Taliban governor of Afghanistan’s Balkh province killed in blast
Al JazeeraNov 25, 2022
Afghanistan: Taliban Governor of Balkh Province Killed In Blast
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Image copyright: AP [via Al Jazeera]
The Facts
A suicide attack in the northern Afghan province of Balkh on Thursday – later claimed by the Islamic State (IS) – killed at least two people, including the provincial governor Mohammad Dawood Muzammil.
The blast reportedly occurred on the second floor of the governor's office in the provincial capital of Mazar-e-Sharif, marking one of the most senior-level officials confirmed dead since the Taliban retook control of the country in 2021.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This suicide attack in Afghanistan is just the latest example of how the "emirate" is drifting into chaos and lawlessness since the West's withdrawal. This is compounded by economic collapse and an acute food crisis. But even in combat, the Taliban are failing. The ruthless rampage of the so-called IS-K bears witness to this. The US must prepare for an increasing threat to its security interests.
Establishment-critical narrative
Afghanistan only makes the headlines when it comes to violence and tragedy. More attention must be paid to the country's humanitarian catastrophe. Due to the dire economic situation, 22.8M Afghans are facing acute food insecurity, and 3M children are at risk of malnutrition. The West contributes to this by, for example, not releasing Afghanistan's frozen reserves funds. This is a declaration of moral bankruptcy.
