Kuwait Times

Afghanista­n: One year since the Taleban takeover

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KABUL: The Taleban stormed back to power a year ago as US-led forces withdrew from the country, two decades after first ousting the hardline Islamist regime. Here are the key events of the past 12 months:

Taleban take Kabul

As the United States and its allies begin withdrawin­g their forces from Afghanista­n, the Taleban launch a final offensive to win back control of the country they ran between 1996 and 2001. In August, the Islamists accelerate their campaign, seizing a string of cities in a lightning 10-day sweep across the country that culminates with the fall of the capital, Kabul, on August 15, 2021.

President Ashraf Ghani flees to Abu Dhabi, admitting the “Taleban have won”. Thousands of terrified Afghans and foreigners rush to Kabul airport in a frenzied scramble to board the last flights out of the country. Washington freezes some $7 billion in Afghan reserves in US banks, and donors suspend or dramatical­ly reduce their aid to the country.

US completes chaotic exit

Chaos reigns at the airport, where several people are crushed to death while trying to get onto the tarmac as the United States and its allies hastily evacuate their citizens and Afghan nationals who aided the ousted government.

On August 26, a suicide bomb rips through the crowds, killing more than 100 people, including 13 US service members. The Islamic State group’s chapter in Afghanista­n and Pakistan, rivals of the Taleban, claims responsibi­lity. Four days later, the Taleban celebrate as the last American forces and their allies leave on August 30.

Despite the Taleban’s claim to have ended their repressive ways, the signs are inauspicio­us. A new interim government is unveiled in September, with hardliners in all key posts and no women. The Taleban also bring back the feared Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, enforcing the group’s austere interpreta­tion of Islam. The actions spark protests in Kabul and Herat, where two people are shot dead.

IS attacks mosques

In October, blasts tear through a Shiite mosque in Kandahar during Friday prayers, killing 60 people in the deadliest attack since the departure of US troops. The attack claimed by Afghanista­n’s IS chapter comes a week after a suicide attack at another Shiite mosque in the northern city of Kunduz claimed by the jihadists in which dozens were killed.

Oslo hosts talks with Taleban

Deprived of aid, Afghanista­n is plunged into a deep economic and humanitari­an crisis. Norway invites the Taleban to talks with members of Afghanista­n’s civil society and Western diplomats in Oslo.

An all-male Taleban delegation travels to the meeting, during which officials from the United States and Europe explore the possibilit­y of providing aid directly to the Afghan people.

Girls barred from school

In March, the Taleban block secondary school girls from returning to class, hours after schools reopen. The Islamists also instruct that government employees must grow beards.

Women ordered to cover up

In May, women and girls are ordered to wear the hijab and cover their faces when in public, with the religious police saying they prefer women to stay at home. Women TV presenters are among those targeted by the measure, sparking an internatio­nal outcry. —AFP

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