They fought the Soviets for 30 years and the Americans 18 years. Now they want peace

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Some Taliban representatives to negotiate with the United States have fought both powers, and their agreement may lead to the end of the long war in American history. Many in Afghanistan long for peace, but others are pessimistic. The Soviets withdrew, but what did we gain from it? "

IP

Afghanistan on Saturday marked the 31st anniversary of completing the Soviet withdrawal from the country, while the United States is conducting its negotiations to end its 18-year war in the country, the longest in American history.

Some Taliban leaders who are currently conducting peace talks with Washington led the opposition to the presence of the Soviet Union in the country, and later also fought in the United States that overthrew their regime in 2001 following the sponsorship of Al-Qaeda. Today, they have prominent places at the negotiating table.

US troops bring Afghanistan's remains to death last week (Photo: AP)

Remains of a US soldier killed in Afghanistan are taken to the air force base in Dover, February 14, 2020 (Photo: AP)

Moscow withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989, a decade after invading it to support the local communist government. Afghan Mujahideen enjoyed US weapons and training during the 1980s fighting the Red Army. Some of those Mujahideen people founded Taliban.

On Friday, the United States and the Taliban agreed to a temporary respite in the fighting. If successful, it could pave the way for another historic retreat, this time for the United States.

The Taliban negotiating team is headed by Abdul Ghani Bardar, who has previously partnered with the United States against the Soviets. So is another representative, Khirullah Khirachwa. He was held for 12 years at the Guantanamo Detention Center until released in 2014 in exchange for the American prisoner Bo Bergel. Today, the power of the Taliban has been greater since the 2001 invasion.

Decades of war. Attack scene in Kabul, October (Photo: AP)

Evacuation of wounded from mosque bomb in Kabul, Afghanistan, October 18, 2019 (Photo: AP)

Yesterday there was quiet on the streets of Kabul, which is usually crowded on Saturdays with the start of the Afghan work week. There were no official public events to mark the anniversary, and most people took advantage of the freedom.

Shakib Rochin was only seven when the Soviets left. Today, Ruchin, a graduate of the Department of Economics at Kabul University, says he does not remember that era, but only the war with the Americans. "We are so tired of war, we want a peaceful solution to the problems in Afghanistan," he said.

Abdul Shakur Ahmadi, 56, recalled how the residents were happy when the Soviet Union withdrew, but he said the civil war that subsequently broke out was worse.

31 years have passed. Withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan (Photo: AP)

Red Army soldiers in Uzbekistan after completing withdrawal from neighboring Afghanistan, February 1989 (Photo: AP)

With the end of the Cold War, the United States lost interest in Afghanistan. The Mujahideen government - which included many of Kabul's senior officials today - slipped into internal war in the early 1990s and tens of thousands of civilians were killed. It led some former Mujahideen officials to reorganize under the Taliban framework, which came to power in 1996 and set up a rigid Islamic regime.

"I hope this time the peace will come," Ahmadi said. "At least once in our lives we can see peace in our country. We are so worried about the future of our children."

It is still unclear when the truce will take effect in the fighting. The peace treaty calls for negotiations between the Afghan parties starting next month, and it should also set a timetable for the US withdrawal, alongside a pledge by the Taliban not to sponsor terrorist organizations.

Amin Muhammad, a shop owner in Kabul, remains pessimistic. "Most people are unemployed, nobody has enough money to come and buy things. I don't want to celebrate anything. The Soviets withdrew, but what did we gain from it?" He said in despair.

(First update: 12:00)