As part of a media blitz aimed at reassuring world powers and a scared population, the Taliban pledged Tuesday to respect women’s rights, forgive those who opposed them, and ensure Afghanistan does not become a terrorist sanctuary.
The Taliban have attempted to present themselves as more moderate than when they imposed a rigid form of Islamic authority in Afghanistan in the late 1990s, following a lightning attack that saw several cities fall to the rebels without a struggle. Many Afghans, however, are suspicious, and thousands have rushed to the airport, desperate to get out of the country.
Older generations recall the Taliban’s earlier regime, when women were mostly confined to their houses, television and music were outlawed, and public executions were commonplace. Months after the 9/11 attacks, which al-Qaida coordinated from Afghanistan while sheltered by the Taliban, they were driven from power by a US-led invasion.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s longstanding spokesman, came out of the shadows for the first time to address those worries.
Without going into detail, he stated that the Taliban would respect women’s rights in accordance with Islamic law. The Taliban have encouraged women to return to work and permitted girls to return to school, providing Islamic headscarves at the entrance. In a TV studio on Monday, a female news anchor spoke with a Taliban official.
Women’s treatment varies greatly throughout the Muslim world, and even within the same country, with rural areas being significantly more conservative than urban ones. Female prime ministers have served in certain Muslim countries, like Pakistan, whereas ultraconservative Saudi Arabia has only lately allowed women to drive.
Mujahid also stated that the Taliban would not allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for attacks on other nations, as it had been in the years leading up to 9/11. The Taliban and the Trump administration achieved an agreement in 2020 that prepared the door for the American pullout.
As they attempt to evacuate thousands of people through Kabul’s international airport, US commanders are speaking with the Taliban, according to the Pentagon. There have been no hostile activities by the Taliban, according to the report.
Mujahid restated the Taliban’s offer of full amnesty to Afghans who worked for the US or a Western-backed administration, stating that “nobody would come to their doors to inquire why they assisted.” Private media should “remain independent,” but journalists should “not work against national ideals,” he said.
As the Taliban patrol the streets of Kabul, the city has remained tranquil. However, many people are still afraid following the militants’ advance across the country emptied prisons and armouries.
Residents in Kabul claim that armed groups have been going door to door looking for those who worked for the outgoing government and security forces, although it’s unclear whether the gunmen are Taliban or criminals posing as militants. Mujahid blamed the previous government for the security collapse, claiming that the Taliban only entered Kabul to restore order after the police had disbanded.
An Afghan broadcaster stated she was hiding in a relative’s house because she was too afraid to return home, let alone go to work. She and other women, she claimed, don’t feel the Taliban has changed its methods. Because she was afraid for her safety, she spoke on the condition of anonymity.
In Kabul, a group of women wearing Islamic headscarves held signs demanding that the Taliban not “eliminate women” from public life.
When it comes to women’s rights, according to US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, the US and other governments will not take the Taliban’s word for it.
“This isn’t about trust, as I’ve been saying all along. At a White House briefing, Sullivan stated, “This is about verify.” “In the days and weeks ahead, we’ll see what the Taliban do, and by we, I mean the entire international community.”
Whatever their genuine motives, the Taliban want to represent moderation in order to avoid the international community from isolating their administration as it did in the 1990s.
The European Union announced that it would halt development funding to Afghanistan until the political situation was clearer, but that it would consider increasing humanitarian aid.
To gain access to 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in development money slated through 2024, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the Taliban must comply with UN Security Council resolutions and human rights.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain might increase humanitarian help by up to 10%, but the Taliban would not receive any money previously set up for security.
After thousands of people crowded the airport on Monday, evacuation aircraft were temporarily halted. Some clung to a plane as it lifted off and then plunged to their deaths in terrible footage shot on video. The airport mayhem claimed the lives of at least seven people, according to US officials.
According to an Afghan official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to inform journalists, the Taliban invaded the civilian part of the airport on Tuesday, firing into the air to drive out roughly 500 civilians.
Instead of preventing people from leaving, the Taliban looked to be attempting crowd control. The Taliban were seen monitoring the orderly departure of scores of tourists in a video that circulated on the internet.
The US Embassy in Kabul, which is now based on the military side of the airport, advised Americans to register for evacuation online but not to come to the airport until they are notified.
A first German military transport plane landed in Kabul, but took departed with only seven people on board due to the turmoil, according to the German Foreign Ministry. A second group of 125 individuals left afterwards.
President Joe Biden defended his choice to terminate America’s longest war, blaming Afghanistan’s Western-backed government and security forces for the Taliban’s quick takeover. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg agreed, but added that the alliance needed to look at the inadequacies in the training of Afghan forces.
The Taliban and a number of Afghan leaders, including former President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, the former chairman of the country’s negotiating council, continued their talks on Tuesday. According to the Taliban, they intend to build a “inclusive, Islamic government.”
Officials with knowledge of the negotiations said on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks that the focus was on how a Taliban-dominated government would run given the changes in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, rather than just dividing up departments.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a key Taliban leader, arrived in Kandahar from Qatar on Tuesday night, possibly indicating that a settlement is near.
Meanwhile, the country’s deposed vice president declared himself the country’s “legitimate” caretaker president on Twitter. Because President Ashraf Ghani has left the nation, Amrullah Saleh claims he should be in charge under the constitution.
The Chenab Times News Desk