Aiman al Zawahiri’s safehouse in Kabul after it was struck by a US drone Sunday 31st July, reported BBC.After the successful US attempt on the life of al-Quaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri, BBC approached the area. A single Taliban guard blocked their way and told reporters to go back. Soon they approached the building from behind. Soon guards and construction workers confirmed the building hit. Balconies on the top floor were covered with green tarpaulin sheets.
There were speculations among the locals of the area as to who struck an “empty villa” in Kabul. In Kabul, locals particularly mocked a neighbourhood as the safe haven of corrupt warlords. They call it “chorpur” ( village of thieves) since it is a symbol for the spoils of war. The Taliban soon took possession of some of those villas. And every day newer mystery emerged: news of a possible attack on an IS target, drones and US activity on the ground. Finally, it all ended on Tuesday morning.
Empty House, Taliban Attempted to Hide Every Trace of an Attack
The reporters asked: Has anyone seen any activity in the place?
“The House was empty”, came a reply, yet it was more of a refrain. Owners of nearby buildings told them that the Taliban has ordered to keep the rooftops closed. Reporters say the area was eerily quiet after news of Zawahiri’s killing spread throughout social media.
Traffic flowed on and soon many more reporters arrived on spot. The number of Taliban guards increased too. “ if you don’t listen to me, I’ll speak to you through my gun,” one guard said. The guards had apparently snatched away equipment from a journalist on spot and returned it later. Soon whispers grew louder. There were talks that unknown men were seen in the area.
“ We’ve seen non- Afghan residents in the neighbourhood for a couple of months. They don’t speak the local language We don’t know who they are,” a resident journalist spoke told the BBC. There are questions and conspiracy theories roaming in the area. Ayman al Zawahiri’s death was faked many times on television. Last year Zawahiri was said to have died of illness. And yet he was a guest of Taliban leadership, living in a villa in the centre of Kabul. The villa is said to belong to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Taliban interior minister. Haqqani is also under US sanctions.
Taliban Pledged No Terrorist Attack on the US, Yet Harboured Jihadis
During the 2020 Taliban-US deals, the US tried to commit the Taliban to not allowing Afghanistan to become safe haven for terrorists. On its part, the Taliban promised to launch no attack on the US from Afghan soil. But they never explicitly agreed to sever ties with fellow jihadis like al-Zawahiri. Al Zawahiri, like other al-Quaeda leaders, had even sworn allegiance to the Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada.
Ever since the Taliban came to power on 15th August 2021, there have been reports of al-Quaeda fighters crossing into Afghanistan. Yet the Taliban repeatedly pledges to fight terrorism. So far they have accused the US of “violating their deal in their attack on a residential building in Kabul”. “ Repeating such actions will damage existing opportunities” the statement reads. Meanwhile, the Taliban are still trying to establish international legitimacy and recognition. They may not wish to endanger any fragile process.
On the other hand, the US and its western allies are stuck: how do they help common Afghan citizens, who are in a humanitarian crisis, while some of their leaders have sanctions on their heads? Americans also have to fight the Islamic State, a common enemy of both the USA and the Taliban. Meanwhile, social media is abuzz with accusations of another extrajudicial killing and war crimes by the US. How far will that help the Taliban become a respected government worldwide is open to question.
(Inputs, BBC)
