Taliban Resurgence in Afghanistan A Threat to Shias, Women's Education and Regional Peace
Political
interests of Russia, China and Pakistan tilt the balance in favour of Taliban
Main
Points:
1. ISIS has started attacking Shias.
2. Taliban return may boost sleeper cells in the
sub-continent
3. Modern schools have been attacked
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By New
Age Islam Staff Writer
28
July 2021
As the
US has already pulled out 90% of its troops from Afghanistan and plans to
complete the process by 31 August, Taliban in Afghanistan are on a resurgent
note. According to reports, the Taliban claim to have gained control of 220 out
of 420 districts of Afghanistan.
From
the developments seen in Afghanistan since last year and more particularly
since May this year, it is feared that with the dominance of Taliban or
establishment of a Taliban government, Shias and women's education will be hurt
the most. Secondly, terrorism will see a rise not only in Afghanistan but also
in the Indian sub-continent.
According
to a recent report of the United Nations Security Council, the ISIS-Khorasan
has strengthened base in a number of provinces including Kabul. They have
started recruiting disgruntled members of Taliban who do not accept US-Taliban
peace deal. They have formed sleeper cells in Nuristan, Baghlan, Kunduz,
Badakhshan, Badghees, Sari Pul and Kabul.
The
claims made in the report was authenticated by recent attacks on Shia
neighbourhoods in Kabul by the ISIS. On May 9, 2021, the ISIS attacked a Shia
neighbourhood in Kabul killing 68 Shias and injuring 150.
Last
year, the ISIS-K (Khorasan) had attacked schools, ceremonies and clinics
targetting Shias. On May 12, 2020, the ISIS attacked a maternity clinic in Shia
locality in Kabul and killed 24 mothers, new born babies and one medical
personnel.
On
March 6, 2020, the ISIS attacked a ceremony attended by Shias killing 32
members of the community.
On
October 24, 2020, the ISIS attacked a school of Shias in the Dasht-e-Barchi
area of Kabul and killed 40 Shia girl students.
On
February 3, 2020, the ISIS attacked a Shia girls's school in Takhtar province.
With
the rise of Taliban and the US pull out from Afghanistan, the ISIS and Al Qaida
will scramble for their share in power. This will lead to internal strife and
bloodshed. The Shias and other minority communities will be at the receiving
end of the ISIS as the terrorist outfits will highten their sectarian operations
to build pressure on Taliban.
According
to the UN report, the AQIS (Al Qaida in the Indian Sub-continent) continues to
operate under the protection of Taliban in Afghanistan. This raises the concern
of security analysts of India that with the dominance of Taliban, the sleeper
cells of ISIS and Al Qaida in the subcontinent may get a boost. The terrorist
attacks in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the last couple of years may serve as a
reminder of the threat of Al Qaida and ISIS in the sub-continent.
With
the advance of the Taliban, it becomes clear that the 20 year long fight
between the US and the Taliban has only made Taliban stronger and battle
hardened. Fighting with the most powerful army of the world has only given them
experience and expertise in warfare. The US did not equip the Afghan government
forces in the last 20 years to make it have an edge over the Taliban. Its
political alliance with the oil rich kingdom of Qatar has only benefitted
Taliban.
It is
also important to note that the support of Pakistani people for Taliban is
increasing because some Islamic organisations in the sub-continent do not
consider Taliban as a terrorist organisation. They think that the Taliban try
to establish Islamic caliphate. They have forgotten the previous rule of
Taliban in Afghanistan when minorities and women had suffered the most and
modern education had suffered. Bamiyan Buddha was destroyed.
On the
contrary, the Afghan army's morale is low and they are not well equipped.
Political interests of Russia, China and Pakistan have also tilted the balance
in favour of Taliban as they see the Afghan government a puppet of the US.
In
short, if Taliban come to power in Afghanistan, it will not augur well for the
Indian sub-continent as Afghanistan will become a centre of extremist and
terrorist activities. The AQIS and the ISIS will highten their activities.
These forces may make Kashmir their target at the behest of Pakistan. Safety
and security of Shias in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be under increased threat.
Modern education and women's right will suffer. Another round of oppression and
victimisation of minorities in Afghanistan is looming.
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