International Reactions to the Return of Taliban Rule in Afghanistan After 20 Years [Hashtag]

Social media around the world have witnessed a great diversity of opinions during the past days, after the return of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan within days, thanks to a quick military campaign that caused a state of astonishment, several hashtags topped Twitter, most notably: #Afghanistan #Taliban #Kabul_Airport.

While the international community have no option but to admit the reality that Taliban now has taken hold of Afghanistan, activists questioned the extent of the world's acceptance of dealing with the movement as a legitimate authority, especially because of its past history.

This is also due to the country's strategic importance and its geopolitical position, which has been a graveyard for empires that tried to conquer those mountainous countries in Central Asia throughout history.

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban announced the end of the war in Afghanistan after taking control of the presidential palace in Kabul, the collapse of the government backed by Washington, and the flight of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani from the country.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in the movement's first press conference on August 17, 2021: “The Taliban will begin the next stage with a comprehensive amnesty for all and will allow women to work within the framework of respecting the principles of Islam.

However, the international reactions considered that they would deal with the Taliban based on their actions in the coming days. 

In 2021, the process of withdrawing US and NATO forces from Afghanistan began within the framework of the “peace agreement” concluded by the United States and the Taliban movement in the Qatari capital, Doha, on February 29, 2020.

 

International Reactions

The return of the Taliban to the front in Afghanistan comes 20 years after their rule was overthrown by a military invasion led by former US President George W. Bush in 2001; Some world leaders were worried and upset by the scenes of chaos in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

In turn, US President Joe Biden defended his decision to withdraw his country's forces from Afghanistan by noting that the threat of terrorism there has decreased compared to what it was before the famous attacks of September 11, 2001. 

He stressed that “the way to deal with the Taliban now is to apply economic, diplomatic and international pressure to force the movement to change its behavior.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the situation in Afghanistan as very difficult, saying: ““I think it is very important the West collectively should work together to get over to that new government, be it by the Taliban or anybody else, that nobody wants Afghanistan, once again, to be a breeding ground for terror.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: “Beijing respects the right of the Afghan people to self-determination and their future.” She added: “The Taliban leaders have expressed several times their hope to develop good relations with China.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also welcomed the initial statements made by the Taliban. He confirmed that Russia supports dialogue with all political, ethnic and sectarian forces in Afghanistan. He pointed out that Russia will not be in a hurry to recognize the new leadership in Kabul, as other countries.

In the same context, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed his hope for a peaceful transfer of power in the war-torn country. He Stressed that his country is ready to continue efforts to establish peace.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu indicated that his country has been communicating with all parties since the beginning of the expansion of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan, and that this communication is still continuing. He stressed that his country's embassy in the Afghan capital continues its work.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the violence in Afghanistan. He confirmed that Canada will continue to support the Afghan people. He Pointed out that his country does not intend to recognize the Taliban government.

Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced that there would be no new military commitment to Afghanistan. He also said: “Surely the West has made mistakes and it is right to admit it.”

In this context, a Qatari Foreign Ministry statement said: “Doha is closely following the rapid developments of the situation in the capital, Kabul.” 

It calls for “an immediate and permanent ceasefire in all Afghan territory, and the need to work for a peaceful transfer of power that paves the way for a comprehensive political settlement.”

For its part, the UAE, whose forces had previously participated in military operations against the Taliban, called on the Afghan parties to make efforts to urgently establish security and stability. As for Saudi Arabia, it called for maintaining security and respecting the choices of the Afghan people.

In turn, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “Conflict in Afghanistan is forcing hundreds of thousands to flee amid reports of serious human rights violations. All abuses must stop.”

For his part, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: “The Taliban won the war in Afghanistan, and we must talk to it with the aim of conducting a dialogue as soon as possible to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.” 

He explained that “this does not necessarily require an official recognition of the Taliban authority.”

It is noteworthy that the latest research conducted by “Brown”, one of the most prestigious American universities, confirmed that Washington spent about $2.261 trillion in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. The research also revealed that the total number of those who lost their lives in this war ranged between 171 and 174 thousand.

 

Afghan Refugee Crisis

The wars that surrounded Afghanistan for 40 years led to the start of an endless wave of migration; 2,800,000 Afghans live in Pakistan, 800,000 Afghans in Iran, and 200,000 in Turkey, according to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

As UNICEF Chief of Field Operations and Emergencies Mustapha bin Masoud said: “The United Nations predicts that one in two children in Afghanistan will suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2021. There are 18 million Afghans in need of humanitarian aid.”

In turn, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for increased aid to Afghanistan's neighboring countries to prevent Afghan asylum seekers from traveling to Europe.

Earlier this August, the US State Department announced new criteria for the Refugee Admissions Program that “Afghan citizens are required to first arrive in a third country before they can apply for asylum in the United States”.

Turkey later criticized the US Program, warning that “the decision would cause a major refugee crisis in the Mediterranean.”

Recently, videos showed hundreds of people flocking to the runway of Hamid Karzai International Airport in the Afghan capital, Kabul, clinging to a plane, desperately searching for a way to flee the country.