Despite the presence of Taliban fighters, Afghans still tried to raise the flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times
- Although the Taliban seized power, Afghan residents still took to the streets to celebrate the country’s independence.
- The Taliban occupied the city of Kabul.
- There are reports that residents of Kabul are even celebrating.
On Thursday, days after the Taliban seized power and raised their white standards on government buildings, provocative flag-waving Afghans took to the streets to celebrate the country’s independence anniversary.
An AFP staff member saw a group of men and women unfurling a huge black, red and green tricolor flag near Wazir Akbar Khan on the outskirts of the capital, even though a small truck carrying Taliban militants slowed down. Pass slowly.
The truck slowed down and the group attracted some curious eyes, but the fighters continued to move forward, ignoring their resistance.
Despite the presence of Taliban fighters, Afghans were still walking down the street holding banners and the flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Amanullah Khan, then the Emir, declared independence in 1919 after the Third Anglo-African War. Since then, the country has hoisted dozens of national flags.
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The latest model was adopted in 2013 and has three vertical strips in black, red and green, and the national emblem is printed in white.
On Wednesday, Taliban militants opened fire to disperse dozens of Afghans in Jalalabad, waving national flags before the National Day.
Despite the presence of Taliban fighters, Afghans were still walking down the street holding banners and the flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
There are also unconfirmed reports that there was a shooting in Kunar on Thursday. Twitter showed that several cars and motorcycles were flying through the capital’s suburbs of Asadabad while flying the flag.
Social media also showed that a group of people cheered a man in Abdul Haq Square (also in Kabul) and then tied a flag to the top.
Another post showed that dozens of protesters held flags and marched in the streets of other parts of the capital.
The Taliban flag is a pure white banner engraved with the Islamic Declaration of Faith—it has become a familiar flag since the organization took over the country with lightning speed after a 20-year rebellion.
Despite the presence of Taliban fighters, Afghans still tried to raise the flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
On Thursday, the Taliban issued a statement acknowledging the defeat of Independence Day and the British Empire and the ten-year occupation that ended in 1989 by Russia.
“Afghans are very proud that their country is on the verge of getting rid of American occupation today,” it added.
