The Fall of Afghanistan

Over the past few months, Afghanistan has suffered terrible events, which have disrupted peace and stability in many homes there. Taliban militants retook the Afghanistan capital almost two decades after they were driven from Kabul by US troops. Afghan security forces were well-funded and equipped; however, they put up little resistance as Taliban militants seized the country following the “...withdrawal of US troops beginning in early June” according to CNN.

In 1994, the Taliban was made up of former Afghan resistance fighters who fought the invading Soviet forces in the 1980s. They wanted to impose their interpretation of Islamic law on the country and remove foreign influence. They enforced strict rules on women and dictated their lives in many ways. However, this changed after September 11, 2001. After the attack, US and allied forces invaded Afghanistan, aiming to stop the Taliban from providing safe haven to terrorists and from using Afghanistan as a base of operations for terrorist activities. Despite facing criticisms for his decision, President Biden stated that, after 20 years of combat operations, it was time for the U.S. to withdraw. This happened after it got to a point where Afghanistan's own president, Ashraf Ghani, fled the country, leaving the presidential palace in the capture of Taliban fighters. The Biden administration's goal of complete withdrawal, which was to be completed by August 23rd, 2021, sent the Taliban into action of trying to regain control. Now, Biden’s administration officials are admitting that they “miscalculated” the speed at which the Taliban were able to take over the country.

Many videos surfaced on the internet of desperate and terrified Afghan civilians clinging to the wings of U.S. military aircraft as they took off from Kabul. People have fallen to their deaths after clinging to C-17 jets in an attempt to escape from Afghanistan. This is disheartening to see, as women, children and men are clinging onto planes to escape the brutality of the Taliban. Afghanistan is moving back in time and, unfortunately, there is not much we can do other than raise more awareness and support Afghan refugees. If you are looking to support Afghan refugees, here are some places where you can donate or volunteer your time.