“We’re gathered right here to have a good time the primary anniversary of the withdrawal,” Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, informed native media attending the ceremony. “I’m proud that our nation was liberated on this present day and American troops had been compelled to go away Afghanistan,” he stated.
The departure of U.S. forces from Afghanistan marked the top of over twenty years of conflict right here, however didn’t result in a negotiated peace. Afghan authorities safety forces collapsed within the face of Taliban assaults and when the group reached Kabul, President Ashraf Ghani fled, successfully handing over the capital.
Beneath Taliban rule, Afghanistan is safer for many Afghans, however civil liberties and the rights of girls are severely restricted. The nation stays internationally remoted and a rising financial disaster has plunged tens of millions deeper into poverty.
In a video broadcast by the Taliban’s media wing, Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the performing prime minister, stated the group was left with nothing after the earlier authorities collapsed.
“The foreigners took every little thing with them once they left, and imposed sanctions on Afghanistan, which have resulted in poverty and starvation,” he stated. However a lot of the navy tools flaunted at Bagram gave the impression to be what U.S. and NATO forces left behind within the final days of a hasty withdrawal.
Overseas media retailers had been banned from overlaying the occasion by the Taliban, which cited safety issues.
The USA and different Western powers had hoped that economically isolating the Taliban would pressure the group to average. Such “pressures,” Akhund warned, “is not going to give any end result.” He known as as a substitute for larger engagement with the nation’s new leaders.
In central Kabul, tons of of different Taliban fighters gathered to fly flags and spray glittery foam into the air as they cheered the nation’s “independence day.”
Abdul Hakim Saih introduced his 5 grandchildren to observe the festivities. Initially from Logar province, the household solely moved to Kabul after the Taliban takeover when Saih’s son — a Taliban fighter — was given a place with the group’s intelligence forces.
“In Logar we had been at all times on the run, transferring from place to put to flee evening raids and bombings,” he stated, explaining that the violence was significantly exhausting on the youngsters. His household now not has to worry for his or her security. “It’s a greater life now,” he stated.
The whole withdrawal of U.S. forces started underneath the Trump administration and the coverage determination was upheld by President Biden, who stated the exit can be performed “responsibly, intentionally and safely.”
However after a set of swift Taliban features all of the sudden left the Afghan capital surrounded, diplomats, Afghan officers and support employees scrambled to flee the nation. Chaos engulfed Kabul airport for weeks as Taliban fighters entered the presidential palace and tens of 1000’s rushed to flee.
Some Afghans who tried and had been unable to flee on the U.S. airlift say they now really feel safe underneath the Taliban. Others stay in hiding, afraid for his or her lives due to connections to U.S. and NATO forces or activist teams. A 12 months on, some are nonetheless hoping for an opportunity to get out.
One former Afghan soldier stated the day marks the anniversary of his “abandonment” by america.
“In the present day I really feel shattered. We had been at all times assured by america that they’d stand with us,” he stated. For over 10 years, he served as a commando in one of many elite Afghan navy models that labored intently with U.S. forces.
Like others on this report, he spoke on the situation of anonymity for worry of reprisals.
Throughout the withdrawal final 12 months, the previous officer waited exterior Kabul airport for days. “The Individuals inside saved saying they’d ship automobiles to select us up, however they by no means got here.”
Fearing detention or demise if the Taliban discovered him, he fled Kabul. He has spent the previous 12 months transferring from province to province, and village to village.
“Perhaps it’s an independence day for the Taliban. However for me, I’ve turn out to be like a prisoner.”
Afghan feminine activists described related frustrations.
“We’re restricted and confined at residence; we’re not allowed to check, or work or have interaction in social actions,” stated one girl in Kabul.
One other activist who fled Afghanistan after she was detained for taking part in a peaceable protest stated the celebrations in Kabul “are making a mockery of an independence day.”
“I don’t know what sort of independence they’re speaking about, possibly for [the Taliban], however not the individuals of Afghanistan,” she stated.
On the Taliban celebration in central Kabul, Najmullah Basirat, 25, stated he feels “detached” concerning the adjustments over the previous 12 months. He labored for and supported the earlier authorities, however by no means needed U.S. and NATO troops to stay in his nation without end.
“As an Afghan, I needed overseas forces to withdraw. I don’t consider our nation ought to ever depend on any exterior forces,” he stated. Now, he says he helps the Taliban.
So long as his nation is led by Afghans and gives safety and fundamental providers, “I might help any authorities,” he stated.
