On Wednesday, the Taliban commemorated the third anniversary of their return to power with a large celebration at Bagram Air Base, a former U.S. military hub in Afghanistan. The event featured a military parade showcasing equipment left by U.S. and NATO forces, including helicopters, Humvees, and tanks.
Taliban organized a massive military parade at Bagram Military Base on the 3rd anniversary of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Military equipment left by the U.S. forces everywhere. pic.twitter.com/fvcU3qCXWk
— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 14, 2024
Taliban leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir, delivered speeches emphasizing their accomplishments over the past three years, particularly the enforcement of Islamic law and the establishment of a military system intended to provide “peace and security.” The rhetoric was largely aimed at an international audience, with appeals for the Afghan diaspora to return and for Western nations to engage with the Taliban government.
Despite the grandeur of the event, it was overshadowed by the continued hardships facing many Afghans, especially women, who were barred from participating in the celebrations. Female journalists were also excluded from covering the event.
The gathering at Bagram Air Base was the largest and most assertive public display by the Taliban since they regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The event drew around 10,000 men, including senior Taliban officials and foreign diplomats. However, the Taliban government remains unrecognized internationally, and Afghanistan continues to grapple with severe economic and humanitarian challenges.
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