The Taliban is celebrating the first anniversary of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan Wednesday with victory chants and a military parade showcasing equipment left behind by US-led forces.
In a statement, the government said the day marked “the country’s freedom from American occupation”.
Afghanistan’s new rulers not formally recognized by any other nation have re-imposed their harsh version of Islamic law on the impoverished country, with women squeezed out of public life.
Despite the restrictions, and a deepening humanitarian crisis, many Afghans say they are glad the foreign forces that prompted the Taliban insurgency left after a brutal 20-year war.
Celebrations were also held in several provinces, with locals reading poems and verses from the holy Koran.