This archive report was first published on 27 August 2021.
August 27, 2021, marked a pivotal moment in Afghanistan's history as the Taliban faced its first major test in securing the country after taking control of Kabul. The Islamic State-claimed blasts at Kabul airport, which killed scores of Afghans and 13 US troops, raised questions about the Taliban's ability to provide security.
The Taliban's pitch to the Afghan people has always been centered around bringing security after decades of war. However, their notorious use of suicide bombers during their insurgency has raised concerns about their ability to prevent similar attacks now that they are in power.
Abdul Basit, a research fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, noted that the recent attacks have shown that no group can claim a monopoly over violence in Afghanistan. 'Last night's attacks have shown once again that no one group can claim monopoly over violence in Afghanistan or claim to secure it,' he said.
The Taliban has been quick to distance themselves from the prison breaks that occurred during their takeover, blaming former president Ashraf Ghani for abandoning his posts. However, their spokesman Suhail Shaheen acknowledged that prisoners from the Islamic State (IS) had fled the jail and were hiding.
The Taliban has also pointed fingers at Washington, saying the security in the area of the blasts was controlled by the US. However, their fighters continue to man a network of checkpoints leading to the airport, but a loosely secured no man's land separates them from the American troops manning the gates.
As the Taliban faces increasing pressure to secure Kabul, their ability to prevent future bombings will be crucial in maintaining public trust. The airport attack has laid bare a years-long fight between the Taliban and IS-K, and the outcome of this conflict will have far-reaching consequences for Afghanistan.
