Foreign countries greeted the makeup of the new government in Afghanistan with caution and dismay on Wednesday after the Taliban appointed hardline veteran figures to top positions, including several with a U.S. bounty on their head.
-
The Islamist militant movement swept to power nearly four weeks ago in a stunning victory hastened by the withdrawal of U.S. military support to Afghan government forces. "The announcement of a transitional government without the participation of other groups and yesterday's violence against demonstrators and journalists in Kabul are not signals that give cause for optimism," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.
They want to keep aid flowing and to help those with the appropriate paperwork who want to leave, but they may have to engage with a movement that, until a few weeks ago, was an insurgency blamed for thousands of civilian deaths.The last time the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001, women were banned from work and girls from school. The group carried out public executions and its religious police enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
"The cabinet was announced and there were no women in the cabinet. And some journalists who came to cover the protest were all arrested and taken to the police station," said a woman in a video shared on social media. For many Afghans, more pressing than the composition of the cabinet was the economic fallout of the chaos triggered by the Taliban's conquest, including its impact on healthcare.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two Young Afghan Sisters’ Journey Across Afghanistan to Escape the TalibanTwo young sisters were trapped in Afghanistan as their mother waiting anxiously in California. Here's a look inside the girls' harrowing escape from the country.
Read more »
Taliban says it has taken control of Panjshir, the last holdout Afghan provinceThousands of Taliban fighters overran eight districts of Panjshir overnight, according to witnesses from the area who spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety.
Read more »
Taliban accused of murdering pregnant Afghan policewoman in front of her familyThe Taliban murdered a pregnant policewoman in front of her family on Saturday night, according to her son. Her death adds to mounting concerns about the repression of women under the Taliban's rule.
Read more »
Taliban say they took Panjshir, last holdout Afghan provinceThe Taliban said on Monday they have taken control of Panjshir province north of Kabul, the last holdout of anti-Taliban forces in the country and the only province the Taliban had not seized during their blitz across Afghanistan last month.
Read more »
Taliban say they took Panjshir, last holdout Afghan provinceThe Taliban said Monday they seized the last province not in their control after their blitz through Afghanistan last month, overrunning forces who had opposed their takeover. Thousands of Taliban fighters charged into eight districts of Panjshir province overnight, according to witnesses from the area who spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared for their safety. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that the province, which is north of the capital, was now held by their fighters.
Read more »
Curtains separate male and female Afghan students as new term begins under Taliban ruleA flimsy gray curtain divides a university classroom in Kabul in two -- on one side sit the male students, on the other the female students, wearing hijabs.
Read more »