Said El Banna worked as a nurse for the US army in Afghanistan for one year
Said El Banna worked as a nurse for the US army in Afghanistan for one year
Said El Banna worked as a nurse for the US army in Afghanistan for one year
Said El Banna worked as a nurse for the US army in Afghanistan for one year

UAE

Ex-US Army nurse who served in Afghan hospital fears for country after Taliban resurgence

Said El Banna developed PTSD as a result injuries he witnessed in Bagram airfield's ICU

  • English
  • Arabic

An ex-army nurse who served in a hospital in Afghanistan on Tuesday said he was traumatised by the horrific injuries he witnessed more than 15 years ago.

Veteran Said El Banna, 40, spoke to The National as the Taliban seized back control of the country, nearly 20 years after US forces invaded in late 2001.

As a medic in the US Army, specialist El Banna was attached to the 10th Mountain division and worked as a nurse in the intensive care unit in the hospital in Bagram airfield, 70 kilometres north of Kabul.

I wasted a year of my life over there, for nothing
Said El Banna

The US military set up a vast base there in 2001, expanding it to house thousands of troops. The last US soldiers left last month, leaving behind hundreds of vehicles, arms, ammunition, food supplies, and reportedly, a prison holding 5,000 Taliban inmates.

The injuries Mr El Banna treated during his year-long tour in 2005 still cause him trauma – he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder – and he said he feared for Afghanistan's future under the Taliban.

Afghan women, holding placards, gather to demand the protection of women's rights in front of the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Afghan women, holding placards, gather to demand the protection of women's rights in front of the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A person holds the flag of Afghanistan during a protest against support for the Taliban, in Berlin, Germany.
A person holds the flag of Afghanistan during a protest against support for the Taliban, in Berlin, Germany.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks at his first news conference in Kabul.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks at his first news conference in Kabul.
Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Green Zone where most of the embassies are situated.
Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Green Zone where most of the embassies are situated.
Afghan security forces patrol on humvee vehicle along a road in Bazarak town of Panjshir province.
Afghan security forces patrol on humvee vehicle along a road in Bazarak town of Panjshir province.
Schoolgirls sit in a schoolyard in Herat.
Schoolgirls sit in a schoolyard in Herat.
Afghans wait outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country.
Afghans wait outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country.
A Taliban fighter raises their flag on a vehicle as they patrol in Kandahar.
A Taliban fighter raises their flag on a vehicle as they patrol in Kandahar.
French citizens and their Afghan colleagues wait to board a French military transport plane at the airport in Kabul after the Taliban's stunning military takeover of the Afghanistan.
French citizens and their Afghan colleagues wait to board a French military transport plane at the airport in Kabul after the Taliban's stunning military takeover of the Afghanistan.
French soldiers at the airport in Kabul as they arrive to help French citizens and their Afghan colleagues to flee after the Taliban takeover.
French soldiers at the airport in Kabul as they arrive to help French citizens and their Afghan colleagues to flee after the Taliban takeover.
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft filled with about 640 Afghans fleeing to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan.
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft filled with about 640 Afghans fleeing to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan.
Crowds on the tarmac of Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Several people were reportedly killed at the airport on August 16 as Afghans tried to hang on to a moving US military plane leaving the airport.
Crowds on the tarmac of Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Several people were reportedly killed at the airport on August 16 as Afghans tried to hang on to a moving US military plane leaving the airport.
A satellite photo shows swarms of people on the tarmac at Kabul International Airport, also known as Hamid Karzai International Airport. Afghans rushed on to the tarmac of the capital's airport on Monday as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized power with stunning speed.
A satellite photo shows swarms of people on the tarmac at Kabul International Airport, also known as Hamid Karzai International Airport. Afghans rushed on to the tarmac of the capital's airport on Monday as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized power with stunning speed.
A traffic jam outside Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan after Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar declared victory and an end to the decades-long war in the country. President Ashraf Ghani fled and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.
A traffic jam outside Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan after Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar declared victory and an end to the decades-long war in the country. President Ashraf Ghani fled and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.
Qari Muhammad Hanif, centre, director of the Taliban's cultural and Information department, talks to journalists in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Qari Muhammad Hanif, centre, director of the Taliban's cultural and Information department, talks to journalists in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Humvee vehicles from the Afghan Security Forces in Panjshir province, Afghanistan.
Humvee vehicles from the Afghan Security Forces in Panjshir province, Afghanistan.
Thousands of Afghans rushed to Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to flee the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Thousands of Afghans rushed to Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to flee the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Afghans on the tarmac at Kabul airport in Kabul after a swift end to the 20-year war in the country. Thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's rule.
Afghans on the tarmac at Kabul airport in Kabul after a swift end to the 20-year war in the country. Thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's rule.
A US soldier keeps close watch on Afghan passengers at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Thousands of people packed the airport trying to flee Taliban rule.
A US soldier keeps close watch on Afghan passengers at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Thousands of people packed the airport trying to flee Taliban rule.
Passengers sit inside a plane as they wait to leave the runway of Kabul after the stunningly swift end of Afghanistan’s 20-year war.
Passengers sit inside a plane as they wait to leave the runway of Kabul after the stunningly swift end of Afghanistan’s 20-year war.
People climb on top of a plane in Kabul.
People climb on top of a plane in Kabul.
People try to enter Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
People try to enter Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
People cross the boundary wall of Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country after rumours that foreign countries were removing people even without visas.
People cross the boundary wall of Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country after rumours that foreign countries were removing people even without visas.
Taliban fighters stand guard along a roadside near Zanbaq Square in Kabul.
Taliban fighters stand guard along a roadside near Zanbaq Square in Kabul.
A Taliban fighter sits on his motorcycle by a road in Shahr-e Naw, Kabul.
A Taliban fighter sits on his motorcycle by a road in Shahr-e Naw, Kabul.
Talibs patrol the streets of Kabul as the militants take control of Afghanistan. after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Talibs patrol the streets of Kabul as the militants take control of Afghanistan. after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Afghans gather on the asphalt at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul.
Afghans gather on the asphalt at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul.
Afghans gather by the runway in Kabul as US soldiers stand guard.
Afghans gather by the runway in Kabul as US soldiers stand guard.
Taliban fighters on a police vehicle outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Taliban fighters on a police vehicle outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Baradar Akhund, a senior official of the Taliban, with a group of men, makes a video statement.
Baradar Akhund, a senior official of the Taliban, with a group of men, makes a video statement.
Taliban fighters take control of the presidential palace in Kabul, after Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Taliban fighters take control of the presidential palace in Kabul, after Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Passengers from Kabul arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India.
Passengers from Kabul arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India.
Families on a motorway trying to flee Kabul.
Families on a motorway trying to flee Kabul.
Afghan security forces on patrol in Kabul.
Afghan security forces on patrol in Kabul.
People line up outside Azizi Bank to withdraw cash during a run on deposits.
People line up outside Azizi Bank to withdraw cash during a run on deposits.
Taliban fighters use a captured Afghan security forces vehicle at a checkpoint in Herat.
Taliban fighters use a captured Afghan security forces vehicle at a checkpoint in Herat.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, centre left, the Taliban's director for information and culture, addresses journalists.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, centre left, the Taliban's director for information and culture, addresses journalists.
Police officers conduct their duties after the Taliban took control of Kandahar.
Police officers conduct their duties after the Taliban took control of Kandahar.
People prepare to cross into Afghanistan, at Pakistan's Chaman border. Pakistani authorities reopened the border with Afghanistan on August 13 after it had been closed for several days.
People prepare to cross into Afghanistan, at Pakistan's Chaman border. Pakistani authorities reopened the border with Afghanistan on August 13 after it had been closed for several days.
Afghans wait in long lines for hours to get visas at the Iranian embassy, in Kabul.
Afghans wait in long lines for hours to get visas at the Iranian embassy, in Kabul.
Taliban fighters patrol after taking control of Jalalabad.
Taliban fighters patrol after taking control of Jalalabad.
Smoke rises near the US embassy in Kabul. Taliban fighters reached the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday.
Smoke rises near the US embassy in Kabul. Taliban fighters reached the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday.
Anti-missile decoy flares are used by US Black Hawk military helicopters, while a surveillance blimp flies over Kabul.
Anti-missile decoy flares are used by US Black Hawk military helicopters, while a surveillance blimp flies over Kabul.
An Afghan soldier keeps watch on a street in Kabul.
An Afghan soldier keeps watch on a street in Kabul.
Taliban fighters and local people gather in Jalalabad province, east of Kabul.
Taliban fighters and local people gather in Jalalabad province, east of Kabul.
Taliban fighters sit on an Afghan Army Humvee in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters sit on an Afghan Army Humvee in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters travel along a street in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters travel along a street in Jalalabad province.
A US Chinook military helicopter flies over the US embassy in Kabul.
A US Chinook military helicopter flies over the US embassy in Kabul.
Heavily armed Taliban fighters gather in eastern Laghman province.
Heavily armed Taliban fighters gather in eastern Laghman province.
Militants wave a Taliban flag from the back of a pickup truck in Jalalabad.
Militants wave a Taliban flag from the back of a pickup truck in Jalalabad.
Taliban fighters drive through the streets of Laghman province.
Taliban fighters drive through the streets of Laghman province.
People head to the departures area of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul as the Taliban approach the city.
People head to the departures area of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul as the Taliban approach the city.
A man sells Taliban flags in western province Herat.
A man sells Taliban flags in western province Herat.
Taliban fighters travel in an Afghan Army vehicle in Herat.
Taliban fighters travel in an Afghan Army vehicle in Herat.
Taliban forces patrol a street in Herat.
Taliban forces patrol a street in Herat.
Taliban militants raise their flag as they gather a day after taking control of key southern city Kandahar.
Taliban militants raise their flag as they gather a day after taking control of key southern city Kandahar.
Members of the Afghan security forces stand guard along the roadside in Panjshir province.
Members of the Afghan security forces stand guard along the roadside in Panjshir province.
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and acting defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi visit a military site in Kabul.
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and acting defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi visit a military site in Kabul.
Internally displaced families from northern provinces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Internally displaced families from northern provinces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Families that fled their homes because of fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Families that fled their homes because of fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Many of those seeking safety in Kabul have been sleeping on the streets.
Many of those seeking safety in Kabul have been sleeping on the streets.
Thousands of those internally displaced have been arriving in Kabul.
Thousands of those internally displaced have been arriving in Kabul.
Afghans have been waiting for hours in long queues outside the passport office in Kabul, with many people desperate to leave the country.
Afghans have been waiting for hours in long queues outside the passport office in Kabul, with many people desperate to leave the country.

"We saw a lot of violence against women. One new mother and child we treated had been set on fire by her husband," said Mr El Banna, who lived in the UAE for 14 years after leaving the US military in 2004.

"You can only imagine the kind of things I saw in the ICU in a war zone, all the atrocities committed by the Taliban, failed assassinations," he said.

"One day we treated children who had been playing soccer with a landmine and it exploded. We couldn't save them.

"Since I left after my tour, I haven't worked as a nurse."

A bleak future

Said El Banna developed PTSD as a consequence of his tour in Afghanistan.
Said El Banna developed PTSD as a consequence of his tour in Afghanistan.

The US and its allies spent 20 years in Afghanistan, with the aim of ousting the Taliban and Al Qaeda and replacing them with a democratically elected government that respected human rights and allowed girls to be educated and women to work.

Now the Taliban are back in control, many Afghans and foreign policy analysts fear the progress of the last two decades could be lost.

Mr El Banna, who lives in Cincinnati and works as a PR professional, has mixed feelings over the American withdrawal.

"Frankly, I'm conflicted about it. On one hand, I'm happy that this is over but at the same time we can't just pick up everything and leave – who does that?" he said.

"If you run a country for 20 years you need to take responsibility. I've seen what the Taliban can do. They're going to go back to the Stone Age."

The personal impact of the war on those who fought and served there should not be forgotten, said Mr Al Banna, who was 25 when he started his tour in Afghanistan.

"At first everybody was excited, in a way, because we were going to bring an end to the Taliban and Osama bin Laden," he said.

"That is why am so furious. I wasted a year of my life over there, for nothing."

Video: Joe Biden insists Afghanistan withdrawal was right move amid chaotic scenes in Kabul

From Conquest to Deportation

Jeronim Perovic, Hurst

Evacuations to France hit by controversy
  • Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
  • Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
  • The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
  • Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
  • It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
  • Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
  • Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
While you're here
Tips for avoiding trouble online
  • Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
  • Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
  • Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
  • Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
  • Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Company%20Profile
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

Iraq negotiating over Iran sanctions impact
  • US sanctions on Iran’s energy industry and exports took effect on Monday, November 5.
  • Washington issued formal waivers to eight buyers of Iranian oil, allowing them to continue limited imports. Iraq did not receive a waiver.
  • Iraq’s government is cooperating with the US to contain Iranian influence in the country, and increased Iraqi oil production is helping to make up for Iranian crude that sanctions are blocking from markets, US officials say.
  • Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumped last month at a record 4.78 million barrels a day, former Oil Minister Jabbar Al-Luaibi said on Oct. 20. Iraq exported 3.83 million barrels a day last month, according to tanker tracking and data from port agents.
  • Iraq has been working to restore production at its northern Kirkuk oil field. Kirkuk could add 200,000 barrels a day of oil to Iraq’s total output, Hook said.
  • The country stopped trucking Kirkuk oil to Iran about three weeks ago, in line with U.S. sanctions, according to four people with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified because they aren’t allowed to speak to media.
  • Oil exports from Iran, OPEC’s third-largest supplier, have slumped since President Donald Trump announced in May that he’d reimpose sanctions. Iran shipped about 1.76 million barrels a day in October out of 3.42 million in total production, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
  • Benchmark Brent crude fell 47 cents to $72.70 a barrel in London trading at 7:26 a.m. local time. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was 25 cents lower at $62.85 a barrel in New York. WTI held near the lowest level in seven months as concerns of a tightening market eased after the U.S. granted its waivers to buyers of Iranian crude.

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
Tomorrow 2021
HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Company%20profile%20
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THE BIO

Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place

Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai

First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group

Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business

Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne

Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia

Family: Six sisters

Updated: August 18, 2021, 1:30 PM`