020, Ayesha came under attack by the Taliban, a day after they claimed that she had defected to them.[2]