The Taliban has once again returned to power and taken over the land of Afghanistan, establishing their reign over all Afghans. Thousands of lives, billions of dollars, and other such advances made by the US military, over the past two decades, could not uphold a persistent democratic government in Afghanistan or keep the rapidly pervading Taliban from taking over the entire country.
The Islamic Fundamentalist association, originating in Afghanistan, is largely known as the Taliban, which in Pashto directly translates to ”students “ or “seekers of knowledge”. The Taliban was founded by Mullah Mohammad Omar, in 1994, and it consisted of former Afghan resistance fighters and students of Islam from South Pashto. Collectively known as Mujahedeen, they previously fought against the Soviet forces in Afghanistan and pledged to end all civil wars against rival Mujahedeen parties. Their aims are to institute and execute their exposition of Islamic laws and restore security across the country.
Based on the deal made by former President Donald Trump with the Afghan militants, in 2020, the US Troops began withdrawing from Afghanistan starting from May 1st. However, President Joe Biden delayed the deadline of complete withdrawal to September 11th, which marked 20 years since the 9/11 attack. By the end of June, the Taliban had taken over one-third of Afghanistan. On August 15th, Sunday, the Taliban secured the Afghan capital of Kabul under their grip, marking absolute control.
The Taliban stated that they want to reconstruct Afghanistan fundamentally under the laws of Islam, and will not have any sort of voting system. They do not want foreign intervention and claim to reciprocate in this matter.
The Taliban have previously been criticized and questioned for their brutal punishment system, back in the 1990s. They have practiced inhumane ways of disciplining people, which include mass public execution and amputation. Not to mention, their violation of women’s and human rights as a whole. They have suppressed freedom of religion, freedom of speech and expression, and have also banned education for women. They have had collections of irrational restrictions and regulations, which Afghan citizens had to abide by.
However, with the recent takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban has promised to moderate their rules and make reasonable changes. They have officially stated that they don’t oppose the system for the education of girls. Women can dress the way they want to, can continue to do their jobs, and leave the house unaccompanied by a male guardian, known as Mahram, unless it’s a journey of three days or above. However, contrary to their own statement, less than a few Taliban are actually allowing girls to go to school past adolescence. Furthermore, most rural communities themselves discourage education for girls.
Additionally, the Taliban has confirmed that they will allow people to move out from the country, but only those with valid documents and passports. Besides, they will now allow people to have televisions, mobile phones, etc. However, no music is allowed in public.
“Music is forbidden in Islam,” said, Zabihullah Mujahid in the interview with New York Times, “but we’re hoping that we can persuade people not to do such things, instead of pressuring them.”
In contrast to the majority, some people have responded positively to the harsh rules of the Taliban. Due to the falling rate of crimes such as theft, few people have supported the brutal punishment methods of the Taliban.
“It’s not a good thing to see these people being shamed in public, but it stops the criminals because when people see it, they think. ‘I don’t want that to be me,’ said Amaan, a store owner in the center of Kabul. (The Association Press)
Currently, people are in fear of possible strikes from terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda, after the double-suicide bombings, in Kabul airport, on August 26th, that killed dozens of people who were trying to evacuate by taking flights out of Afghanistan.
Despite this attack, we are continuing the mission, the evacuation at best speed,” said Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the General of Marine Corps of the US to CNN.
The US president is determined to evacuate all Americans and Afghan allies to safety and promises that the mission will go on and they will not let the IS win.