A boy stands amidst bushes within the Tangi Valley the place a river and irrigation ditches water crops of tomatoes, sunflowers, grapes and apricots. Throughout the struggle the distant mountain valleys had been the scene of brutal fight and assaults on civilians.
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A boy stands amidst bushes within the Tangi Valley the place a river and irrigation ditches water crops of tomatoes, sunflowers, grapes and apricots. Throughout the struggle the distant mountain valleys had been the scene of brutal fight and assaults on civilians.
Claire Harbage/NPR
TANGI VALLEY, Afghanistan — One 12 months after the Taliban captured Afghanistan, folks see their new rulers a method within the metropolis — and one other approach within the countryside.
The urban-rural divide was obvious throughout the struggle, when Kabul grew to become a middle of media, commerce, ladies’s rights and schooling, whereas distant mountain valleys had been the scene of brutal fight and assaults on civilians.
Right this moment, many Afghans in Kabul face worry and uncertainty. The novel non secular motion has abolished democracy however hasn’t absolutely clarified the brand new guidelines of society. As an NPR staff was leaving the nation not too long ago, a Kabul airport safety officer realized we had been sure for Washington, D.C., and stated, “I want I may include you.”
Blast partitions may be seen on the roadside whereas driving on Freeway 1 via Wardak province.
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Blast partitions may be seen on the roadside whereas driving on Freeway 1 via Wardak province.
Claire Harbage/NPR
We heard a unique perspective barely 50 miles outdoors the capital after we drove Freeway 1 into Wardak province. It was one of many locations we traveled to ask who’s included in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Town’s blast partitions and crowded streets gave solution to dry mountains and inexperienced valleys. The pavement itself was cratered from 20 years’ price of Taliban roadside bombs.
We traveled into the Tangi Valley, which is peaceable now. A river and irrigation ditches water crops of tomatoes, sunflowers, grapes and apricots. A more in-depth look reveals white Taliban flags marking graves in quite a few cemeteries. For years this valley was a battlefield. Taliban forces resisted U.S. troops and their Afghan allies, as soon as capturing down a U.S. helicopter with 38 folks on board.
The now peaceable Tangi Valley was as soon as a battlefield the place Taliban forces resisted U.S. troops and their Afghan allies.
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The now peaceable Tangi Valley was as soon as a battlefield the place Taliban forces resisted U.S. troops and their Afghan allies.
Claire Harbage/NPR
We met Taliban fighters within the breezy, open-windowed visitor room of the house of a person named Mursalin Mohammadi. The valley has endured an ongoing drought, however Mohammadi is nicely off. He pumps water for himself and his neighbors utilizing photo voltaic panels on the roof of his mud-walled house.
A poster on Mohammadi’s wall confirmed images of a number of Taliban commanders, all of them useless now. One of many commanders held one thing that, Mohammadi claimed, was the severed leg of an American soldier. It was not possible to confirm that; U.S. troops attempt by no means to depart their useless on a battlefield — however there isn’t any doubt that many Individuals had been killed right here.
Mursalin Mohammadi, 34, stated he misplaced two brothers within the struggle.
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Mursalin Mohammadi, 34, stated he misplaced two brothers within the struggle.
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A surviving Taliban fighter confirmed us video of U.S. troops manning a base within the valley years in the past, and seemingly firing indiscriminately at targets which might be out of sight. Residents stated they had been much less hostile to foreigners across the time that the U.S. put in a brand new authorities in 2001, however grew enraged on the U.S. and its allies within the following years for atrocities towards civilians.
Hadiatullah Wahadat was the person with the video. “I did jihad towards the U.S. forces,” he stated. “5 instances, I used to be wounded throughout the battle.”
Now 29, Wahadat stated he started preventing when he was 16 years previous. He stated his aspect gained three issues: “We expelled the foreigners. We triumphed. And we achieved an Islamic regime.”
Requested whether or not the Individuals left behind any constructive legacy, he talked about the billions of {dollars} of U.S.-made weapons and army tools that stay within the nation.
Hadiatullah Wahadat, 29, says he fought via a lot of the struggle, and was injured 5 instances.
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Hadiatullah Wahadat, 29, says he fought via a lot of the struggle, and was injured 5 instances.
Claire Harbage/NPR
He drew a pistol from his unfastened clothes, with its maker stamped on the barrel: Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
The fighters led us to a hilltop overlooking the Tangi Valley. White flags shuddered at a shrine to the useless. A mosque supplied shade close to the grave of a Taliban commander, Fazel Rabie.
Mohammadi, 34, stated he misplaced two brothers within the struggle, one among whom is buried subsequent to Rabie. As we stood by the graves we requested if the sacrifice was price it. He did not hesitate.
“Sure, why not?” he stated. “Why not?”
He added, “We’re Muslim. We’re following an Islamic system of presidency. That has which means for us.”
Wahadat holds a Smith & Wesson pistol.
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Wahadat holds a Smith & Wesson pistol.
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The Individuals who as soon as roamed this valley stated they had been bringing democracy and freedom. Mohammadi dismissed their mind-set. He stated Islam was made by God, and democracy by people. It was apparent to him which was higher. The concept that the 2 had been as soon as suitable within the former Islamic Republic was not how he noticed it.
White flags stand over a shrine to the useless. Graves mark locations for Mohammadi’s brother and the late Taliban chief, Fazel Rabie.
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White flags stand over a shrine to the useless. Graves mark locations for Mohammadi’s brother and the late Taliban chief, Fazel Rabie.
Claire Harbage/NPR
Distant mountains may be seen from an archway of a mosque within the Tangi Valley.
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Distant mountains may be seen from an archway of a mosque within the Tangi Valley.
Claire Harbage/NPR
But as we left the Tangi Valley, we heard hints of disappointment. Native journalist Hekmatullah Waqid, who helped us meet the Taliban fighters, stated that residents celebrated victory one 12 months in the past, however now fear in regards to the ruined economic system. Additionally they need all women to return to highschool. The Taliban have but to permit many junior excessive and highschool age college students to check, although leaders insist they’re working towards it.
Farther south alongside Freeway 1, we reached the village of Mali Khel, or what’s left of it. Gunfire has stippled the mud-walled homes that stay. Residents stated the previous Afghan authorities bulldozed many properties to clear a line of fireplace to the freeway, the place the Taliban planted roadside bombs.
Indicators of rebuilding within the broken village of Mali Khel.
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Indicators of rebuilding within the broken village of Mali Khel.
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Eighteen-year-old Mohamed Yosad stated most households within the village needed to flee throughout the struggle. His household moved to Kabul. Now that the struggle is over they’ve returned to one of many properties that’s nonetheless standing.
He held a math pocket book and was finding out for an examination. “I wish to be a really huge man sooner or later,” he stated.
Mohamed Yosad, 18, fled along with his household to Kabul throughout the struggle however has since returned to Mali Khel.
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Mohamed Yosad, 18, fled along with his household to Kabul throughout the struggle however has since returned to Mali Khel.
Claire Harbage/NPR
Sherif Nazari, 55, advised us he is glad for peace. However the former highway engineer, who lives astride this bombed out freeway, can’t discover a job. He stated the federal government ought to pay to rebuild the village.
Prior to now that demand would have gone to the USA or its Afghan allies. Now the one authority is the Taliban.
The previous saying holds that to the victors go the spoils. And which may be true, although one thing else went to the victors in Afghanistan. Additionally they face the expectations of the folks and the duty of governing, if they will.
Wahadat (heart) stands within the ruins of the village of Mali Khel.
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Wahadat (heart) stands within the ruins of the village of Mali Khel.
Claire Harbage/NPR
