Afghanistan: Local market near former US airbase on verge of closure after US withdrawal

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Vendors from a popular marketplace near Jalal Abad Airport fear their shops will have to shut down amid the ongoing withdrawal of US combat troops in Afghanistan. Footage filmed at the somewhat empty market on Wednesday, along with interviews with the vendors, highlight the gravity of the situation.

“When American forces were here our business was so good, but now most of the shopkeepers closed their shops in the market. If we cannot find items we will also close our shop,” shopkeeper Abdullah Qureshi stated.

The bazaar employed between two to three thousand people while the airbase was in use, according to another vendor, the majority of whom have since left due to lack of stock and customers.

The influx of US products and supplies from the nearby military base made this bazaar a popular marketplace during the US military operation, but with US troops exiting, the materials are no longer in supply.

President Joe Biden confirmed July 8 all US combat troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by August 31 ending the almost 20-year military operation.

SOUNDBITES:

SOT, Abdullah Qureshi, Shopkeeper (Pashto): “Before, a lot of items from US forces were brought from the airport to this market, but since US forces started their withdrawal, there are no items. A negative impact has been had on businesses right now, most of the people closed their shops, and maybe we will also close our shop in near future. Before people were coming to buy US items, but now people don’t want to come because the US forces left and there are no items from US forces in the market.”

SOT, Stana Gul Kochai, Shopkeeper (Pashto): “When American forces were here our business was so good, but now most of the shopkeepers closed their shops in the market. If we cannot find items we will also close our shop. Since US forces left our market has collapsed, our business got smaller. When US forces were based here, about two to three thousand people were working here. It was a good bazaar, but with the withdrawal of US forces our market went down and everyone wants to leave this market.”

SOT, Awal Gul Kochai, Shopkeeper (Pashto): “When US forces were based here in the airport, we were bringing out a lot of items which were used by US forces, and many people were busy there, but since US forces started their withdrawal, our market has gone down. People do not come to buy, and also there are no more US materials, this is the reason.”

SOT, Awal Gul Kochai, Shopkeeper (Pashto): “Since US forces started their withdrawal, it has had a negative impact on our business. 80 percent of our market came down, and there are no more items that we can bring out for sale. At the moment we have some items here, once they are sold, we will close our shops forever.”

#Jalalabad #USWithdrawal #Afghanistan #USA

Video ID: 20210714-026

Video on Demand: https://ruptly.tv/videos/20210714-026
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