The Taliban celebrated on Tuesday the “conquest” of Afghanistan on the second anniversary of their return to power and reaffirmed that they will resist any threat against the country’s independence.
«The conquest of Kabul It once again proved that no one can control the proud nation of Afghanistan and guarantee its permanence in this country,” a Taliban government statement said.
“No invader shall be allowed to threaten the independence and afghanistan freedom“, the statement added.
The highlight of this day is the military parade in kandahar citycradle of the Islamist movement.
flags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistanthe name officially given to the country by its new leaders, wave at security checkpoints in the capital Kabul, which fell on August 15, 2021 when the US-backed government collapsed and its leaders fled into exile.
Since then, the Taliban authorities have imposed their strict interpretation of Islam, especially on women where united nations called a “gender apartheid”.
The parade in Kandahar, from where the elusive Taliban leader pulls the strings of the country Hibatullah Akhundzadafeatures the display of numerous military vehicles and weapons left behind by international forces in their chaotic retreat.
A parade of Taliban troops has also been organized in the streets of Heratin the west, and a celebration event organized by the Ministry of Education in a school in Kabul.
Taliban ostracism
Two years after the seizure of power, no country has yet recognized the taliban governmentwith open debates in the international community on whether and how to establish relations with the new authorities.
The restrictions of the Women rights – almost banned from public spaces, work and education – are a major obstacle in these negotiations on recognition and international aid for a country immersed in a serious humanitarian and economic crisis.
A group of UN experts on Monday disputed promises by the Taliban authorities that they would impose a softer government than in their first term in power between 1996 and 2001.
«The facts on the ground demonstrate the existence of an accelerated, systematic and enveloping system of segregation, marginalization and persecution», Said these experts in a statement.
take back your freedom
Before the anniversary, Afghan women expressed their fear and despair over loss of rightswith small demonstrations in which many appeared with their faces covered.
But Afghans also care about the economic and humanitarian crisis into which the country has sunk after the rise of the Taliban due to the drop in aid and the imposition of sanctions.
The farmer Rahatullah Azizi said to afp who used to make a living growing his crops, but now has “just enough to eat.”
Of course, he acknowledges with relief that security had improved and now he can travel at night without fear.
Even so, the group’s threat persists Islamic Statea rival of the Taliban active in the country, and tensions with Pakistan with an increase in attacks in the border areas.
And while some Afghans celebrate the end of two decades of conflict and the Taliban rise to powerOthers see the date as a disastrous anniversary.
“All the girls and women in Afghanistan want their freedom back,” she said. Hamasah Bawara young woman who was separated from her studies by the policies of the new leaders.
