I was
enjoying a cup of coffee while conversing with Sarlashed and Sithara, two young
female medical students from Afghanistan. As we spoke, an Afghan student passed
by and cast a disapproving glance at the girls, who were freely engaging with
me without head coverings. Sarlashed, a westernized Afghan who spent her
childhood in West Germany, expressed her disdain for the fundamentalist Islamic
regime in her home country. She lit a cigarette from her Rothmans packet and
remarked on the uncertain future of Afghanistan, declaring her intention not to
return after completing her medical degree, as she plans to migrate to the
West.
It was
1986, and the Soviet troops were in Afghanistan. As we heard, the Soviet troops
were facing a dire situation there. Afghans are born warriors, and even the
British army could not defeat them. In the film Rambo 3, a line captures the
fierce and combative reputation of Afghans, stating, "May God deliver us
from the venom of the cobra, the teeth of the tiger, and the vengeance of the
Afghan." During my time at the Vinnitsa medical faculty in Ukraine, I
encountered around 25 Afghan students, some of whom had fought against the
Mujahedin. One student, Abed, shared with me the tragic story of how the
Mujahedin killed two of his brothers for their collaboration with Russian
soldiers.
Horashid
Aga Safi was an Afghan female student, and we frequently crossed paths at the
faculty. Her father held a senior position in the Afghan Army, and her family
lived in Kandahar, where they endured a devastating rocket attack that nearly
destroyed their home. She shared extensive
insights into Afghan culture, cuisine, and the contrasting lifestyles found in
urban areas versus remote, underdeveloped mountain regions. Additionally, I
became aware of the societal position of women in Afghanistan, where
patriarchal norms often restrict their rights and freedoms under the guise of
religious beliefs.
It
became evident to me that many Afghan students harboured a strong dislike for
the Soviet troops occupying their country, with some even secretly admiring the
combat prowess of the Mujahedin. Horashid recounted an incident where an Afghan
military officer covertly shared intelligence with the Mujahedin, enabling them
to ambush a Soviet convoy. Much like the U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, the Soviets
found themselves up against a cunning and elusive enemy in the rugged Afghan
mountains.
Several
Soviet films, including the 1991 production Afghan Breakdown featuring Italian
actor Michele Placido and The 9th Company, depicted the realities of the
Soviet-Afghan conflict. Official figures released by the Soviet Union towards
the war's conclusion indicated 13,310 fatalities, 35,478 injuries, and 311
individuals classified as missing in action.
During
the nine-year conflict in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989, an estimated 620,000
to 750,000 Soviet troops were deployed. Among the medical students in my
faculty, a few had firsthand experience in the Afghan war. In my first year, I
shared living quarters with two Soviet medical students who had served there. Sergi
(Sergei), who was wounded during his service, frequently expressed his
struggles with back pain, while Victor exhibited signs of psychological
distress stemming from his experiences in the war. Sergi seldom discussed his
experiences during the war in Afghanistan and often expressed a reluctance to
engage in conversations about that period.
Victor's
transformation after returning from Afghanistan was strikingly evident to his
family and friends. Having faced intense combat in Kandahar against the
Mujahedin rebels, he suffered a concussion, which severely impacted his ability
to focus on his studies, leading to failing grades. As a young student, I was
passionate about rock and heavy metal music, often playing tracks from bands
like AC/DC, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Metallica. However,
Victor became increasingly agitated by the loud sounds, frequently requesting
that I turn off the music, revealing his sensitivity to noise.
His
temper flared easily, and he often found himself in conflicts. On two
occasions, I found myself in physical confrontations with him. Sergi
consistently acted as a mediator, stepping in whenever tensions rose. As I noticed sleep eluded him, plagued by
nightmares. Victor resorted to consuming large amounts of vodka at dinner
before seeking solace in sleep, further deteriorating his health. He rarely
spoke of his experiences in Afghanistan, but one winter evening, while sharing
a cup of Ceylon tea, he mentioned Chefeer, a drink soldiers made in the army.
He explained that during his time in Afghanistan, they often consumed this
concentrated Georgian tea, which provided a much-needed boost to combat the
isolation felt in the Afghan mountains. For almost a year, I shared a room with
Victor, which proved to be quite challenging for me. Fortunately, by the third
year, I was able to separate from him.
During
the Soviet-Afghan War, the United States provided support to the Mujahedin by
supplying financial aid and military equipment, including Stinger missiles.
Sylvester Stallone dedicated his film Rambo III to the gallant people of
Afghanistan (Mujahedin fighters?).
Following the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush deployed
American troops to Afghanistan, where they encountered Mujahedin fighters once
again. In 2006, I spoke with a U.S. Marine at Colmery-O'Neil Veterans'
Administration Medical Center in Kansas, who remarked that the Russians had
been effectively managing the situation before the U.S. intervened, suggesting
that the current challenges were a consequence of that disruption. His
observation held a degree of truth, reflecting the complex legacy of foreign
involvement in Afghanistan.
In
2009, I encountered an intriguing individual named Mirwise from Afghanistan at
a Tim Hortons coffee shop in Toronto. Recently arrived in Canada, he was
employed as a baker at the establishment. Mirwise had picked up many Russian
words during his time in Afghanistan, primarily from interactions with Russian
soldiers. However, most of the vocabulary he acquired consisted of profanities.
His words prompted an uncontrollable fit of laughter from me.
I often
ponder the reasons behind the stagnation of Afghan society in the realms of
science and technology. In my opinion, the regression of Afghan
society in the realms of science and technology can be attributed to several factors,
including decades of relentless conflict and political turmoil. The influence
of radical ideologies has further marginalized women, hindering their access to
education and opportunities. Additionally, a pervasive sense of xenophobia has
contributed to an environment that stifles innovation and progress, ultimately
impeding the country's development in these critical areas.
In
2024, I had the honor of delivering a lecture on the psychological management
of work-related stress to a group of Afghan doctors. This initiative was
coordinated by Captain Sumedha Mirihana from the MLTC International. During my
discussions with these doctors, I had the opportunity to exchange perspectives
on the Taliban government and address various human rights concerns. It
appeared to me that the Afghan Taliban is attempting to engage with the
international community through initiatives such as cricket and other outreach
efforts.
Afghanistan
boasts a striking and diverse beauty, encompassing dramatic mountain
landscapes, high-altitude lakes, and a rich historical heritage. Afghan society
is built on strong community bonds and deeply held values, including
exceptional hospitality, unwavering family loyalty, and personal honor.
However, this vibrant nation currently endures a "fragile peace"
rather than genuine stability, hampered by severe humanitarian crises,
pervasive human rights issues, and governance challenges.
Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge
