US Withdrawal is Good for Afghanistan

Back in the early days of July last month, when the US troops switched off the lights in Bagram airbase to leave the country at mid-night without notifying their Afghan counterparts, most of the people including the experts lamented on US’s decision to withdraw the troops from Afghanistan. A barrage of opinion pieces filled social media sites and newspaper outlets with commentary of doom and gloom for Afghanistan. Whilst it’s true that an ominous vacuum was created because of the troops withdrawal and hence Taliban’s violence soared in the days following which still continues. But in the long term the withdrawal of foreign troops will be the best thing that has happened for Afghanistan. The most important difference it made was that it has taken away Taliban’s most pivotal claim that their war was a “Jihad” against foreign occupiers and their aim was to fight until the country is liberated from foreign occupation. Well, what now? Foreigners have left, what are Taliban still fighting for? These questions have not only exposed Taliban to more robust opposition and resistance from public but given much needed morale boost to the Afghan security forces. Taliban’s religious card throughout the last two decades have finally been officially scrapped.

It’s true and proven that the existence of foreign troops didn’t make the security of Afghanistan any better, in fact quite the opposite. Their presence also made it difficult for ordinary Afghans, the Afghan government as well as the Afghan security forces to adamantly refute some of Taliban’s reasons for their legitimacy of war, however disputable those reasons were. At least since 2014, almost all military operations are conducted by the Afghan defence forces. Leading the war and protection of the country are the Afghan national security and defence forces, with occasional aerial assistance from foreign allies. Afghan security forces are more than capable of dealing with Taliban’s threat given they have the resources they need. At the top of the list is a committed international financial assistance to the Afghan national security forces. That will suffice for logistics and other military equipment needed to thwart any threat posed to the country. So, we don’t need physical presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan, which by all means is counterproductive. The most significant bit of Taliban’s propaganda has been the presence of foreign troops on Afghan soil. As mentioned above, one of the main reasons Taliban garnered significant support for their military activities was the argument that their war is a just struggle against foreign invasion. That also gave Taliban an explanation to exploit and trigger religious accounts to cover for their military venture. With the withdrawal of foreign troops that cover has been lifted leaving their real motives naked, mostly political and gaining power. At this moment, every harm Taliban cause is to ordinary Afghans and their livelihoods. Their war is waged against Afghans. This war is against all Islamic and human values.

The tables have turned on Taliban now making it much more difficult for them to convince anyone why this war and violence should persist a day longer. Any person with a sensible head on their shoulders are calling for peace settlement and an end to decades long misery. The ball is in Taliban’s court, and they are responsible for every loss of life which can obviously be avoided if the differences are ironed out through peace talks. The current conflict no longer has any legitimacy whatsoever, making it hard for Taliban to sell their arguments. These new developments have also arisen a perfect opportunity for Afghan security forces to amass full support of the people which is the key to the success of any military mission. You need the moral support and backing of ordinary people, which Taliban lack. Taliban’s heartless and brutal violence in the last few weeks have exposed their true intentions which is that they are not interested in peace, instead their goal is to gain power by any means possible - most obvious one is their tactics of exerting fear into the hearts of people. However, unlike 1990s this time round much to the disappointment and surprise of Taliban the common Afghan folks will not be bowed and cowered down by Taliban’s vicious cycle of violence and intimidation. We have come along way with numerous avenues of expressing opinions and preferences. The people will not settle down for another repressive and medieval regime of Taliban. This generation of educated youth are aspiring to a prosperous and progressive country in which the rights of everyone is secured and cherished. In the last week Afghans in almost every province in the country have gone out to the streets and their rooftops to chant the holy cry of Allah u Akbar i.e. God is Great in a show of patriotism to their beloved country and defiance against Taliban’s campaign of destruction.

Most conspicuously, Taliban are only left with two options; either declare a ceasefire and opt for peace talks or continue with their senseless and brutal war against an innocent and war weary nation. Last time we had these two options was in early 90s. Our leaders chose the latter option and we all witnessed what ensued afterwards. We are suffering to this day. The only people benefitting from the current conflict is foreign interests. This is not our war; we are doing a disservice to our people. This is the time to put egos and personal grudges aside. Have some mercy on our kids. The future of our kids is hinged on which route we take at this juncture. Real Jihad is now to choose peace and usher in an era of welfare and happiness to this war-torn land of ours.

Bilal Nikyar – Political Analyst