Shrouq Tariq
The Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan two weeks before the U.S. was set to complete its troop withdrawal after a costly two-decade war.
Talibans captured all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security forces trained and equipped by the U.S. and its allies either surrendered or ran away from the country.
Here’s a look at what happened and what comes next:
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN AFGHANISTAN?
The Taliban, a militant group that ran the country in the late 1990s, have again taken control.
The U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 ousted the Taliban from power, but they never left. After they blitzed across the country in recent days, the Western-backed government that has run the country for 20 years collapsed. Afghans, fearing for the future, raced to the airport, one of the last routes out of the country. Last night, three experience bomb attacks took place adding up to the chaos.
WHY ARE PEOPLE FLEEING THE COUNTRY?
Security threats. And it turned out to be right.
They’re worried that the country could descend into chaos or the Taliban could carry out revenge attacks against those who worked with the Americans or the government.
Many also fear the Taliban will reimpose the harsh interpretation of Islamic law that they relied on when they ran Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Back then, women were barred from attending school or working outside the home. They had to wear the all-encompassing burqa and be accompanied by a male relative whenever they went outside. The Taliban banned music, and stoned adulterers.
The Taliban have however, have sought to present themselves as a more moderate force in recent years. Since taking over, they have promised to respect women’s rights, forgive those who fought against them and prevent Afghanistan from being used as a base for terror attacks. But many Afghans are skeptical of these promises.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT IN AFGHANISTAN?
It’s not clear.
The Taliban say they want to form an “inclusive, Islamic government” with other factions. They are holding negotiations with senior politicians, including leaders in the former government.
They have pledged to enforce Islamic law but encouraged women to join their government and say they will provide a secure environment for the return of normal life after decades of war.
But things will change after three explosive bombs attacks at the Kabul airport. This will not only affect Afghanistan and Afghans but will also question Bidens leadership
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE LASTEST AIRPORT ATTACK?
Thirteen US service members were killed and 18 were injured in an attack at Kabul’s airport, the head of the US Central Command said.
More than 90 Afghans are dead and at least 150 wounded, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health tells CNN.
The blasts come as the US and other countries race to evacuate people ahead of President Biden’s Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline.
It is ironic that Biden, who was all along with one of the most skeptical Washington leaders of the US nation-building project in Afghanistan, should end up carrying the can for the consequences of the eventual US departure. A war that America wanted to end some 20 years is continuing after Bidens statement “Sill hunt you down and make you pay”
So what’s new to for Afghanistan? The peace that the Americans fought for, for 20 long years, is not seen and might not be seen any time soon.
Shrouq Tariq is the Research Analyst and writer at Matrix Media. Her work has been published in number of national and international newspapers . She’s also a member of the Matrix Media editorial board. She is currently completing her MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam university. She tweets at @shrouqtariq
