Several residents of Kabul are criticizing the presence of blast walls across the city. They say that while the Taliban speak of ensuring security throughout the country, the construction of such walls is questionable. In their view, these walls have mostly been erected in high-traffic areas and have disrupted the movement of people. Meanwhile, some drivers in Kabul have also complained about the situation. They say the presence of blast walls has increased traffic congestion, raised their operating costs, and created numerous difficulties. At the same time, several military affairs experts say that the construction of blast walls around Taliban institutions calls into question the group’s claim of ensuring security across Afghanistan.
Ebadullah (pseudonym), a Kabul resident, criticized the presence of blast walls across the city, saying that these structures have mostly been installed in crowded areas and have disrupted public movement. According to him, while the Taliban claim that security has been ensured across the country, the existence of such walls is questionable.
He added, “There are a large number of blast walls in the city. Although the Taliban have removed some of these walls, they have been reinstalled in certain areas. These walls are usually placed in crowded locations, which disrupts people’s movement and creates traffic congestion. We, the residents of the capital, face many challenges due to these walls. The Taliban claim that security has been ensured in Afghanistan, but at the same time, they have blocked the surroundings of their own locations and offices with blast walls and barriers. If security is ensured, then what is the need for these walls? We do not know why, after removing them, they have been reinstalled.”
This Kabul resident called on the Taliban to remove the blast walls from across the city and to complete unfinished work at intersections and roads. He said: “We ask the Taliban to remove these walls and fully reopen the roads to the public, and to complete unfinished work at intersections and roads.”
Naweed (pseudonym), another Kabul resident, also complained about the presence of blast walls. He said that these walls, alongside street vendors, have increased congestion across the city. According to him, due to this congestion, if a patient is being transported to a hospital, they may lose their life on the way.
He added, “These concrete walls have created serious problems for us. On one hand, there are road closures, on the other hand,d handcarts, and along with these walls, many problems have been created. When you want to transport a patient, due to severe traffic congestion, the patient may die on the way. The Taliban must remove all these concrete walls so that roads and sidewalks are clearly accessible.”
Referring to congested routes, he said: “On the Darul Aman route, at the Alauddin intersection, and also in the Wazir Akbar Khan area near the Iranian embassy, these concrete walls have severely blocked the roads.”
Habibullah (pseudonym), a driver in Kabul, also complained about the presence of blast walls. He said: “When we transport passengers to their destinations, due to the presence of blast walls, we are forced to use alternative routes, which wastes our time. On the other hand, fuel and gas prices are also high, and this situation has increased our expenses and created problems for us. We ask Taliban officials to remove the blast walls and concrete barriers.”
Lotfullah (pseudonym), another Kabul resident, expressed a similar complaint. He said that concrete walls have been installed in key areas of the city and have caused difficulties for the public.
He added, “These concrete walls have created many problems for the people. These walls have been placed in very important parts of the city; on one side, there is vehicle traffic, and on the other hand, handcarts, and with the presence of these walls, people’s problems have multiplied.”
Meanwhile, Rahmatullah Hassan, a military affairs expert, said that the construction of blast walls around Taliban institutions calls into question the group’s claim of ensuring security across Afghanistan. He added, “These concrete walls installed by the Taliban contradict their claims of security. When it is said that security has been ensured across Afghanistan, then what is the need for these walls? The more the Taliban increase the installation of these walls around their offices and institutions, the greater public dissatisfaction will become. In the previous government, due to the insecurity created by this very group, the installation of such walls was necessary.”
This comes as the Taliban had previously removed concrete walls from some ministries and embassies, but it is observed that in several parts of Kabul, these walls have not been fully removed and still remain in place.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
دیوارهای کانکریتی در کابل؛ نماد امنیت ادعایی طالبان یا نشانه تداوم محدودیتها و ناامنی؟
