Adams’s letter riddled with inaccuracies because the Taliban the most brutal regime in Afghanistan

Yagyah Adams – your letter re Afghanistan is riddled with inaccuracies and false claims.

First of all, the USA did not attack Afghanistan. They attacked the Taliban because they were providing safe harbour for the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda and their leader, Bin Laden against whom the US had compelling evidence linking them to the cowardly act of terrorism on 9/11, evidence which was later confirmed in a taped interview by Bin Laden himself.

The goal of the US was to eradicate al-Qaeda and Bin Laden, both of which were achieved.

And despite your erroneous claim that the USA are financially and militarily ruined, there is no doubt that if so desired, they would have no problem taking over the country of Afghanistan. The truth is, your Pathan ancestors, the Taliban, were the most brutal and barbaric regime in recent history. Thousands of civilians slaughtered, the condoning and profiteering from the opium and heroin drug trade (despite their feeble claims of banning these drugs) and their direct links to Islamic terrorism are well documented.

But for me, the most disgusting crime they were guilty of was the barbaric and brutal treatment of women.

Based on Pashtunwali beliefs and Sharia law, women were forced to wear the burka in public, banned from working, banned from wearing high heels, lipstick and nail polish, and worst of all, not permitted education from the age of 8.

Public floggings of women were commonplace. Under the Taliban, 80% of marriages were forced.

So despite your attempts to portray these people as heroic and humble, the evidence is clear.

The Taliban were, and still remain, an archaic and barbaric people.

One can only hope that they never regain power in this country.

GARY JAMES | Hout Bay