ISLAMABAD
\nAfghanistan\u2019s Taliban government marked on Tuesday the second anniversary of their takeover of the country with celebrations and a public holiday, issuing a defiant statement commemorating their surge back to power.
\nFlags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan \u2014 the name given to the country by its new rulers \u2014 fluttered at security checkpoints across the capital, which fell on August 15, 2021, when the US-backed government collapsed and its leaders fled into exile. In the two years since, Taliban authorities have imposed their strict interpretation of Islam, with women bearing the brunt of laws the United Nations has termed \u201cgender apartheid\u201d.
\nA statement from the authorities early on Tuesday hailed a victory that was able to \u201cpave the way for the establishment of the Islamic system in Afghanistan\u201d.
\n\u201cThe conquest of Kabul proved once again that no one can control the proud nation of Afghanistan\u201d and that \u201cno invader will be allowed to threaten the independence and freedom\u201d of the country, it said. Quiet Kabul streets early today began to give way to convoys of Taliban members and a gathering at Massoud Square near the abandoned US embassy building. Some of the men carried their weapons, while others snapped smiling selfies as anthems blared and young boys sold the movement\u2019s white flag inscribed with the Islamic declaration of faith.
\nIn Herat in the west, a crowd of Taliban supporters chanted: \u201cDeath to the Europeans, death to the Westerners, long live the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, death to the Americans.\u201d
\nAs events kicked off in various cities, a military parade was cancelled in Kandahar, the cradle of the Taliban movement and from where reclusive Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada rules by decree. Expected to include scores of military vehicles and weapons left behind by international forces after a weeks-long chaotic withdrawal, Akhundzada called off the parade himself so as not to disturb the public, provincial officials told journalists. In Kabul, the education ministry hosted a celebration at a school in a part of the city once stacked with diplomats who are now thin on the ground \u2014 the Taliban government is still not formally recognised by any other country.
\nA medical student at an event at Kabul University told AFP it was important to mark the anniversary. \u201cWe need to celebrate today. Today marks the end of the occupation in our country, and that is a good thing,\u201d 21-year-old Mortaza Khairi said. The international community continues to grapple with how, and if, to engage with the Taliban authorities, with restrictions on women\u2019s rights \u2014 squeezed from public spaces and avenues to work and education \u2014 a key obstacle in negotiations over aid and recognition. A group of UN experts hit out on Monday at pledges by Taliban authorities of a softer rule than during their first stint in power from 1996 until 2001. \u201cDespite reassurances by the Taliban de facto authorities that any restrictions, particularly in terms of access to education would be temporary, the facts on the ground have demonstrated an accelerated, systematic, and all engulfing system of segregation, marginalization and persecution,\u201d the experts said in a statement.
\nAfghan women ahead of the anniversary have expressed fear and despair over the loss of rights \u2014 a handful holding small demonstrations, many of their faces covered with masks.
\nBut Afghans also pointed to worry over an economic and humanitarian crisis in motion since the Taliban takeover, as aid dried up and sanctions were imposed.
\nFarmer Rahatullah Azizi told AFP he used to earn a living off his crops but now has \u201cjust enough to eat\u201d.
\nHe expressed relief, however, that the security situation was better, noting he could now travel freely at night without fear of being mugged.
\nBut while violence has fallen across Afghanistan in the past two years, the Islamic State group remains a threat and tensions have risen with Pakistan over an increase of attacks in the countries\u2019 shared border areas.
\nTaliban authorities have pledged that Afghan territory won\u2019t be used by foreign militants to stage attacks abroad but it remains a sticking point.
\nWhile some Afghans celebrate the end of fighting and Taliban rule, others see August 15 as a grim reminder.
\n\u201cAll the girls and women of Afghanistan want their freedom back,\u201d said former student Hamasah Bawar ahead of the anniversary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban government marked on Tuesday the second anniversary of their takeover of the country with celebrations and a public holiday, issuing a defiant statement commemorating their surge back to power. Flags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan \u2014 the name given to the country by its new rulers \u2014 fluttered at security checkpoints […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":349520,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-349499","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n