Afghanistan marks one year since Taliban seizure as woes mount

15 August 2022, 13:34

Afghanistan
Afghanistan. Picture: PA

One group marched past the former US embassy, chanting ‘Long live Islam’ and ‘Death to America’.

The Taliban on Monday marked a year since they seized the Afghan capital of Kabul, a rapid takeover that triggered a hasty escape of the nation’s western-backed leaders, sent the economy into a tailspin and fundamentally transformed the country.

Bearded Taliban fighters, some hoisting rifles or the white banners of their movement, held small victory parades on foot, bicycles and motorcycles in the streets of the capital.

One small group marched past the former US embassy, chanting “Long live Islam” and “Death to America”.

A year after the dramatic day, much has changed in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan
Afghan boys during celebrations one year after the Taliban seized the Afghan capital, Kabul (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The former insurgents struggle to govern and remain internationally isolated.

The economic downturn has driven millions more Afghans into poverty and even hunger, as the flow of foreign aid slowed to a trickle.

Meanwhile, hardliners appear to hold sway in the Taliban-led government, which imposed severe restrictions on access to education and jobs for girls and women, despite initial promises to the contrary.

A year on, teenage girls are still barred from school and women are required to cover themselves head to toe in public, with only the eyes showing.

Some are trying to find ways to keep education from stalling for a generation of young women, and underground schools in homes have sprung up.

Afghanistan
A Taliban fighter in front of the former US embassy in Kabul (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

A year ago, thousands of Afghans had rushed to Kabul International Airport to flee the Taliban amid the US military’s chaotic withdrawal from Kabul after 20 years of war the US’s longest conflict.

Some flights resumed relatively quickly. On Monday, a handful of commercial flights were scheduled to land and take off from a runway that last summer saw Afghan men clinging to the wheels of planes taking off, some falling to their death.

School playgrounds stood empty on Monday as the Taliban announced a public holiday to mark the day, which they refer to as The Proud Day of August 15 and the First Anniversary of the Return to Power.

“Reliance on God and the support of the people brought this great victory and freedom to the country,” wrote Abdul Wahid Rayan, the head of the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency.

“Today, August 15, marks the victory of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan against America and its allies’ occupation of Afghanistan.”

Afghanistan
Taliban fighters (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

During a gathering to mark the anniversary, the Taliban deputy prime minister, Abdul Salam Hanafi, offered congratulations to “the entire nation on the day of the conquest of Kabul, which was the beginning of the complete end of the occupation”.

In remarks broadcast live by state radio and TV, he boasted of what he described as “great achievements” under the Taliban, such as the alleged end of corruption, improved security and banned poppy cultivation.

On the eve of the anniversary, former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani defended what he said was a split-second decision to flee, saying he wanted to avoid the humiliation of surrender to the insurgents.

He told CNN that on the morning of August 15, 2021, with the Taliban at the gates of Kabul, he was the last one at the presidential palace after his guards had disappeared.

Afghanistan
A Taliban fighter mans his weapon (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

Tomas Niklasson, the EU’s special envoy to Afghanistan, said the bloc remains committed to the Afghan people and to “stability, prosperity and sustainable peace in Afghanistan and the region”.

“This will require an inclusive political process with full, equal and meaningful participation of all Afghan men and women and respect for human rights,” Niklasson wrote.

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said an international responsibility toward Afghanistan remains after the Nato withdrawal.

“A regime that tramples on human rights cannot under any circumstances be recognised,” she said in a statement.

“But we must not forget the people in Afghanistan, even a year after the Taliban takeover.”

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Australia Cyber Safety

Google, Meta and others face questions in Australia over cyber extremism threats

People-Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez divorce after nearly three years

Japan Economy

Japanese central bank raises interest rate for first time in 17 years

United Nations Nuclear Weapons

US and Japan seek UN resolution banning nuclear weapons in outer space

Election 2024 Trump

‘Impossible’ for Trump to post civil fraud bond of £356m, say lawyers

Georgia Election Indictment Lawmakers

Trump seeks to appeal against decision not to disqualify DA in Georgia case

Mike Lynch court case

Fallen tech star Mike Lynch painted as fraud mastermind in Hewlett-Packard trial

Russia Crimea

Putin extends rule in Russian election after harshest crackdown since Soviet era

Vacationing Mom Toddler Death

Ohio woman given life after child died when she left her alone to go on holiday

Transgender Athletes Ban New York Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner backs New York county’s ban on transgender female athletes

A Mayor Eric Adams standing on a stage in front of an audience engaging them with a speech

New York mayor Eric Adams accused of sexually assaulting woman in 1993

Biden Netanyahu

Netanyahu agrees to send officials to US to discuss prospective Rafah operation

Palestinians rush to collect the humanitarian aid airdropped into Gaza City, Gaza Strip on March 17 (Mohammed Hajjar/AP)

‘Famine imminent’ in northern Gaza as 70% face ‘catastrophic hunger’

Music-Country Hall of Fame

James Burton, John Anderson and Toby Keith join Country Music Hall of Fame

Russia Election

What the Russian election reveals about Putin’s rule

Obit-Stafford

Astronaut Thomas Stafford, commander of Apollo 10, dies aged 93