The Afghans now seem resigned. No one, abroad or in Afghanistan, seems able to avoid what is now considered inevitable: the return of the Taliban to Kabul as well. Even the White House seems resigned. The start of the embassy evacuation confirms this. Mazar-e-Sharif, the fourth city in Afghanistan populated by ethnic Uzbeks, also fell. The strategic city, near the border with Uzbekistan, over which the fierce warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, ally of the government of Kabul, commanded, was to represent a bastion of resistance. His capitulation took place in just over half a day, with sporadic fighting. Once again the soldiers of an army in disarray preferred to withdraw.
Ghani on the corner
In just over a week, the Taliban militias have conquered 16 of the capitals of the 34 Afghan districts (four remain the disputed cities) and are now on the outskirts of the capital Kabul. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is now cornered, helpless in the face of the collapse of the army. Almost hunted down. The man on whom the West was aiming to shape the “New Afghanistan” does not seem to know what to fish for. With the Taliban arriving at the gates of Kabul, and the American soldiers disembarking at the capital’s airport (but only to lead the evacuation of the embassy and the Afghans who worked for the US), the words of the Afghan president to the nation reflect the climate of confusion which reigns not only in Afghanistan, but also within its government, now divided by internal strife and devoured by corruption.
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Ghani first called for the “re-mobilization” of the armed forces, calling it a “top priority”. Those armed forces that, however, fell apart in the face of the Taliban advance. His words could herald a – desperate – attempt to resist. Then he added: “I will not let the war imposed on the people cause the death of other innocent people, the disappearance of the conquests of the last 20 years, the destruction of public structures and the continuation of instability.” Finally he declared that he had started “consultations” within the government, with political leaders, international partners, to find “a political solution that guarantees peace and stability for the Afghan people”. Ghani probably alludes to consultations aimed at dialogue for a new government of unity. He had already proposed it a few days ago.
Despite his now desperate situation, he nevertheless showed no intention of resigning. But, as a few days ago, his words are unlikely to move the Taliban. Their condition, as well as that of Pakistan, a country that hosts a large part of the Taliban leadership and whose secret services are suspected of having offered important support for their advance, is precisely Ghani’s resignation. Otherwise the war.
The evacuation of embassies
Meanwhile, several countries are accelerating plans for the evacuation of embassies. Italy has started the procedures for the return of embassy personnel (as for other countries, a diplomatic garrison will remain at the Kabul airport), arranging an airlift for the remaining compatriots. Denmark and Norway have already closed their representations. Spain, Sweden and Germany may do so soon. Like several other countries. It is rumored that officials in some embassies are proceeding with the destruction of sensitive documents. Moscow instead specified that its embassy will remain open. At the moment.