A British-Afghan who fled the Taliban in the 1990s has said he is considering returning to Kabul and joining the insurgent group in a desperate bid to protect his wife, mother and sisters trapped in the city.
Businessman Nabil*, 49, from Walthamstow, east London, believes the drastic step might be the only way to make sure the women in his family are safe from the jihadists now in control of much of the country.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he said: ‘My family keep being visited by members of the Taliban only because there isn’t an adult male in the house,’ he said.
‘I’m having nightmares and they are all terrified. Do I have to give up everything I’ve built up during 23 years in the United Kingdom and take up arms with the Taliban in order to protect my family?’
A 49-year-old British-Afghan has told MailOnline he is considering returning to Taliban-controlled Kabul in a desperate bid to protect his wife, mother and sisters trapped in the city
Businessman Nabil*, from Walthamstow, east London, could make the dangerous journey to Kabul and join the Taliban. He believes the drastic step might be the only way to make sure the women in his family are safe from the jihadists. Pictured: Nabil’s sisters, wife and mother
Former journalist Nabil, who now runs his own grocery delivery company, fled Afghanistan in 1998 during the last Taliban rule when he began receiving death threats from the group.
Since the civilian government was established in 2001, he was able to return frequently to Kabul while building up his business in London.
After he married, his wife and two children stayed in Kabul with his mother and three sisters, two of whom are teachers.
His 34-year-old wife is learning English in order to come and join him, but the lightning resurgence of the Taliban means all that is now on hold.
There have several reports of women being prevented from going to work, and Nabil is scared his sisters could be forced into marriages.
There have several reports of women being prevented from going to work, and Nabil is scared his sisters could be forced into marriages. Pictured: Taliban fighters stand guard at a checkpoint on the road in Kabul
‘I just want to go back there and make sure they’re ok,’ he said, ‘but they’re being hassled virtually every day now and two of my sisters, who are in their twenties, are petrified they’ll be dragged off to be married to Taliban fighters.
‘My son who is 12 and my 10-year-old daughter are equally scared for their safety.
‘The Taliban leaders say that everyone will be safe, but their members’ actions are different.
‘The Taliban represent the opposite of everything I stand for, but I’m seriously considering that this might be the only way to protect my family.’
Nabil’s 34-year-old wife is learning English in order to come and join him, but the lightning resurgence of the Taliban means all that is now on hold. Pictured: A relative sits with Nabil’s sisters, wife and mother
He said in frequent visits to the house, two armed men sometimes claim to be looking for someone who the family have never heard of, search the house and leave.
On several occasions, the Taliban have asked the women where ‘their men’ are.
Nabil said he had sought the help of his MP, Stella Creasy, who told MailOnline she had been contacted by over 100 worried constituents with family trapped in Afghanistan.
She added: ‘The Government’s approach to evacuating people from Kabul is forcing people to make an impossible choice between getting to safety themselves and leaving vulnerable family members to face Taliban retributions alone.
Nabil said in frequent visits to his family’s home, armed men sometimes claim to be looking for someone who the family have never heard of, search the house and leave
‘The information black hole facing anyone trying to get help from the British Government is causing panic, and the Government should be urgently providing clarity and assistance to those who are facing this horrific situation.’
Nabil added: ‘I’m so confused and feel so helpless. Nearly a week ago I received an email from the Foreign Office. They offered help and assistance to wife, and my children as they are under the age of 18, but they won’t help my three sisters and my mother.
‘I can’t leave them behind.’
The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
*MailOnline have agreed to use the name Nabil to protect the businessman’s identity.