The Taliban declared on Wednesday a nationwide vacation and lit up the capital with colored lights to have a good time the primary anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan after a brutal 20-year conflict.
The nation’s new rulers — not formally recognised by some other nation — have reimposed their harsh model of Islamic regulation on the impoverished nation, with girls squeezed out of public life.
But regardless of the restrictions, and a deepening humanitarian disaster, many Afghans say they’re glad the international power that prompted the Taliban insurgency has gone.
“We are happy that Allah got rid of the infidels from our country, and the Islamic Emirate has been established,” stated Zalmai, a resident of Kabul.
The withdrawal of troops at midnight as August 31 started final 12 months ended America’s longest conflict — a army intervention that started within the wake of the September 11, 2001 assaults in New York.
Some 66,000 Afghan troops and 48,000 civilians had been killed within the battle, nevertheless it was the deaths of US service members — 2,461 in complete — that grew to become an excessive amount of for the American public to bear.
More than 3,500 troops from different NATO nations had been additionally killed.
“The burden of the war in Afghanistan, however, went beyond Americans,” the US army stated Tuesday.
Two weeks earlier than the top of final 12 months’s withdrawal, the Taliban seized energy following a lightning offensive towards authorities forces.
Banners celebrating victories towards three empires — the previous Soviet Union and Britain additionally misplaced wars in Afghanistan — had been flying in Kabul on Wednesday.
Hundreds of white Taliban flags bearing the Islamic proclamation of religion flew from lamposts and authorities buildings.
Late Tuesday, the skies above Kabul had been lit up with fireworks and celebratory gunfire from crowds of Taliban fighters.
In Massoud Square, close to the previous US embassy, armed fighters carrying Taliban flags chanted “Death to America”. Others drove throughout town honking their horns.
FLAUNTING EQUIPMENT
Taliban social media accounts posted scores of movies and footage of newly skilled troops — many flaunting the US army gear left behind within the haste of Washington’s chaotic withdrawal.
“This is how you troll a superpower after humiliating them and forcing them to withdraw from your country,” learn the caption of 1 put up on Twitter that includes a photograph of an enormous Taliban flag now painted on the wall of the previous US embassy.
Despite the Taliban’s satisfaction in taking up, Afghanistan’s 38 million individuals now face a determined humanitarian disaster — aggravated after billions of {dollars} in property had been frozen and international help dried up.
Hardships for unusual Afghans, particularly girls, have elevated.
The Taliban have shut secondary women’ colleges in lots of provinces and barred girls from many authorities jobs.
They have additionally ordered girls to completely cowl up in public — ideally with an all-encompassing burqa.
“Now I’m sitting at home without a job,” stated Oranoos Omerzai, a resident of Kandahar, the de facto energy centre of the Taliban.
Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid insisted “major achievements” had been recorded up to now 12 months.
“Afghans are no more being killed in war, foreign forces have withdrawn, and security has improved,” he instructed reporters final week.
READ | Has the Taliban Veil over Afghanistan grow to be darker, impenetrable? | Geeta’s World, Ep 05
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