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KABUL — The Taliban on Monday marked a yr since they seized the Afghan capital of Kabul, a speedy takeover that triggered a hasty escape of the nation’s Western-backed leaders, despatched the economic system right into a tailspin and basically reworked the nation.
Bearded Taliban fighters, some hoisting rifles or the white banners of their motion, staged small victory parades on foot, bicycles and motor cycles within the streets of the capital. One small group marched previous the previous U.S. Embassy, chanting “Lengthy stay Islam” and “Demise to America.”
A yr after the dramatic day, a lot has modified in Afghanistan. The previous insurgents battle to control and stay internationally remoted. The financial downturn has pushed tens of millions extra Afghans into poverty and even starvation, because the circulate of overseas support slowed to a trickle.
In the meantime, hard-liners seem to carry sway within the Taliban-led authorities, which imposed extreme restrictions on entry to schooling and jobs for women and girls, regardless of preliminary guarantees on the contrary. A yr on, teenage ladies are nonetheless barred from faculty and ladies are required to cowl themselves head-to-toe in public, with solely the eyes exhibiting.
Some are looking for methods to maintain schooling from stalling for a technology of younger ladies and underground faculties in houses have spring up.
A yr in the past, 1000’s of Afghans had rushed to Kabul Worldwide Airport to flee the Taliban amid the U.S. army’s chaotic withdrawal from Kabul after 20 years of battle — America’s longest battle.
Some flights resumed comparatively shortly after these chaotic days. On Monday, a handful of economic flights have been scheduled to land and take off from a runway that final summer season noticed Afghan males clinging to the wheels of planes taking off, some falling to their dying.
Schoolyards stood empty Monday because the Taliban introduced a public vacation to mark the day, which they consult with as “The Proud Day of Aug. 15″ and the “First Anniversary of the Return to Energy.”
“Reliance on God and the help of the folks introduced this nice victory and freedom to the nation,” wrote Abdul Wahid Rayan, the pinnacle of the Taliban-run Bakhtar Information Company. “As we speak, Aug. 15, marks the victory of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan towards America and its allies occupation of Afghanistan.”
On the eve of the anniversary, former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani defended what he stated was a split-second choice to flee, saying he wished to keep away from the humiliation of give up to the insurgents. He advised CNN that on the morning of Aug. 15, 2021, with the Taliban on the gates of Kabul, he was the final one on the presidential palace after his guards had disappeared.
Tomas Niklasson, the European Union’s particular envoy to Afghanistan, stated the bloc of countries stays dedicated to the Afghan folks and to “stability, prosperity and sustainable peace in Afghanistan and the area.”
“This may require an inclusive political course of with full, equal and significant participation of all Afghan women and men and respect for human rights,” Niklasson wrote.
German Overseas Minister Annalena Baerbock stated a world duty towards Afghanistan stays after the NATO withdrawal.
“A regime that tramples on human rights can not below any circumstances be acknowledged,” she stated in a press release. “However we should not overlook the folks in Afghanistan, even a yr after the Taliban takeover.”
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Faiez reported from Islamabad.
