The drama and tragedy over-whelming opponents of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has brought back horrifying memories for one Newham worker. Akram (not his real name), who works in a food delivery outlet in the borough, fled the country 20 years ago as the Taliban were rounding up young men from high schools to fight in the tribal war then engulfing the country.

He was a fresh-faced teenager who escaped attention because he looked young, but some of his friends, many with the first traces of facial hair, were not so lucky. “Most of them were taken away and sent to fight in the frontline,” he told Newham Voices.

“I know from experience the dangerous situation that people are now facing,” he said. “I was able to escape then, but now the crisis is just as bad.” Members of his family who have been political opponents of the Taliban in Afghanistan for many years are particularly in the firing line.

In the past they supported the Northern Alliance, a united front formed more than 25 years ago to fight a defensive war against the Taliban government that was toppled after the American-led invasion in 2001. Two months ago Akram’s uncle was shot dead by five gunmen. He was serving in the Afghan army, but had been targeted by the Taliban. He leaves a widow and six children who have now gone into hiding in Kabul. He has two other uncles and their families who are also at risk. “Everything is very confused on the spot,” he says. “No-one knows what to do, but there are thousands of people facing persecution.”

He says that western governments, including Britain, should not recognise the new regime or give it any legitimacy. Nor is he impressed by statements from Taliban leaders saying they are not interested in revenge and that they will respect the rights of women and free speech.

“The reality is that among the Taliban forces will be people who have lost family members in the conflict and they are already looking for revenge and hunting down their opponents. That is why people are so desperate to get out,” he said. When he arrived in London 20 years ago Akram went to college and since then has worked in the family business. He married and now has three children of his own. Every day he commutes to Newham for work with his cousin, who came to Britain five years ago and is still trying to get his mother and sisters to join him from Afghanistan.

“I welcome the statement from the Mayor of Newham,” said Akram. “It’s important that people give as much help as they can.” But he recognises that even in Britain divisions exist and threats remain.

“There are people who support the Taliban even here and my family have already received warnings and threats,” he said. “It’s important that we don’t do anything that will make matters worse or put people still in Afghanistan at further risk.”

The identity of our source has been withheld to protect his safety and that of his family, both in Britain and Afghanistan.

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