Taliban celebrate anniversary of foreign withdrawal at former U.S. base

Taliban suicide bomber squads and homemade bombs assembled in oil containers were on display on Wednesday as the Afghan movement celebrated the first anniversary of the withdrawal of Western forces.

The Taliban also made a show of strength by a display of old guards riding motorcycles in local uniforms a military parade with the seven billion U.S. dollars’ worth of American military equipment left behind during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces from the country.

The event was conducted at Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul.

Bagram Airfield was the Americans’ largest military headquarters during the two decades they operated in Afghanistan.

It was used for planning and coordinating military operations against the Taliban.

Read Also: India to replace ‘colonial’ naval flag

The televised ceremony was aired live by local broadcasters.

The day was also declared a national holiday and Taliban forces marked the night of the first anniversary in Kabul with fireworks and celebratory shots into the air.

Speaking at the event, Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund said they had fought for 20 years for the day.

However, he admitted that country’s economy has been paralysed due to U.S. sanctions and called on the world to engage with them.

The last American soldier left Kabul International Airport on Aug. 30, 2021, amid chaos marking the end of Western efforts to fight off the Taliban.

(dpa/NAN)