Taliban supporters mark fifth anniversary of US withdrawal
Taliban supporters took to the streets of Jalalabad on Friday to mark the fifth anniversary of the group's return to power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US-led forces.
Footage showed supporters gathering across the city and riding in pickup trucks while waving Taliban flags.
Supporter Ajmal Badri described the anniversary as a celebration of the defeat of foreign forces after years of conflict. "Five years ago, the great powers of the world that came to occupy Afghanistan used all kinds of bombs, cruise missiles, and forces here, but Praise be to God, through the sacrifices of the Mujahideen and great personalities, they were defeated," Badri said.
Another supporter, Qari Sajid, described August 15 as "Independence Day" and celebrated the Taliban's victory over the United States. "On this day, we defeated a superpower, meaning we defeated America," Sajid said, claiming Afghans were now living in a peaceful environment.
Badri also dismissed the prospect of US forces returning to Afghanistan, saying; "The Americans can neither come here again nor will they have the courage to return."
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US President Donald Trump previously expressed interest in regaining control of Bagram Airbase, arguing that the facility was strategically important because of its proximity to China.
The final US troops left Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, ending a nearly 20-year military presence that began following the September 11 attacks.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
