Taliban fighters hit the fairground as Afghans worry for freedom
2 min read“This is Afghanistan!” a Taliban fighter shouts on a pirate ship journey at a fairground in western Kabul, as his armed comrades cackle and whoop onboard the rickety attraction.
With AK-47 and M4 assault rifles strapped to their chests, the troopers cling to vibrant metal benches as they’re flung backwards and forwards, their scarves and headdresses flapping within the wind. Taliban fighters have been in a playful temper within the capital they seized lower than six weeks in the past. (Photo: AFP)It was determined a rocket launcher, considered one of them that had been cradling, was higher left on strong floor.READ: Taliban execute youngster over suspicion of his father being a part of Afghan resistance driveThe group — ranging in age from 18 to 52 — is stress-free at a small amusement park subsequent to Qarghah Reservoir on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, the place households and kids usually journey the Ferris Wheel and carousel.The scene is an incongruous one: the Taliban fighters have been in a playful temper within the capital they seized lower than six weeks in the past.Since then, Afghans have feared a return to the group’s brutally oppressive rule of the Nineteen Nineties, after they banned music, pictures, tv — and even kids’s video games resembling kite-flying.The Taliban promised extra reasonable rule this time, however have already curtailed Afghans’ freedoms, together with excluding ladies from faculty and sports activities. Taliban fighters determined to go away a rocket launcher on strong floor earlier than using a pirate ship at a Kabul fairground. (Photo: AP)Fighters from across the nation flocked to Kabul after the Islamist hardliners swept to energy in mid-August and plenty of had by no means been to a funfair.Once the three-minute journey is over, the battle-hardened fighters clap, grin and giggle amongst themselves — and the RPG launcher is reunited with its proprietor.On the shores of the picturesque reservoir, different Taliban members hop into swan-shaped pedalos because the solar begins to set behind the hills within the distance.Still brandishing their weapons, they set off in pairs throughout the water within the pink, blue, inexperienced, yellow and blue boats, laughing because the vessels bump collectively.Dressed in camouflaged navy uniforms and conventional Afghan garments, they pose with their assault rifles as buddies take footage on the pebbly shore. Wearing camouflage clothes in addition to conventional Afghan garments, the Taliban pose with their automated rifles. (Photo: AFP)Nearby, just a few of the extra senior Taliban members take the chance to hope, setting down their shawls between two boats on a jetty.SEE: Life altering below Taliban, simply not ALSO READ: Stop following American types: Taliban ask barbers to finish shaving, beard-trimming servicesALSO READ: Islamic State makes use of Taliban’s personal techniques to assault Afghanistan’s new rulers
