With the US military withdrawing from Afghanistan, the dreaded Taliban made comeback to the war-torn nation. After two long decades, the terrorist group retook the territory as President Ghani and his diplomats fled to safety leaving thousands of people helpless.
Despite the US spending $88.3 billion on security-related reconstruction in Afghanistan up to March 2021, the Taliban on August 15, managed to enter Kabul confirming the collapse of
Afghanistan. Now, the Taliban is the new ruler of the nation and people are dreaded to their very core.
US aid spending watchdog for the war-torn nation had said, “The question of whether that money was adequately spent will finally be answered by the outcome of the war on the ground,
possibly the cleanest monitoring and evaluation exercise.”
The results are quite clear that over $88bn spent on the Aghan army were to no avail as they surrendered without a fight to the Taliban. The Taliban's dominance in Afghanistan is
believed to be fixed once again and the Afghan army has agreed to a deal with Taliban.
Now, the US Congress strives to understand why such large investments in Afghan military training have resulted in government's collapse in a matter of weeks that shocked and perplexed
western politicians.
The watchdog had previously warned about "the corrosive impact of corruption" within the force, according to the report. The force's strength and combat capability could
not be consistently maintained due to its reliance on modern equipment and widespread illiteracy among its soldiers.
Also Read: Afghanistan Crisis: President Ashraf Ghani leaves country with his team as Taliban seizes Kabul
Who are Taliban?
Taliban in the Pashto language means group of students. The group emerged in northern Pakistan after the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan in the early 1990s.
Initially, the Taliban were predominantly from Pashtun-speaking groups. They are Sunni Muslims, and the majority of them have had theological training in Madrasas or Islamic seminaries.
For them, the manner of life should be by their interpretation of Islam, which differs from other groups in Afghanistan and Muslims across the world.
Taliban’s interpretation of Islam is quite strict, refusing to take changing social reality into account. Their social, political, and economic systems are all based on Islamic
values. Several modern Islamic intellectuals have expressed their criticism to such an interpretation of religion, calling it destructive to the worldwide image of Islam.
Taliban advocate for severe punishments such as public executions for convicted murderers and adulterers, as well as amputations for those found guilty of stealing.
Their objection to schools for girls beyond the age of ten, the prohibition of music, and a slew of other human rights violations made them a vile group of extremists.
Also Read: Taliban shoots women without hijab at Kabul airport, US troops retaliate
“War is Over”
Mohammad Naeem, a spokesperson for the Taliban's political office, told Al Jazeera TV in an interview, “Today is a great day for the Afghan people and the mujahideen. They
have witnessed the fruits of their efforts and their sacrifices for 20 years."
As Taliban entered Kabul on August 15, President Ashraf Ghani fled the nation, claiming he wished to avoid bloodshed, as hundreds of Afghans yearning to flee flooded Kabul airport.
Shooting at Kabul airport
Hundreds of Afghans, including government ministers and employees, as well as civilians, including many women and children, had rushed to the terminal, anxious for flights out.
Reportedly, multiple women were shot at the airport for not wearing a hijab. A stampede broke out at the airport following the shooting.
A video of the incident has been made viral. According to the source, American soldiers too replied after the Taliban opened fire. Taliban, on the other hand, have not confirmed the
incident yet.
Earlier, the Taliban had said that it supports women's rights. A Taliban spokesperson had told the media that women will be able to leave their houses alone and will have access
to education and employment, but they will be required to wear the hijab.