With the emergence of the self-styled Islamic State group in Afghanistan, unknown gunmen have ushered in fomenting sectarianism through murdering civilians – mainly from an ethnic minority. The sporadic abduction and killing of the travelers and bombastic rumors about the presence of the Islamic State (IS) have spread a sense of fear and disappointment in the air. Similarly, the Taliban insurgents have widened their sphere of influence in restive parts of the country and seek to muddy the waters more than ever before.
Reports say that unknown armed men have gunned down 13 civilians – who were traveling in passenger bus – in northern Balkh province on Saturday. The report was confirmed by Abdul Raziq Qaderi, Deputy Police Chief of Balkh province. The responsibility is yet to be claimed.
This comes as masked gunmen seized 31 passengers from a bus in the southern Afghan province of Zabul in late February as they were returning from Iran – from which 19 were released on May 11, 2015 however the whereabouts of the rest are still a mystery.
The abduction or killing of the ethnic minority group is systematized by a particular group for two major reasons behind. Firstly, the perpetrators intend to foment sectarian violence and fuel racial tensions among the ethnic groups. The emergence of sectarian violence among the nation will pave the way for further turbulence and enable the militants to gain their sinister aim. Secondly, they seek to create political turmoil and undermine the democratic infrastructures, which are to be taking root, in the country. Undeniably, elections and peaceful transition of power, the establishment of constitution, etc. are seeds of democracy sowed in Afghanistan to ensure freedom, peace and human rights in near future. Unsurprisingly, the nation’s enemies are not patient enough to see the seed of democracy will grow into a robust tree and bear fruit, at least for our next generation. Their sinister aim is to impose the current war and bloodshed on our future generation too and fill their minds and hearts with a sense of revenge and cynicism.
The Taliban insurgents have also extended their sphere of influence and make heavy inroads into the country. They are growing stronger in the north and east holding more territory than ever before and mounting ferocious attacks in Kabul in which some 100 people have been killed in the past few weeks. Talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban and Pakistan are at an impasse following the recent announcement of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar in 2013. Afghan criticism of Pakistan for allegedly not reining in the Taliban is increasing daily.
President Ashraf Ghani’s approval rating has fallen from 50 percentage points to 38, while his partner in power Abdullah Abdullah’s ratings are even lower, according to Tolo news. The government is paralyzed, apparently incapable of still filling empty slots in the cabinet, while key projects such as identity cards and electoral reforms are on hold and mired in controversy. Afghanistan’s army is heroically struggling to contain the Taliban and hanging on to district capitals but is incapable of going on the offensive or regaining lost territory. The casualty rates are the worst ever and according to US officers, “unsustainable”. The remaining US and NATO forces are expected to leave at the end of the year.
According to the New York Times, about 4,100 Afghan soldiers and police have been killed and another 7,800 wounded in the first six months of this year. That is 50% more than the same period last year.
The country’s best hope in years – opening talks with the Taliban – has been stymied by the leaking of Mullah Omar’s death. Some Taliban leaders tried to keep it secret for unknown reasons until the news broke after the first meeting between the Taliban and Afghan officials in Pakistan on 7 July. “One popular solution being hotly debated by Afghan intellectuals and politicians is for President Ghani to call an emergency Loya Jirga that would choose an interim government and president for a period of no more than a few months. Such a grand assembly would then initiate debate and pass constitutional and electoral reforms, as President Ghani and Mr. Abdullah had promised to do when they were installed as joint power holders in the national unity government.”
Overall, the fragile political structure, insecurity and civilian casualties have frustrated the people. To their unmitigated chagrin, the persisting insurgencies and heavy attacks carried by the Taliban militants lead to higher death toll. After all, sectarian violence, which is on the verge of taking root in the country, is a highly threatening issue to be combated. If this trend – i.e. targeting an ethnic minority – continues, this will have an adverse effect on national unity and change into a bone of contention.
It is believed that those who operate under the aegis of IS are behind murdering ethnic minority group. Be it IS or the Taliban militants, the government has to deal this issue military and provide peace and security for the citizens irrespective of their color, race, sect, gender etc. I emphasize that if Afghan officials do not curb sectarian violence, it will lead to greater challenges and trigger disunity among the nation. Serious steps are to be taken in this regard and the perpetrators will have to be brought into justice.