The Complex Security Challenges In Kabul, Afghanistan's Capital

Kabul, Afghanistan, is considered extremely dangerous and travellers are strongly discouraged from visiting the city. The city is effectively a war zone, with the current Afghan government having little control over it. The situation is highly volatile, with unpredictable threats, including terrorist attacks, military action, and violent crime. Women are forbidden from travelling alone and are required to cover their heads and wear modest clothing. Public transport is not safe, and there are cases of cars being hijacked by terrorists. In addition to the high risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and arbitrary arrest, natural disasters such as earthquakes, flooding, drought, landslides, and avalanches are also common in Afghanistan.

Women's safety: Women must cover their heads and wear modest clothing. Women are not allowed to travel alone and often face difficulties at checkpoints

Women's safety in Kabul, Afghanistan, is a significant concern. The country is in a volatile political state due to ongoing conflict and terrorism, and women's freedoms are severely limited by cultural attitudes and legal systems. As such, women face many challenges and issues when travelling in Kabul.

Covering Up

Women in Kabul are expected to cover their heads and wear modest clothing. This is a long-standing custom in Afghanistan, where women are required to be fully covered when in public as a sign of respectability, honour, and social status. The Taliban enforces this custom, and women who do not comply are punished. The preferred garment is the burqa, a full-body covering with a stitched facial netting for vision, but a headscarf and long robe are also acceptable.

Travelling Alone

Women are not allowed to travel alone in Kabul and often face difficulties at checkpoints. They are expected to be accompanied by a male guardian when in public and may be fined or imprisoned if they do not comply. This restriction on movement is an attempt by the Taliban to control women's lives and limit their freedom. It is a significant barrier to women's mobility and independence.

Street Harassment

Street harassment is a significant issue in Kabul, with foreign female travellers facing intense scrutiny, disrespectful remarks, and even physical contact. Women are advised to dress conservatively and maintain a low profile to avoid unwanted attention.

Safety

Kabul is generally considered one of the safer parts of Afghanistan, but it is still extremely dangerous, with a high risk of terrorism, criminal activity, and kidnapping. Women are particularly at risk of harassment and abuse and are advised to take extra precautions for their safety. It is not recommended to walk alone at night, and travelling with a male companion is preferable.

Transport safety: Public transport is not safe. Car hijacking by terrorists is a risk

Kabul is a city with a rich history, dating back almost 4,000 years. However, it is not a safe place to travel, and it is strongly discouraged. The city has been severely damaged by wars, and the current situation is volatile, with the constant threat of terrorist attacks and military action.

Public transport in Kabul is not safe, and it is advised to travel by taxi or private transport. There is a high risk of car hijacking by terrorists, and it is recommended to move around the city with military security.

Taxis are plentiful in Kabul, and it is customary for women to sit in the back seat. However, after dark, local yellow taxis become rare, so it is advisable to keep a few taxi numbers on hand. Shared taxis called "laini" are also available and usually move around western Kabul.

Private operators offer comfortable bus services to most destinations, but safety can be an issue, with frequent accidents.

The roads in Kabul are in poor condition, and driving in the city can be dangerous due to aggressive and reckless drivers who do not respect traffic laws. It is common for drivers to speed and drive recklessly, increasing the risk of accidents.

Overall, when it comes to transport safety in Kabul, it is crucial to exercise extreme caution and take necessary security measures.

Crime: Pickpocketing is common. Armed robberies are also prevalent

Crime is a serious issue in Kabul, Afghanistan. Pickpocketing is common, and armed robberies are also prevalent. The city has seen a surge in criminal activity in recent years, with mafia and illegal armed groups posing a significant threat to residents, investors, and businesses.

Pickpocketing and theft are widespread in Kabul, with many residents expressing concerns about having their homes broken into and their belongings stolen. The problem has become so severe that the Afghan government launched a citywide anti-crime crusade in October 2020, led by First Vice President Amrullah Saleh. The campaign targets various forms of crime, from pickpocketing to land-grabbing and vehicle-related offenses. Despite these efforts, pickpocketing remains a persistent issue in the city.

In addition to pickpocketing, armed robberies are also prevalent in Kabul. Criminals brazenly rob shops and even mug people in broad daylight, stripping them of their money and valuables at gunpoint. These incidents occur in public parks and crowded areas, instilling fear among residents and visitors alike. The presence of illegal armed groups and the availability of weapons in the city have contributed to the increase in armed robberies.

The rise in criminal activity has had a detrimental impact on the lives of Kabul's residents. People are afraid to go out after dark, and parents are sending their children to live outside the city due to safety concerns. The situation has also led to a decline in economic activities, with traders choosing to leave the country due to the increasing crime rate.

To combat the issue, the Afghan government and security forces have implemented various measures. Police officers have started using "wanted" banners with photos and information about alleged robbers and killers, seeking the public's help in apprehending them. Additionally, youth police scout groups and networks of local informants have been established to improve collaboration between law enforcement and the community. However, the police force faces challenges such as corruption, abuse of power, and a lack of public trust.

The volatile security situation in Afghanistan, including the presence of terrorist groups and ongoing armed conflicts, has provided criminals with opportunities to exploit the instability. Criminals take advantage of the unstable environment to commit violent attacks, kidnappings, and robberies. The country's economic and political turmoil has also contributed to the rise in criminal activities.

Overall, the high levels of pickpocketing and armed robberies in Kabul have severely impacted the safety and well-being of its residents. The Afghan government and security forces are working to address the issue, but the complex nature of the problem and the country's unstable situation present significant challenges.

Natural disasters: Afghanistan is vulnerable to earthquakes, flooding, drought, landslides, and avalanches

Afghanistan is vulnerable to several natural disasters, including earthquakes, flooding, drought, landslides, and avalanches.

Earthquakes

Afghanistan is in an active earthquake zone. In October 2023, a series of powerful earthquakes hit remote western Afghanistan, causing heavy casualties and significant damage to homes and infrastructure. In the same year, nearly 400 earthquakes shook the country. In March 2023, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Badakhshan Province in northeastern Afghanistan, damaging an estimated 200 houses and affecting more than 7,000 people.

Flooding

Flooding is a frequent occurrence in Afghanistan, often caused by heavy rainfall and snowmelt. In May 2024, severe flooding in the northern part of the country caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure and resulted in several casualties. Flash floods in July 2023 killed at least 31 people and injured 74 others in Kabul, Maidan Wardak, and Logar provinces. Flooding can also lead to waterborne diseases and impact livelihoods, driving displacement.

Drought

Afghanistan has experienced recurrent drought, which has contributed to the country's humanitarian crisis. The country faced its third year of drought at the start of 2024, with humanitarian groups warning that another year without sufficient rainfall could worsen the situation.

Landslides and Avalanches

Landslides and avalanches are common in Afghanistan's mountainous regions, especially during heavy rainfall and winter periods. In winter and spring, heavy snowfall often leads to avalanches. These natural hazards can be deadly and cause significant damage to infrastructure.

Political situation: Afghanistan is under Taliban control. The political situation is uncertain and could change rapidly

Afghanistan is under the control of the Taliban, a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group. The Taliban's swift offensive in the summer of 2021, which culminated in the fall of Kabul on August 15, 2021, surprised U.S. officials and allies, despite earlier intelligence assessments of the situation on the ground. The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has resulted in a repressive rule, with the group cracking down on women's rights and basic freedoms, and struggling to build a functioning state.

The Taliban's political system is highly underspecified and undertheorized, with the group offering vague insistences that they will rule according to "Islamic law and Afghan values." The Taliban refers to their government as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, with power concentrated in the hands of the supreme leader and his clerical advisors. The supreme leader has authority over all political, military, and religious decisions and government appointments.

The Taliban government operates as an interim cabinet, with no timetable for when a permanent government should be expected. The current administration is led by a thirty-three-member caretaker cabinet, with all ministers being men and former Taliban officials or individuals loyal to the group. A majority of the ministers are ethnic Pashtuns, with the remaining being Tajik or Uzbek. The government is headed by Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Abdul Salam Hanafi serving as Deputy Prime Ministers.

The Taliban has struggled to transition its ranks into formal roles of state security forces and has faced challenges in governing urban areas and regions home to non-Pashtun ethnic communities. The group has also faced difficulties in managing the economy, which has collapsed following the withdrawal of Western donors and the cessation of billions in aid. The Taliban has demonstrated an understanding of the country's economic crisis but has been unable to implement effective solutions without significant foreign aid.

The Taliban has also rolled back human rights and civil liberties, particularly for women and girls. The group has prohibited most girls from attending secondary school and banned all women from teaching at universities and working, except in specific sectors such as healthcare. Women have also been banned from travelling more than 72km without a male chaperone and from appearing in public without covering their faces and bodies. The Taliban has justified these restrictions based on its interpretation of Sharia law.

The political situation in Afghanistan remains uncertain and could change rapidly. The Taliban leadership is based in Kandahar and has increasingly asserted its power over the state, silencing and sidelining internal critics. There are tensions between the Taliban factions in Kabul and Kandahar, and the group has struggled to maintain cohesion while governing a diverse country. The Taliban has also faced armed resistance from groups such as the National Resistance Front and the Islamic State in Khorasan, which pose a threat to their rule.

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