Kabul Residents Demand Removal of Concrete Barriers Around Russian Embassy
Several residents living near the Russian Embassy in Kabul have called for the removal of concrete barriers surrounding the diplomatic mission. They say that the continued presence of these barriers disrupts daily movement and restricts access to homes, shops, and main roads.
According to the residents, the blockage of part of the road forces people to take longer routes to reach main paths. Khalil, one local resident, said that if these barriers were removed, travel routes would be shorter, and residents would not have to take detours.
Vehicle drivers also complain about increased traffic congestion and longer travel distances. They say the presence of these barriers forces them to use alternative routes, resulting in loss of time, increased fuel consumption, and greater fatigue.
Previously, the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior had announced that the process of removing concrete barriers across Kabul was underway, and many of these walls had been taken down in various parts of the capital. However, the continued existence of such barriers in some areas, including around the Russian Embassy, has raised questions regarding coordination, transparency, and prioritization of this process—issues that residents are demanding clear answers on.
Concrete barriers were installed in recent years with the aim of enhancing security in various parts of Kabul, especially around embassies and key facilities. Nonetheless, citizens have consistently criticized the social and economic consequences of these barriers on their daily lives, emphasizing that security should not come at the expense of severely restricted urban access.
