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Trouble in Afghanistan - 18th August 2021

The Taliban has taken over Afghanistan after 20 years out of power. They had occupied Jalalabad in the east and entered Kabul without any opposition. Afghans, and the US troops which had occupied Afghanistan since 9/11, are shocked at how quickly they've gained ground.

The government was expecting peaceful talks with the Taliban. However, President Ashraf Ghani had to escape the country due to the speed of the Taliban's takeover. This has left Kabul wide open.

Afghanistan had been ruled by the Taliban for a five year period until 2001. Under Taliban rule, women were not allowed to be educated or to be seen outdoors without being accompanied by a male relative. And wearing the burqa was mandatory. For anyone who broke Islamic law, public beheadings and other traditional styles of punishment were carried out.

People are terrified of a repeat of this style of government. People who've worked with foreign troops are especially concerned about the punishment they might face. As such, many have headed to the airport, hoping to flee the country.

Thousands of UK and US troops have been sent to the airport. They are helping foreign nationals and embassy staff leave safely. But due to the speed at which the Taliban's gaining ground, there are fears that not everyone will get out. Countries have closed their embassies and are focused on getting their citizens out of Afghanistan quickly.