UN chief says ‘not the right time’ to engage with Taliban
Al JazeeraNov 26, 2022
UN Report: Over 1K Afghan Civilians Killed Since Taliban Takeover
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Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
The United Nations Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported Tuesday that it has recorded roughly 1.1K civilian deaths and over 2.6K wounded in Afghanistan between the Taliban takeover in August 2021 and May of 2023.
Three-quarters of these civilian casualties were caused by improvised explosive devices (IED) in populated areas, including Shia Muslim places of worship, schools, and markets.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The collapse of the US-backed administration in Afghanistan and the subsequent Taliban takeover has been disastrous for the Central Asian nation as the victorious militant group re-enacted a discriminatory system of repression while the nation was thrown into poverty. As the international community focuses on helping Ukraine, the Taliban has an open field to exploit common people.
Establishment-critical narrative
It's certain that life has changed for Afghans since the Taliban takeover, with the government facing more complicated social and economic challenges, but the improvement in the security situation is undeniable. Armed violence has plummeted and rural areas, once too dangerous, are now being visited by urban dwellers.
