The Taliban celebrated the one year anniversary of Joe Biden’s deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan with fireworks, marking one year since the Islamic radicals were able to retake control of the country as the White House scrambled to get American soldiers and citizens out of the country.
Multiple videos show the streets of Kabul lit by fireworks and the audible sound of celebratory gunfire on the night of August 31, the one year anniversary of the deadly withdrawal that saw at least 13 deaths of U.S. Servicemen.
#WATCH | Taliban celebrations in Kabul marking anniversary of the United State's withdrawal from Afghanistan begin with a lot of fireworks and shooting. pic.twitter.com/oxyMm6DW5i
— El American (@ElAmerican_) August 30, 2022
Taliban supporters celebrated with some fireworks and music to mark the first anniversary of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan – Ruptly pic.twitter.com/MqCNTL8cqY
— Zabby (@ZabbyYT) August 31, 2022
#NewsRoundup: Fireworks light up Kabul as the Taliban regime celebrates its 1st anniversary of the US. withdrawal from Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/tbnDSk0lza
— Insider News (@InsiderNewsKe) August 31, 2022
Professional photos seemed to show the extent of the fireworks display in Kabul.
prompt: "Hanabi fireworks in Kabul, Taliban members flooding the streets of Kabul with flags to mark one year since the final withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, photo by Reuters" #stablediffusion pic.twitter.com/O6hPHXaGAc
— lab member 001 (@l4rz) August 31, 2022
Joe Biden’s ill-fated withdrawal from the country came one year ago, when the lack of U.S. troops saw the Taliban began making large territorial gains as they overwhelmed the U.S.-backed government throughout the country.
The scramble led to American citizens and many Europeans being told to immediately make their way to Kabul to be evacuated by the U.S. and its allies. The scene soon became chaotic, with would-be refugees overwhelming the gates. Islamic extremists used the opportunity to detonate an explosive device, killing 13 U.S. troops.
Video: Casualties from bombing attacks at the Kabul airport have been transferred to Emergency Hospital. Reuters quoted a Taliban official saying at least 13 people have been killed. The US Pentagon is reporting at least 2 blasts, one near Abbey Gate & the other near Baron Hotel. pic.twitter.com/vgs7pudEcA
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) August 26, 2021
Though the Taliban was in the process of overwhelming the country militarily, the attack was attributed to ISIS-K, an off shoot of the terrorist Islamic State that Trump largely beat back after it swallowed large amounts of Syria during the Obama administration.
Related: NPR Decries Taliban’s Face Mask Policy for Women, but Supported Same for American Children
More recently, an elusive Taliban leader marked the end of Ramadan by breaking his seclusion and attending a mosque in Kandahar.
“Congratulations on victory, freedom and success,” leader Hibatullah Akhundzada told an audience of worshipers that reportedly numbered in the thousands. “Congratulations on this security and for the Islamic system.”
Two helicopters flew above the mosque during the brief speech, and “dozens” of Taliban fighters were reportedly serving as security.
