Afghanistan: Ian Birrell says ‘foreign aid is corrosive’

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The Taliban, a Sunni Islamist organisation formed in 1994, completed its rapid takeover of Afghanistan more than three weeks ago. A blistering military offensive, which confounded security experts, saw the group overthrow the Afghan Government and seize the capital Kabul in a matter of weeks. The Taliban’s dramatic inroads in Afghanistan were sparked by the US withdrawing its troops from the country after 20 years.

On Monday the group said it had also taken control of Panjshir province, the last outpost of Afghan resistance forces fighting the Taliban.

Since British and US forces evacuated from the country, many Afghans have been left terrified about what Taliban rule might hold.

Among those trapped are members of the Afghan Invictus Games squad, who participated in Sydney, Australia, in 2018.

The sporting event was founded in 2014 by Prince Harry for sick, wounded and injured service personnel.

As the Taliban closed in on Kabul, The Telegraph spoke to one member of the Invictus team, who gave his name as Afshar, about life under the Taliban.

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Afshar, who met Harry at the Sydney Games, told the paper: “If they find me they will kill me.”

The ex- sergeant major and his wife both served in the Afghan National Army before the Taliban takeover.

However, in recent weeks the couple were forced apart as they both separately went into hiding.

Afshar added: “Coalition forces were here rebuilding Afghanistan and assisting the people.

“When I looked at them I thought my country will become great.

“Our army was strong and we never thought it would collapse so soon.

“Even if the US left just 1,000 soldiers in Afghanistan I’m sure we would never have lost this war.”

Afshar, who was at first trained by the British, said he had heard that the Taliban had come to the door of his apartment looking for him.

The former army chief also told the Telegraph that the Taliban had seized a huge arsenal of American assault rifles and light machine guns from his old military depot.

Taliban fighters expanded their war chest after they took Kabul airport last week, according to the Oryx Blog, which looks at the weapons used in conflicts.

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It said Taliban fighters have seized nearly 2,000 Humvees (high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles) and trucks, more than 50 armoured fighting vehicles, artillery and mortar pieces, more than 12 helicopters and attack aircraft, 12 tanks, drones and other equipment.

Some equipment was deactivated ahead of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

However, an anonymous US official told Reuters: “Everything that hasn’t been destroyed is the Taliban’s now.”

Ahead of the Taliban’s takeover, Prince Harry issued a joint statement with Invictus Games CEO Dominic Reid, and chair of the Invictus Games Foundation, Lord Allen of Kensington CBE.

It read: “What’s happening in Afghanistan resonates across the international Invictus community.

“Many of the participating nations and competitors in the Invictus Games family are bound by a shared experience of serving in Afghanistan over the past two decades.

“For several years, we have competed alongside Invictus Games Team Afghanistan.

“We encourage everybody across the Invictus network — and the wider military community — to reach out to each other and offer support for one another.”
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