In late May, the Taliban started distributing a 69 page ‘code of conduct’ booklet in Afghanistan:
“The Taliban must treat civilians according to Islamic norms and morality to win over the hearts and minds of the people,” said the 69-page Taliban booklet, which was obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday from a Taliban fighter in the Afghan border town of Spin Boldak.
“All efforts must be made to avoid harming civilians in attacks,” said the booklet, which the insurgent said began circulating in Afghanistan 10 days ago. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted.
Does this new code of conduct signal a new, softer Taliban? Hardly. On Friday, Taliban fighters executed eight foreign health workers (six Americans, a German, and a Briton) returning from a health clinic in Nuristan Province.
Their last meal was a picnic in the forest in the Sharrun Valley, high in the Hindu Kush mountains of northern Afghanistan. The medical team included Karen Woo of Britain and Tom Little of the United States.
Returning home from a three-week trek on foot to deliver free medical care to the remotest regions of the country, the aid workers — six Americans, a Briton, a German and four Afghans — had just finished eating when they were accosted by gunmen with long dyed-red beards, the police said.
The gunmen marched them into the forest, stood them in a line and shot 10 of them one by one.
One of the slain doctors, Karen Woo, blogged about her Afghanistan experience at Dr Karen explores healthcare in Afghanistan.
RIP.
Christopher R. Albon is a political science Ph.D. specializing in armed conflict, public health, human security, and health diplomacy.
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