‘What was it for?’ Afghans are suffering from decades of war while the US has left Bagram By Reuters

KABUL (Reuters) – When American troops left their main military base in Afghanistan on the symbolic end of the longest war in U.S. history, citizens living in the shadow of the base and in nearby Kabul ruined the past. what comes next.

Violence has been rampant throughout Afghanistan since President Joe Biden announced his unconditional withdrawal of 9/11 troops.

According to a study, Qatar’s peace talks have been interspersed and in recent weeks roughly a quarter of the country’s districts have been left in the hands of the Taliban, with many worried about chaos.

When Malek Mir, a mechanic at Bagram, saw the comings and goings of the Soviet Army and then the Americans, he said he was saddened by the futility of the foreign presence.

“They came with the bombing of the Taliban and removed their regime – but now they have left when the Taliban are so empowered that they will take over in the short term,” he said.

“What good were all the destruction, murder, and misery they brought us? I wish I had never come.”

According to United Nations documents, more than 3,500 foreign soldiers have been killed in the two-decade war, and more than 100,000 civilians have been claimed since 2009.

Some, however, say the presence of foreign troops has distorted Afghanistan’s economy and it is time for the country to stand on its own.

“Americans are leaving the legacy of failure, they have failed to own the Taliban or corruption,” said Baged store owner Sayed Naqibullah. “A small percentage of Afghans were so enriched, and most still live in extreme poverty.

“In a way, we’re happy that they’re gone … We’re Afghans and we’re going to find our way.”

In the surrounding capital, the news was new, reminding many sections of Afghan society, especially in urban areas, of the growing tension since Biden announced its withdrawal in April.

“Everyone is worried that if foreign forces flee Afghanistan, the Taliban will take power. So what are we going to do?” asked the Zumarai Wafa Kabul shopkeeper.

Wafa and others noted the decline of the business and the fact that many residents of the city tried to flee the country to apply for visas that were lined up in hundreds of embassies.

Muzhda, a 22-year-old medical student who asked to be identified by a unique name for security reasons, said her family decided to leave the country because of the deteriorating security.

If the Taliban were to return to power and women had limited access to education, to see if they had been in power in the previous period, the woman asked him what future he expected.

The Taliban have said they have changed and will make provisions on women’s rights in line with cultural traditions and religious norms.

However, Muzhda said the American outgoing feels sorry for him and has left.

“In the current situation the withdrawal of foreign troops is rational,” he said. “It is clear that the Americans came here for their own purposes, not to help and cooperate with Afghanistan.”

“I’m very sad and disappointed. I had a lot of dreams that wouldn’t come true.”