In a heated emergency session, UK lawmakers have vocalized their frustration over the swift collapse of the Afghan government, directing significant criticism toward Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Parliament was recalled from its summer recess to address the unfolding crisis, resulting in a marathon debate that extended beyond seven hours.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May expressed her bewilderment, stating it was \"incomprehensible\" that the UK did not take more substantial steps to support Afghanistan's government, especially considering the nation's two-decade military involvement there.
\"Was our intelligence really so poor? Was our understanding of the Afghan government so weak? Was our knowledge of the position on the ground so inadequate or did we really believe this? Or did we just feel that we had to follow the United States and hope that, on a wing and a prayer, it would be alright on the night?\" May questioned.
Despite facing intense scrutiny, Prime Minister Boris Johnson stood by the UK's actions, asserting that the nation had fulfilled its mission.
\"The United Kingdom, among others, joined America in going into Afghanistan on a mission to extirpate al-Qaeda in that country and to do whatever we could to stabilize Afghanistan, in spite of all the difficulties and challenges we knew we would face. And we succeeded in that core mission,\" Johnson declared.
As with other Western nations, the UK has been urgently working to evacuate its citizens and staff from Afghanistan amidst the chaos.
Lawmakers also emphasized the need for increased support for Afghan refugees, particularly those who assisted British forces and diplomatic missions during the conflict.
Responding to these calls, the Westminster government recently announced a plan to accept an additional 20,000 Afghan refugees in the coming years, with an initial intake of 5,000 in the first year.
Afghans Watch and Worry
While politicians debated the withdrawal and the future of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans residing in the UK watched the developments with apprehension, concerned for their families and loved ones back home.
Zemar Sakha, who fled Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion in the 1980s, shared his sorrow over the enduring conflict. \"I was an army officer, I left Afghanistan 36 years ago. We never, ever guessed one day it will be like this. We can imagine any kind of situation but not a worse situation like now. This is something unimaginable for our people,\" Sakha lamented.
Another Afghan in London, Hussein Amiri, mentioned staying in touch with relatives in Kabul, noting, \"they were currently staying indoors and that the streets of the city felt much quieter.\"
The persistent wars have long been a shadow over Afghanistan's diaspora. With concerns escalating about a potential humanitarian crisis, organizations like the United Nations and the international community, including the UK, are urging swift and compassionate action.
Reflecting on his own journey from refugee to resident, Sakha hopes that Western nations will continue to support the Afghan people wholeheartedly. \"They have to support us any way they can because they are part of the problem, all the West is involved in this problem, all of the West,\" he said.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
