Taliban parade exhibits off plundered US {hardware}

A Black Hawk helicopter flew circles over the Taliban’s non secular heartland in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday whereas beneath fighters stood aboard captured Humvees because the Islamists paraded their plundered US army {hardware}.

The Taliban’s victory lap, celebrating the ultimate withdrawal of US troops, follows the group’s astonishing two-week takeover that capped a simmering 20-year insurgency.On the freeway in the direction of Afghanistan’s second-biggest metropolis of Kandahar, a protracted line of inexperienced armoured combating autos drove in single file down, most with white-and-black Taliban flags hooked up to aerials.Fighters manned the controls of the multi-purpose vans — utilized by US, NATO and Afghan forces in the course of the two-decade warfare — whereas others clambered over the autos at Ayno Maina, a city on the outskirts of the town. Taliban fighters atop Humvee autos put together earlier than parading alongside a street to have a good time (Photo: AFP)Among the sunshine weapons cradled by the militants had been American M16 rifles.Pick-up vans laden with supporters rolled previous the convoy of army autos, some armed with heavy weapons and machine weapons. Taliban fighters stand on an armoured automobile earlier than parading alongside a street (Photo: AFP)At least one Black Hawk helicopter buzzed overhead, suggesting somebody from the previous Afghan military was on the controls because the Taliban lack certified pilots. A helicopter displaying a Taliban flag flies above supporters gathered to have a good time the US withdrawal (Photo: AFP)An ethnic Pashtun heartland, Kandahar is the birthplace of the Taliban and the place the hardline group rose to energy in 1996. By 2001, when US-led forces invaded, the Taliban had seized management of many of the nation.At Kandahar Cricket Ground, a whole lot gathered to hearken to speeches heaping reward on the Taliban following their profitable offensive final month and pouring scorn on the United States.Elder leaders sat within the shade within the gamers’ dugout, reclining on armchairs behind picket espresso tables.Others sat crossed-legged on the grass, whereas many extra gathered within the terrace stands to observe. Taliban supporters have a good time the US withdrawal (Photo: AFP)Armed fighters in camouflage fatigues stood in entrance of the crowds.”Our common enemy who vowed to bring economic prosperity to our land failed to do so,” a Taliban recruiter named Saqeb stated.”They claimed to bring a civilized system. Go and take a look at the airport where all the planes are left in the middle.”America didn’t simply assault our younger army males. America has corrupted our media. It took away our tradition. It has trampled our financial system.” Taliban fighters stand on an armoured vehicle in Kandahar (Photo: AFP)The Taliban’s secretive supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is living in Kandahar, the group said Sunday, after years in the shadows.Word had spread that he would make an appearance Wednesday, but he did not show up, leaving the city’s new governor to address the crowd.In footage posted online of the build-up to the event, another helicopter flew overhead trailing a Taliban flag as fighters in headscarves waved beneath. A day earlier, thousands of Taliban faithful had poured onto the streets of Kandahar, waving flags and shouting “God is biggest” in celebration of the ultimate US withdrawal.Read | As Taliban transfer to type govt, Naya Afghanistan brings new problem for India