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The main Taliban spokesman said Afghan women would be allowed to study and pursue careers as part of the militant group, seeking to allay fears of a return to hardline rule despite early reports of repression.
In an interview with NBC News on Wednesday, Zabihullah Mujahid also reiterated long-standing claims that there was “no evidence” that Al Qaeda had planned the 9/11 attacks from Afghanistan – the premise of the 2001 US-led invasion that overthrew the previous militant group. diet.
Since taking control of the country in a quick blitz amid the US withdrawal, the Taliban have vowed to respect women’s rights and ensure that the West will not be harmed because of Afghan soil.
These claims have been met with skepticism from Kabul to Washington.
And early reports of crackdown – along with violence and chaos at Kabul airport – have further undermined the group’s efforts to present a softer image to the world as it prepares to form a new government.
Speaking in the Afghan capital, Kabul, Mujahid said the Taliban would give women “all the rights that Islam promises” and that “they can be doctors, teachers, be educated and can work for the good of the community. company”.
“They are sisters, we have to show them respect. They should not be afraid,” Mujahid added. “The Taliban are humans and from this country. They fought for our country. Women should be proud of us, not afraid.
Yet many are, with thousands desperately seeking to flee the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover.
When the Taliban last ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, they practiced an austere interpretation of Sunni Islam that involved banning women from going to school, holding jobs, and banning women from going to school. leaving home without a male chaperone.
Women were also required to wear burqas covering the face.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Mujahid warned the workers to stay home until Taliban fighters have been “trained” to approach and talk to them.
In the interview with NBC News, he said reports that Taliban fighters had already taken women as forced wives was “old regime propaganda.”
He said if the Afghans want to go on the flights currently out of Kabul airport, “it is their choice.” But “we don’t want our compatriots to go to America,” he added.
“Whatever they did in the past, we granted them an amnesty. They should stay. We need young educated professionals for our nation.
His comments come days before the August 31 deadline for US forces to withdraw troops. Some 4,500 Americans have been evacuated from Afghanistan in the past 10 days and 1,500 more remain, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.
As President Joe Biden says he is stepping down in order to “end America’s longest war,” the Taliban spokesman said “the Taliban are undoubtedly the winners” of the two conflict. decades.
Mujahid added that the new Taliban government wanted “a legitimate and normal diplomatic relationship” with Washington.
He also said there was “no evidence” that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden orchestrated the September 11, 2001 attacks, which is the consensus view of Western intelligence agencies.
“There was no justification for this war. It was an excuse for the war,” he said of the ensuing US invasion of Afghanistan, which housed bin Laden. .
“When Osama bin Laden became a problem for Americans, he was in Afghanistan,” he said. “Although there is no evidence of his involvement, we have now promised that Afghan soil will not be used against anyone.”
Bin Laden’s denial of 9/11 raises questions about repeated assurances from the Taliban that they will not allow terrorist groups to operate on his soil and attack the West.
The militants’ takeover of the country has fueled concerns that Afghanistan could once again become a breeding ground for terrorism, and a resurgence of Al Qaeda in particular.
On Thursday, the United States and its allies warned people to avoid traveling to Kabul airport due to a potential terrorist attack.
U.S. defense officials have warned against monitoring threats from ISIS, and Biden also warned of the risk of attacking the group’s Afghan affiliate, ISIS Khorasan, which is a enemy of the Taliban.
A senior Taliban commander told NBC News on Thursday that they had issued an alert to their senior leaders about the threat posed by ISIS-K.
Ahmed Mengli |, Gabe Joselow and Richard Engel contributed.
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