On Wednesday, Afghanistan's Taliban rulers marked three years in power with a military parade honoring their homemade bombs, fighter aircraft, and goose-stepping security forces. The event took place at the former US air base in Bagram, where Soviet-era tanks and artillery were displayed. Chinese and Iranian diplomats were among the hundreds attending the parade and speeches. The base, once crucial for US-led operations against the Taliban, also saw a procession of motorbikes carrying yellow jerry cans, often used for homemade bombs during conflicts with international forces. US-made armored personnel carriers and the black-and-white flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan were prominently featured. Helicopters and fighter aircraft flew over the base, located 40 kilometers north of Kabul, where Taliban fighters were previously imprisoned.
Taliban forces took control of Kabul on August 15, 2021, following the collapse of the US-backed government. The anniversary is commemorated a day earlier on the Afghan calendar. Despite their government remaining unrecognized by any other state, the Taliban continues to enforce strict policies, particularly against women, which the UN has termed 'gender apartheid'. A 20-year-old university student in Kabul expressed her disappointment, stating that the anniversary serves as a bitter reminder of lost dreams and aspirations. Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, who was scheduled to appear at Bagram, praised the Taliban's victory over 'Western occupiers' in a statement read by his chief of staff, emphasizing the government's commitment to maintaining Islamic rule and protecting its citizens.
Security remains a top priority for the Taliban, who have tightened their grip over the past three years through laws based on their strict interpretation of Islam. Despite this, threats from the Daesh group persist, prompting increased security measures in Kabul and Kandahar. Helicopters also flew over Kabul's Ghazi stadium, where hundreds gathered to watch athletic exhibitions and performances of Taliban anthems. The Taliban's takeover is commemorated in mid-August and at the end of the month, marking the fall of Kabul and the withdrawal of foreign troops. Streets in Kabul were filled with the black-and-white flag and trucks of young men, while some boys in the Green Zone declared their readiness for potential suicide attacks.
While many Afghans welcomed the end of 40 years of continuous conflict, the economy remains stagnant, and the population faces a deepening humanitarian crisis. International non-governmental organizations have warned of a growing aid funding gap, with 23.7 million people requiring humanitarian assistance. Women have been increasingly marginalized, banned from many jobs and public spaces, and denied secondary and higher education. Human Rights Watch has called for international pressure on the Taliban to lift restrictions on women, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Afghanistan.
