On August 15, the Taliban, a fundamentalist Deobandi Islamic group, captured Kabul after a ten-day takeover of Afghanistan. The United States (U.S.) and allied forces raced to evacuate tens of thousands of its citizens and vulnerable Afghans by August 31. The departure from Kabul International Airport was chaotic, involving the killing of 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 other people. Many Afghans live in fear of the return to the Taliban’s sporadic killings of citizens under its rule, though it claims it will restore law and order. Afghanistan, although free from 20 years of U.S. intervention, now faces an uncertain future under the Taliban regime.
The uncertainty hanging over Afghanistan is wreaking havoc and causing chaos within the country. Amidst the chaos, the Taliban recently announced its plans to form an “inclusive, Islamic government,” with the Associated Press (AP) reporting that the Taliban is currently arranging bilateral talks with senior politicians of the former government to make significant changes to the current political platform. However, the particulars of this plan are yet unknown. As a result, to reach safer ground, individuals in Afghanistan raced to the airport, flooding the tarmac. Moreover, seven people were reported to have fallen to their deaths from a plane as it was taking off, and another seven died in a crush outside the airport. In addition, President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Although his location was unknown for a few days, the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) later revealed that he was seeking asylum in the Gulf nation.
Afghanistan’s Undetermined Future
Though initial reports by the U.S. Defense officials estimated that Afghanistan would fall within 90 days following the U.S. withdrawal, the Taliban shocked the world when it took over the country’s capital, Kabul, after only ten days. With the promise of the total withdrawal of the U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) from Afghanistan after their peace agreement, the Taliban began to push forward even as it negotiated with Ghani. However, when negotiations failed to bear fruit, the Taliban expressed that there would not be peace until Ghani was removed, ultimately causing the previous President to flee the country.
Several factors contributed to the Taliban’s successful military push. The first was that there was little resistance from either the government or the Afghan army. Despite the billions of dollars in funding and training that had been received over two decades by foreign forces, the unwillingness of the Afghan army to fight back against the Taliban and the corruption that plagued the political and military system were the main reasons for the easy take-over. According to Professor Kim Soowan (Ingenium College of Convergence Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), the Afghan soldiers were in a situation where they had not received wages for several months, which caused them to surrender. This prompted U.S. President Joe Biden to state that “American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves,” thus shifting the blame to Afghanistan.
Not only did the lack of will to fight influence the outcome, but the Taliban’s localized military strategy was also a factor in Afghanistan’s fall. According to CNBC, the Taliban had larger numbers than in the past and had developed strategies that left the Afghan army and foreign military “outmaneuvered.” For instance, when surrounding Kabul, the Taliban blocked supply lines for the government forces. Moreover, even though the Taliban did not have superiority in terms of weapons, they still had access to equipment previously provided by the U.S. and outside powers, such as Pakistan. According to Professor Kim, this meant that they had improved and developed their strategies with guerrilla warfare, achieving more sophisticated strategies.
International bodies have voiced their concerns about the future of the country under the Taliban’s rule due to the group’s past reign in 1996 to 2001, where women were deprived of their rights and death was a day-to-day event. Despite these fears, in an interview with AP, the Taliban claimed that they would reach an agreement that would be acceptable for both parties. In other words, a new government would be created under Shariah law, which is Islam’s legal system that defines the framework of daily life and provides guidance regarding family matters, finance, and business. Nonetheless, they have stated that the new government would not follow that of the past but be more “inclusive” where women will be allowed to have education, work, and participate in politics; however, they would have to wear the hijab, a headscarf that covers the women’s hair and neck. Despite these statements, there have been reports that the Taliban has imposed restrictions on women. Professor Kim states that these declarations seem to be false because women are currently unable to lead a normal social life.
Afghans and international observers are still skeptical about the real intentions of the group. Recent actions such as releasing members of terrorist groups such as Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda and the public threats against an anchor on national television have obscured the Taliban’s real motives. In addition, the terrorist attack by the IS Khorasan Province (IS-K) at Kabul Airport on August 26 has also caused concern about the future of the country. This incident killed a total of 170 people, including 13 U.S. soldiers and two British nationals. In response to this offense, the U.S. attacked IS-K in a drone strike, in which the architect of the airport attack is believed to have died. This supported Biden’s public statements, “We will not forgive, we will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
With the U.S. completely leaving Afghanistan on August 31, the issue of IS-K is left for the Afghans and the Taliban to solve. IS-K is one of the most extreme and violent militant groups, with some of its members from Taliban defectors, which might lead to a violent clash between the two groups when forming a new government. Moreover, with the Taliban claiming that they want to reach peaceful agreements with Western nations and establish a more inclusive nation under Shariah law, conflict seems unavoidable.
Not only are there internal struggles, but Afghanistan is also currently facing a serious economic crisis. According to Professor Kim, aid from international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank was cut off right after Taliban’s occupation, which will ultimately affect the citizens economically. Moreover, Taliban’s rule poses a great threat to neighboring countries. To the west, Iran is closely monitoring sectarian conflict with the Sunni Taliban, while in the north, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are concerned about the possibility of Islamic militants colliding with the Taliban.
Women’s Rights Under Taliban’s Control
When Afghanistan was under Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, Afghan women faced multiple restrictions in their personal and social life. According to Professor Mona Tajali (International Relations and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, Agnes Scott College), the Taliban “tries to justify mistreatments of individuals in the name of Islam.” As part of the executive board of Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML), a transnational feminist organization, Professor Tajali is working closely with Afghan women. She strives to provide a platform for women whose lives are shaped and affected by Islam. Recently Zabiullah Mujahid, the official spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, stated that the Taliban plans to respect the rights of women in Afghanistan “within the framework of Islamic law.” Afghan women have expressed concerns about this statement, as many feel this may be no different from the Taliban’s past interpretation of Shariah law.
From 1996 to 2001, the Taliban disapproved of girls and women exercising their own rights. Females aged 10 and over were unable to attend school, and women were prohibited from working outside of their homes without the assistance of a male relative. Not only were education and employment restricted, but also their clothing was policed. Women had to wear an all-encompassing burqa, which symbolizes and enforces their silence. Those who defied the Taliban’s laws were brutally punished with floggings or beatings.
In recent years, the Taliban has aimed to present itself as an organization that utilizes soft power and moderate force. Since the takeover, the AP mentioned that “they promised to respect women’s rights, forgive those who fought against them,” and “prevent Afghanistan from being used as a base for terror attacks.” Professor Tajali denies claims that the Taliban “have changed or have moderated their stance.” She claims on hearing reports and seeing actual evidence from within Afghanistan, proving that conservative religious interpretations still play a key role in their ruling. Based on history, Afghanistan may have to wait and see as events unfold to get a clear picture of how women will be treated under Taliban rule.
Because the Taliban’s interpretation and implementation of Shariah law is uncertain, many are looking towards other countries to predict Afghanistan’s future. For example, the law in Saudi Arabia has a solid foundation in Shariah and, as reported by AP, hudud punishments or punishments for “sins such as adultery, rape, homosexuality, theft and murder,” are commonly carried out in public. Extreme punishments also include beheadings and crucifixions. Iran’s legal system also relies on Shariah. In 2017, Amnesty International criticized Iran’s “persistent use of cruel and inhuman punishments, including floggings, amputations and forced blinding.” Although Shariah law is open to interpretation, some countries have manipulated its meaning to enforce brutal and harsh punishment for disobedience.
Despite efforts to look towards other Muslim countries for answers, Professor Jennifer Fluri (Feminist Political Geography and Development Studies, University of Colorado Boulder) mentions that the Taliban’s stance on relying on the Islamic framework is unclear. She points out that “if you read the Quran, it says ‘men and women are equal before the eyes of god.’” Unlike the text’s progressive nature, practice is different. Conservative interpretations of Islamic law are due to “cherry picking” or choosing to quote from parts of the Quran instead of its entirety. In order to prevent these readings, Professor Fluri suggests the inclusion of women “as part of the interpretive community.” In sum, the Taliban’s interpretation of the Islamic framework may be different from other Muslim countries.
Afghan women’s rights activists are unsure about the future of their country and are wondering what to do now and in the future. According to The Times, activists are wondering if it is best to “stay in Afghanistan and continue their work in the group or seek safety in a neighboring country or an overseas haven.” Through her work with WLUML, Professor Tajali has applauded the perseverance and willpower of Afghan women’s rights activists. She has mentioned how many have not let the Taliban's regained power stand in their way of continuing their activism. Also, she highlighted the need of “international entities to be present in rebuilding the country in a meaningful and peaceful process.” In brief, Afghan women’s rights activists are hoping to get both women and men at the decision-making table.
Afghan Refugees Fleeing and Entering New Countries
As Afghans flee the country, Professor Fluri highlights that “brain wealth” is leaving also. Before the Taliban’s takeover, the University of Kabul was bustling with female students. Professor Fluri highlights how “women can be incredibly well-versed in Islamic teachings and Islamic laws,” reflecting upon powerful women holding leadership positions in Afghanistan. She points out that “under the umbrella of Islam,” Afghan women viewed “being educated as a pathway to being able to articulate one’s rights.” The country Afghans have strived to build seems potentially lost as not only well-educated women but also men are fleeing the country. Another unknown is the future of women education and involvement in politics. In brief, populations of people, intellect, and willpower are seen leaving the country.
Since 2001, many Afghans have fled to neighboring countries and other countries abroad. More recently, the U.S. has consulted with the Taliban and been reassured that Afghan nationals with valid travel documents will be able to leave Afghanistan as they wish. Due to these assurances, the United Nations (UN) has encouraged Afghanistan’s neighbors to open their borders to refugees in desperate need and those who are seeking safe haven. It has also urged the international community to stay open-minded and supportive of Afghan refugees.
Countries neighboring Afghanistan are sending mixed signals regarding their acceptance of refugees. Last year, neighboring countries Pakistan and Iran had the highest numbers of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. However, according to the BBC, Pakistan and Iran recently announced that they could not accommodate more Afghan refugees. Those Afghan refugees that did arrive would be housed temporarily in camps near the border before being transferred back to Afghanistan. Other neighboring countries are also experiencing an overload of refugees and struggling to host them. Uzbekistan stated that it would send Afghans on to a third country and would only temporarily host refugees themselves. The Tajikistan government has offered to accept 100,000 refugees, but the specifics of this plan have not been revealed yet.
Due to the current situation, many organizations and institutions around the world have been showing their support and providing financial aid for Afghanistan refugees. For example, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sent more than 260 million dollars to Afghan projects. The funds are provided to a range of organizations, including the UN Food World Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. Medical institutions are all having trouble handling the massive influx of refugees from Afghanistan.
Afghan Refugees in Korea
After the situation in Kabul worsened, the Korean Foreign Ministry announced that they would evacuate 391 Afghans in two aircraft, KC-330 and C-130J, in a mission codenamed “Operation Miracle,” deeming it to be necessary for morale. According to Yonhap News, the codename was derived from Korea’s desire to successfully and safely evacuate Afghan colleagues, sending the message that they would “never abandon [their] friends.” This mission aimed to evacuate employees that had previously worked at the local Korean Embassy, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) office, and the Afghan Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT) as well as their families. After arriving in Korea, they were PCR tested and, according to the results, were either quarantined in the National Institute of Human Resources Development or sent to a treatment facility.
Although the original number of evacuees was 391, it was later revealed that only 390 entered the country on August 26 and 27, representing a total of 76 households. According to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), minors accounted for 61 percent of the group. Deputy Minister Kang Sungkook announced that the government would strive to help them adapt to the country by educating them on the language, culture, and law so that they could live independently. However, the government also made it clear that the support of Korean citizens would be as important as that of the government.
On August 26, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye held a briefing at Incheon Airport where he explained the measures that would be taken. He first announced that the government has decided to regard Afghans as “people of special merit,” providing them with an initial short-term visa for up to 90 days, and then switch it to a long-term visa and grant them special consideration compared to that of other refugees. If they want to eventually settle in Korea, there is a chance that permanent residence will be granted, exempting them from standard permanent residence requirements.
Although the government is demonstrating full support for the Afghan refugees, Koreans seem to be divided in their opinion. According to the Maeil Business Newspaper, 27 percent of respondents professed support for the refugees, while 31 percent were against them. In fact, some have voiced their displeasure since the announcement of Operation Miracle. On August 22, a petition was posted on the bulletin board of Cheong Wa Dae, titled “Please do not accept refugees,” claiming that, due to their religious differences, they would never adapt to Korean society. The petition-maker even claimed that accepting them would expose Korea to terrorism.
There are various reasons for these negative attitudes towards Muslim refugees in Korea, including fundamental differences in culture and religion. However, these differences are not the main reason for the lack of support for the refugees. For instance, the current virus-induced economic difficulties that many face mean that the citizens are less willing to help outsiders with their tax. More importantly, some biased media coverage has played a significant role in framing Muslims as intolerant and as terrorists linked to criminal acts. Cases such as the sexual harassment by a Yemen refugee living in Jeju Island and terrorism overseas have fueled the opposition. Of course, these cases should never be accepted or hidden; however, it is necessary to recognize that not all people from a religious group have the same qualities.
On the other hand, those who support accepting Afghan refugees claim that this is the “morally correct” action of a developed country. This is especially relevant because Korea is currently participating in the international rally of support for refugees. President Moon Jae-in, expressed in a press conference that Operation Miracle was a “moral obligation as a nation that does not turn a blind eye.” This debate regarding refugees is an issue that needs to be assessed as Korea begins to take on a larger role internationally.
The situation in Afghanistan raises other questions, especially regarding the intervention policy of the U.S. After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, questions have arisen about other U.S. military bases around the world, especially those in Korea, after Donald Trump’s presidency. Indeed, the U.S. government announced that, if there were no benefits for the country, they would no longer act as “global police.” Regarding this issue, however, President Biden officially announced that there was a “fundamental difference” between Afghanistan and Korea, and they were not planning to withdraw from Korea anytime soon. Although fears of U.S. leaving still exist because Korea is technically at war with North Korea, there are no signs that the U.S. military will withdraw from Korea, especially because its rivalry with China is growing.
After 20 years of U.S. intervention, Afghanistan is once again under the influence of the Taliban. Taliban control spells an uncertain future for Afghans and their country. Afghans are in fear of the Taliban’s regime and what this means for the future of women in the country. A harsh interpretation of Shariah law may mean that women’s rights organizations and the daily lives of women in general will experience significant restrictions. For this reason, many Afghans are fleeing the country in search of a better home and are struggling to find and settle in countries that will accept them. Consequently, Afghanistan refugees represent a significant international humanitarian crisis.