KABUL/BAGRAM: The Taliban marked the third anniversary of their return to power after U.S. and NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan with a military parade at Bagram Airbase on Wednesday (August 14), site of the huge and chaotic airlift of allied forces in 2021.
The parade was held a day before the actual anniversary of the Taliban’s entry into Kabul on August 15, 2021, as Afghan security forces, set up with years of Western support, disintegrated and U.S.-backed President Ashraf Ghani fled.
It featured the Taliban’s armed forces showcasing a range of military equipment, including HUMVEEs, helicopters, and tanks. Much of the equipment was once held by the Afghan military and provided by foreign, (mostly US) forces, but seized by the Taliban after they took over.
Here is the Taliban celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the withdrawal by having a parade with our equipment while chanting “death to America”. As half of American citizens support funding terrorism as we continue to send 87 million dollars a week to Taliban, I just don’t know… pic.twitter.com/eoN22E9xo4
— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyan762) August 15, 2024
High-ranking Taliban officials were joined by representatives from China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran at the event, held at what was once the largest U.S. and NATO military base in Afghanistan.
In a message shared by the administration later on Wednesday, The Taliban’s supreme spiritual leader Haibatullah Akhundzada said the group had transformed Afghanistan into an Islamic sharia-based country.
“The system is Islamic and sharia-based, sharia is being implemented. As long as we are alive, we will uphold and apply Allah’s (God’s) faith and sharia upon ourselves and others,” he said.
Foreign diplomats, advocates and many Afghans have blamed Akhundzada’s strict interpretation of sharia law for a slew of restrictions on women’s education, attire and travel that have steadily been introduced in the last three years.
“The 24th of Asad (August 14) is a golden day in the history of Afghanistan,” declared Deputy Prime Minister, Mohammad Adbul Kabir “On this day, the struggles and sacrifices of the Afghan Mujahideen created a light. It is also important to remember this day so that the future generations will learn the lessons of reciprocity and independence.”
“Our message to the world is that they should not think that they have given us freedom, but that we have gained freedom,” added Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, as Taliban soldiers drove past in front of him on motorcycles and All Terrain Vehicles.
Khalifa Sahib Sirajuddin Haqqani On The Victory Day
I assure the brothers of #Palestinian 🇵🇸, just as the Afghans got their freedom after a long and difficult struggle, such a day is coming for you and you will definitely celebrate that day. pic.twitter.com/P3oO7qULkE
— AF Leader (@AFLeader3) August 14, 2024
Sirajuddin Haqqani is on the list of the most dangerous terrorists in the world, and there is a $ 5 million reward on his head.
“We do not retaliate, we have provided good working opportunities for them, and we have good intentions towards them to cooperate with us in terms of building Afghanistan, just as they were committed in the occupation of Afghanistan, they should also commit to the development of Afghanistan,” he said.
Since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan has plunged into economic crisis, exacerbated by banking restrictions and the lack of formal recognition from foreign governments.
The Taliban claims to have prioritized restoring security after two decades of conflict. However, militant groups like Islamic State have continued to carry out attacks, including on foreign targets and a hotel frequented by Chinese nationals.
Western governments have said that any path to recognition and a rollback of sanctions are stalled until the Taliban changes its course on women’s rights.
The Taliban say they respect women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law.
Girls above the age of around 12 are barred from formal education, women are not usually allowed to travel long distances without a male guardian and have been banned from visiting gyms and parks.
(REUTERS)
