Fears of Afghan genocide and violence against believers in nearby ‘-stans’

Taliban murders of Christians in Afghanistan may spark wider violence against believers in neighbouring nations, it is feared.

The ignominious retreat from Afghanistan by the Western military powers has prompted much soul-searching among Christians across the entire region, as the Taliban now reigns supreme.

Many remember what took place when they were in power from 1996–2001. Then, suspected Christians were forced to renounce their faith and return to Islam. Those who refused were either summarily executed or, sometimes, forced to act as human minesweepers by walking through minefields to clear them. Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo now believes there is ‘likely to become a genocide against Christians’ by the Taliban if no decisive action is taken by the US Government.