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Saturday, August 21, 2021

08-20-2021-2248 - News - Foreign - Middle East - Taliban Appearance (bf1900-1978+)

The militant Islamist group is said to be carrying out door-to-door searches while violent scenes have also been reported at some Taliban-controlled checkpoints.

The militants seized control of major cities last week as part of a sweeping offensive that shocked international observers. It culminated in the fall of the capital, Kabul, which triggered the collapse of the Afghan government.

"A neighbour said they were searching for weapons, documents and government vehicles. They were trying to find out who had worked for Nato or the government."

"They have twice called at my house... looking for me and my husband," one of the women, Aida, said. "They are asking other members of my family where we are and they have also been sending me threatening texts."

"They say that when they find me they will kill me."

"Right now we are like turkeys in our homes," her colleague, Saabira, said. "We can't go out because the Taliban are all around us." She said her food supplies were running worryingly low. 

"The Taliban are trying to find government [workers], journalists, and women's rights activists. We are really worried - what if they come to our home? What if they knock on our door?"

"The airport is not possible for us because we haven't [got a] visa" she said. "We haven't got money or any support, so it's impossible."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58286372


The Taliban have stepped up their search for people who worked for Nato forces or the previous Afghan government, a report has warned.

It said the militants have been going door-to-door to find targets and threaten their family members.

The hardline Islamist group has tried to reassure Afghans since seizing power in a lightning offensive...

"It is in writing that, unless they give themselves in, the Taliban will arrest and prosecute, interrogate and punish family members on behalf of those individuals."

He warned that anyone on the Taliban's blacklist was in severe danger, and that there could be mass executions.

Their victory returns the group to power 20 years on from when they were toppled in a US-led invasion. 

The group's previous stint in power saw widespread abuses, including public executions and banning women from the workplace.


But in their first news conference since retaking control of Afghanistan, the group presented a conciliatory tone, promising women's rights would be respected "within the framework of Islamic law".


The Taliban have reportedly pledged not to force women to wear the burka - a one-piece veil that covers the face and body. Instead, the hijab - or a headscarf - will be compulsory.

They also said they did not want "any internal or external enemies" and that there would be an amnesty for former members of the security forces and those who worked with foreign powers.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58271797




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