Taliban to Celebrate 4th Anniversary with Flower Showers in Kabul

Islamabad, Aug 14 (AP) The Taliban are set to commemorate the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan by dropping flowers over Kabul from helicopters, an official revealed on Thursday. The militant group had seized control of the country on August 15, 2021, just weeks before the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, marking the end of a costly, 20-year conflict.

According to a statement from Habib Ghofran, the spokesman for the Information and Culture Ministry, Defence Ministry helicopters will conduct "beautiful aerial displays" over the Afghan capital on Friday, showering the city with colorful flowers. In the afternoon to early evening, Afghan athletes are scheduled to perform various sports demonstrations, Ghofran added.

These celebrations occur against the backdrop of significant challenges facing Afghanistan, including a large influx of refugees from neighboring countries, a struggling economy, and reductions in international aid, particularly from the United States. Almost 10 million Afghan citizens are experiencing acute food insecurity, with one-third of children suffering from stunting.

On Thursday, black and white Taliban flags were prominently displayed throughout Kabul. Ahsan Ullah Khan from the northern Sar-e-Pul province urged the Afghan diaspora to return and witness the peace and happiness within the country. However, Zafar Momand, a resident of Kabul, emphasized that Afghans require more than just peace.

"Along with peace, we need employment and education opportunities. If these problems are solved, then Afghanistan is the best country to live," Momand stated. "Women are also an essential part of society. They should also have education and work opportunities." Currently, females are prohibited from education beyond the sixth grade, restricted from many jobs, and barred from most public spaces. It remains uncertain whether women will be present or allowed to attend Friday's celebrations.

Last year, the anniversary of the takeover was marked at Bagram Airfield, which had once been the epicenter of America's efforts to oust the Taliban and pursue the al-Qaida perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. Women were excluded from that event, including female journalists from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

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