The images of the events after the Taliban seized Kabul and other cities in Afghanistan have crossed the world. In a few hours, the lives of the country’s residents changed. Many tried to flee immediately, others experienced the wrath of the terrorist group.
Life in Afghanistan was not easy before, the country has gone through different wars that have marked its history and its citizens, but the latest strike, once again, took away people’s freedom to live according to their beliefs, expectations and dreams.
A couple of months before the takeover of Kabul, Mexican YouTuber Alex Tienda toured important places in Afghanistan such as Kandahar, Kabul, Bamiyan and Herat. He was amazed by the landscapes, by the familiarity with which many considered him Afghan and by the history that the land has.
Alex knew he would find places of great beauty but acknowledged that it was not the first thing that came to his mind when he thought of Afghanistan. Wars, destruction and restrictions are anyone’s first thoughts when they hear the name of this country. But through his YouTube documentary series, viewers can see another side. One where there are snow-capped mountains, grand architectural constructions and sapphire-blue lakes that look like scenes from a painting.
However, the reality of war was also palpable in every step the youtuber took through Afghanistan. He wore Afghan clothes in cities where Western attire might get him in trouble or annoy someone, his bags were frequently checked by the military, and he experienced firsthand the unease of being recognized as a foreigner by the Taliban.
War zones quickly eclipsed the jewels of nature. Alex Tienda passed through places that had suffered terrorist attacks hours earlier, and he also observed the extreme military filters at airports and the excessive hotel security with barbed-wire fences and high protective walls.
For 20 years, the governments of Afghanistan and the United States were allies to fight the Taliban, but at the time of Alex Tienda’s visit most of the US troops had withdrawn and some cities were already being taken over by the Taliban. For that reason, the Mexican YouTuber could not freely tour certain areas. Any protection for the people was completely terminated a few weeks after the recording.
While in Afghanistan, Tienda’s sister texted him to see if he was safe. A few hours after he traveled from the capital to another part of the country, a bomb exploded in front of a school, leaving 80 people dead, the target of the attack being girls who wanted to study.
If under military protection girls and women had greater freedom, but were still constantly threatened, what fate awaits them now that the Taliban have taken power? Their freedoms are already being totally curtailed. For the Taliban, women are inferior beings who cannot have access to education, cannot express themselves, and cannot exercise any power.
The images taken by Tienda show the last moments of tranquility and normality at the airport and in the city. Later, he compares the images shared by social networks and media of the destroyed buildings and the desperation experienced by those trying to flee.
This is not the first time that Afghanistan has experienced devastation. During its history, different groups have arrived in the country, destroying everything in their path. The Taliban themselves demolished the mountain of giant Buddhas in Bamiyan in the 90s, which Alex included among his visits.
Despite the problems that exist in the country, the human quality of the Afghans can be noticed. The YouTuber was greeted by strangers, helped when he was unaccompanied, and even asked to take pictures with him.
During his days in Afghanistan, Alex built a friendship with the tour guide who took him to different corners of the country. Mahdi, who is also a martial arts expert, was in Afghanistan with his family when the Taliban seized Kabul. The YouTuber immediately began communicating with Mahdi and plotting a strategy to help him leave the country. Meanwhile, Mahdi is in hiding, waiting for the right moment to begin his escape plan.