Australian veteran: Taliban have taken away freedoms from Afghan people

Elaha Sun Oct 2026 1 hour ago 6

This veteran's remarks come as former Australian military personnel who served in Afghanistan are set to gather on Sunday, October 11, to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of their country's military mission in Afghanistan. Despite disagreements and controversies surrounding Australia's military presence in the country, some soldiers who participated in the operations continue to defend the role and achievements of their forces.


In an interview with the Australian Associated Press, Bell said that his country's forces helped establish security and stability in some areas of Afghanistan and created opportunities for educating girls and expanding health services in rural areas. He added that the Australian forces' mission involved patrolling with military vehicles and on foot in various regions, from deserts to lush areas and local communities' living spaces, to prevent the Taliban's advance. According to him, Australian forces faced security threats multiple times during this mission, including gunfire.


Australia's military mission in Afghanistan, named Operation Slipper, began on October 11, 2001, and continued until 2014. During this operation and subsequent Australian missions in Afghanistan and the region, more than 35,000 male and female military personnel from the country were deployed to the Middle East over two decades. According to the statistics provided, 47 Australian Defense Force members lost their lives while on duty, and 263 others were wounded.


Australia completed the withdrawal of its military forces from Afghanistan in June 2021, and U.S. forces also left the country in August of the same year. Following the collapse of Afghanistan's previous government, the Taliban once again seized power. Comparing Afghanistan's past and present situation, Bell says that achievements such as expanding girls' education and people's enjoyment of greater freedoms have faced serious restrictions under the current Taliban rule.



Matthew Bell, a former Australian Army soldier who served at the Multinational Base Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan Province, says that Australian forces, during their mission in Afghanistan, helped provide security and improve the lives of the people. Referring to the country's current situation, he stated that in the past, girls could go to school and people enjoyed greater freedoms; but since the Taliban returned to power, they have imposed extensive restrictions on people's lives.

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