By: Asem Mustafa Awan
The Kabul Airport blasts Thursday exposed the preparedness of the US troops who are guarding the parameters which have been left by the Taliban who took over Kabul a few days ago and announced general amnesty. Kabul’s take over by the Taliban resulted in a panic with thousands of Afghans rushing towards the airport as the deadline approaches and many resorted to means which were life-threatening. American troops shot dead many who wanted to board the airplanes and the information about the blasts was already with Americans.
Taliban earlier showed restraint and allowed the international community to conduct the evacuation of its personal and Pakistan’s role has been praised globally for facilitating the departure of the non-combatants.
The three blasts claimed over a hundred Afghans and 11 US troops. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility of the blasts. Media in the past interlinked Taliban and ISIS but Taliban have made it clear that they have no link with ISIS or Daesh.
The rumors of civil war and influx of refugees at the borders all died down as Taliban moved and their assurance of amnesty calmed down the situation in the region which also proved a point that they still stand strong and are connected with the masses.
It is too early to state how they will govern the country but one thing they made clear is that they will not accept any interference in their national affairs added with the surety which Pakistan earlier sought to restrain Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The United States President Joe Biden in a way has acknowledged the Taliban and now it is believed the security of the area is under the Taliban.
The incident at the airport is mourned at the United Nations and the half-mast flags of the nations representing the allied troops depict the reality is different from what is portrayed.
Taliban spokesperson Sohail Shaheen in his recent interview when asked about the troops invading Afghanistan gave a simple answer to the host that how would you feel and react when Afghanistan invade your country.
Sohail Shaheen dismissed the question of the fleeing Afghans with a reply that was very short and precise stating the west offered monetary gains for the fleeing and Kabul airport is besieged by people who were promised a future outside Afghanistan as after decades of war there is nothing much that is in the offing but we will rebuild it and make it.
Taliban portrayed as hardliners by the west have the confidence of the masses and that was the reason the army raised by the United States with millions of dollars couldn’t withstand their presence and sought the pardon that was for all.
There is another rumor that the United States which has lost its military hardware to the Taliban in order to conceal its latest technology conducted the blasts and shifted the blame which has been in the case of Iraq which was reduced to rubble on the pretext of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) which were never found.
The apology tendered by the United States official Collin Powell pointing fingers at Dick Cheney on Iraq invasion is just but words as it will not resurrect the dead.
The writer is Special Correspondent at The Dayspring