A generationn Afghanistan inspires resistance to radical Islamist rule TalibanConflict broke out during a demonstration for women’s rights in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. According to a local reporter on Saturday, at least one woman was injured. Fighting continues in Panjir Province, the only province that has not yet been conquered by the Taliban.
According to videos from local TV stations and activists, the demonstrations caused chaos. From the photos shared on social media, it can be seen that there were initially about two dozen women peacefully demonstrating near the presidential palace. They have slogans in their hands that read, for example: “We are not women 20 years ago” or “Equality-Justice-Democracy!”.
The video shows how these women were surrounded by 50 or more Taliban security forces and engaged in screaming duels with the Taliban. Several of them coughed. A Taliban commander asked through a loudspeaker: “…Wait, what’s the problem, what do you want, girls have no problem, okay?” A young woman’s voice can be heard in the background asking: “Why are you hitting someone? Us?” A local reporter shared a video of a woman bleeding on the head.
“We are not the women of 20 years ago”
In a video produced by protest activists, a woman said that women were educated to hold senior government positions. “They let us step aside today, what is our fault?” she asked.
The women who recorded the video said that women’s peaceful protests were once again suppressed by the Taliban. They fired warning shots and used tear gas.
These videos and information could not be independently verified initially. CNN also reported on women’s protests. Prior to this, several women had held demonstrations for women’s rights in Kabul on Friday. One participant, Taranum Sajidi, told the German news agency on Saturday that this situation forced them to take to the streets and claim their rights. She has three university degrees, and now they want her to stay at home. The Taliban only want women in low positions.
During the Taliban regime from 1996 to 2001, Afghan women were no longer allowed to work and could only leave home when accompanied by male family members. She is forbidden to speak loudly or laugh in public. Girls are also excluded from school. With Islamists in power repeatedly, many women worry that they will reintroduce similar rules for them.
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The leader of the resistance against the Taliban said on Saturday that he wanted to continue fighting. “We will never give up fighting for God, freedom and justice,” Achmad Massud said on his Facebook page. For five days, fighters from the Taliban and the National Resistance Front clashed in small-scale clashes near Punjir, the only province in the country not controlled by the Taliban.
Originally, both parties stated that they would resolve the outstanding power issue through negotiation. The National Resistance Front spokesperson wrote on Twitter this week that the Taliban had offered Masood a position in the future government and protected his property. However, he refused and proved this on the grounds that he did not pursue any personal interests. So far, the Taliban have not issued any statements.
In the past few days, the battle around Punjir may have intensified. Both parties stated that they caused heavy losses to the other party. The Taliban were unable to conquer Panjir during their first rule from 1996 to 2001. In addition to the hard work of the Northern Alliance, this is also because of the geographical location-the valley entrance is narrow, easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Probably after false rumors about Punjir’s fall on Friday night, Taliban fighters shot in the capital Kabul for a few minutes. Apparently several people were killed or injured as a result. The NGO Emergency Hospital announced on Saturday that it has treated at least ten people with gunshot wounds since Friday night. Two people with gunshot wounds have been taken to the hospital and died.
