Afghanistan’s young Taliban fighters face the challenge of peace

KABUL, December 22: The generation of young Taliban fighters that conquered Kabul has gone through the euphoria of victory to face an uncertain future as the country they won after two decades of war plunges ever deeper into economic crisis.
Most have known only fighting and while their battlefield memories may be a source of pride, they must now adjust to a world that wants to forget about war.
For the moment, four months after the fall of Kabul, many still bask in the achievement of overcoming the United States and its allies after a struggle that ruled their lives for so long.
“When I started in the Jihad against the Americans, I was 14 or 15 years old,” said Nasratullah, a 24-year-old from Wardak province. “During that time, my brother was our group leader and I used to participate in some battles only. But when I turned 20, I spent all my time with the mujahidin and in battle.”
Recently married, he is now in charge of security at a Kabul police station but had only a walkie talkie with him as he walked across a dusty cricket field.
“I am so delighted because we have fulfilled all the ambitions that we have been carrying for the past 20 years.”
For the people of Kabul, a city many Taliban fighters had never seen before their victory, the first reaction to the fall of the capital was very different. Thousands were killed and maimed by Taliban suicide bombers during their long campaign to overthrow the Western-backed government and for many in Kabul the sight of the long-haired fighters on the streets caused only shock and fear.
That feeling has eased as the Kalashnikov-wielding insurgents in their rag-tag mix of loose traditional clothing and combat jackets have been replaced by uniformed security forces.
But fears of revenge against anyone associated with the former government remain, and there are concerns over what will happen to women and to girls who are still largely excluded from high school education. TLTP