Afghanistan

[Yel]

So much for the 90 days before Kabul falls with the pictures today of smoke rising in the background

It's looking more and more like the Vietnam helicopter evacuation with helicopters supposedly going to the US embassy. And US spokespersons are pretending it's all under control . They were planning to start evaluating people this Thursday and evacute everyone by the end of August, that timescale is totally out of the window.

 

[Ensay]

Very worrying. I really feel for the people there.

 

[mcfeez]

Allegedly met with little to no resistance entering the city. Absolutely dreadful. Particularly fearful for women, young and older.

 

[Yel]

Maybe there's little resistance as they're saying "no innocent civilians will be harmed" but what do they count as innocent? Apparently people in rurual areas already under control are saying it's not that bad so people are leaving Kabul. But that's not that bad...yet

 

[Meangirl815]

It's like reliving history. And it was concerning enough first time round.

Its horrific.

 

[Merpedy]

Unpopular opinion possibly but I'm having a hard time caring too much about the whole situation

It was never going to be realistic to maintain a constant military presence of any sort to maintain some sort of stability. The Taliban wasn't going to magically disappear one day and the country would be fine

The human rights aspect of it is upsetting but that's honestly about it

 

[Yel]

Unpopular opinion possibly but I'm having a hard time caring too much about the whole

I think many feel exactly the same. People get so worked up about minor inconsequential things on twitter but shrug their shoulders at children on the other side of the world being captured to be abused.

I haven't been able to switch off the live pictures today with all the helicopters evacuating people

 

[Bad Karma]

It's horrible to see how quickly it has escalated. News reports seemed quite casual a few days ago about the evacuation to be conducted and now here it is, get out ASAP. So worrying for those involved.

 

[Yel]

Allegedly this is happening now, posters of women being covered up and beauty parlours being painted over to hide the photos of women

Back in 2017

 

[Bobby Chariot]

Parliament to be recalled early next week.

 

[Bobby Chariot]

It appears the Afghan President has fled the country now.
Would fully expect a resurgence in Al-Qaeda/isis activities in Afghanistan, it'll be a fully fledged rogue state & Islamic Caliphate, what a shitshow.

 

[grace28]

I don’t think it was viable to keep a constant presence in Afghanistan, after twenty years and eye watering amounts of both money and bloodshed, there had to have come a time we had to leave. Things simply weren’t working for a long time.

But, the withdrawal itself is absolutely appalling. It says a lot about the CIAs grasp on things that that underestimated the sheer scale and speed of the Taliban, and the lack of will on the side of the Afghanis to fight. The optics look awful on the Americans and the sight of Taliban forces with sticks of American missles and weapons is sickening. I do feel for the women and children of Afghanistan who will be effectively thrown to the Wolves.

 

[Warpaint]

Why don't the surrounding countries help them out?

 

[Fauxphiehinchcliffe]

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this today. Pregnancy hormones are making it harder too, but I genuinely feel very tearful about it and just thinking of the women and children whose lives are now turned upside down. You g women who finally dared to dream of a future and education of their own now trapped at home until they’re married off. Can only imagine what is happening on the ground over there.

 

[hellothere_]

I’m genuinely sad, because so many peoples freedoms and human rights are being taken away...especially woman! Nobody deserves to live in a country of instability, lack of human rights and equality...especially when it’s your home land and it’s all you’ve ever known and love.

 

[User name taken]

Have just seen that China and Russia are going to accept Taliban rule in Afghanistan obviously nothing to do with China having massive mining contracts there - follow the money.

 

[smellsofbiscuits]

I broke down in tears over breakfast this morning. All my friends and I have degrees and many are in professional occupations. The thought of this being wiped out is heart breaking.

Does anyone know the best way to try and help? I'm looking at different places to donate to but would specifically like to send money to charities supporting women and girls.

 

[lilacbutterfly]

Why don't the surrounding countries help them out?

We are, a lot of Afghan refugees have crossed into my country through Iran in recent weeks. But the security issue is causing problems. Plus a lot of the countries surrounding are not strong enough for the security threat. Awful situation and I’m afraid we’re going to see another migrant crisis

 

[bubbadabut]

Awful situation, and the timing is especially significant with the 20 year anniversary of 9/11 looming large. So depressing to revert back to this after all the efforts of the past 2 decades.

 

[the_moonins]

The Taliban are animals.

I hope we (and other countries) get as many civilians out of there as quickly as possible. I’m not a politician, nor do I have any military knowledge whatsoever… but the Taliban needs to be wiped off the face of the earth in my opinion.

To think they will stop at Afghanistan, in my mind, is just not likely. Neighbouring countries have nuclear weapons which worries me.

It’s a terrible situation.