蜜芽传媒

The Afghan people are disappointed that foreign troops are withdrawing without making sure human and women's rights will be guaranteed, according to a former Afghan finance minister.

Most NATO troops have now left the country - well ahead of the September deadline - with some remaining on the ground to protect embassies and Kabul airport. The Taliban says these will be treated as 'occupying forces'.

But Dr Omar Zakhilwal, who is now head of the recently launched pro-peace 'Afghanistan Salvation Movement', says the real test of the Taliban's strength and intentions will be when it tries to take cities.

"Right now they are taking control of districts without much of a fight. Morale in the security forces has broken down and they've just surrendered. But it's not in districts where the fear of the Taliban is to the extent as in the cities. Girls education in universities, the presence of more modern life, is more in the cities."

(Photo: Armed men pledge to fight against the Taliban, on the outskirts of Kabul in June. Credit: Reuters)

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