InfoSearched
Published -
- August 18, 2021
- 12:44 pm
Reporter Ben C. Solomon and his team were in Kandahar as the Taliban closed in.
In a VICE News Tonight special report, VICE News looks at the sweeping takeover in Afghanistan and what’s next.
What is the Taliban’s ideology, and how does it affect the social and gender relations in Afghanistan?
The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has been a devastating reality for the country’s people and the world. After a two-decade-long presence in Afghanistan, the United States and its allies left the country abruptly, leaving the Afghan people to face the uncertain and complicated future of the Taliban rule.
The Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan began almost immediately after the U.S-led invasion of the country in 2001. Its roots can be traced back to the 1980s, when it first emerged as a militant force to fight against the Soviet Union. Ideologically, the Taliban is a strict Islamic group that adheres to a strict interpretation of Islam, particularly in the areas of gender and social relations.
In recent years, the Taliban has been making advances in Afghanistan, particularly in rural areas. The group has taken advantage of the political and military instability of the Afghan government, which has been plagued by corruption and infighting. The Taliban has gained control over a significant portion of the country’s territory, especially in the north and east of Afghanistan.
In February 2020, the Taliban and the United States signed a peace agreement that aimed to end the long-standing conflict in Afghanistan. The agreement included the withdrawal of U.S troops from the country in exchange for a commitment from the Taliban to not provide a safe haven for terrorists, including Al Qaeda. The Afghan government was not a signatory to the agreement, which raised concerns about its legitimacy.
Despite the peace agreement, violence continued to escalate in Afghanistan, and the Taliban seized more territory. In July 2021, the United States announced that it would complete its withdrawal of troops by the end of August, ending the two-decade-long presence in the country.
The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan was swift and brutal. They captured the cities one by one, with little to no resistance from the Afghan security forces, who were demoralized and under-equipped. The fall of Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, was not surprising, but the speed at which it happened was shocking.
The Taliban’s takeover has thrown Afghanistan into chaos. Women and girls are afraid of losing their rights and freedom under the strict Islamic rules of the Taliban. The international community is also worried about the return of terrorism to Afghanistan and the potential destabilization of the region.
The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan is a complicated issue that has no easy solution. Still, it’s clear that the international community has a moral obligation to hold the Taliban accountable for their actions and ensure the protection of the Afghan people, especially women and girls.
The world needs to work together to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, and ensure that the Taliban does not provide a safe haven for terrorist organizations. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan requires urgent attention, and the international community must provide assistance and support to the Afghan people, especially those who have been affected by the conflict.
In conclusion, the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban is a devastating reality for the Afghan people and the world. However, it is essential to continue to work towards finding a peaceful solution to the crisis and supporting the Afghan people to rebuild their country. The international community must continue to provide humanitarian assistance and aid to the Afghan people, and ensure that the Taliban don’t provide a safe haven for terrorism. It is only through working together that we can prevent the reemergence of the terrorism that has plagued Afghanistan for so long.
