A rush to Afghanistan borders with neighboring countries following the closure of Kabul airport raised concerns about a looming border crisis.
Thousands of Afghans fleeing the country flocked to the country’s borders on Wednesday escalating concerns over a border crisis`. It occurs as an institutional gap following Taliban’s seizure left international funders uncertain about how to react to an impending humanitarian disaster.
Following the complete evacuation of US soldiers two days earlier, Taliban forces concentrated on retaining control over medical centers, banks, and administrative equipment. This marked the end of a massive evacuation of Afghan nationals who had assisted US and NATO forces during the two decades of conflict.
With hopes to an airlift collapsed after the closure of Kabul airport, corporate initiatives to assist Afghans who feared Taliban retaliation concentrated on other routes. Organizing safe transport through the country’s mountainous borders with neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Iran and Far East countries, to avoid a potential border crisis entails the main attempts.
“A huge number of people are waiting on Afghanistan side for the gate to open,” a Pakistani source said at a border checkpoint with Afghanistan. Witnesses also described tens of thousands of people flocked at the Islam Qala crossing station with Iran.
following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul few weeks ago, a US-led air evacuation program transported more than 123,000 people. US officials, however, failed to keep the pledge about safeguarding Afghan assistants and tens of thousands were left behind in danger.
Germany estimated the number of Afghan nationals deserving evacuation to be around 40,000 people. The group provided assistance for western military section or brokers.
According to French Foreign Minister, Taliban delegates are in talks with Doha and Ankara over the way to operate airport. Jean-Yves Le Drian, nevertheless, asserted that the talks could take long time.
A Looming Border Crisis
Uzbekistan’s border crossing with Afghanistan in the north remained closed. The government has claimed that whenever flights begin, it will aid Afghan nationals in transiting to Berlin by air.
The United Nations Security Council encouraged the Islamic Emirate officials to allow safe travel for anyone trying to forsake the country. The UNSC, however, did not specify the formation of a safe zone, as had been advocated by some other countries.
The Taliban have proclaimed a pardon for all Afghan collaborators of foreign elements during the offensive that removed them from office two decades ago. The amnesty announcement, however, did not relive the anxiety of the group due to the ambiguous future of Taliban administrative system.
Taliban officials have also urged Afghans residing in foreign countries to get back and assist with the rebuilding program of the country. It vowed to preserve human rights, in an obvious attempt to project a more moderate image than their previous regime.
When the group took control in 1996, they made multiple vows of similar essence. They, nevertheless, publicly executed a previous president and barred females from working and education. Taliban also imposed stringent clothing regulations, and expanded regional terrorist attacks.
The scenes of beating women in the public, ousting them from the local television, and taking control of institutions they don’t know about their operations is reminiscent of the former Taliban power.
The condition, thus, led to a haphazard rush towards to land borders. The pandemic precautions and security concerns may lead to a full-scale border crisis in the coming weeks.
The US left Afghanistan after two decades of direct involvement in local affairs of the country. The outcome was the domination of the same group they entered the country to annihilate, and a more severe border crisis.
