World News
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban celebrated the third anniversary of their return to power at a former U.S. air base in Afghanistan on Wednesday, but there was no mention of the country's plight or promise of hope for its suffering population.
Under blue skies and brilliant sunshine in Bagram – once the epicenter of the American war to oust the Taliban and search out the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks – members of the Taliban cabinet praised achievements corresponding to strengthening Islamic law and constructing a military system that ensures “peace and security.”
The speeches were geared toward a global audience and called on the diaspora to return and the West to interact and cooperate with the country's rulers.
“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 term the Taliban use for his or her government. “No one is allowed to interfere in internal affairs and Afghan soil will not be used against any country.”
None of the 4 speakers spoke concerning the challenges Afghans face of their day by day lives.
Decades of conflict and instability have brought thousands and thousands 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 roughly 10,000 men were high-ranking Taliban officials corresponding to the acting Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob and the acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. The supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada was not present on the parade. Women weren’t allowed to attend.
The Taliban said foreign diplomats also attended, but didn’t say who.
Aid organizations warn that humanitarian aid within the country is severely underfunded as economic collapse and climate change destroy many livelihoods.
They say that Afghans, especially women and girls, will suffer unless there’s more diplomatic engagement with the Taliban. No country recognizes the Taliban because the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
The parade was also a possibility to showcase a few of the military equipment left behind by U.S. and NATO-led forces after many years of war: helicopters, Humvees and tanks.
Uniformed soldiers marched with light and heavy machine guns, and a motorbike formation carried the Taliban flag.
The Taliban have declared Wednesday a national holiday.
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