“We are all wrong about Afghanistan. Nobody expected such a rapid rise of the Taliban ». Sir Nick Carter, the chief of staff of the British army, told the BBC. “The pace surprised us, I don’t think we were realizing what the militiamen were doing.” According to the general, “Even the Taliban themselves did not expect that things would change so quickly.” A shared error of assessment: “I don’t think anyone predicted how fragile the Afghan administration was, and how little power it had over the army.”
Regarding the formation of the new government, the British general says he believes that the Koranic students “are not so stupid as not to understand that the people have changed, that they want a different type of government.” Regarding the international community, Carter says the Taliban “They will need some help to effectively manage a modern state. If they behave well, perhaps they will receive it ».
The Pope: “I pray for the welcome”
“I pray that many countries will welcome and protect those who are looking for a new life. In these agitated moments that see Afghans seeking refuge, I pray for the most vulnerable. I also pray for internally displaced persons, so that they have the necessary assistance and protection ». This is what Pope Francis said at the Angelus, referring to the tensions that are going through Afghanistan after the Taliban’s seizure of power. «May young Afghans – added Francesco – receive education, an essential asset for human development. And may all Afghans, both at home, in transit, and in the host countries, live with dignity, in peace and fraternity with their neighbors ”.
Milley (US army): “We will see a return of terrorism”
“My military consideration is that the conditions are in place for a probable civil war,” said US Army General of Staff Mark Milley, interviewed by conservative television station Fox News. “I don’t know if the Taliban will be able to consolidate their power and establish a government,” he added. It could be terrorist groups that are benefiting from the power vacuum in Afghanistan, Milley warned. The fear is that, with the reorganization of al-Qaeda, ISIS extremists will increase their influence or another myriad of terrorist groups may grow. There could be a resurgence of terrorism in the region within 36 months. We will monitor this situation ».
Parolin (Vatican secretary): “All this suffering could have been avoided”
«The situation in Afghanistan is not simple and the international community itself is in great difficulty. We could have reached the decision to withdraw the Western forces, but in a more orderly way and without creating all this suffering ». This was said by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on a visit to the sanctuary of Montevergine. “We do not have great means, but we have tried to follow the situation from a humanitarian point of view – adds Parolin – and keeping in touch with those who work there. We were able to bring home the priest and the sisters of Mother Teresa who were in the country. They didn’t want to leave the boys they attended. In the midst of so many situations of violence, that there are gestures of love like this, it gives so much joy and hope that we can do more and better ».
Internal flights resumed at the capital’s airport
At Kabul international airport, some domestic flights resumed with the state company Ariana Afghan Airline. The carrier operates to three provinces. Shershah Stor, the airline’s station director at the airport, told The Associated Press that flights left Saturday to Herat, Kandahar and Balkh. The routes were conducted without a functioning radar system at the airport. Stor said three more flights to the same provinces are scheduled on Sunday. A team of Qatari and Turkish technicians arrived in Kabul last week to help restart operations at the airport, which the United Nations says is crucial to providing humanitarian assistance to the country. It remains to be seen, however, whether any commercial airlines will be willing to offer the services.
Another women’s demonstration stopped in Kabul
The Taliban interrupted a women’s protest in Kabul, who took to the streets of the capital again today, demanding that their rights, the possibility of working and being part of the new government be respected. The BBC reports that the demonstration was dispersed with the use of tear gas and pepper spray as women made their way to the presidential palace. According to reports from the Tolo News broadcaster, the Taliban claim that the protest has gone out of control and for this reason it was necessary to intervene. It is the second consecutive day in which the Taliban disperse a demonstration to contest the repression of women’s rights ”.