With recent events unfolding in Afghanistan, the world has been shocked to see the tragedies that civilians are facing in an attempt to escape the country. The Taliban regained control over Afghanistan after its collapse due to US forces announcing withdrawal from the area and the president fleeing to the United Arab Emirates, leaving the place unstable. But before this quandary began, the Taliban’s previous rule had intimidated the citizens and shown how difficult it would be to remain in Afghanistan.
From 1996 to 2001, the extremist religious group, Taliban, had harshly ruled the majority of Afghanistan with restrictions and punishments. Women were prohibited from leaving their house to work or go to school, couldn’t go anywhere unaccompanied by a man, as well as being instructed to only wear burqas. Punishments were very radical, varying from amputation to being stoned. In 2001, after the 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States - which did 20 years this month, US military forces were sent to Afghanistan to go against the Taliban. Despite the terrorist group that attacked in 9/11 being Al-Qaeda and not the Taliban, they were associated with each other from training together and protecting one another. The US and their allies have persistently tried rebuilding the country by training the Afghan army, funding the reconstruction of roads, and changing the government system. Once the President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced the withdrawal of their forces in the country, in 2021, the Taliban managed to gain control again.
They invaded the Afghan capital, Kabul, together with its palace on August 16, 2021. The Afghan army failed to fight back while the President and other leaders fled. Recalling the inhumane previous rule, from 1996 to 2001, Afghan citizens are attempting to use the withdrawing US forces as their way out of the country. Despite the now ruling group saying they will respect women’s rights, many still fear for their safety and for their freedom. Thousands of people evacuated and many resorted to dangerous ways while trying to leave. Terrifying videos of people climbing onto planes and falling off them during take-off were posted, meanwhile, in another video, the Taliban is seen in the presidential palace gym with the intention of a humorous clip.
Many people in Afghanistan are angry at the failure of the US’s plan to rebuild the country, instead, leaving it the same way it was before. However, the leaders of the US and Australia continue to evacuate their citizens in what is now the greatest airlift in history.