At the time of writing, at least 28 people have been killed and 329 injured in a Taliban suicide bombing attack that caused a huge explosion in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul. The casualties are mostly civilians with some military personnel as the attack took place during rush hour in a high activity area.
DAP & DAPSY unequivocally condemns any acts of murder, whatever the cause or claims maybe. These cowardly and inhumane attacks were cold bloodedly calculated therefore deserves the most severe censure humanly possible.
Clearly intended to be a high profile attack being just a few hundred yards from the Afghan Presidential palace, the attacker detonated an explosives laden vehicle. This was immediately followed by a fierce gunfire attack in an area with schools and businesses that nestle close to the Ministry of Defence, other ministries and military compounds.
These attacks come a week after the Taliban said it was launching its “spring offensive”, warning of large-scale attacks. A planned resurgent of sorts, the Taliban has been putting out propaganda recently to instill fear; though the nation has been at war for three decades.
The resurgent of the Taliban however, is not entirely spontaneous. The recent dominance of Islamic State (IS) both in propaganda and in militray conquests, has seriously questioned the legitimacy of the Taliban; and have brought al Qaeda closer together with them than ever before.
With the world’s military focus shifting to Syria, Iraq and Ukraine, coupled by the pull out of troops by the US and NATO back since 2014, the Taliban has been afforded much room to regroup and regain strength.
Afghanistan’s population is among the world’s youngest and fastest growing: half its population is under eighteen and more than three-quarters under forty. Many Afghan youths are frustrated by real as well as perceived injustices, impunities and corruption, as well as a lack of basic infrastructure and community support facilities.
Many religious and political groups, especially the Taliban have taken advantage of vulnerable youth to advance their agenda. The world must stand in solidarity with Afghan youths and also all who share their fate.
Whilst military counter resurgence is the only viable option available, there must be an alternative long term peaceful solution towards peace. DAP & DAPSY believes that empowerment of the youth into being activists of peace, and a generational enlightenment among youths on humanitarian values and mutual respect; are the only feasible neutralising agent for the social wounds of a nation war-torn by 4 decades of violence.
We extend our hands of solidarity to all affected by these attacks; and we will join our IUSY & Progressive Alliance comrades in the fight against extremism in Afghanistan and the world over, through substantive actions for peace.