A lot is happening in Afghanistan nowadays. There are speculations that another civil war is about to happen in the country. Why? Because by 11 September, all foreign troops are scheduled to be withdrawn from Afghanistan. This is happening according to a deal signed by the USA and Taliban in Qatar known as Doha Agreement. The withdrawal of troops started last year and this has caused a security vacuum in Afghanistan. Now, the Taliban are capturing key districts to gain an upper hand when there is a complete withdrawal of foreign forces. To know about the recent attacks of the Taliban, the Afghan Peace process, and who actually are the Taliban- Read the Article!
The recent news about The Taliban capturing Key Districts in Afghanistan:
Taliban is attacking districts in Afghanistan to gain land. The group has been capturing land to gain political influence. Afghanistan has more than 400 districts. In May 2021, the Taliban claimed that they had gained control of 90 districts and would continue to grow.
On 22 June, Taliban militants captured a key Border crossing near Tajikistan. The name of this border crossing is Shir Khan and is one of the most important capturing by the Taliban in recent times.
On 29 June 2021, Taliban militants attacked Ghazni.
On 5 July 2021, some 1000 Afghan soldiers fled to Tajikistan to save themselves from the Taliban. Taliban militants are advancing with full force now. The withdrawal of the US and its allies’ troops has given them the chance to have a strong foothold in the region. Taliban militants took control of several districts in the Badakhshan province which borders Tajikistan. Taliban militants are getting stronger in the Northern regions of the country.
However, the Taliban spokesman has denied the Taliban’s involvement in Violence. He said that the Taliban captured these areas after negotiation with Afghan troops. Afghan troops retreated and we gained a foothold in these areas. It is being reported that only 2 out of 10 districts showed some resistance. Taliban captured the remaining districts without facing any resistance.
To Know why the US and its Allies’ troops are leaving Afghanistan, you have to understand the Doha Accord (the ending of the Afghan Peace process).
Afghan Peace Process:
The Peace Process started in 2009 when Obama presented AF-PAK Policy. This peace process had its ups and downs. The major development happened in February 2020 when Trump agreed to pull out US troops from Afghanistan.
During the historic deal, Donald Trump agreed to pull out NATO forces from Afghanistan within 14 months. This deal will be completed in September 2021.
Demands In US-Taliban Deal- the Doha deal:
US Demands:
1) the US demanded that the Taliban will no longer provide shelter to Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist organization.
2) Release Afghan security forces in Taliban Jai
Taliban demands:
1) To release 5000 Taliban Prisoners from cells.
2) All foreign forces must pull out from Afghan soil.
3) the US will lift sanctions against the Taliban
In this deal, the Taliban agreed not to attack any foreign troops. But they did not agree on attacking Afghan troops. Now, as foreign troops are leaving Afghanistan, the Taliban is attacking Afghan troops and control about a third of the country.
Taliban warning to the US amidst capturing key districts:
President Joe Biden has agreed that the US will withdraw its troops by 11 September. Taliban has been attacking districts of Afghanistan since the withdrawal of NATO troops. Due to Militants grabbing the Afghan soil, there have been reports that the US might be thinking to leave some troops in Afghanistan. There are reports that 650 US troops will remain in Afghanistan even after 11 September. Taliban spokesman said that any foreign troop after 11 September would be considered a foreign occupier. He further threatened that we have the right to react if the US doesn’t pull out all troops.
Who actually are Taliban Militants?
It all started when Soviet Army invaded Afghanistan to support a communist government in 1979. This communist government was facing internal threats. Due to the Soviet attack, armed Afghan fighters labeled the Mujahideen, fought back. After a long 10-year bloodbath, the Soviet was defeated. This defeat of the Soviets was so influential that it resulted in the Fall of the Berlin Wall and 10 countries got independence.
When Soviet troops retreated, Civil War in Afghanistan broke out. Mujahideen at those times fought against each other to gain political influence. During those times, the Taliban emerged. Taliban gained power in Afghanistan after the civil war. However, the majority of the world didn’t recognize the Taliban government. But the real calamity upon the Taliban occurred when 9/11 happened.
Taliban government was accused of supporting Al-Qaeda by the USA and then in 2001, the USA and its allies invaded Afghanistan. This invasion toppled the Taliban regime. Since then, the Taliban and the USA and its allies’ troops are at war with each other.
Predictions about Afghanistan Future:
There are many predictions by experts about the future of Afghanistan. Most of them think that The future is bleak. Why? Because the country doesn’t have the capability to curb insurgency. Currently, there are issues of governance, militant groups, drugs, and human trafficking. With foreign forces leaving Afghanistan, there is a chance that many militant groups will take advantage of this security vacuum. Right now, the Taliban is capturing key districts in Afghanistan. What the future holds for the Afghan people? We will have to wait and see.
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