U.S. leaves its last Afghan base, effectively ending operations

**harrybarracuda** · 18-08-2021, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by sabang

Interesting article too, but I won't quote it, for fear of being expurged by the mods.

Because it's yet another feeble anti-US rant with more fiction than fact.

"Soviet military comes to Kabul's aid"....

Bit like it "Coming to Syria's aid" or "coming to Myanmar's aid".

**harrybarracuda** · 18-08-2021, 02:06 AM

His satellite must be busted and his internet down.

(Reuters) - Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh said on Tuesday he was in Afghanistan and the "legitimate caretaker president" after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as Taliban insurgents took the capital Kabul.

Afghan vice president says he is "caretaker" president

**HuangLao** · 18-08-2021, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by Edmond

Do the Taliban have WMDs?

Can't speak of that, but they have secured tonnes of military hardware, arms, ammunition, etc with the exodus of the Americans and the sudden standing down of Afghan government forces.
Golden goose.

**Norton** · 18-08-2021, 05:44 AM

Stay calm folks. Don't get yourselves all worked up. Hard on the heart.
In a year this will be old news, the Talitubies will have reverted to their 1990s ways and guess what, the majority will not really care.

**sabang** · 18-08-2021, 06:16 AM

Soviet military comes to Kabul's aid

Try reading some 'istory 'arry. They did just that, back in the day. With a great deal of reluctance too- initially. If you actually want to learn something about the convoluted history of Afghanistan, here's a taster from Wiki-

Following the Herat uprising, the first major sign of anti-regime resistance, General Secretary Taraki contacted Alexei Kosygin, chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers, and asked for "practical and technical assistance with men and armament". Kosygin was unfavorable to the proposal on the basis of the negative political repercussions such an action would have for his country, and he rejected all further attempts by Taraki to solicit Soviet military aid in Afghanistan.^[127] Following Kosygin's rejection, Taraki requested aid from Leonid Brezhnev, the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Soviet head of state, who warned Taraki that full Soviet intervention "would only play into the hands of our enemies – both yours and ours". Brezhnev also advised Taraki to ease up on the drastic social reforms and to seek broader support for his regime.^[128]
In 1979, Taraki attended a conference of the Non-Aligned Movement in Havana, Cuba. On his way back, he stopped in Moscow on 20 March and met with Brezhnev, Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko and other Soviet officials. It was rumoured that Karmal was present at the meeting in an attempt to reconcile Taraki's Khalq faction and the Parcham against Amin and his followers. At the meeting, Taraki was successful in negotiating some Soviet support, including the redeployment of two Soviet armed divisions at the Soviet-Afghan border, the sending of 500 military and civilian advisers and specialists and the immediate delivery of Soviet armed equipment sold at 25 percent below the original price; however, the Soviets were not pleased about the developments in Afghanistan and Brezhnev impressed upon Taraki the need for party unity. Despite reaching this agreement with Taraki, the Soviets continued to be reluctant to intervene further in Afghanistan and repeatedly refused Soviet military intervention within Afghan borders during Taraki's rule as well as later during Amin's short rule.

Soviet–Afghan War - Wikipedia

We, of course, supported these deeply conservative and religious revolutionaries back then, in their crusade against the modernizing forces of the socialist Afghan regime. Actually, most of the international community did. They ended up winning too- you certainly won't find miniskirts and beehive haircuts in Kabul these days. But it would appear our allegiance had changed in the interim.

**OhOh** · 18-08-2021, 10:53 AM

U.S. freezes Afghan government reserves in its banks

CGTN America 07:45, 18-Aug-2021

"The U.S. government on Sunday froze Afghan reserves held in its U.S. bank accounts to prevent the Taliban from accessing, the Washington Post reported citing sources.

"Any Central Bank assets the Afghan government have in the United States will not be made available to the Taliban," an administration official told the newspaper in a statement.

The Afghan Central Bank had $9.4 billion in reserve assets by end of April, data from the International Monetary Fund showed."

U.S. freezes Afghan government reserves in its banks - CGTN

and here

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-po...y-afghanistan/

**OhOh** · 18-08-2021, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Norton

In a year this will be old news, the Talitubies will have reverted to their 1990s ways

Here is their "manifesto" and answers to the press's questions.

Not just a "statement, toe spin and walk away", a la ameristani's, "leader".

Shall we judge them in 08/2022, 1 year's time, or use the 20-year yardstick that others prefer?

"The Taliban in Kabul gave the first official press conference on behalf of the new Afghan authorities.

In addition to reading statements, the Taliban also answered questions from journalists.

"The main speaker was Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. According to him, Mullah Baradar, who is to become the president of Afghanistan, has already arrived in the country:

Women will be able to receive education up to the university level.
Women will have the right to work.
The Taliban will ask all women to wear headscarves, but they will not be required to wear the burqa.
The Islamic Emirate does not threaten anyone and is not going to be at enmity with anyone. Revenge is not the Taliban's way.
The leaders of the Islamic Emirate have ordered a general pardon. The Taliban are ending their enmity with everyone who opposed them in Afghanistan.
The Taliban are proud to be the force that was able to liberate Afghanistan from foreign occupation after 20 years of fighting.
The security of foreign embassies and international organizations is a priority for the Taliban. Taliban special security forces will provide perimeter protection for both those leaving Afghanistan and those who remain.
A strong inclusive (!) Islamic government will be formed in Afghanistan.
The Taliban are not going to attack American citizens at the Kabul airport. None of the American citizens or citizens of other countries will be harmed.
Foreign media will be able to continue working in Afghanistan. There will be an opportunity to criticize the Taliban government and make public statements about its work.
Freedom of speech in Afghanistan must be in line with Islamic values. The media must work for the unity of the nation so that all Afghans live peacefully like brothers.
Civil servants must continue to work for the benefit of the state and society. The general amnesty applies to them as well.
And again about women. All women's rights will be guaranteed within the limits of Islamic law. The Taliban consider women a key part of society, but they must abide by the norms of Islam.
The Taliban will not pursue Afghan translators who have worked with the occupation regime. They will not be harassed or retaliated against. They do not need to leave Afghanistan.
The Taliban assures, including the United States, that the territory of Afghanistan will not be used to attack other countries.
All Afghan military personnel who worked directly with the occupation forces will also receive amnesty.
The Taliban want recognition from the international community, which should not be afraid of the Taliban. The Taliban does not pose a threat to other countries and is ready to discuss all possible problems in relations within the framework of bilateral or multilateral negotiations to resolve problems.
The Ghani government was weak and deceived the Afghans. It did not fulfill its promises and fled.
The Taliban will ensure the safety of the people of Kabul and will prevent robberies, looting, theft and other crimes.
A Taliban spokesman boasted that the Taliban took all of Afghanistan in 11 days."
Regarding the violence during the war years, the Taliban states that it was not out of revenge, but they had no choice since there was a war. Now the time is different, so the approaches will be different.
The Taliban promises that they will change Afghanistan very soon. These will be positive changes, because every Afghan wants a better life. The Taliban will take serious steps to improve the Afghan economy with the help of other countries.
The Taliban have very good relations with Pakistan, Russia and China. But the Taliban have no allies and are not part of any military-political bloc.
From the Taliban's perspective, the Afghan war is officially over. The Taliban want the times of war to be a thing of the past, and Afghanistan is no longer a battleground for Afghans and foreign powers.
The Taliban have extensive experience in various fields that will help in the process of changing Afghanistan for the better.
The Taliban are committed to ensuring that the Afghan government is open to the people and includes representatives of different groups.
The Taliban say they will not allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for international terrorists (a thick allusion to ISIS).

Those present at the press conference note that the Taliban were not so sure of the answers to 2 questions - regarding women journalists and the situation with drug production in Afghanistan, although they said that the work of women will be carried out within the framework of Sharia law, and they intend to stop production of drugs ."

(Translated from Russian

Талибан-бодрячок - Colonel Cassad — ЖЖ

**harrybarracuda** · 18-08-2021, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by sabang

Try reading some 'istory 'arry. They did just that, back in the day.

Yes, like they invaded Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland to "come to their aid".

And more recently Crimea.

You fucking idiot, you have the most feeble one-sided view of history.

**harrybarracuda** · 18-08-2021, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by OhOh

U.S. freezes Afghan government reserves in its banks

Sounds fair enough. As soon as the talitubbies hold a free and fair election and win power, it will be released I'm sure.

Don't hold your breath.

**Klondyke** · 18-08-2021, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Yes, like they invaded Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland to "come to their aid".

And more recently Crimea.

And when they left did they also left such a mess behind? (just curious whether 'arry would know?)

**HermantheGerman** · 18-08-2021, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Klondyke

And when they left did they also left such a mess behind? (just curious whether 'arry would know?)

Europeans paid the Bill and these countries are better off then the master swine who ruled them.

How many Syrians are fleeing every day from the Russian occupied Gulag?

**Cujo** · 18-08-2021, 03:38 PM

Trump thinks the Taliban are smart.

Trump calls Taliban '''smart''' as they take over in Afghanistan

**Norton** · 18-08-2021, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by OhOh

Shall we judge them in 08/2022, 1 year's time, or use the 20-year yardstick that others prefer?

"We"? Not I. Few may but whatever happens will be back page news because no one will care when this particular news cycle runs it's course. Within a year the news media will be telling us of some new breaking news disaster we should all be fearful and concerned about even though it has no impact on us personally nor can we do fuck all to change. They all lie OhOh. Even the Chinese.

It never ceases to amaze me how the vast majority in any part of the world believe the lies their government's conjure up and media in lockstep propogate to make us be afraid. Gotta have an enemy don't ya know.

Once you have an enemy then the usual begins. I know the truth and you don't so I will prove my truth by seeking truths that support mine.

Happens across the board even here in our wee TD house.

My opinion on how the Taliban will treat women under their brand of Sharia law frankly means nothing nor does yours as you search for stuff to support your truth OhOh.

However, one has to ask ones self why are the Afghans, who btw are definately going to be personally effected, so panicked? Nothing to worry there. The Taliban are really a caring new breed.

**sabang** · 18-08-2021, 05:10 PM

I think poor 'arry is seriously Butthurt because of the ongoing humiliation of his icons.

Go easy on the poor kid, he's only an officeboy.

**OhOh** · 18-08-2021, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

why are the Afghans, who btw are definately going to be personally effected, so panicked?

What % of the civilians are "panicked"? Certainly some at the airport, we have reports and videos. But the rest of the country? Let's not judge so quickly.

Originally Posted by Norton

as you search for stuff to support your truth

I post news items from some sources. The reports possibly add some depth or additional information to those from others. Or not.

Originally Posted by Norton

The Taliban are really a caring new breed.

That has yet to be decided.

Have they seen the light, can they deliver their "manifesto"? Plenty of ambiguities to be fleshed out. Possibly yes or no. Which is why I suggested a pause. Prior to us all casting our vote.

Whatever the reasons for their military success turn out to be, the creation and administration of there flavour of a functional, inclusive, national, provincial, district government and social systems will be their scoreboard of record.

For the sake of all Afghanis, I look forward to a swift and successful outcome.

**helge** · 18-08-2021, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

However, one has to ask ones self why are the Afghans, who btw are definately going to be personally effected, so panicked? Nothing to worry there

There will be many a night of "the long knives" for the afghanis, who chose to work for/with an occupying force.

Isn't that btw the definition of a "traitor" ?
(i'm not the expert on that

)

Doesn't matter; they'll be seen as such by the people who posseses the long knives.

Originally Posted by Norton

The Taliban are really a caring new breed.

A new breed of religious nutters

**HuangLao** · 18-08-2021, 07:59 PM

And so it goes.
The never ending cycle.

A new and improved story would fit nicely right about now.
Nothing too damaging, mind you.

**harrybarracuda** · 18-08-2021, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by sabang

I think poor 'arry is seriously Butthurt because of the ongoing humiliation of his icons.

Go easy on the poor kid, he's only an officeboy.

You're about 20 years too late, you stupid boy.

The fuck up was going in there.

I'm extremely happy for US forces that they are now out of harms way.

Congratulations to Biden for having the balls to see it through. Congratulations to baldy orange cunto, too, it was the only useful thing he ever did.

**misskit** · 18-08-2021, 08:47 PM

The whole ordeal is more heartbreaking than humiliating: the loss of lives, the fear, the desperation of people left behind.

**misskit** · 18-08-2021, 09:48 PM

Taliban violently disperse rare protest, killing 1 person

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban violently broke up a protest in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing at least one person as they quashed a rare public show of dissent. The militant group meanwhile met with former officials from the toppled Western-backed government.

As officials work to shape a future government, the United Arab Emirates acknowledged that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who fled the Taliban advance, and his family were in that country.

The Taliban’s every action in their sudden sweep to power is being watched closely. They insist they have changed and won’t impose the same draconian restrictions they did when they last ruled Afghanistan, all but eliminating women’s rights, carrying out public executions and harboring al-Qaida in the years before the 9/11 attacks.

But many Afghans remain deeply skeptical, and the violent response to Wednesday’s protest could only fuel their fears. Thousands are racing to the airport and borders to flee the country. Many others are hiding inside their homes, fearful after prisons and armories were emptied during the insurgents’ blitz across the country.

Dozens of people gathered in the eastern city of Jalalabad to raise the national flag a day before Afghanistan’s Independence Day, which commemorates the end of British rule in 1919. They lowered the Taliban flag — a white banner with an Islamic inscription — that the militants have raised in the areas they captured.

Video footage later showed the Taliban firing into the air and attacking people with batons to disperse the crowd. Babrak Amirzada, a reporter for a local news agency, said he and a TV cameraman from another agency were beaten by the Taliban as they tried to cover the unrest.

A local health official said at least one person was killed and six wounded. The official was not authorized to speak to media and so spoke on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, videos from the Panjshir Valley north of Kabul, a stronghold of the Northern Alliance militias that allied with the U.S. against the Taliban in 2001, appear to show potential opposition figures gathering there. It’s in the only province that hasn’t yet fallen to the Taliban.

Those figures include members of the deposed government — Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who asserted on Twitter that he is the country’s rightful president and Defense Minister Gen. Bismillah Mohammadi — as well as Ahmad Massoud, the son of the slain Northern Alliance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud. It’s unclear if they intend to challenge to the Taliban, who seized most of the country in a matter of days last week.

The Taliban, meanwhile, pressed ahead with their efforts to form an “inclusive, Islamic government.” They have been holding talks with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, a senior official in the ousted government. Mohammad Yusof Saha, a spokesman for Karzai, said preliminary meetings with Taliban officials would facilitate eventual negotiations with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the top Taliban political leader, who returned to the country this week.

Karzai and Abdullah met Wednesday with Anas Haqqani, a senior leader in a powerful Taliban faction. The U.S. branded the Haqqani network a terrorist group in 2012, and its involvement in a future government could trigger international sanctions.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged in a one-sentence statement that Ghani and his family were in the country for “humanitarian considerations.” The president fled the Taliban advance on Sunday and disappeared amid widespread anger from Afghans over the collapse of the country’s security forces.

The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was unclear if he’d received any other assistance. The UAE is a close U.S. ally.

Amid the uncertainty, thousands of Afghans have tried to flee the country in recent days, and the U.S. and its allies have struggled to manage a chaotic withdrawal from the country.

Hundreds of people were outside the airport early Wednesday. The Taliban demanded to see documents before allowing the rare passenger inside. Many of the people outside did not appear to have passports, and each time the gate opened even an inch, dozens tried to push through. The Taliban fired occasional warning shots to disperse them.

In Kabul, groups of Taliban fighters carrying long guns patrolled a well-to-do neighborhood that is home to many embassies as well as mansions of the Afghan elite.

The Taliban have promised to maintain security, but residents say groups of armed men have been going door to door inquiring about Afghans who worked with the Americans or the deposed government. It’s unclear if the gunmen are Taliban or criminals posing as militants.

Another Taliban promise being closely watched is their vow to prevent Afghanistan from again being used as a base for planning terrorist attacks. That was enshrined in a 2020 peace deal with the Trump administration that paved the way for the drawdown of American troops, the last of whom are supposed to leave at the end of the month.

When the Taliban were last in power they sheltered Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida group, which carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. U.S. officials fear al-Qaida and other groups could reconstitute themselves in Afghanistan now that the Taliban are back in power.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, the Taliban blew up a statue depicting Abdul Ali Mazari, a militia leader killed by the Taliban in 1996, when the Islamic militants seized power from rival warlords. Mazari was a champion of Afghanistan’s ethnic Hazara minority, Shiites who were persecuted under the Sunni Taliban’s earlier rule. That further raised concerns about whether they would make good on their promises, including not seeking revenge on those who have opposed them.

In a sign of the difficulties any future Afghan government will face, the head of Afghanistan’s Central Bank said the country’s supply of physical U.S. dollars is “close to zero.” Afghanistan has some $9 billion in reserves, Ajmal Ahmady tweeted, but most is held outside the country, with some $7 billion held in U.S. Federal Reserve bonds, assets and gold.

Ahmady said the country did not receive a planned cash shipment amid the Taliban offensive.

“The next shipment never arrived,” he wrote. “Seems like our partners had good intelligence as to what was going to happen.”

He said the lack of U.S. dollars will likely lead to a depreciation of the local currency, the afghani, hurting the country’s poor. Afghans have been lining up outside ATM machines for days, with many pulling out their life savings.

Ahmady said the Taliban will struggle to access the country’s reserves because of international sanctions.

The “Taliban won militarily — but now have to govern,” he wrote. “It is not easy.”

Taliban violently disperse rare protest, killing 1 person

**misskit** · 18-08-2021, 09:51 PM

Images of bloodied Afghans contradict Taliban'''s claims of moderation

Taliban claims it'''ll be more moderate, but killings continue in Afghanistan | Fox News

Taliban Hamper Kabul Evacuations, Crack Down on Protests in Eastern Afghanistan - WSJ

**Edmond** · 18-08-2021, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by misskit

The whole ordeal is more heartbreaking than humiliating: the loss of lives

Estimated civilian casualties since 2001 are 71,000.

**OhOh** · 18-08-2021, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by misskit

Dozens of people gathered in the eastern city of Jalalabad

"Jalalabad is the fifth-largest city of Afghanistan. Population (2021)^[1]

Total Population (2021)^[1]280,685"

Jalalabad - Wikipedia

Say 50 people protested, out of a population of 280,000.

A representation of the will of the people, or .... ?

**harrybarracuda** · 18-08-2021, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by OhOh

"Jalalabad is the fifth-largest city of Afghanistan. Population (2021)^[1]

Total Population (2021)^[1]280,685"

Jalalabad - Wikipedia

Say 50 people protested, out of a population of 280,000.

A representation of the will of the people, or .... ?

Probably more a representation of the fear of the people, you silly arse.

**harrybarracuda** · 19-08-2021, 02:41 AM

Harsh but fair.

U.S. leaves its last Afghan base, effectively ending operations-wolv1822-800x534-jpg

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