Life in Kabul changing slowly after two months under Taliban rule

Rahmatullah Baghban
Press TV, Kabul

Life in Kabul as well as the face of the city has changed during the eight weeks since the Taliban assumed power in the Afghan capital.

Following the Americans’ failure in Afghanistan, now the Taliban are ruling over Kabul and other cities and provinces across the nation. New messages painted on the walls in the city center are a reminder of visible changes. “Our nation has, with the help of God, defeated America,” one of the new Taliban slogans reads, replacing the previous colorful painting.

The Afghan flag has largely been replaced with the white “Islamic Emirate” emblem, with many selling the new banners amid heavy traffic across the city.

Another obvious change is the rising of the level of poverty. Women are selling their gold to get some cash to support their families. Many have lost their jobs, with some struggling to make food for their family. Others are selling household items to make ends meet.

The most obvious change is the presence of Taliban members themselves. The Taliban are seen roaming the city, guns flung over their shoulders. Some are wearing uniforms and some are in local clothes. And another change; many women seem to be staying off the streets, but some are seen in longer coats and headscarves, and some in the all-covering burqa. Fewer men are seen wearing Western dress as they have switched to local clothes.

The Taliban takeover changed the face of the capital, Kabul, in many ways. The nation’s already flagging economy is collapsing and creeping chaos is in the making. And it remains to be seen what the future holds for the country.

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