Taliban staging massive house-to-house sweep across Kabul
KABUL: According to a Taliban spokesman, the Taliban are undertaking a large security sweep of Kabul and other Afghan cities, going house to home in search of weapons and criminals implicated for a recent rash of robberies and kidnappings.
Many people have been worried by the operation, which began on Friday, because they fear being targeted because of their ties to the previous Western-backed regime or the US-led foreign forces that withdrew on August 31.
Some enraged neighbours shared videos on social media of homes that they claimed had been wrecked during Taliban raids, although several people told AFP that their meetings with the Taliban had been friendly and brief.
"When they came, it was just my nephew at home, and they made a great mess," one homeowner said, showing AFP a series of photos that demonstrated significant disruption.
The sweep was dubbed a "cleaning operation" by the Taliban.
At a press conference, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "We are trying to take steps against those kidnappers, robbers, and looters who have guns in their hands and risk the lives of the people."
At a press conference, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "We are trying to take steps against those kidnappers, robbers, and looters who have guns in their hands and risk the lives of the people."
During the raid, he added, investigators uncovered two abduction victims and liberated two teenage females who had been tied in a cellar.
Light and heavy weaponry, explosives, radio equipment, and drones, as well as military and government vehicles, were taken, according to Mujahid.
He claimed six persons suspected of being members of the Islamic State organisation, as well as nine kidnappers and 53 "professional thieves," had been captured.
"We want to reassure Kabul citizens that these activities are not directed against the general public," Mujahid said.
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"The city's people should have confidence that the search is being conducted with diligence."
The Taliban have also increased street patrols in the city and set up temporary checkpoints at important crossings, where they randomly search vehicles or verify the IDs of individuals inside.
The sweep included dozens of newly trained policewomen in case there were no men at the homes being inspected, according to Mujahid.
Images and video footage on social media revealed bashed-in doors and cupboards, slashed-open pillows and mattresses, and items strewn across floors.
"Intimidation, house searches, arrests, and violence against members of various ethnic groups and women are crimes that must be stopped immediately," said Andreas von Brandt, the European Union's ambassador to Afghanistan.
"We are watching you despite Putin's war," he continued, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has dominated news cycles in recent days.
"Focus on protecting Europe from Putin," Muhammad Jalal, a Taliban figure with a large social media following, answered.
"Afghans are experts in their field."
