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September 2021 | Issue 27 A Monthly Newspaper Issued by The Levant News Media International - London Founder & Director: Thaer Alhajji | Chief Editor: Shiyar Khaleal

The Lebanese The Muslim “Global” Britain Do Not Believe crisis Brotherhood's and Taliban! plans in Tunisia backfire

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The UAE works hard for the evacuation operations in Afghanistan

The UAE airports were vital especially who sent its Foreign Minister and UAE's humanitarian message. logistical terminals for the international Minister of Defense to the UAE to meet with On August 21, the State of Department rescue plan for Afghans and citizens of the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu expressed gratitude for the UAE because it Western nations working in the country. Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on facilitated the transit of U.S. citizens. Until August 26 evening, 39,827 people went August 23 to discuss the Afghan crisis and On August 20, the British ambassador to the from the UAE airports to third countries. the evacuation procedures and other issues. UAE, Patrick Moody, praised the UAE for The UAE authorities provided the highest The Crown Prince noted providingmaking its airports and facilities available standards of health and safety, the thing that humanitarian aids and support for the as temporary safe locations for Afghan made many countries praise the UAE efforts victims of the Afghan crisis is part of the refugees heading to Britain.

Turkey's attempts to run Macron meets with the Mosuli Hamid Karzai Airport failed Christians and opens a consulate 'Our relevant continue performing this The French President this'. Mosul was the second authorities are taking the task if the ideal conditions Emmanuel Macron visited on destination after Baghdad. He necessary measures for the were available. August 29, 2021, Our Lady of visited a church and a mosque recent events in Afghanistan To 's the Hour Church in Northern in the city devastated by ISIS. including having talks disappointment, the and opened a French After he saw the destruction of with the Taliban and even Taliban called Turkey to consulate. Our Lady of the Hour Church, I may receive its leaders withdraw its troops from He met with Christian religious which some historians believe it later,' Erdoğan said In an Afghanistan: 'As a member leaders and visited the al-Nuri dates back to the 1000s, Macron interview with CNN Türk. of the NATO, Turkey Hamid Karzai Turkish Defense Minister must withdraw its forces mosque where the ISIS leader said: 'Mosul is very important Hulusi Akar said in a visit from Afghanistan and we August 30 that the Turkish Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared to Iraq's stability and all the to the Turkish embassy in hope to have strong and Embassy in Afghanistan the so-called Islamic State Iraqi sects are appreciated for Pakistan's Islamabad that positive relations with it,' was relocated back to its Caliphate in 2014. their role in bringing stability. Ankara which has been said Suhail Shaheen, the premises in Kabul and Macron attended the Baghdad 'The reconstruction is slow, running Kabul Airport for Taliban's spokesman. Ankara will maintain its conference and promised to too slow." Very,” he noted. He six years has repeatedly Turkish President Recep diplomatic presence in keep French forces to combat declared France's intention to shown its readiness to Tayyıp Erdoğan said on Afghanistan. terrorism 'since the Iraqis want open schools in the city. Reports The Lebanese crisis: There is nothing

After the certain Prime Minister-designate about of optimistic forming prospects about forming the the government government apologised on July 17 for not forming Najib Mikati had expressed optimism because international guarantees were given to the government nine months after accepting the about forming a new government, he criticized, him and he said that if they were not given to him, challenge and as the country sinks deeper into on August 2, its slow formation and said he was he would not take responsibility. crisis. Some argue he failed because Saudi Arabia disappointed that a new government will not be It is known that Lebanon is a place to make wanted him to confront but he rejected, formed in Lebanon as scheduled. However, he deals and settle scores between the regional while others think because there was no agreement confirmed the time for the government formation and international powers especially Iran which on the powers of the President and the head of the should not be left open. He also mentioned he supports Hezbollah militia. Do the "guarantees" government. would meet again with President . tell there is a deal between the regional powers and Mikati was no longer optimistic about forming Iran to solve the Lebanese crisis? The French President the government because of the disagreements 'All the international guarantees given to Mikati about the powers and the distribution of the are absolutely related to those financial assistance Harb mentioned when Saad Hariri was detained ministerial portfolios. About confessionalism, programmes of the International Monetary Fund in Saudi Arabia in 2017 and was hit, humiliated he said ministerial portfolios have not to be seen and the donor countries like France which has been and forced to resign on TV. The French President as furnished flats and the confessionalism in the trying to supervise the political compromise for a Emmanuel Macron personally intervened to previous government would maintain. year in a country suffering from a grave financial release him after he was detained for two weeks. 'I hoped the process of the government formation crisis,' Khalil Harb said. 'Saudi Arabia is upset with Hariri because he did was faster, there is a delay. I wanted us to form the 'Iran is one of the reasons behind the crisis but it not join those who confront Hezbollah in Lebanon,' government fast and announce it to the people is not the main reason and Khalil does not think he noted. before August 4,' he said in a press conference held that Iran intervene directly in the current political The disagreement between Hariri and Saudi Arabia on August 2. The Lebanese writer and journalist crisis, because it has Hezbollah which Iran trusts to is not the only problem, but also the distribution of Khalil Harb said pessimism and optimism are deal with the crisis,' he added. powers. 'When the Christians see the Sunni head completely relative in Lebanon. Khalil mentioned that since France has supervised of the government form the government as he the compromise, senior French officials met with likes, this creates a deep rift in the Lebanese society Disagreements on the Ministry of Justice leading figures in Hezbollah, the thing that shows which is already destroyed and divided because and the Ministry of Interior France does not get involved unless there is a of the grave crises it is facing. Now The Maronite regional acceptance (including Iran). President has only this power, to participate and 'Mikati was optimist yesterday. It seems he is About the Iranian negotiations with the West and sign on forming any new government,' Khalil facing some problems about the agreement on the the nuclear deal, Kahlil said: 'We are locked now in said. 'Taking this right from the President sends government composition. There are disagreements stalemate until the new president in Iran assumes distressing messages to the Christian minority about who would take over the Ministry of Justice power. I think this stalemate has a negative effect which still lives in this country,' he added. and the Ministry of Interior. These two ministries on the region including Lebanon.' 'It is wrong He pointed out Hezbollah does not need the are important at this time because of the ongoing to think that Iran is the main reason behind the preventing third because Hezbollah has always investigations into the 2020 and Lebanese political crisis,' he confirmed. been on good terms with both the President and because people demand to lift the Immunity of Mikati might have international support, especially the head of the government. some ministers, MPs and others. from France, for forming a government to prevent 'Since Hezbollah is accused of having military At the beginning of his designation, Mikati has Lebanon from collapsing, after his predecessor capabilities greater than the state, it does not really need the vote of ministers allied to it inside the government,' he said.

The future of the government is still uncertain 'It is said that Mikati will try to form the government for only other ten days and maybe he will stop afterwards. France has been told that and the disagreement over the distribution of the ministerial portfolios,' he said. Some think the government may not be formed before the Parliamentary elections, the thing that means the elections would be put off and the current parliament will stay until a new government is formed,' he added 'In brief, Lebanon entirely is up in the air. There is no definitive answer to anything,' he ended.

The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 2 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Reports Lukashenko threatens to flood Europe with

In 2014 and 2015, refugees fromrefugees the Middle the way Turkeyto stick did to their international commitments and East, mostly , reached the EU via Turkey. obligations. We have already adopted several When Europe reached saturation point, the EU restrictive measures and we are ready to consider a signed a refugee agreement with Ankara in 2016 further response to this behaviour. To use migrants designed to stem the flow of illegal entries into the as a weapon, pushing people to the borders is EU via Turkey; it gained privileges and received unacceptable and that is what is happening in the billions of Euros, in return. Lithuanian and Polish borders,' he said. Turkey blackmailed the EU and received huge funds Borrell confirmed that the EU is ready to reconsider that were, claiming they would be used to support increasing economic sanctions against Belarus if the refugees. However, Syrians work to support nothing changes about the illegal border crossing. themselves and do not rely on humanitarian aids. 'The EU has enough resources to support Lithuania Belarus, another neighbouring country of the EU, in border control,' he said. has followed in Turkey’s footsteps by blackmailing Europe in the same way. Treating refugees like criminals

Europe rejects Lukashenko Although the refugees only want to go to places where they can have a better life, they could not The Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko escape being used as tools of blackmail and were accuses the West of destabilising Belarus, which forced to pay the price for the dispute between was gripped by mass protests last year, triggered by Belarus and the EU. "Persons intentionally trying an election widely believed to have been rigged in to cross the state border in banned places should be favour of Alexander Lukashenko. The Belarusian considered persons who plan to commit a criminal police brutally suppressed three marches and act, an illegal border crossing," the Lithuanian detained protesters, the thing that drove many Alexander Lukashenko Minister of Interior Agnė Bilotaitė said. 'Officers Western countries, including Canada and the US, from the State Border Guard Service are competent to impose sanctions on Minsk. foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said. and experienced to apply tactical measures in such Lukashenko threatened to retaliate against any On 12 July, the Permanent Representative of situations,' she added. EU sanctions imposed on Belarus. On 6 July 6, Lithuania Ambassador Andrius Krivas sent letters Videos have been circulating online showing he threatened the West with restricting transport to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mr groups of migrants, some from Iraq, complaining transit via Belarus in case it imposes more sanctions Filippo Grandi and the Director-General of the about being hit with batons and tasers by the against Belarus. “if you escalate the situation International Organization for Migration Mr Lithuanian border guards. against Belarus with new stages of sanctions, you António Vitorino in which he provided detailed will go around us via the North Pole and across the information on the increased flow of third-country Mediterranean Sea [with your goods],” he stated. irregular migrants from Belarus to Lithuania Lukashenko escalates Although Lukashenko would not hesitate to and asked respective organizations to react in threaten Europe, he claimed that Belarus is ready accordance with their mandates. Krivas asked the Lukashenko insists on using the refugees as a for dialogue. 'We do not want war, we do not have UNHCR and the IOM to give a public assessment negotiation card with the West to get it to stop such a goal, we are military, we know the price of of Belarus' policy and to put the issue on their supporting the Belarusian opposition or imposing peace, but we will not kneel down and cannot do agendas. more economic sanctions on Minsk. He instructed what they (the oppositionists) want,' he added. defence and security agencies to “close every Europe refused to give in metre of the border” so migrants turned away by Belarus using refugees as political weapon to the Belarusian threat Lithuania could not get back into Belarus. “Starting from today, not a single person should set foot on Lukashenko was serious about his threat. Just Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and the territory of Belarus from the adjacent side, be it like Erdoğan, who used to blackmail the EU with Cooperation Josep Borrell stated on 16 July: 'To use from the south or the west,” he said. refugees, Lukashenko warned in late June that migrants as a weapon, pushing people against the The European Commission has examined the Belarus would no longer prevent asylum seekers borders, is unacceptable.' The European Union's possibility of holding an ergent meeting for the from crossing into Europe. top diplomat has suggested further sanctions could interior ministers of the EU member states in Lithuania called on the EU on 12 July to impose a be on the table after Lithuanian officials urged the August, to discuss the situation of the illegal new stage of sanctions against Belarus. It accused bloc to slap a new round of punitive measures on immigrants coming from Belarus. This will be Belarusian authorities of organizing the illicit Belarus and its President. a crucial meeting to determine the best ways to border crossings. 'Belarus uses illegal migrants as a 'We are following, closely, the situation at the deal with Lukashenko, whether by giving in or political weapon, this has not to go like that. We call Lithuania-Belarus border, where there are reports confrontation, and to increase the capabilities of the EU to impose the fifth stage of sanctions against that the regime is now sending migrants to the Belarus' neighbouring countries i.e. Lithuania and the Belarusian President's regime,' the Lithuanian Polish border too. We call on Belarusian authorities Poland in particular.

The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 3 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Reports The attacks in the Arab Gulf may start the

On July 29, an oil tanker was Israeli-Iranian war attacked off the Omani coast in the northern Arabian Sea. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter said in a briefing that the U.S. is working with partners to establish the facts about the attack. 'Washington was deeply concerned by the reports and closely monitoring the situation,' she added. An unnamed senior Israeli official cited by Channels 13 news said Iran is responsible for a drone attack on an oil tanker of the Omani coast. 'Initial indications clearly point to a [drone]- style attack,' the US Navy said US Navy explosives experts.

Iranian history is full of attacks Someone may say that sees Iran's ailing economy because of the when Iran continues to sow evil and on display boards at stations across there would be a problem to carry international sanctions so it accused plan terrorist acts around the world.' the country. No group or country out an air attack.' Accordingly, the Iran of the attack to drag it into a has so far taken the responsibility for Israeli military and Mossad proposed war. However, Iran is known for such Israel is careful and and would the incident. However, Israel is the a plan to build a military force that attacks and no country in the Arab Gulf make counterattacks number one suspect. aims to delay or abort the nuclear wants to threaten peace in the region The Israeli Public Broadcastingproject alongside Iranian activities except for Iran which bears the slogan Over the last years and months, Israel Corporation 'Kan News' reported in the Middle East. He pointed out 'either participation or destruction' as has been careful and suspicious of on July 15 that Israeli defence forces that acting against Iran will need to a result of the sanctions that prevent Iranian aggressive intentions. That is asked for a major budget increase develop accurate intelligence devices it from selling its oil to most countries what Israeli minister of defence Benny (billions of shekels) to enable a and that would cost plenty of money. of the world. Gantz referred to on July 4 when he potential strike on Iran. The website added that military A similar incident happened in April, said: 'We are in a conflict with Iran. The Israeli newspaper “Yediothofficials confirmed that the Israeli when an Iranian missile attack targeted We have to defend ourselves. We Ahronot” said that the Israeli defence army and Mossad are working on in the Arabian Sea the commercial are determined to prevent Iran from minister recently has begun studying separate and joint operational plans in ship 'Hyperion Ray' owned by going nuclear and we are determined the possibility to attack Iran’s preparation for a future battle against an Israeli company, while it was to prevent Iran’s active, negative nuclear facilities in the near future. Iran. Well-informed officials affirmed sailing from Tanzania to India. Iran behaviour in our region.' They know The newspaper said the discussions that: 'there are big and small plans and unofficially claimed responsibility for Israel will act whenever, wherever are serious and there are initial Israel should set a plan that includes the recent attack off the Omani coast. needed against Iran,' he added. preparations to implement some of small operations and announce things Al Alam TV, the Iranian government's Because the war between the two the attack plans. that would distress the Iranians.' Arabic-language television network, countries is running fierce, and the The Israeli website 'Walla' reported Based on Israeli reports, if cited unnamed sources as saying the counterattacks are limitless. On on July 22 that the Israeli military continued provoking Israel relying attack on the ship came in response to July 10, Iran’s railroad system came aims to develop its capabilities to face on its non-direct response, war a suspected, unspecified Israeli attack under cyberattack which made future challenges. The report noted may actually erupt. Attacking the on Dabaa airport in Syria. unprecedented chaos at stations. that the Israeli army and the Mossad oil tanker and the sharp Western Perhaps what clearly shows Israel The official IRNA news agency confirmed the need for a variety reactions against it put Iran on the knows that Iran wants to target it reported websites of Iran’s transport of programs, because if the United spot and forced it to declare its non- everywhere, by land, sea and air is and urbanization ministry Saturday States signed an agreement with Iran, responsibility for it, although it what the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair went out of service after a “cyber then Israel would have to be always considers the attack in its ideology Lapid, tweeted on July 18, that Iran disruption” in computer systems of its prepared practically and differently, 'heroism'. Now, the most important continues to plan terrorist acts all staff. and it would not necessarily launch question is how will Israel respond over the world: 'Israel is committed This was the second error in the airstrikes such as the attack on the to the attack? Would it target Iran's to protecting its envoys, their families, computer systems of the ministry. The nuclear reactor in Iraq. militias in Syria and Lebanon or and all employees of Israeli missions hackers posted fake messages about A senior security official told Walla: would it attack the Iran in its own around the world, even in these days alleged train delays or cancellations 'If the Iranians signed the agreement, land? The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 4 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Reports The Muslim Brotherhood's abuses and plans in

July 25 night did a U-turn Tunisia backfire Development, and confirmed that in Tunisian political life. That night her party will file the appeal to the corrected the faults caused by the provisional body for checking the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood constitutionality of bills. movement the Ennahda. It is widely known that the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) is financed and supported by The Tunisian People and the countries such as Qatar which was a President stand in the way of the reason behind the fall of the Ennahda MB movement. The Ennahda’s provocations against Attacking Tunisian Tunisians continued until July 24 parliamentarian for Qatar when Saied confirmed: 'The Tunisian state is one, and there is no way for In late June, the parliament session the political powers to compete to was suspended for more than a control it or to cause more tension to day because of a protest staged make people explode.' He also voiced by the representatives of the Free discontent about taking advantage Destourian Party (FDP) against of the COVID-19 to achieve political the draft law on the agreement to Tunisian President Kais Saied gains. 'Citizen’s health is not a establish an office for Qatar Fund for commodity tossed around by the arranged 3 days ago. 'The UN considers any act of Development in Tunisia. The FDP pressure groups. It is not like shares violence against female politicians, objected to the privileges granted in commercial companies governed whether physical or verbal, not only to Qatar like the freedom to fund The MB punishes the victim a violation against human rights but by the laws of supply and demand.' projects without the interference of The rapid spread of COVID-19 and Instead of supporting Abir Moussi, also a serious threat to democracy the Tunisian government, the thing the government failure prompted Ghannouchi filed a complaint against and the female participation in public that raised concerns over financing the Tunisians on July 25 to face the FDP members accusing them of life,' he added. MB projects. those who destroy their country. 'disrupting the work of Parliament'. The Ennahda movement and the The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Demonstrations took place in The head of the Information and MB have wormed their way into the could not stand this. Thus, the PDF Communication Office at the Court government. The FDP announced many Tunisian cities on Republic president Abir Moussi was slapped, of Tunis Mohsen Al-Dali stated: 'the it will resort to the International Day against Hichem Mechichi's kicked, threatened and insulted twice Speaker of Parliament asked in his Criminal Court, to complain against government supported by the on the same day in the parliament by complaint the Public Prosecutor to the violence used against its MPs Ennahda movement. MP Seifeddine Makhlouf and MP al- disperse the demonstration of the by the representatives of the MB The demonstrators gathered in front Subhi Samara. This caused chaos and FDP members and prevent them Ennahda Movement. Leaders in of the parliament in Bardo calling tension in the parliament hall, the from disrupting the parliament work.' the FDP mentioned on July 6 that for the dissolution of the parliament. thing that suspended the session. The office of the Residentthey would file a complaint to the They also attacked the offices of the The FDP president in the Tunisian Coordinator of the International Criminal Court since Ennahda movement in several cities Parliament Abir Moussi said from in in Tunisia Arnaud Peral stated: 'The the guilty MPs were not brought to and called for the overthrow of the front of the Parliament: 'Parliament United Nations team is following court. government of Hichem Mechichi Speaker Rached Ghannouchi hired with concern what is happening in Moussi said: 'Our confidence in and the Ennahda movement. people to prevent me from entering the Tunisian parliament, especially the judiciary has been shaken Next day the Tunisian President froze the Tunisian Parliament,” and since the attack on the female because of prejudice, double parliament, suspended lawmakers’ called him 'the head of the snake' parliamentarian was not just an standards, not standing up for the parliamentary immunity, fired the and pointed out that violence is not isolated case but comes after other constitutionally guaranteed rights prime minister and dismissed the strange to this parliament. As well, recent cases of violence and hatred of the parliamentarians and not government. 'We will not remain it accused the Tunisian judiciary of against female parliamentarian and protecting the Tunisian woman's silent about any insults to the state negligence and confirmed that it does broadly against political female bodily integrity.' She said she would and its Icons. I warn any who think of nothing about the attack. 'Tunisia has activists.' The UN team urged the lodge a complaint to the International resorting to weapons … and whoever officially become a state sponsor of authorities to take appropriate Criminal Court about torturing and shoots a bullet, the armed forces will terrorism and violence,' she added. measures against the perpetrators persecuting certain people based respond with bullets,' he said. Now, Tunisian President Kais Saied and calling the MPs, as the elected on gender or political views. She the Tunisians hope to start with a condemned the violence in the representatives of male and female reiterated that her party will file an clean sheet after the conspiracies and Tunisian parliament on July 2 and citizens, to demonstrate the highest appeal against the draft law of the the failure of the Muslim Brotherhood said the attack in the parliament was standards of ethics and conduct. agreement with the Qatar Fund for Ennahda movement. The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 5 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Reports Turkey -Azerbaijan Joint Military Cooperation and .. Existential threat reminiscent of

During the fall of the Soviet Thethe Azerbaijani Ottoman defence ministry not seemmassacres to have. Prime Minister of Union, Nagorno- (Artsakh claimed that army outposts were Armenia, , stated in Armenian) re-emerged as a attacked and a soldier was injured in that intends to start disputed region between Armenia clashes with Armenian forces when an new military clashes in Nagorno- and Azerbaijan. In a referendum illegitimate Armenian armed group Karabakh and on the Armenian- held in Nagorno-Karabakh and the opened fire in the western province Azerbaijani border. neighbouring Shahumyan Province of Aghdam in Nagorno-Karabakh in 1991, the local native Armenians breaking the ceasefire agreement. 'Armenia is ready to resume talks, but declared independence. However, Secretary of the Security Council Azerbaijan has not responded and no country recognised this state, of Armenia Armen Grigoryan said according to information received including Armenia, to maintain that two Armenian soldiers were from unofficial sources, Azerbaijan military balance in the region. On 27 hurt in an accident on the border intends to trigger new military September 2020, the dispute resumed with Azerbaijan. 'The clash was a clashes in Artsakh, on the Armenian- and the two countries launched large- ‘provocation' by Azerbaijan and left Azerbaijani border,' Pashinyan added. scale military operations against each two wounded', he said. The United Nations urged both sides other. Armenia's defence ministry denies to exercise restraint, refrain from any The military conflict continuedthe claim of Azerbaijan's defence action that could escalate tensions, Nikol Pashinyan until 9 November when the ministry that the Armenian Armed and address related concerns through Russian President, his Azerbaijani Forces units opened fire towards the dialogue. no guarantees. counterpart and the Armenian Prime Azerbaijani stations in the border Minister announced a ceasefirearea of . “This Armenia asks the Russian Joint Turkic army starting from 10 November. information has nothing to do with support The agreement helped Azerbaijan the reality. The Armenian side didn’t In regards to the Turkish role (Turkey's ally) seize more than two- open fire, and as we have already Although has friendly relations in the dispute Peskov said that: thirds of the territories it lost in its stated, it carries out only counter with Armenia, it has not support 'the Kremlin is hopeful that the war with Armenia in 1992-1994. actions in case of necessity”, the Armenia, as expected. However, development of relations between However, Azerbaijan has continued Armenian defence ministry said in a Armenia had no choice but to ask Azerbaijan and Turkey will not be to provoke Armenia since the last war statement. Russia for help to thwart Azerbaijan's detrimental to regional stability.' ended few months ago. This indicates Armenia's defence ministry reported attempts to revive the dispute and “Of course, Azerbaijan and Turkey that Turkey and Azerbaijan might on 14 July that an Armenian soldier control new areas. Armenian PM are developing bilateral ties. This is be planning to control the rest of was killed in an exchange of fire Nikol Pashinyan proposed that their sovereign right as long as they Karabakh. on the border between Armenia Russian border outposts be stationed do not harm stability and certainty and Azerbaijan; it held Azerbaijan along the length of Armenia's border in the region. Therefore, we are in Military operations across the responsible for any potential with Azerbaijan. constant contact with both Turkish borders escalation. On 6 August, Armenia "Given the current situation, I think it and Azerbaijani partners,” he added. and Azerbaijan said that an exchange makes sense to consider the question Although the Speaker of the Turkish The agreement has encountered of fire happened again on the border. of stationing outposts of Russian Grand National Assembly Mustafa obstacles. Baku and reported border guards along the entire length Şentop had said that Turkey and separate accidents across the borders. Azerbaijan claims that Armenia of the Armenian-Azeri border," Azerbaijan were discussing building On 12 May, Armenia reported that is not ready for peace Pashinyan added up a joint Turkic army, Peskov Azerbaijani forces advanced up to “We know that the situation on claimed the Kremlin was not aware 3.5 kilometers toward Armenia from 'The information we have received the Armenian-Azerbaijani border of any statement by the presidents of their previous positions and crossed through unofficial channels is that escalated yesterday. And you know Turkey or Azerbaijan. It seems that Armenia’s border. Armenia is not ready for peace,' that the Russian representatives Peskov is trying to avoid releasing any On May 27, the defence ministry Azerbaijani President Aliyev said on have made great efforts to restore statement which might sour relations of Azerbaijan announced that six 14 July and added that this was a big the ceasefire. The work continues,” between the two countries. Armenian servicemen were captured mistake. Peskov told reporters when asked Consequently, the dispute in crossing the borders. The ministry Aliyev said that Baku believes that if Moscow was ready to defend Karabakh/Artsakh is not fully settled also stated that its soldiers were the dispute over Karabakh has been Armenia’s border and was not afraid yet. The repeated clashes might be carrying out engineering work in the settled and a peace agreement has of deteriorating relations with linked of Azerbaijani plans to control border area of its eastern Gegharkunik to be signed. However, peace needs Azerbaijan. However, that answer the rest of Karabakh and could later region, neighbouring Azerbaijan. serious resolve which Azerbaijan does worries Yerevan and because it gives reach Armenia. The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 6 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Report Turkey takes advantage of the mass graves to

Sources close to theintervene security commander of the in Government the of Libyannot the only country electionswhere Turkey Turkish officials always make this services of the Government of National Unity Khalifa Haftar of using uses mass graves to justify its military kind of provocative statements, National Unity said that Turkey wants torture and executing citizens in aggression and achieve geopolitical make accusations against the Kurds to take advantage of the mass graves, regions under his control. ambitions. and accuse the PKK of crimes and recently found in Tarhuna, Garyan At the same time, the Government Turkey's Ministry of National terrorist attacks against Turkish and Nasmah, for its political interests of National Unity and its mass media Defense announced it found in July citizens. in Libya. tried to hide the truth that the al- in the Syrian city Afrin a huge mass It is not surprising that Turkey is Informed sources, asked to remain Kaniyat group which was accused of grave containing 35 bodies. As usual, unable to find a solution for the anonymous, confirmed the Turkish this crime, was actually headed by the the Turkish officials accused the Kurdish cause and does its best to Forces Command in Libya, led by Government of National Unity for a Kurdish forces of killing the civilians. spread fake news about the Kurds İlkay Altındağ, gather reports and long time and joined later the Libyan Mazloum Abdi, commander of Syrian instead of giving concrete evidence. change them to accuse the supreme National Army in April 2019. Democratic Forces, rejected these Most analysts doubt Turkey would commander of the Government of The testimonies of the people of accusations saying: "The Turkish- conduct an impartial honest National Unity Field Marshal Khalifa Tarhuna confirmed that although backed militias dug the graves of the investigation or allow foreign experts Haftar and his allies of committing war the al-Kaniyat group committed Kurdish martyrs who were killed by to participate and go to the alleged crimes and carrying out extrajudicial its biggest crimes before 2019, the the Turkish Army and its militias in crime scene. executions. Government of National Unity did 2018. Abdi called the international The Sources say Turkey wants not take any decisive measures lest community to investigate this crime Misleading the international to defame Khalifa Haftar and his they might sour the relations with to stop the crimes against humanity community political allies to secure the majority the group; the thing that will make committed by the Turkish-backed of votes for the candidates it supports the group ally with other competitive militias. Turkey makes a huge amount of in the 2021 Libyan general election. forces. Mazloum Abdi’s claims were fake news and reports to defame the The sources noted such intervention After the al-Kaniyat group joined corroborated by digital investigator Kurds and its enemies in Libya. The might have a negative effect on the Haftar's forces, Tripoli's government Benjamin Strick who published international community takes the electoral process and the way to reach took the chance and accused the multiple images of the Turkish officials' statements with a political compromise for the Libyan National Libyan Army of crimes site from back in 2018. The photos a pinch of salt. Turkey still does crisis. committed by militia previously- provide undeniable evidence that a not care and launches mass media allied to the Government of National cemetery had been located on the site attacks. The Libyan crisis Unity. The Turkish media played an where the Turkish forces conducted Neo-ottomanism needs financial important role in the media campaign excavations. Strick’s discovery was resources Turkey does not have even The Turkish-backed Government of launched by Tripoli's government followed by a wave of posts and before its current economic crisis. National Unity started digging mass against the National Libyan Army. photographs of tombstones with The Turkish President depends on graves last year in Tarhuna where pictures of buried Kurdish fighters in propaganda and misleading, the thing tens of civilians' bodies were found. The Syrian crisis the cemetery. that shows his imperial ambitions to Tripoli immediately accused the It is worth noting that before extend Turkey's influence outside forces of its sworn enemy the supreme It is worth mentioning that Libya is holding talks with American officials, Turkey.

Mass graves unearthed in Tarhuna, Libya - Courtesy of The General Authority for Searching and Identifying Missing Persons The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 7 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Opinion “Global” Britain and Afghanistan

Ian Black

It’s been a vivid sign of the worldwide impact of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan that it has affected faraway national politics so intensely. President Joe Biden has been clear in bluntly defending his controversial and unilateral decision to end America’s longest “forever war” – in the face of both domestic support and international criticism. But in the UK Boris Johnson’s government has faced searing condemnation of its incompetence. Last Wednesday, the British parliament was recalled – despite the summer recess – for the first time since Argentina invaded the British citizens and dual nationals residing in Afghanistan board a military plane for evacuation from Kabul airport, Afghanistan Falkland Islands in 1982. Johnson had announced on July 8 that most British embassy over the past 20 years. Raab resistance to the Taliban could cheering”. troops had pulled out of Afghanistan. refused to resign and was defended collapse “within days” after an over- The exit from Afghanistan came And he defended his acceptance of by Johnson and cabinet colleagues hasty withdrawal. as the UK redirects its post-Brexit Biden’s withdrawal by arguing that who claimed that the sheer speed of Intelligence agencies in Britain have focus to the Indo-Pacific. Britain’s the UK was not in a position to remain the Taliban’s takeover rendered the also come under pressure in the pivot to Asia includes forging closer in Kabul alone “without American call irrelevant. “The only thing that aftermath of the Taliban conquest, economic ties with countries like might.” could get a minister sacked is telling although the domestic security Japan and Commonwealth countries Keir Starmer, the leader of the the truth about Brexit,” as a well- service MI5 indicated shortly after like Canada and Australia. Accession Labour Party, excoriated the prime known journalist tweeted. Biden’s decision was announced, talks have begun for the UK to minister for his lack of focus and Raab’s lack of responsibility that a rapid victory for the insurgent join the 11-nation Comprehensive callousness towards Afghan refugees. symbolised the overall failure of group was one of a number of and Progressive Agreement for But criticism was not confined to the UK government to predict the possible scenarios. British military Trans-Pacific Partnership, that the opposition. In the debate that future of Afghanistan in the wake of chiefs, however, tried to paint a total includes them as well as southeast followed Johnson’s Conservative President Donald Trump’s Doha deal takeover as the least likely of several Asian countries like Malaysia and predecessor, Theresa May, waswith the Taliban in February 2020, scenarios, the favourite of which Singapore. scathing in her questioning of his and Biden’s commitment to more was a negotiated deal between Underlining the Afghan fiasco is the government’s failure to foresee what or less follow the timetable of the the Taliban and President Ashraf conviction that Johnson’s hubristic was likely to happen. pullout dictated by his Republican Ghani’s government that was ousted talk of a post-Brexit “Global Britain” is Another high-profile Tory MP, Tom predecessor. so easily. sImply self-serving nonsense. Events Tugendhat, called the stunning Raab’s refusal to resign was followed It is important to remember that in in Afghanistan “were a pretty cold victory of the Taliban the worst by a demand for an investigation by the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the US- shower to those who thought Britain moment for British foreign policy parliament’s security watchdog to see led invasion of Afghanistan and the would be operating as one of the great since the Suez crisis of 1956. Tobias the secret intelligence analysis behind overthrow of the Taliban was seen, powers of the world after Brexit,” was Ellwood, the Conservative chair the chaotic retreat from Afghanistan in western countries, as a success – the conclusion of Lord Peter Ricketts, of the defence select committee, after ministers asserted that they certainly compared with the invasion a former senior diplomat and national spoke with sadness of the “dire were caught unawares by the Taliban of Iraq in 2003. Afghanistan was security adviser. “It has without consequences of us timidly following takeover. This would prove whether rightly seen as launching-pad for doubt underlined the fragility of America’s departure.” Johnson and Raab were right to say al-Qaida terrorism. By that limited British foreign policy.” Immediately after the fall of Kabul, that the sheer pace of the collapse benchmark, the military presence has It is also hard to disagree with the demands multiplied to dismiss of the Kabul government was not been successful, but it is uncertain withering line from Theresa May, who Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, anticipated. whether that success will now be told a packed House of Commons: because of his failure (while on In the US, a former CIA counter- reversed by al-Qaida and other jihadi “I’m afraid this has been a major holiday) to telephone his Afghan terrorism chief claimed that both the organizations. Tony Blair, the Labour setback for British foreign policy. counterpart. The topic was the Trump and Biden administrations prime minister in 2001, warned that We boast about ‘Global Britain’, evacuation of Afghans who had were warned by their intelligence the return of the Taliban “will see but where is ‘Global Britain’ on the worked for the British army or community that the Afghan army’s every jihadist group round the world streets of Kabul?” The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 8 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Opinion

theirInvisible neighbouring countries. Afghanistaneven talk of the UN having to halt of being rebuilt anytime soon. Let us not forget that the number operations and withdraw from the Whilst the debate in the Western James Denselow of people internally displaced by country. Much of this uncertainty political landscape focuses both conflict in Afghanistan has risen isn’t going anywhere especially as on the merits of the Afghan by 53% since the start of August, huge questions remain as to what withdraw and the competence of its The evolving and ever- jumping from 360,000 to 550,000 appetite the Taliban has for allowing operational reality, for the forgotten changing story of the evacuation of in just two weeks. Amongst rising humanitarian aid agencies to operate Afghan civilians outside of Kabul thousands of Afghans from Kabul fears of a significant exodus of and whether the counterterrorism and the environs of the airport the airport is both historic and iconic. It refugees a spokesperson for the UN policies from the donor community crossroads that their country is at is has already been compared with the High Commissioner for Refugees will mean that can do so. one that they face in the context of Berlin airlift and of course a redux of (UNHCR) said on Friday that “the A significant increase in the need for remarkable isolation. the US departure from Saigon. The vast majority of Afghans are not able aid matched by a dramatic restriction It doesn’t have to be this way, human drama and incredible levels of to leave the country through regular of aid access into the country is the broadcasters and major news human jeopardy have seen the story channels.” recipe for disaster in a country that is channels must try much harder dominate the newspaper headlines UN agencies have warned of food already the sixth poorest in the world. to amplify the voices and stories and television news. Babies passed shortages to Afghanistan as early The desperation of those trying to get of Afghans in other parts of the over razor wire, NATO troops as September without urgent aid flights from Kabul airport is clear to country. There is already a legacy staring down the Taliban, the surge funding. Before the Taliban takeover see but there appears little in the way issue of insufficient reporting from of thousands of people desperately some 30% of Afghanistan GDP was of coverage of those living in other Afghanistan which partly explains trying to flee and the tragedy of comprised of humanitarian aid. A parts of the country highlighting the the surprise felt by many as to the rise those who’ve died trying so far. substantial presence of international ordeal they are currently facing. and rise of the Taliban, a story that Yet Afghanistan is a country of almost aid agencies and donors has been Those who live in parts of the country would have been familiar to most 40 million people and the goldfish thrown into total flux by the events of who’ve been affected by the vicious observers who were actually paying bowl focus on the drama of Kabul the past weeks. The banking system and intense bouts of fighting earlier attention. The chaos of Kabul airport airport is rendering the vast majority has been frozen and access to wages in the year are perhaps the most will not conceivably last for much of Afghans invisible at its expense. and funds for programming has vulnerable. Kabul of course escaped longer, what happens next when Their invisibility hides the existing combined with huge insecurity and the kind of urban destruction seen in Afghanistan ceases to dominate the humanitarian crisis and the potential of course thousands of humanitarian Mosul and Raqqa but other parts of news is far more important for the for a bad situation to get much worse staff wanting to leave the country. Afghanistan weren’t so fortunate and longer-term future of the country quite quickly with more seismic Donors such as Germany have the destroyed homes and schools and we can only hope that Afghans consequences both for Afghans and frozen their funding and there was would appear to have little prospect are invisible no more.

Members of Taliban forces sit at a checkpost in Kabul, Afghanistan The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 9 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Opinion

Dotheir departure Not with theBelieve Afghan vivid. Taliban! giving Taliban legitimacy and forcing military or government. Rather, they Among all the shocking statements the public opinion to eat their lies Dalia Ziada signed an agreement with Taliban, made by world leaders, such as the about supporting human rights and and allowed them a year to prepare European Union and the UNICEF, women’s rights and not going back themselves for this moment. In the about their optimism towards to practicing terrorism against other process, the Afghan people and Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, one countries, especially in the west, is a of Taliban’s effortless and government were kept in the blind, particular statement stood out. In huge mistake that innocent people, swift ascendance to the peak of power until they found themselves all alone an interview with Sky News TV, the all over the world, are going to pay a in Afghanistan, almost overnight, with Taliban. So, they gave up! Chief of Staff of the British Army, heavy price for. on August 15th. IronicalThe world The tragic scenes, at Kabul Airport, Nick Carter, described Taliban Taliban is an Islamist extremist has yet to recover from the shockly, of Afghan people clinging to the fighters as “country boys” that the organization, that is now equipped the transfer of power between wheels of the American warplanes world needs to be patient on and with highly advanced military gear the American presidents Trump in hope to escape Taliban’s hell are give them the chance to prove that in a country that has not government and Biden, in January, was much a glimpse of the pain and misery they are “more reasonable” than or military to resist them. Do not complicated than the transfer of that the Afghan people, especially the old Taliban. It is difficult to trust Taliban when they claim that power from the US-backed president vulnerable groups like women and assume that a military commander, they have changed or became open- Ashraf Ghani to Taliban. The haste children, are going to suffer on as experienced and smart as Carter, minded. Taliban today is much and chaotic withdrawal of the US Taliban hands. Yet, the international could be deceived by the lies Taliban more brutal and dangerous than the and NATO forces from Afghanistan, community and leading politicians, are currently spreading about their Taliban of the 1990s. Just wait until after twenty years, left no option to in the west and the east, are still openness to including women in they get the chance to show their real the Afghan government and military playing around innocent questions public life and giving amnesty to face. Terrorizing and killing innocent but to surrender. about Taliban; as if they are not old the Afghans who supported US and civilians based on religious identity, Ironically, the defunct Afghan army enough or experienced enough to NATO missions, over the past years. humiliating women, enslaving was bigger in size and stronger in remember the atrocities that Taliban The US and NATO chaoticchildren in minor marriages, and power than some European NATO had committed, not only inside withdrawal from Afghanistan in a way similar inhumane atrocities, are only allies. The Americans trained and Afghanistan but also worldwide, that enabled Taliban to seize power, a small part of Taliban’s religious equipped the army well, but when under the flag of their so-called is one mistake that the world might and political ideology, that they they decided to leave the country, Islamic Sharia. The dark memories forget. However, the international will never abandon. Do not believe they did not bother to coordinate of 9/11 attacks in New York are still community leaders’ insistence on Taliban!

The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 10 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Opinion

What if Iranwith prefers their Revolutionary toGuard’s live deception peacefully? and administrative and has killed Part the lives of their“23” people and strikes where they can. Even if these political failures. The Iranian Regime’s their land, with many dams that has Khalid Aljasir strikes are on the expanse of their attempts to increase pressure on deepened and increased the effects of people as infuriated protestors in the US President’s administration, the drought, as has the drying up of the region of Ahvaz, Baharestan in win sanctions relief in exchange for areas of the Great Horus in Khuzestan What if Iran prefers to live Isfahan Province, Elam in Khuzestan, limiting its nuclear activities. Tehran Province with the permission of the peacefully? The Khamenei rule, Shadegan, Bandar-e Mahshahr, and has placed in a box the opinion of the Iranian National Security Council; which considered the Rouhani’s one other cities express their sentiment US National Security Adviser, Jake For Chinese companies, which have relied relatively on openness to the towards this regime. Sullivan, who suggested that Iran has occupied Iran for the next quarter- major Powers, including the United What if Iran prefers to live peacefully? restricted the work of IAEA inspectors century, to extract oil, and other areas States, asserted that the “trust in Protester voices chanted (no Internet, and raised uranium enrichment to in the north and west of the country the West is useless,” and “They help no electricity, no water) against the 60%. Even though the agreement set above, the south, followed by the nothing, they strike where they can. dictatorship of Supreme Leader Ali the enrichment ceiling at 3.67, which center of the country. ”Wherever they didn’t strike, Khamenei. Other voices chanted has compelled Israel to draw a red line Iran’s irrigation of agricultural land they didn’t have the power to. ” “Death to Khamenei,” and “We before the United Nations General is about 90% of its water, the sector, According to a statement published don’t want the Islamic Republic.” Assembly. Furthermore, the number by contrast, does not account for by his website, The supreme leader These sentiments have spread like and quality of centrifuges in Iran, the Iranian economy, which has a of Iran, however, failed to apply the wildfire from the region of Khuzestan some of which have been developed population of 23 million villages, with same statement on his own country to various provinces of Iran, from to. IR-6 has now reached a staggering a significant benefit equivalent to a “trust in Iran is useless,” because the northwest to the northeast to number of 19,000. According to the large volume of consumption. it’s the overwhelming truth which the center of the country. These Iranian expert, Hassan Hashemian, The World Resources Institute is demonstrated on the Iranian soil, protests exposed the government’s this number is far more than the (WRI) ranked Iran 13th on the list with the suppression of Iranian incompetence in controlling crises, number set in accordance to the deal, of countries with extremely high freedoms and the collapse of its which has been scrutinized by which was 4,500 centrifuges, which potential of going through severe currency until the Iranian citizens published global reports and its most of them are classified. These water shortages by 2040. The Iranian are left without hope. Much less, they international organizations. centrifuges contain more than 2,000 Ministry of Energy has already are forced to listen to the head of a What if Iran prefers to live peacefully? kg of enriched uranium, possibly announced that 24 of the 31 Iranian regime that has been used to terrorize The “secret” of its official figures more, and about 200 kg of enriched provinces are water-deficient, 13 of and suppress their freedoms and well- on enriched uranium and its rapid uranium with a purity of up to 20%. which are severely deficient, and 11 being in various ways. Contradiction progress in its nuclear program, in This begs the question; Will Tehran are facing moderate shortages. has become the main characteristic of what it calls “compensatory actions” possess the nuclear bomb, though it What did Iran do for the lives of that regime, and the truth is Iranian through the Vienna talks to revive the has declared its intention of not doing its citizens, even with Covid, but citizens have lost their trust in the 2015 Agreement. One should consider so? nurture and support its destructive current regime. Why? Because they 2018 American exist of the Nuclear What if Iran prefers to live peacefully? Revolutionary Guard and its help no one, they aim their weapons Deal a proof of the international One should consider the drought that tyrannical classes?

The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 11 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Opinion The Afghanistan fiasco sends shockwaves throughout al-Qamishly al-Hassakeh and Baghdad

Sami Moubayed

Rumor has it that Mu’ammar al-Ghaddafi spent the evening of 13 December 2003 at his office in Tripoli, silently watching reruns of Saddam Hussein’s capture outside his hometown of Tikrit. Gaddafi ordered his aids, advisers, and family members to leave the room, as he kept repeating the video of his former colleague hiding in a deep hole, unkempt, with a bushy beard and matted hair. It sent shivers down the spine of the Libyan leader, who decided—right there and then—to avoid a similar fate by making friends with the Americans. He moved heaven and earth to give himself a political facelift, surrendering his country’s arsenal and dismantling Libya’s nuclear program, but that was seemingly not enough to Taliban fighters take control of Afghan presidential palace after the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country save him from a fate that was no different from fight an uphill battle against Turkish President last year are waiting for Iraq’s next parliamentary that of Saddam. He too was toppled by a US- Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which they would elections in October, after which they plan to eject led invasion just eight years later, and was found have certainly been exterminated. The Turkish him from power and have him replaced him with hiding in culvert west of Sirte, from which he was leader waited patiently for the Americans to leave someone who is less pro-American and more dragged, humiliated, and executed on 20 October Syria in order to send his troops to overrun their sympathetic to Iranian interests in Iraq. Behind 2021. bases in Qamishly and al-Hassakeh, forcefully closed doors, they describe him as unfaithful, Ten years later, rumor has it that Syrian Kurds and dismantling all embodiments of statehood ungrateful, and unpatriotic. Kadhimi was badly in Iraqi Prime Minister Mustapha al-Kadhimi spent that they had established since 2014. On both need of a success story to polish his image within the the night of 18 August 2021 watching reruns of occasions, however, Trump backed down on his Iraqi street, especially among the Shiite community. Afghani President Ashraf Ghani departing from decision, convinced by his advisers to stay in Syria Last month he headed to Washington DC where Kabul as the Taliban overran his country. The in order to prevent an ISIS comeback, counter he met with President Biden at the White House speedy departure, with little pomp or ceremony, Iranian presence in government-held territory, and sealed off a deal to withdraw American combat sent shivers down the spine of America’s allies and “keep the oil.” Syria is now a low-priority on troops from Iraq by December 2021. News of the in the Arab World. Men who had built their Biden’s Middle East agenda, but given his decision agreement was supposed to please Iraqi Shiites and entire fortunes of American support suddenly to disengage military from the region, he might serve him well, before events started unraveling felt abandoned, afraid, and very vulnerable. The suddenly decide to withdraw troops from Syria, in Afghanistan. Shiite militias grinned at news of abandonment of Ashraf Ghani was no different which would be a nightmare for the Kurds. Many the Kadhimi-Biden agreement, hoping to overrun from what the Americans did to Shah Reza Pahlavi of them seem convinced, however, that because of Baghdad the day after the Americans leave Iraq. of Iran in 1979 or to Egyptian President Husni the bad publicity that Biden got in Afghanistan, he Iraqi Sunnis who back Kadhimi are worried, with Mubarak in 2011. It was the first of its kind under will think twice before repeating such a withdrawal due right, fearing that Biden will abandon them to President Joe Biden, however, a veteran statesman from Syria. Shiite militias just like he abandoned Ashraf Ghani who many believed would be wiser and more to the Taliban. nuanced than his predecessors. Worry in Baghdad Realizing just how problematic a full withdrawal would be, President Biden immediately added a Fears in Syria Next door in Iraq, Prime Minister Kadhimi is clause to the agreement, telling reporters: “Our weighing his options. Since coming to power in role in Iraq will be to continue to train, to assist, In Kurdish-held territories east of the Euphrates mid-2020, he has relied heavily on the Americans to to help, and to deal with ISIS as it arises, but we’re River in northeast Syria, the Syrian Democratic stay in offfice, promising to dismantle Shiite-backed not going to be, by the end of the year, in a combat Forces (SDF) are unsure of what to make of Joe militias like Kataeb Hezbollah and the Popular mission.” Whether or not such an assurance will Biden after what happened in Afghanistan. His Mobilization Units (PMU). He took jabs at both, calm the situation in Iraq is yet to be seen, as predecessor, President Donald Trump, had twice ruining his reputation within the Shiite community aftershocks of the Afghanistan fiasco continue to threatened to walk out on them, leaving them to from which he hails. Shiite MPs who voted for him vibrate throughout Baghdad.

The Levant | Issue 27 - September 2021 12 www.THELEVANTNEWS.com Opinion Taliban horror: UK resettlement plan for 20,000 Afghans similar to the Syrian refugees one territories to threaten American government declared a scheme the Taliban’s revenge. For instance, security. In other words, the US and resettlement plan to take up 20,000 Canada declared a plan to resettle up Zara Saleh the UK officials were expected such refugees from Afghanistan over to 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan. withdraw but they believed it could the upcoming years. The Home The US also has been prepared to take a long time before the fall of Office expected to resettle about accept up to 30,000 Afghans in the Taliban is a Taliban, Kabul’s government. The fear and 5000 refugees at the end of this year upcoming years. nothing has been changed since disappointment swept Washington, similarly to the scheme that has been Now Taliban has come back again the foundation of the “Taliban London, , and other NATO done for 20,000 Syrian refugees after two decades of conflict with Movement” by Mullah Omar in 1994 members due to such an unexpected between 2014 and 2020 who were the US-backed government that until the current Emir-Mawlawi situation in Afghanistan. In the resettled in the UK. The scheme will cost billions of dollars and the Haibatullah Akhundzadeh who was UK parliament, Teresa May, the not include the existing Afghan involvement of more than named as Taliban’s leader since 2016. former UK prime minister raised the Relocations and Assistance 150,000 international troops. The Islamic extremist movement of question “Was our intelligence really Policy which offers any current But failed to defeat the the Taliban was established based so poor, was our understanding of or former staff employed by the Taliban and in the end, on a nationalist-Sectarian basis that the Afghan government so weak?”. UK in Afghanistan as more than decided to withdraw and represents mainly the Sunni Pashtun Whereas, the tears of the UK Defence 2000 of them have already been to end the two decades in Eastern and south Afghanistan. Minister Ben Wallace was another resettled. Simultaneously of war. Consequently, The only difference is that how the fact of disappointment regarding with the UK resettlement Afghanistan’s example insurgent militia was able so soon to what had happened in Afghanistan plan for Afghan has shown the failure take control over the country after and how they cannot get back all refugees, several of Afghanistan’s the US and NATO withdrawal from Afghans who were working with the other countries government to build Afghanistan. UK troops, and he conceded that the have announced a basis for a stable After years of negotiations, former failure of Western “It is sad the West such plans state even with US US President Donald Trump had has done what it has done,… is what to support support and fund, signed a peace deal with the Taliban it is”. Afghan and again shown that the to withdraw the US troops from Due to the criticism that faced Boris people due international relations are Afghanistan in 2020, and the Taliban Johnson’s government even by some to the always based on political also agreed not to use Afghanistan’s of its MPs members, the Tories fear of interests.

Caricature

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