Afghanistan, once a tourist destination, is now a country known for its violent and turbulent past. Though the country has seen some peaceful moments in its history, it has been marred by war and unrest since the late 1970s.
Before the Soviet invasion in 1979, Afghanistan was considered a great tourist destination with its beautiful mountainous terrain and fascinating culture. The cities of Kabul and Kandahar were vibrant hubs of activity, bustling with merchants selling all kinds of goods.
The country also had some of the best skiing resorts in Central Asia, especially around the Panjshir Valley.
But since then, Afghanistan has been embroiled in conflict after conflict. The Soviet-Afghan War killed over 1 million Afghans and displaced millions more.
In 1992, civil war broke out between various mujahideen factions and lasted until 1996 when the Taliban took control of most of the country. They imposed a strict version of Islamic law on citizens which resulted in many human rights violations including public executions.
The US-led invasion in 2001 ousted the Taliban but ushered in a new era of violence and instability with various insurgent groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS taking control of large parts of the country. This has made travelling to Afghanistan extremely dangerous for foreigners as these groups Target anyone perceived to be an ‘infidel’ or an enemy combatant.
The current situation does not bode well for tourism in Afghanistan as it is not safe for travellers to visit. The Afghan government is trying their best to improve security but until there is more stability in the region it is unlikely that Afghanistan will become a popular tourist destination anytime soon.
Conclusion:
It is clear that due to decades of war and unrest, Afghanistan is no longer a safe or attractive destination for tourists to visit. Until there is more stability in the region it will remain off limits for anyone wanting to explore its rugged mountains or experience its fascinating culture.