This week parades and festivities took place at many locations in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as Afghans celebrated three years of independence after 40 years of strife and occupation. On Aug. 15, 2021, the Taliban took over Kabul, and U.S. and NATO forces began departing the country, completing the exodus by Aug. 31.
The Afghan calendar marks the Kabul takeover on Aug. 14, and special events were held on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Prime Minister Mohammad Hassa Akhund issued a statement, affirming that the Taliban government has “the responsibility to maintain Islamic rule, protest property, people’s lives and the respect of our nation.”
In Bagram, the former U.S. airbase, several thousand gathered for a military parade and speeches. Diplomats from China, Iran and neighboring nations attended as well. There were parades in Kandahar, Ghazni and elsewhere. Although no government has formally recognized the I.E.A., commercial and other interactions between Kabul and many nations have increased significantly.
The population is now put at over 40 million, despite several millions still abroad as refugees and foreign workers. The hardship is severe as the West still maintains sanctions and the seizure of $9.5 billion in Afghanistan central bank assets. Plus, there has been a sharp drop in humanitarian aid from the West, when nearly 24 million are in deep need, until the economy can be built up through the projects and investment now in the works.
