US marks 20 years of 9/11
KABUL: War-weary residents of Kabul expressed anger and feelings of betrayal by the United States on Saturday, as the world marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that prompted a US invasion of Afghanistan and the toppling of its Taliban rulers.
After a two-decade occupation, US forces abruptly pulled out of Afghanistan last month, triggering the collapse of its Western-backed government and the Taliban’s dramatic return to power.
“The misfortunes we are currently experiencing are because of America,” said Abdul Waris, a Kabul resident. Some of the mostly young men who spoke to Reuters complained that US forces had not tried to help the Afghan people.
“After the September 11 events took place, the Americans were in our country for 20 years for their own benefit,” said Jalil Ahmad.
“They took the benefits they had in mind for 20 years while we did not get any benefit from them. They have left the country in a state of confusion.”
Bearded Taliban fighters with guns slung over their shoulders were visible around the capital but the mood was quiet and calm following the dramatic changes of recent weeks.
“Now there is security and security is good... May God give the Taliban more strength to maintain this (calm) forever,” said resident Gul Agha Laghmni.
US forces toppled the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks because they had provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden, leader of Al-qaeda, which carried out the attacks. Since returning to power last month, the Taliban have appointed an acting cabinet including several former militants held by the United States in Guantanamo Bay.
There were relatively few women on the streets of Kabul on Saturday, and all those who were out had their heads covered - a fact welcomed by residents such as Shah Raoof.
“In the presence of America, there was a lot of commotion in our country. Women were unveiled,” he said.
“The majority of our youth fled, a number were martyred and a number of others were afflicted by America through war and misery.”
Taliban flag flies at presidential palace
The Taliban flag waved over the Afghan presidential palace the same day the US and the world marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The Taliban flag was raised on Friday and could be seen waving over the presidential palace in Kabul on Saturday. The militant group also painted their white backdrop flag on the wall of the US embassy building.