The Islamist group “Taliban”, which has captured Afghanistan, is increasingly asserting that they will return to the brutal regime they exercised when they came to power more than twenty years ago, TV3 News reports.
The leadership of the new Afghan government includes militants responsible for violent policies in the 1990s, former Guantánamo detainees, current US and UN blacklists; hardened battle fighters. An interview with a representative of the Taliban’s new government’s cultural commission was broadcast on Australian television, in which he revealed that women’s sports, especially women’s cricket, would be banned in Afghanistan.
Deputy Head of the Taliban Cultural Commission
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“Islam and the Islamic Emirate do not allow women to play cricket. Girls do not need sports. When playing sports, they do not follow the code of dress, and Islam does not allow it. We have fought for our religion to keep Islam. Even if it provokes resistance, we will not deviate from Islamic law. “
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The Taliban is demonstrating its strength in other ways as well. Italian broadcaster Sky has released footage from the Panshire Valley in Afghanistan showing Taliban forces walking through the grave of Ahmad Shah Masud, the legendary Mujahideen leader during the USSR occupation. The Taliban have announced that all of Afghanistan has finally been liberated from the occupiers.
“It was not our heroism, but the grace of Allah. We had very limited abilities, by the grace of Allah we conquered the world. They are oppressors and tyrants. They had started violent tyranny, Muslims were oppressed, beaten. “
The European Union (EU), in response to the situation in Afghanistan, deplored the Taliban’s interim cabinet, saying it had not kept its promise to form an “inclusive and representative government”.
Peter Stano, European Commission representative
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“This government is not what the Taliban promised. One of the criteria set by the EU was the establishment of an inclusive and representative government. Only when this is done will we decide on the level of involvement in this country. “
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The Norwegian ambassador to Iran has announced that the Taliban have taken over the Norwegian embassy. The Taliban have said they will return the embassy, but first the Taliban will smash wine bottles and destroy children’s books. The international community is watching the Taliban’s activities in Afghanistan with caution. The EU and the US have stated that the approach to be taken in relations with the new Kabul administration will be judged on the basis of Taliban actions rather than promises. The Taliban, meanwhile, have said they will engage in dialogue with the West if their laws are respected.
Suhail Shahail, Representative of the Taliban Politburo in Qatar
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“If the United States wants to play a constructive role in Afghanistan, to invest in our country to promote peace and stability, they are welcome. But if they continue to be hostile and war, I think our leadership will have to make a decision on that. “
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67 The Afghan embassy abroad does not recognize the Taliban regime of the radical Islamist movement, said Mohammad Zahir Akbar, the Afghan ambassador to Tajikistan. Protests against the Taliban have not subsided in Afghanistan, and Western countries are increasingly calling for help from Afghans who once supported US and Allied forces in Afghanistan.
