In the first interview with Western journalists since they came to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban affirmed: They want to let the past be gone and look for a new beginning. “We want to build the future and forget what happened in the past,” said Taliban spokesman Sabiullah Mujahid “New York Times”.
Mujahid rejects widespread fears that the Taliban are already taking revenge on their opponents and reintroducing the strict controls on women for whom they were notorious in power over two decades ago.
At a press conference on Tuesday, he advised women to stay at home for the time being for their own protection. The Taliban admitted that women are not safe in the presence of soldiers of the holy warriors. “We want to make sure that women don’t have to worry,” said Mujahid. “We therefore ask them not to go to work until the situation has normalized and issues specific to women have been clarified. Afterwards they can return to their place of work. “
Taliban: “Need specialist knowledge when the crazy foreigners are gone”
The security situation in the country has largely calmed down – except on the way to and around Kabul airport. The Americans are flying the last evacuation flights before the US forces plan to withdraw their last Marines before August 31. Around 500 US citizens are still trying to get to the airport; according to the US State Department, around 1000 Americans prefer to stay in the country. This was while the Taliban reportedly blocked off all access roads to the airport on Thursday night. Only foreigners and Afghans accompanied by a foreigner can get through.
Avoid goals: US embassy warns of danger at Kabul airport
The US embassy in Kabul has advised US citizens not to come to the Afghan capital’s airport for security reasons. There is a danger situation at the gates of the airport, warned the embassy on Thursday night. “US citizens who are currently at Abbey Gate, East Gate or North Gate should leave the area immediately,” it said. Exceptions should only be made in the event of individual instructions from US government officials. The German embassy had previously warned of shootings and terrorist attacks at Kabul airport.
The US embassy in Kabul has advised US citizens not to come to the Afghan capital’s airport for security reasons. There is a danger situation at the gates of the airport, warned the embassy on Thursday night. “US citizens who are currently at Abbey Gate, East Gate or North Gate should leave the area immediately,” it said. Exceptions should only be made in the event of individual instructions from US government officials. The German embassy had previously warned of shootings and terrorist attacks at Kabul airport.
How long Afghanistan will remain isolated from the outside world is unclear. The Taliban seem to be trying to restart government business and the economy as quickly as possible. “Don’t panic and get back to work” – Ashraf Haidari (47), an economist in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, reports on such a call from the Taliban. A Taliban commander called him and said: “Don’t panic and don’t try to hide. The authorities need your expertise to rule our country when the crazy foreigners are gone, ”Haidari added “Reuters”.
Most Afghans are not currently concerned with the security situation. The guns are silent, according to the latest weekly report from the UN Agency for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (Ocha). The biggest problem at the moment is not the Taliban, but closed banks, no money, a lack of gasoline – and hunger.
Afghanistan is threatened with famine
A famine threatens in Afghanistan. The Dutchman Thomas ten Boer, Afghanistan director of Welthungerhilfe, has also been asked by the Taliban to resume humanitarian aid in the country. Ten Boer was on home leave when the situation in Afghanistan escalated. As soon as there are flights to Kabul again, he wants to return. All World Hunger Aid offices in the country should be open again next week, ten Boer said “Mirrors”.
The Taliban had asked twelve humanitarian organizations «in talks with village elders to resume our humanitarian work across the country. That’s not the problem, ”said ten Boer. “What worries me is whether we have enough gasoline to distribute our relief supplies.” And because banks remain closed, no suppliers can be paid and no money can be withdrawn.
Winter is coming soon
Every third person in Afghanistan is acutely threatened by hunger. The Taliban are taking over a country on the brink: “For months, refugees have been living around the capital in disastrous conditions, between garbage dumps and without medical care, stable accommodation and schooling for the children.” With the change of power, the situation has worsened: officials have not received a salary since June, at the latest since July: “In addition, prices have risen extremely. In the north in particular, many people simply can no longer afford food. “
Winter will come in two or three months. It’s bitterly cold in Afghanistan. Ten Boer: “At minus 20 degrees, people cannot survive in tents or makeshift housing. That affects hundreds of thousands. “