Office Worker Taliban in the City Carrying a Rifle... "Twitter Addiction"

Taliban Controls Afghanistan, Moves into Government Clerical Positions...
"Capital Kabul, Complaints about High Rent and Traffic Congestion"

There is an analysis that members of the Islamic militant group Taliban, after taking control of Afghanistan in 2021 and transitioning to office jobs in government ministries in the capital Kabul, are expressing distress. They find city life stifling and are struggling to adapt.

On the 10th (local time), the U.S. economic media Business Insider introduced a report released earlier this month by the non-profit research organization 'Afghanistan Analysts Network' (ANN). The report includes interviews with five former Taliban members, including commanders, snipers, a deputy commander, and two fighters, detailing how their lives have changed since the Taliban took power.

Former Taliban Fighter: "Life Has Become Too Boring"

Taliban members patrolling the streets of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in 2021
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

In the report, ANN explained, “It is necessary to pay attention to the impact of the Taliban living in the city,” adding, “In Kabul, fighters and civilians, those educated in madrassas (Islamic schools) and those who attended regular schools, women who reveal their faces in public places and women living in purdah (a separate space for women not visible to outsiders in Islamic countries) all live together as families.”

The problem is that the Taliban, who lived relatively freely as fighters, are facing difficulties after taking power and changing their jobs to administrative positions in Kabul.

Hujaifa (24), a former Taliban sniper now working at a police station in Kabul, lamented, “When I was a fighter, I had no restrictions, but now I have to sit in front of a desk and computer 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Life has become too boring.”

Abdul Nafi (25), also a former Taliban fighter now working for the government, said, “I had to learn how to use a computer for the new job. Since there isn’t much work yet, I spend a lot of time on Twitter,” adding, “Many mujahideen, including myself, have become addicted to the internet, especially Twitter.” He also mentioned being surprised to see women in the classroom where he went to learn computer skills.

Last year, Afghan women held a protest demanding the guarantee of women's right to education in front of Kabul University in Kabul.
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

The Taliban strictly interpret Islamic law and thoroughly separate men and women in public places such as parks and gyms. Women must wear a burqa that covers their entire body from head to toe in public.

Omar Mansur (32) complained, “It’s difficult because of traffic congestion and high rent in Kabul.” Having transformed from a Taliban commander to a senior government official, he said, “I receive a salary of $180 (about 230,000 won),” and added, “Rent is so expensive that I cannot bring my family to Kabul.”

Abdul Salam (62), who works at a road checkpoint in Kabul, expressed dissatisfaction, saying, “There is a saying that money is a shackle,” and “If we complain, don’t show up for work, or break rules, they cut our salaries,” indicating that the Taliban’s treatment of fighters has worsened.

Meanwhile, in August 2021, the Taliban reoccupied Afghanistan. At that time, U.S. President Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of all troops from Afghanistan before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and after the Western withdrawal, the Taliban captured areas from the suburbs to the capital Kabul.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.