KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – The Taliban celebrated the third anniversary They held a meeting for their return to power on Wednesday at a former US air base in Afghanistan, but made no mention of the country’s plight or promises to help the suffering population.
With blue skies and bright sunshine in Bagram At the base – once the center of the American war to oust the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the September 11 attacks – members of the Taliban cabinet praised successes such as strengthening Islamic law and building a military system that ensures “peace and security.”
The speeches were addressed to an international audiencecalled on the diaspora to return and the West to interact and cooperate with the country’s rulers. No country recognizes the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
“The Islamic Emirate has eliminated internal differences and expanded the framework for unity and cooperation in the country,” said Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir, using the Taliban’s term to describe their government. “No one is allowed to interfere in internal affairs and Afghan soil will not be used against any country.”
None of the four speakers spoke about the challenges Afghans face in their daily lives.
Women were denied entry to the event, including journalists from The Associated Press, Agence French-Presse and Reuters. The Taliban gave no reasons for this.
Decades of conflict and instability have brought millions of Afghans to the brink of hunger and starvation. Unemployment is high.
The Bagram parade was the Taliban’s largest and most provocative since they regained control of the country in August 2021.
Among the approximately 10,000 men were high-ranking Taliban officials such as acting Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob and acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada was not at the parade.
The Taliban said foreign diplomats also attended, but did not say who.
Aid organizations warn that humanitarian aid in the country is severely underfunded as economic collapse and climate change destroy many livelihoods.
They say that Afghans, especially Women and girlswill suffer if there is no greater diplomatic engagement with the Taliban.
The Bagram parade was also an opportunity to showcase some of the military equipment left behind by U.S. and NATO-led forces after decades of war, including helicopters, Humvees and tanks.
Uniformed soldiers marched with light and heavy machine guns, and a motorcycle formation carried the Taliban flag.
Pickup trucks filled with men of all ages drove through Kabul’s streets to celebrate the takeover. Some men posed for photos with rifles.
At a parade in southern Helmand provinceMen held up yellow canisters to represent the type of explosives used in roadside bombings during the war.
The Taliban declared Wednesday a national holiday. As in previous years, women did not take part in the anniversary celebrations.
