
Security in Afghanistan is always a sensitive issue, but locals try to enjoy life as much as they can. (Photo by The Afghan Dispatch)
According to 2016 Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the state of security in Afghanistan has gone from second to fourth worst in the world. While this may sound positive, there’s not really much to cheer about. The GPI has shown that the world as a whole has become a less safe and peaceful place, and his is why we can’t talk about a real improvement in the state of security in Afghanistan, as much as a worrisome escalation in other countries.
The real state of security in Afghanistan
Has security in Afghanistan improved? Yes and no. Until last year, the situation was slightly improving, but in the last months Afghanistan has witnessed a surge in terror attacks, especially in the capital, Kabul, by both Taliban (mainly against the national government and foreign troops) and ISIS (usually against the people, just like they have been doing in Syria).
This takes to next point. The ISIS project, mainly created to destabilize Afghanistan and its neighboring countries to eventually sneak in bordering Russia and China, hasn’t met the favors of the Taliban commanders, who have been fighting them all along until now. ISIS even offered Taliban to join them and Taliban have refused and fought them into leaving every area they set foot in.
Being Russia and China (and Iran) the main target of the ISIS project, now the conflict in Afghanistan is moving northward in provinces such as Badakhshan, Kunduz, Faryab, Balkh. However, Helmand province, even though in the south, is being increasingly controlled by the Taliban, not so much the main city but surrounding districts. Kandahar too, although fully under government control, counts a high number of Taliban and insurgents’ sympathizers.
The latest news are not encouraging security wise as many provinces have been under Taliban assault and weeks of clashes between insurgents and the national army have forced thousands of families to flee their homes and seek shelter in other provinces.
If you want to travel to Afghanistan: safety tips
Recently, Afghanistan has been drawing much interest and many travelers would like to visit. But what are the things to keep in mind if you are thinking about heading there? First of all, foreigners need to take some good security measures, either by hiring a private company or coordinating your trip with governmental agencies that will provide safety for you.
While traveling to Afghanistan is not recommended by the foreign embassies at the moment as the situation is quickly escalating and no one can predict what will happen next, here are a number of tips from an expert in the field of security that future travelers need to keep in mind to ensure their safety in Afghanistan if they don’t feel like waiting further. We don’t want to scare anyone away, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so travelers should have as much information as possible before embarking in a trip that’s all but easy.
Rule #1: Never feel too confident in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been at war continuously for the past four decades, it’s easy to understand that there is a high level of poverty, and this is why foreigners should pay attention not only to the places they go but also the times. In fact, security issues are not only related to insurgents but also petty criminals who kidnap for a ransom, just like the two professors of the American University in Afghanistan who were recently abducted in Kabul. Try not to get out of your hotel everyday at the same time; tell your driver, if you have one, to take different routes; don’t feel too confident going out late in the evening, if it’s safe for Afghans, it might not be as safe for foreigners.
Rule #2: Try to blend with locals as much as you can
While it might not be as straightforward due to the language (in Afghanistan they speak Persian Dari and Pashto), if you are in crowded areas such as local markets or busy streets, you can at least dress like an Afghan, both men and women. Typical Afghan clothes for men consist of loose trousers and a long tunic on top, while Afghan women pretty much follow the same dress code of Iranian women. While the headscarf in Afghanistan is not mandatory by law, women wear it, so if you don’t, you are likely to stand out in the crowd.
Rule #3: Pick carefully your location
In big cities most places are safe, especially in busy hours, so avoid early mornings and late evenings. Be sure to avoid places such as public protests and demonstrations, government buildings where people are lined up waiting for services like passport, national ID or any other paper; stay clear of any military convoy you might see, both Afghan and foreigner; avoid isolated areas, try to be always where many people are; pick your hotel always in the central areas of the city; anywhere you want to go, ask your hotel to book a taxi for you instead of getting a random car from the street: drivers will see you are a foreigner and will extra charge you, possibly getting nasty if you refuse to pay.
A word about the geography of security in Afghanistan and the cities and provinces where it’s safer to travel right now. By all means visit Kabul, yet keeping in mind all the recommendations above; Mazar-e Sharif city at the moment is still safe even though in the north of the country; Herat on the border with Iran is fascinating and pretty safe; Bamyan the city and also some places around the province are best to be visited with local tour guides; some areas of Badakhshan on the border with Tajikistan such as the Wakhan Corridor are currently safe and most tourists go there. As a general rule, avoid remote rural areas, if you are with a trusted local guide, they will know where to take you.
Rule #4: Learn some Persian/Farsi (Dari)
It’s always good to show that you master some Persian (Farsi/Dari), so you will look and feel more confident yourself, along with the fact that Afghans hardly speak any English. Learning daily sentences about directions, shopping, prices, numbers and greetings are a good start and won’t make you look too lost and vulnerable. Just a little precaution that can improve your security in Afghanistan.
Rule #5: It’s better to rely on a local guide
Both for issues related to security in Afghanistan and lack of infrastructure, your best bet is to rely on trusted local guides. For example, if you get lost, you won’t find places on Google map as easily as in other countries, so, as I mentioned earlier, guides will take you to the right places. Likely, travel agencies in your country will work with local Afghan agencies, so those should be the safest choice. As an example, travel blogger Jonny Blair of Don’t Stop Living visited Afghanistan with Untamed Borders, travel company with offices in both UK and Pakistan, and recommends it.
Afghanistan is a unique and fascinating country steeped in history and traditions. For obvious reasons it’s not on the radar of mass tourism, but this doesn’t make it any less worth visiting than the most popular destinations. Being mostly isolated and counting little foreigners, if not for military, volunteering or working reasons, it goes without saying that wherever you go in Afghanistan, you are bound to experience the most untouched and traditional way of living that now is rare in most countries with a bit of tourism. If you are careful about safety measures and travel with a trusted tour company, there are high chances this will be one of the most memorable trips you’ll ever take.