Jubilant Taliban celebrate ‘victory’ outside abandoned US embassy
Taliban fighters chanted victory slogans subsequent to the US embassy in Kabul Monday as they marked the primary anniversary of their return to energy in Afghanistan following a turbulent year that noticed ladies’s rights crushed and a humanitarian disaster worsen.
Exactly a year in the past, the hardline Islamists captured Kabul after a nationwide lightning offensive towards authorities forces simply as US-led troops have been ending twenty years of intervention in a battle that value tens of hundreds of lives.
‘We fulfilled the duty of jihad and liberated our nation,’ stated Niamatullah Hekmat, a fighter who entered the capital on August 15 final year simply hours after then-president Ashraf Ghani fled the nation.
‘It’s the day of victory and happiness for the Afghan Muslims and folks. It is the day of conquest and victory of the white flag,’ authorities spokesman Bilal Karimi stated on Twitter.
Taliban fighters flying the group’s white and black flag and carrying American-made rifles parade outside the shuttered US embassy in Kabul on Monday, marking a year since they re-took management of the nation
Taliban fighters wave photos of Jalaluddin Haqqani, founding father of the terrorist Haqqani Network who additionally helped Al Qaeda set up itself, as they celebrate ‘victory day’ in Kabul right now
Taliban fighters brandishing American-made rifles celebrate on the streets of Kabul as they mark one year since they stormed town and successfully regained management of the nation
Taliban fighters flying flags and brandishing rifles parade by the streets of Kabul, one year to the day since they stormed into the capital and compelled President Ashraf Ghani to flee
A Taliban fighter with an American rifle takes half in ‘victory’ day celebrations within the capital Kabul, as Islamist leaders declare a day of nationwide vacation to mark the event
A Taliban militant carrying an RPG launcher over his shoulder takes half in a parade within the capital Kabul, outside the abandoned American embassy
Taliban fighters brandish the group’s white and black flag as they mark a year to the day since regaining management of the nation
Taliban fighters carry photos of Jalaluddin Haqqani, founding father of the terrorist Haqqani Network which is linked to Al Qaeda, as they celebrate victory over US-led forces in Afghanistan
Taliban fighters trip atop American Humvee autos captured as they re-took management of the nation, getting into the capital Kabul precisely a year in the past right now
The chaotic withdrawal of international forces continued till August 31, with tens of hundreds of individuals dashing to Kabul’s airport hoping to be evacuated on any flight out of Afghanistan.
Images of crowds storming the airport, climbing atop plane – and a few clinging to a departing US navy cargo aircraft because it rolled down the runway – aired on information bulletins world wide.
Authorities have to this point not introduced any official celebration to mark the anniversary, however state tv stated it might air particular programmes.
Many Taliban fighters gathered in Kabul’s Massoud Square, adjoining to the now-shut US embassy, the place they displayed the regime’s white banners.
‘Long stay the Islamic Emirate… lengthy stay independence,’ they chanted, some holding weapons whereas others took photos on their cellphones.
Taliban flags fluttered from lamposts alongside the highway to the airport.
Taliban fighters expressed happiness that their motion was now in energy – at the same time as assist companies say that half the nation’s 38 million individuals face excessive poverty.
‘The time once we entered Kabul, and when the Americans left, these have been moments of pleasure,’ stated Hekmat, now a member of the particular forces guarding the presidential palace.
For many odd Afghans, nonetheless, the return of the Taliban has solely elevated hardships – particularly for ladies.
Initially, the Taliban promised a softer model of the cruel Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in energy from 1996 to 2001.
But many restrictions have been imposed on ladies to adjust to the motion’s austere imaginative and prescient of Islam.
Tens of hundreds of women have been shut out of secondary colleges, whereas ladies have been barred from returning to many authorities jobs.
And in May, they have been ordered to completely cover up in public, ideally with an all-encompassing burqa.
‘From the day they’ve come, life has lost its that means,’ stated Ogai Amail, a resident of Kabul.
‘Everything has been snatched from us, they’ve even entered our personal space,’ she added.
On Saturday, Taliban fighters beat ladies protesters and fired weapons into the air to disperse a rally in Kabul.
While Afghans acknowledge a decline in violence for the reason that Taliban seized energy, the humanitarian disaster has left many helpless.
‘People coming to our retailers are complaining a lot of excessive costs that we shopkeepers have began hating ourselves,’ stated Noor Mohammad, a shopkeeper from Kandahar, the de facto energy centre of the Taliban.
The nation is in financial disaster, with its abroad property frozen by Washington and assist curtailed in an effort to maintain funds out of the Taliban’s fingers.
No nation has recognised the brand new authorities.
For Taliban fighters, nonetheless, the enjoyment of victory overshadows the present financial disaster.
‘We could be poor, we could be going through hardships, however the white flag of Islam will now fly excessive without end in Afghanistan’, stated a fighter guarding a public park in Kabul.
