Members of the Taliban marked the third anniversary of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan by celebrating in a parade at the former U.S. air base at Bagram Airfield. They showcased American weapons and vehicles that had been abandoned, highlighting what they perceive as a victory over the United States. The parade featured uniformed soldiers with machine guns and motorcycles carrying the Taliban flag, driving through Kabul’s streets in celebration. The Taliban Cabinet praised their achievements in strengthening Islamic law and establishing a military system that they claim provides peace and security. U.S. Army Veteran Bill Roggio criticized the parade as evidence of U.S. failure in Afghanistan and highlighted the consequences of the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw quickly, which allowed the Taliban to acquire American-supplied weapons.
The decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan faced global backlash after the Taliban swiftly regained control of the country in August 2021, just days after the withdrawal. The military evacuation, which concluded ahead of a deadline on August 30, 2021, left behind hundreds of U.S. citizens and thousands of Afghan allies despite President Biden’s promise to evacuate them all. The evacuation effort was marred by a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, which killed 183 people, including 13 U.S. service members. The U.S. retaliated with drone strikes against suspected ISIS-K terrorists, resulting in civilian casualties. The Taliban’s speeches during the anniversary parade were aimed at an international audience, urging Western countries to cooperate with their rule. However, no country currently recognizes the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir asserted the Taliban’s unity and cooperation within the country and declared that Afghan soil would not be used against any other country. However, Roggio pointed out that the Taliban’s history of supporting terrorist groups and lying about their activities undermines their credibility. Despite the Taliban’s display of power, there was no mention of plans to improve the lives of the Afghan people who have been suffering from decades of conflict and instability. The country faces high levels of unemployment, food insecurity, and restrictions on women’s rights, including a ban on girls attending school beyond the sixth grade. The Bagram parade was the Taliban’s most defiant display since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, with senior officials present but the supreme leader absent.
Roggio believes that the Taliban’s primary goal is to maintain power within Afghanistan and enforce their strict interpretation of Sharia law on the population. While they may not project power beyond their borders, the military equipment acquired from the U.S. withdrawal can help them maintain their authority within the country. Despite the Taliban’s perception of an outward display of strength in the parade, their focus on maintaining control rather than improving the lives of Afghans raises concerns about the future under their rule. The anniversary parade served as a demonstration of the Taliban’s capabilities and a reminder of the challenges faced by the Afghan people under their rule. As the country continues to grapple with insecurity and humanitarian crises, the international community must consider the implications of the Taliban’s resurgence and how to address the plight of the Afghan population moving forward.
