Afghan Crisis 2021
Part-1
Evacuation flights retrieving citizens from Afghanistan are taking off.
The passengers are individuals in need of protection, from different nationalities.
After the depopulation of the US Embassy was completed on Sunday, other Western countries proceeded to bring their diplomats to safety.
The efforts are, now, being redirected towards Afghan collaborators, activists, and those exposed to danger.
Italy is due to host 200+ people, arriving in Rome by Wednesday – said the Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini.
Today, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed British forces to have already evacuated 2052 Afghan citizens, and further 306 UK nationals.
Additional rescue missions are arranged to take place during the next few days.
Will the Taliban control over Afghanistan mark a new era in the refugee crisis?
Let us know your opinion in the comments.
Part-2
The most recent viral photograph circulating the Internet depicts the inside of a US military cargo plane, crowded with Afghan refugees.
The US aircraft C-17 evacuated approximately 640 Afghans, late Sunday.
Among the passengers are men and women, young and old, desperately attempting to flee death. Panicked Afghans running after the aircraft pulled themselves onto the half-open ramp.
Sensitive images show victims being run over along the airstrip and others falling from the plane, as the C-17 took off. (VIDEO) The numbers of injured are uncertain, and any death is unknown.
The authorized capacity of the plane is 80 passengers on 8 pallets, plus 54 on sidewall seats. A reminder of how efforts are being conducted to make the impossible possible.
The C-17 transported the refugees safely to a US Force base in Qatar.
Behind the picture is a message of terror over the Taliban.
Part-3
The broken promises of the Taliban have been depicted across multiple social media.
“Taliban fighters use gunfire, whips, sticks and sharp objects to maintain crowd control over thousands of Afghans who continue to wait for a way out, on airport road”, tells the photojournalist Marcus Yam.
After the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban militia took over the country.
In a lightning invasion three days ago, the radical militia failed to keep the agreement with the US to maintain peace and respect human rights.
Reports of violence paint a terrifying picture of reality.
In another incident, Taliban rebels reportedly opened fire at protesters in Jalalabad city, as a result of the activists rejecting the insurgent’s flag.
Joe Biden, Donald Trump, or the Taliban.
Who loses the blame game? Let us hear your opinion.
Part-1
Afghanistan’s independence from British colonial rule is celebrated today (August 19), since the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919.
So as to mark the day, the Taliban claimed victory against the US, Russia, and the UK. The success is accredited to a higher power.
“There is no doubt that this divine victory was achieved by God at the hands of a helpless people like the people of Afghanistan, who defeated three arrogant empires in three successive centuries”, a Taliban statement said.
Marching through the streets of Kabul waving the national flag, Afghan crowds defied the Taliban.
Large Taliban convoys convened through the capital. The militia moved quickly to suppress the demonstrations.
Sporadic gunfire was heard in between shouts of victory over the “powerful and arrogant” US.
The fleets entail two-three pickup trucks with at least six Taliban troops each.
Part-2
The Taliban sought to present a more progressive and liberal image.
Today August 19th, the militia named Afghan imams and preachers to persuade the people to cooperate with the incoming government during Friday prayers.
The effort should coin a connection between Afghan citizens and the hard-line core values of the Taliban. A call of unity, and a response to the negative western portray.
“We ask all the honorable preachers to deliver a Friday sermon tomorrow… Urging citizens to cooperate in order to build and advance the nation without trying to escape from it, and to return all cadres and wealth to the country”, in the Taliban’s official Twitter account.
Two decades ago, the fundamentalist groups had governed the country through terror. The Taliban employed violent and repressive punishments, such as public executions.
The strict interpretation of Sharia law would validate the vicious actions.
Sharia law is 1.400 years old, and can only be edited or updated under exceptional care by religious scholars.
“Women were not allowed to work or have an education under the Taliban’s rule from 1996 to 2001”
“A Taliban fighter walks past a beauty salon with images of women defaced using a spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2021.”
Post 1
Between 1996 and 2001 – under Taliban wing –a day in Afghanistan would look like:
Violent floggings and public executions. Suspected adulterers stoned to death. Alleged theft punished by amputation.
Women were restricted from leaving their homes, considered property of their husbands. The death penalty often occurred for offenses such as female adultery, homosexuality, and the rejection of Islam.
The upcoming Taliban era brings promises of progression. Since Afghanistan’s conquest on Sunday, officers of the militia’s communications operation have been continuously expressing their wishes to form an “inclusive Islamic government”.
Pledges of force are not to be applied against political enemies, and claims that women are to play an active role in society and access education.
However, the hope for change has already been crushed.
The fear is installed in the streets of Kabul. Women have been disappearing, and attacks are happening in provincial areas. Men are rushing to purchase burqas in fear of their wives and daughters.
 | “Kabul, Afghanistan: October 19, 1996. Taliban police or soldiers of a mobile unit patrol near the Darulaman Palace.” |
 | “Kabul, Afghanistan: October 2, 1996. Very few women ventured forth in public during the first days of Taliban rule in Kabul. Those that did wore burqas or other such near-full body-covering clothing.” |
 | “A young girl peers out from a group of Afghan women at a Red Cross distribution center in 1996. During the Taliban’s rule from 1996 to 2001, women were not allowed to work and girls couldn’t go to school. Many Afghans fear the Taliban will reimpose many of the same or similar policies.” |
Post 2
18 million. The dreadful number includes those in humanitarian need, the thousand killed and forced to flee, and the ones forgotten and left homeless.
The image of discipline amongst Taliban troops is deceptive.
The conflict is gaining further proportions, and civilian casualties are rising to record levels. Under an apparent calm and order, fears are escalating. Vulnerable Afghans and immigrants in the country are desperate to flee.
The chaotic evacuations at Kabul’s airport are being underestimated by President Biden. Today (August 20), the US President tried to sustain an optimistic speech during the latest press conference.
“I’ve seen babies passed over the fence, crowds crushing each other, desperate pleas for you to take someone’s daughter inside”, tells Paton Walsh, the CNN reporter at the airport. “It is perilous, chaotic, and a deeply symbolic scene for the unraveling of America’s twenty years there.”(video)
Biden claims “no indication” of American nationals prevented from reaching the airport. The statement was rebuked by a White House official who acknowledged reports of challenges and chaos at the airport, including the beating of American citizens by Taliban troops.
The President also dismisses the turmoil over the way the conflict is being handled, reaffirming his decision to end the 20-year war has correct.
 | “U.S. President Joe Biden answers questions from reporters in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S.” |
- “The international airport in Kabul has been a scene of chaos since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Footage shows crowds gathered outside the airport on Thursday as an infant was passed over razor wire to an American soldier.”
Post 3
A humanitarian crisis is enduring after the fall of Afghanistan, with thousands of refugees desperate to flee the country.
The nation is suffering a triple threat of conflict, covid, and climate change, adding to the recent government monetary deficiency.
The Taliban are over the possession of $1 trillion worth of minerals. Unexploited, the mineral wealth of Afghanistan could reform the poor economic condition.
Across Afghanistan, there are great supplies of iron, copper and gold, and other rare earth minerals. Notably, lithium can be found in great abundance – a rare component essential to rechargeable batteries and other technologies crucial in preventing climate change.
The main concern lays on the advantageous position the Taliban now have, as a powerful economic force owning resources the world desperately needs.
 |  |
Part-1
ISIS-K is positioned outside the International Airport in Kabul, menacing security and installing terror.
The US believes the terrorist group is organizing a stream of attacks, in an effort to create chaos. ISIS militia located outside the airport gates seeks to target innocent civilians so as to affect American and allied forces.
The alert announced by the US Intelligence advised citizens already at the airport to leave immediately, and the remaining to avoid traveling to the airfield.
“There have been reports that some ill-wishers want to disrupt the security situation thereby attacking and harming people and the media. So, do not go close to the airport to avoid being hurt.”, said a Taliban spokesman on Tuesday.
More than 100 prison inmates loyal to the ISIS cause have escaped prison in Afghanistan, as the Taliban took over the penal buildings.
The rising threat justifies President Biden’s decision not to extend the evacuation deadline. The last flight, the last hope for thousands of refugees, is scheduled for August 31.
Part-2
The fate of hundreds of refugees is looking darker by the hour. The deadline for many lives is August 31st.
From chaotic evacuation missions to impressive and enormous airlifts, the US has successfully removed more than 82.000 people from Kabul. President Joe Biden confirmed the final exit from Afghanistan is to take place next Tuesday.
The decision arose with the sudden warnings of an imminent ISIS-K threat. The security environment is deteriorating at the airfield, and a US defense official confirmed the existing terrorist plans to attack the crowds planted by the airport.
Evacuation numbers released from the White House reveal a slowing pace. The time is running fast to rescue thousands of more citizens.
US troops are working bravely in intense conditions to fill aircraft with US citizens and Afghans associated with America, fearing punishment by the Taliban.
In due course, the evacuation operation is transitioning from safeguarding citizens to extracting troops and equipment. Civilians’ evacuation from Kabul will be critically restricted during the next 5 days.
Part-3
Desperation is growing outside Kabul airport as deadlines are drawing nearer.
Some European countries are ending their evacuation missions from today.
Belgium stopped the Red Kite evacuation due to the imminent suicide bomb attack threat. On Wednesday (25th August), Prime Minister Alexander De Croo decided to cease all flights.
The last evacuees brought to safety by the Belgian landed last night. Belgian forces evacuated both emigrants and several foreign refugees. The country ensured a total of 23 flights and safeguarded 1.400 passengers.
Meanwhile, following the ongoing danger set by ISIS-K, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised the immediate withdrawal of any mission. The last flight is expected to depart on Thursday (August 26th).
Individuals eligible to evacuate to the Netherlands will now be left behind. The looming terrorist attack is already harming victims, even though it has not occurred.
Part-1
At least 73 individuals have been killed in two bombing attacks outside Kabul international airport, and the other 140 wounded.
The suicide bomb disturbed the massive race to evacuate western citizens and Afghan allies.
Immediately after the deadly blasts, gunmen opened fire against troops and civilians.
ISIS claimed that the explosions were carried out by an ISIS militant, in order to bring terror. The radical group has not yet provided evidence to support the claim.
“We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay”, Joe Biden warned.
The US President ordered the military commanders to develop operational plans to strike back against the terrorist militia by raiding their assets, facilities, and leadership.
For the thousands of Afghans gathering at the airport during the last few days, the hope of being evacuated is now the hope of surviving. The fear of a new attack remains.
Footage posted on social media depicts chaotic scenes of crowds trying to help the wounded amongst the bodies on the ground.
The streets scream from the terror. Spilled blood flows through Kabul. Thousands cry for an opportunity to live.
=> The “walk-in” suicide attackers acted in two sites:
Abbey Gate
- The main entrance to the airport is primarily secured by US Marines. The area surrounding the gate gathered crowds of refugees waiting to be allowed to enter the airfield, after the Taliban checkpoints outside the airport area.
Baron Hotel
- Evacuation handling center used by British soldiers and other allies’ officers, in order to process evacuees before entering Abbey Gate.
- The fear of further terrorist attacks by ISIS-K prevails.
Part-2
The final exit after 20 years of war in Afghanistan is getting closer.
During the past two weeks, more than 95.700 people have been evacuated by the US military and NATO allies. Since the end of July, 101.300 refugees have fled Afghanistan.
On Thursday (26th August), over the course of 12 hours, around 7.500 civilians were evacuated.
Despite the attack and further looming threats, western troops – the US, France, Germany, and the UK – are continuing to evacuate people at the best speed.
The ongoing operations focus on evacuating third-country nationals, special immigrant visa holders, embassy staff, and Afghans at risk.
However, the allies’ representatives are speaking out… there is no guarantee of success.
The window of opportunity is closing for thousands of lives.
Post 1
The United States’ longest war has come to an end. Tuesday the last US military plane departed from Kabul.
General Frank McKenzie, the superior of US Central Command, announced the completion of the evacuation mission. American nationals, third-country citizens, and vulnerable Afghans remain in Afghanistan.
A fewer number than 250 was released by a senior State Department official, as the number of American citizens still requesting to flee the country.
For two weeks, troops from many western countries have successfully brought thousand of lives to safety. According to President Joe Biden, the Afghan mission was the largest airlift in US history, evacuating over 120,000 people.
20 years of war, and nothing seems to have changed.
The US originally invaded Afghanistan to avenge the attacks of September 11, 2001. The American aim was to contain terrorist groups from growing power, such as al Qaeda and the Taliban. After two decades, the crisis is repeating. History is perpetual.
America left Afghanistan in the control of the Taliban military.
The broader political challenge is the recognition of the Taliban as the rulers of Afghanistan. By retrieving the diplomatic representation from the country, the US might be formally acknowledging the terrorist group as the leader.
The world has not heard the last of the Taliban.
Post 2
After the US withdraws from Afghanistan, the country was left as it was found: the Taliban in power.
The uncertainty travels Afghanistan, as other groups seek to control. New ground for terror is imminent. The terrorist organization ISIS-Khorasan prevails as the primordial threat to the Taliban.
Taliban
- Led by the reclusive Haibatullah Akhundzada, a senior religious cleric.
- Hard-line regime.
- The peace deal signed with the US – promises of more liberal treatment of women + fight al Qaeda in the joint military.
ISIS-K
- Formed of a small number of veteran jihadists from Syria and other foreign terrorist fighters.
- Exploits instability and spreads fear – by preparing attacks against minority sectarian targets and infrastructures.
Western countries live in fear of threats to their homelands. Efforts to identify, disrupt and destroy terrorist forces will endure –representatives of NATO countries say.
US citizens and allied nationals wanting to leave the country will still receive the support of the overland governments.
Post 3
Following the end of the US evacuation, efforts lot was left behind. Gear and… people.
Images from Kabul International Airport depict Taliban militia streaming through an abandoned hanger strewn with military equipment. The American troops have departed without many armaments, including helicopters.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby reassured the equipment is demilitarised, inept to be used.
“We made sure to demilitarize, to make unusable, all the gear that is at the airport — all the aircraft, all the ground vehicles. The only thing that we left operable are a couple of fire trucks and forklifts so that the airport itself can remain more operational going forward”, Kirby stated.
Concerning the people left in Afghanistan, the US government guaranteed commitment to help them return home and flee terror. Biden’s administration, together with NATO allies, is focusing on reopening Kabul airport to facilitate safe travel for the nationals, legal permanent residents, and Afghan associates.
The military mission is over, but the commitment is not.
In the meantime, the terrorist threat “remains high”.