The Bombing of Baharistan: Let This Be A Turning Point
A typical reaction following the suicide bombing attacks of this past week would be to denounce the security forces in Kabul and the government for their ineffectiveness, and of course the Taliban for causing the indiscriminate violence.
We’ve been there, we’ve done that. Let’s, this time, address some of the myths surrounding the current security crisis.
One caller to a Kabul radio station said that at least when the Taliban where in power, there was security. Indeed, the Taliban’s rule of fear was an effective tool against crime and certainly there were no suicide operations then. But people calling themselves Taliban are claiming responsibility for the current attacks, and this should not be disregarded for distorted sentiments about past security under the Taliban. Violence does not beget peace or security.
Indeed this myth was first shattered last year in May when hundreds of looters took over the city for several hours, which began as a protest against the killing of civilians by US Coalition convoys on the road to Shamali. Neither the national army or police, nor the International Security Assistance Force was anywhere to be seen until late in the evening. To think that this is what Kabul would look like in the event of another security crisis, for example a takeover attempt by militants, was truly frightening. But that was last year and once again we began to feel safe in Kabul. Suicide bombings have been infrequent and isolated to the outskirts of the city, like Pul e Charkhi Road. Saturday’s attack in the heart of Kart-e Parwan, Tuesday morning’s attack in Charahi-e Qambar and another one near Taimani several months ago should force us to re-examine our sense of security.
Security is not a right in Afghanistan. It is a privilege. In provinces across Afghanistan, Afghan citizens do not feel secure. This week there was a report that some Taliban hung a young boy because he was carrying dollars in his pocket. This sort of violence is common in the south and elsewhere, and largely goes unreported. In addition, the aerial bombing campaigns by foreign forces and the widespread displacement they cause are other causes for insecurity.
The Taliban have demand the withdrawal of international forces as a pre-condition for negotiations. The Afghan public should demand that before any negotiations, the violence must come to an end.
To date, there have been no protests to condemn these types of attacks. No mass demonstrations, no silent demonstrations - only individual condemnations expressed through the media. In the provinces, fear keeps the public silent. In Kabul, that should not be an excuse. Civil society organizations should band together to condemn the Taliban and demand better security.
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