The Taliban has promised to respect women’s rights, forgive those who fought against it and ensure Afghanistan does not become a haven for other armed groups. But Afghans and world leaders have viewed the promises the group made in its first news conference in 20 years with scepticism. Many fear a return to the Taliban’s harsh rule from its previous stint between 1996-2001 but the group has promised to be more inclusive within the framework of Islam. Al Jazeera’s Charlotte Bellis reports from Kabul. Afghanistan. – Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish/ – Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera/ – Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #Afghanistan #Taliban #Kabul
It took the Taliban ten days to take over Afghanistan, and emotions are ranging from astonishment at how quickly it happened to fear of what lies ahead. There have been chaotic scenes at Kabul airport, with large crowds of people desperate to get out of the country. But all flights have been cancelled, at least for the next few days. Al Jazeera’s Charlotte Bellis joins us from the Afghan capital for the latest updates.
After 9/11, United States President George W. Bush launched a ‘global war on terror.’ Within weeks, the Taliban was toppled for providing safe haven for Al al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. In May 2011, US Special forces killed Osama bin Laden in neighbouring Pakistan. As the war continued, diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement intensified. In 2013, the Taliban opened an office in Qatar at the US’s request, but it wasn’t until 2020 that a peace deal was reached under the Trump Administration. President Joe Biden stuck to the agreement and ordered a full withdrawal of troops. More than 2,300 US troops and at least 35,000 Afghan civilians have died […]
The Taliban has declared the war in Afghanistan over after its fighters swept into the capital, Kabul, and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. As American forces continue to evacuate diplomats and Afghan partners through Kabul airport, the armed group has taken control of the now-abandoned presidential palace. Extraordinary scenes of fighters rolling up the national flag and posing for pictures behind President Ashraf Ghani’s desk were obtained by Al Jazeera. The Taliban says it is committed to a peaceful transition of power and is open to talks to form what it calls an ”open, inclusive, Islamic government”. Al Jazeera’s Charlotte Bellis reports from Kabul, Afghanistan. – Follow us on […]
