THE world has watched on in horror as people in Afghanistan try to flee their war-ravaged country as the Taliban seized control again.
Twenty years after the Taliban were ousted, they have taken back the reins of power in the country with fears they will impose their harsh Sharia regime again, particularly on women.
Watching events unfold from his new home in Derry is Muhammad Edrees.
He fled from Afghanistan and has been living in the North West for the past three years.
Mr Edrees has urged the western world “not to turn their back” on the people of his country.
He said he fears for his mother and three sisters who have fled from their home and are now staying in a tent on the streets of the capital, Kabul.
“It’s not a great feeling knowing your loved ones are not safe,” he told BBC Radio Foyle.
Mr Edrees left the country after this father – who was a government official – was murdered by the Taliban in 2011.
He called for greater efforts to help move fleeing civilians from Afghanistan.
“Please help take them out of this current situation or else the consequences will be felt by the whole world,” he said.
Muhammed Edrees fears for his family back home in Afghanistan
“Your loved ones are living in a place where you’re not guaranteed of your life for a minute.
“Everyone is trying to leave the country, it doesn’t matter where the airplanes are going.”
Mr Edrees said that he, like everyone else, wants his family to be in “a safe place” and said he would like to be reunited with them in the North.
However, he said there are “no possibilities of bringing them here at the minute”.
“The western world should know not to turn their back on Afghanistan and do something about this current situation.”
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