KABUL: 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 12 months that noticed girls’s rights crushed and a humanitarian disaster worsen.
Precisely a 12 months in the past, the hardline Islamists captured Kabul after a nationwide lightning offensive towards authorities forces simply as US-led troops had been ending 20 years of intervention in a battle that price tens of 1000’s of lives.
“We fulfilled the obligation of jihad and liberated our country,” stated Niamatullah Hekmat, a fighter who entered the capital on August 15 final 12 months simply hours after then-president Ashraf Ghani fled the nation.
“It’s the day of victory and happiness for the Afghan Muslims and people. It is the day of conquest and victory of the white flag,” authorities spokesman Bilal Karimi stated on Twitter.
The chaotic withdrawal of overseas forces continued till August 31, with tens of 1000’s of individuals speeding to Kabul’s airport hoping to be evacuated on any flight out of Afghanistan.
Pictures 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 all over the world.
Authorities have up to now 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 Sq., adjoining to the now-shut US embassy, the place they displayed the regime’s white banners.
“Long live the Islamic Emirate… long live 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 businesses say that half the nation’s 38 million individuals face excessive poverty.
“The time when we entered Kabul, and when the Americans left, those were moments of joy,” stated Hekmat, now a member of the particular forces guarding the presidential palace.
For a lot of abnormal Afghans, nevertheless, the return of the Taliban has solely elevated hardships — particularly for girls.
Initially, the Taliban promised a softer model of the tough Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in energy from 1996 to 2001.
However many restrictions have been imposed on girls to adjust to the motion’s austere imaginative and prescient of Islam.
Tens of 1000’s of ladies have been shut out of secondary colleges, whereas girls have been barred from returning to many authorities jobs.
And in Could, they had been ordered to completely cowl up in public, ideally with an all-encompassing burqa.
“From the day they have come, life has lost its meaning,” stated Ogai Amail, a resident of Kabul.
“Everything has been snatched from us, they have even entered our personal space,” she added.
On Saturday, Taliban fighters beat girls protesters and fired weapons into the air to disperse a rally in Kabul.
Whereas Afghans acknowledge a decline in violence for the reason that Taliban seized energy, the humanitarian disaster has left many helpless.
“People coming to our shops are complaining so much of high prices that we shopkeepers have started 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 belongings frozen by Washington and assist curtailed with a purpose to maintain funds out of the Taliban’s arms.
No nation has recognised the brand new authorities.
For Taliban fighters, nevertheless, the enjoyment of victory overshadows the present financial disaster.
“We might be poor, we might be facing hardships, but the white flag of Islam will now fly high forever in Afghanistan”, stated a fighter guarding a public park in Kabul.
Precisely a 12 months in the past, the hardline Islamists captured Kabul after a nationwide lightning offensive towards authorities forces simply as US-led troops had been ending 20 years of intervention in a battle that price tens of 1000’s of lives.
“We fulfilled the obligation of jihad and liberated our country,” stated Niamatullah Hekmat, a fighter who entered the capital on August 15 final 12 months simply hours after then-president Ashraf Ghani fled the nation.
“It’s the day of victory and happiness for the Afghan Muslims and people. It is the day of conquest and victory of the white flag,” authorities spokesman Bilal Karimi stated on Twitter.
The chaotic withdrawal of overseas forces continued till August 31, with tens of 1000’s of individuals speeding to Kabul’s airport hoping to be evacuated on any flight out of Afghanistan.
Pictures 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 all over the world.
Authorities have up to now 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 Sq., adjoining to the now-shut US embassy, the place they displayed the regime’s white banners.
“Long live the Islamic Emirate… long live 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 businesses say that half the nation’s 38 million individuals face excessive poverty.
“The time when we entered Kabul, and when the Americans left, those were moments of joy,” stated Hekmat, now a member of the particular forces guarding the presidential palace.
For a lot of abnormal Afghans, nevertheless, the return of the Taliban has solely elevated hardships — particularly for girls.
Initially, the Taliban promised a softer model of the tough Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in energy from 1996 to 2001.
However many restrictions have been imposed on girls to adjust to the motion’s austere imaginative and prescient of Islam.
Tens of 1000’s of ladies have been shut out of secondary colleges, whereas girls have been barred from returning to many authorities jobs.
And in Could, they had been ordered to completely cowl up in public, ideally with an all-encompassing burqa.
“From the day they have come, life has lost its meaning,” stated Ogai Amail, a resident of Kabul.
“Everything has been snatched from us, they have even entered our personal space,” she added.
On Saturday, Taliban fighters beat girls protesters and fired weapons into the air to disperse a rally in Kabul.
Whereas Afghans acknowledge a decline in violence for the reason that Taliban seized energy, the humanitarian disaster has left many helpless.
“People coming to our shops are complaining so much of high prices that we shopkeepers have started 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 belongings frozen by Washington and assist curtailed with a purpose to maintain funds out of the Taliban’s arms.
No nation has recognised the brand new authorities.
For Taliban fighters, nevertheless, the enjoyment of victory overshadows the present financial disaster.
“We might be poor, we might be facing hardships, but the white flag of Islam will now fly high forever in Afghanistan”, stated a fighter guarding a public park in Kabul.
