The Taliban’s systematic house-to-house searches, which commenced in Kabul in early March, now occur in cities and towns throughout Afghanistan.
Arrests and destruction of visas and important employment paperwork continue to demonstrate the Taliban are looking for Afghans who worked alongside the former Afghan government or U.S. and NATO forces. In some cases, searches are said to be conducted with foreign assistance, advanced biometric equipment, phone searching capabilities, and metal detectors. The Taliban are reportedly returning to areas they have previously searched, offering Afghans no respite during the relentless campaign.
Fawad, whose name has been changed for his protection, moved his family to a farm on the outskirts of a nearby city around a week before the Taliban’s searches began. Certain the Taliban would search the farm, Fawad burned the documents he would need to escape Afghanistan, where he is targeted for death as a Hazara and a former U.S. and NATO employee. Fawad bribed his fellow workers to keep their silence about his presence, paying one worker extra to warn him of the Taliban’s arrival and help him into the small enclosure he had chosen as a hiding place.
Several days ago, the Taliban came to the farm. Fawad remained in his cramped hiding spot for seven hours while the group searched for hidden individuals and demanded a meal and tea.
Prior to their latest campaign of searches, the Taliban have visited and threatened special immigrant visa applicant Wahdat, whose name has been changed for his protection. Fear of what might happen to his father during increased Taliban searches caused so much mental strain for Wahdat’s son, he had to be hospitalized.
Nasrin, whose name has been changed for her protection, has spent several months desperately trying to evade her Taliban-affiliated ex-husband, who seeks to gain control of their 22-year-old daughter so he can marry her to a Taliban fighter. Last week, Nasrin’s ex-husband found Nasrin’s brother, who lives in another province. He demanded Nasrin’s brother turn Nasrin in.
Nasrin now must weigh her options for the future. She believes she was referred to the Priority-1 program in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, but she never received a confirmation number. She is considering crossing illegally into another country to protect her daughter from a forced marriage, which Nasrin herself endured at 10 years old. Amid increased searches, three Afghan girls were found dead in Mazar-e Sharif and Kabul under mysterious conditions. A former special forces officer, who was allegedly poisoned while imprisoned by the Taliban, died shortly after being released.
Adding to the tumult is waffling Taliban guidance on departures. On March 1, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid clarified Feb. 27 orders banning Afghans from leaving the country, explaining those with documents may leave Afghanistan. A Department of State spokesperson told the Washington Examiner last Thursday that coordinating flights “continues to be challenging,” but the State Department “will continue [its] efforts to facilitate the safe and orderly travel of U.S. citizens, [lawful permanent residents], and Afghan allies and their eligible family members.”
Most Afghans I speak with are not eligible for evacuation because they await Chief of Mission approval on their SIVs, must provide their own travel to a third country to process referrals to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, are mired in the humanitarian parole visa money pit, or have no means to acquire a visa. Unable to support themselves or participate in public life, they desperately wait for help while the Taliban circle ever tighter around the populace.
Beth Bailey (@BWBailey85) is a freelance writer from the Detroit area.
