House-to-house Taliban raids in Kabul - future ban on Afghans fleeing the country
The Taliban claimed on Sunday (February 26th) in the face of controversy over raids on hundreds of homes in and around Kabul, aimed at arresting criminals and disarming the Afghan capital.
The Taliban's main spokesman, Jabihullah Mujahid, has announced that those who have already left Afghanistan will not be allowed to evacuate more Afghans until their living conditions abroad improve.
Security operations in residential areas of the city and several adjoining provinces on Friday have caused panic and anger among residents.
Some residents allege that the Taliban are targeting security officials of the recently disbanded Afghan government in the name of fighting crime. Others have accused the security forces of "abusing" them, calling the operation a violation of their privacy.
Mujahid dismissed the allegations to reporters on Sunday as a propaganda ploy by opponents of Afghanistan's new regime, saying security forces were working "with the utmost care" and their only goal was to ensure public safety.
"In light of recent events, we believe that once the operation is over, there will be no need to conduct such activities in the future," Mujahid said in response to a question on whether such house-to-house searches would be carried out.
He argued that many people had weapons in their homes and that once the operation was over, people would not be able to get weapons easily because of the "law and order" of the government security agencies.
Mujahid said the operation was "successful" and would end soon. Hundreds of light and heavy weapons, including rocket-launchers and grenades, 13 armored vehicles and several tonnes of explosives were seized, he said.
Dozens of outsiders, including several members of the Islamic State terrorist group, have also been arrested, the spokesman said. However, it was difficult to confirm the veracity of the Taliban's claim.
Kabul is considered one of the richest cities in the world. Elite residential areas are known for housing notorious Afghan warlords and drug smugglers. The palace-like houses were built by former officials accused of widespread corruption while in power.
Andreas von Brandt, the European Union's ambassador to Afghanistan, tweeted: "Intimidation of members of different ethnic groups and women, house searches, arrests and violence is a crime and should be stopped immediately."
No more emigration
On Sunday, Mujahid added that families wishing to leave Afghanistan must show "legitimate reasons" to leave the country. He emphasized that the Taliban had not promised to leave the country indefinitely. He argues that the Taliban have received reports that thousands of Afghans in Qatar and Turkey are "living in dire straits."
"Initially, we said that Americans ... can take people who they seem to be concerned about ... but it's not a continuous process."
Mujahid said, "It is the responsibility of the government to protect the people, so the emigration of citizens will be stopped until they are assured that their lives will not be endangered."
More than 120,000 Afghans and dual nationals have been evacuated since the fall of the Western-backed government and its security forces in Kabul and the withdrawal of US-led foreign troops from Afghanistan in late August, just days after the Taliban took control of the capital.
Restrictions on women
Mujahid said Afghan women would be barred from traveling abroad without a male companion.
"This is an order of Islamic Sharia law," he said. However, he said officials would be instructed to consider the fact that the order does not stand in the way of girls studying abroad.
The extremist group has already imposed various restrictions on women, including barring them from traveling long distances unless they have a close male relative.
Women government employees in the health and education sectors have also been allowed to return to their offices, while others have been asked to stay at home until further notice. Taliban officials cited financial constraints and a lack of arrangements under Sharia or Islamic law for women to work in a safe environment.
In a speech on Sunday, Mujahid also welcomed the recent US decision to ease sanctions on Afghan banks. The U.S. order allows money transfers for Afghan businessmen and others, but excludes Taliban members subject to international sanctions related to terrorism.
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