Mullah Abdullah Sarhadi talks on the phone in his office in Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 7, 2022. Sarahadi has been a member of the Taliban since the 90ies. He was in charge of military operations in Bamyan and effectively in charge of the region when the world-famous Buddhas were blown up by the Taliban. He later served four years in Guantanamo. Now he is governor of the province.
A recently charred wall seen in the historical site Shahr-e Gholghola, or the City of Screams, Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2022. When the Taliban took over Bamyan many of the historical sites were looted and damaged. When the Taliban ruled over Afghanistan in the late 90ies and early 2000s they destroyed the already damaged Buddhas of Bamyan.
A man pushes a wheelbarrow in front of the remains of the Buddhas of Bamyan, Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2022. When the Taliban took over Bamyan many of the historical sites were looted and damaged. When the Taliban ruled over Afghanistan in the late 90ies and early 2000s they destroyed the already damaged Buddhas.
A militia, mostly made up of local Hazara, patrols the streets of Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2022. Despite having suffered under Taliban rule in the 90ies and early 2000s, some Hazara have joined ranks of the Taliban. The militia members neither get paid, nor get expenses. They are headed by Haji Mangal, a longtime Talib of Pashtu ethnicity.
A militia, mostly made up of local Hazara, rests in their base in Bamyan City, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2022. Despite having suffered under Taliban rule in the 90ies and early 2000s, some Hazara have joined ranks of the Taliban. The militia members neither get paid, nor get expenses. They are headed by Haji Mangal (right), a longtime Talib of Pashtu ethnicity.
Muhammed Kazim, 10, begs for money in the streets of Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 11, 2022. Since the Taliban took power and the economy of the country collapsed, Muhammed has been the sole breadwinner of his family.
A baker sits in his shop late evenng with much of his bread still unsold, Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 6, 2022. Since the Taliban took control of the country, the economy has all but collapsed. More than half the country’s population are expected to face potentially life-threatening food insecurity this winter.
Workers load coal into bags close to the remains of the Buddhas of Bamyan, Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 7, 2022. The area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Buddhas and was off-limits for any commercial activitiy under the previous leadership. Now, some ethnic Tadjik hope that the Taliban leadership will allow developement in the area.
Ransacked artefacts with notes by French archeologists seen in the historical site Shahr-e Gholghola, or the City of Screams, Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2022. When the Taliban took over Bamyan many of the historical sites were looted and damaged. When the Taliban ruled over Afghanistan in the late 90ies and early 2000s they destroyed the already damaged Buddhas of Bamyan.
Men walk through an historical area next to the remains of the Buddhas of Bamyan, Bamyan, Afghanistan, Feb. 7, 2022. The area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Buddhas and was off-limits for any commercial activitiy under the previous leadership. Now, some ethnic Tadjik hope that the Taliban leadership will allow developement in the area.