The month of Asad serves as a painful reminder for the residents of the Shamali neighborhood in Kabul of the collective and forced migration they endured at the hands of the Taliban in 1999. According to United Nations statistics, in August of that year, approximately 400,000 individuals were displaced from this area, with the majority being compelled to seek refuge in Panjshir. This tragic event unfolded when the Shamali fighters successfully trapped the Taliban army in their region, inflicting significant damage on their war machinery and causing substantial casualties among their ranks during prolonged and intense clashes. The attacking forces, comprised of both local and foreign fighters armed with advanced weaponry, subsequently engaged in widespread acts of revenge upon capturing these territories. They were involved in a massacre, deliberately setting fire to harvest stacks and forests, causing explosions in water channels, destroying farmland, forcing people to migrate, and ultimately eradicating all forms of life in the area. During this relatively short period, numerous heartbreaking incidents occurred, although they have been poorly documented and recorded. The recurring question that arises when reviewing and revisiting these events is why the Taliban’s crimes received little discussion and why no institution took the initiative to document the tragic events of that year. Meanwhile, other nations around the world have taken appropriate measures to address incidents that are far less significant and trivial in comparison, making diligent efforts to accurately and scientifically preserve these events in collective memory.
There are several factors that may contribute to this issue. One possible reason is that Afghanistan is a developing country where the importance of preserving collective memories is not widely recognized. The people who are focused on survival may not prioritize historical memory. Additionally, the population relies heavily on oral tradition and lacks the ability to write or document events. Furthermore, collective memory is a subjective and constructed concept, rather than an inherent or natural phenomenon. In light of this issue, there may be visible or hidden forces that have intentionally erased these events from the nation’s consciousness, manipulating history to suit their own agenda and shaping the future perspective in a different manner. Nations that value the accumulation of experiences learn from the past and strive to avoid repeating past mistakes.
During the 20 years of the republican government, a platform was established that allowed individuals and institutions to make significant contributions to the revision of recent history. It has become essential for researchers in the field of history to take these works into account in order to produce thorough and high-quality results. However, a major drawback of many of these readings is their selective and sometimes biased approach, lacking impartial judgment of past events. Currently, it is challenging to find unbiased research on the history of recent decades. Instead of comprehensive analysis, most interpretations focus on specific individuals and heroic acts, disregarding the influence of other factors in shaping trends and events, or at best, treating them as insignificant. This approach is not only unappealing to curious and knowledgeable audiences, but it also lacks scientific rigor and a solid foundation.
Another factor that likely hindered the documentation of the atrocities that occurred in Shamali in August 1999 is the disgraceful nature of some of these incidents. There are reports indicating that the Taliban and their affiliated terrorist groups engaged in sexual assault against several girls and women in the region, as well as committing other crimes against the residents. The exact number of girls who were victimized or taken captive during these incidents remains unknown. It is possible that the residents of Shamali may have attempted to suppress the memories of these cruelties, as they do not wish to confront issues that, while painful, are also considered “shameful” according to societal norms. Afghans place great importance on the honor of their families, and very few individuals are willing to openly discuss such matters. However, it is disheartening that remaining silent about these crimes and keeping them hidden can be seen as a form of collaboration with the enemy.
Another factor that likely contributes to the lack of documentation regarding the August 1999 disaster in Shamali is the individuals’ attempt to conceal their defeat against the Taliban. It appears that they are unwilling to acknowledge their loss and recount events that remind them of their humiliation. In general, the collective mindset of Afghans is such that admitting failure is seen as a loss of dignity, leading them to often seek external sources to blame. Typically, the people of Afghanistan tend to exaggerate their bravery and heroism, attributing their accomplishments solely to themselves. However, when faced with escape, failure, and surrender, they shift the blame onto others, perhaps in an effort to alleviate their troubled conscience (resembling Sigmund Freud’s Projection Theory).
We will not make much progress. There have been various accounts regarding the catastrophic collapse of the republican system that took place two years ago, witnessed by the world. Most of these narratives share a common theme: the narrators deny any involvement in facilitating the downfall of the previous regime and claim to have fulfilled their duties correctly. Only a few individuals are willing to acknowledge their role in the events that led to the resurgence of the Taliban and apologize to the people. Even influential leaders from the previous regime, instead of taking responsibility, adopt a tone of superiority in their speeches. Unless our society embraces a culture of apologizing and admitting mistakes, and unless accountability replaces blame-shifting, it is likely that we will witness the repetition of similar tragic events in the future. It is rightly said that the most valuable lesson we can learn from history is to avoid repeating its mistakes.
However, what is truly remarkable is that failures contribute more to the accumulation of experience in the collective memory of nations than victories do. Failures serve as a catalyst, allowing nations to gain a clearer vision of their goals and to take more determined steps towards achieving them. History is comprised of both successes and failures. In order to avoid repeating tragic events, it is crucial to acknowledge and learn from both the triumphs and the failures. Additionally, it is important to reassess past actions that led to these failures. The German nation, known for their vigilance, recognized their weaknesses and shortcomings following their devastating defeat in World War II. They made a comprehensive effort to address these weaknesses and eliminate the factors that contributed to their grave loss. We should take a lesson from the Germans. Remembering weaknesses and failures is not a flaw, but rather an essential duty in order to strengthen our historical memory.
