Forceful Decorations in City, Teachers Facing Threats Mark 3rd Anniversary of Taliban Rule

The Taliban has also threatened teachers, students, and university students to participate in the group's "victory celebration”.

Videos from various cities in Afghanistan showcase shops displaying the Taliban flag and Taliban fighters patrolling the streets in both military and civilian vehicles.

It seems that this year the Taliban is paying more attention to organising events under the name "victory celebration" and is trying to involve ordinary citizens.

On Wednesday, August 14, Afghanistan International received videos from different cities in Afghanistan showing the Taliban flag displayed around the city.

Viewers reported that these flags were installed by force and at the expense of the shop owners. In some provinces, including Daikundi, Baghlan, and Kabul, the Taliban has issued notices to shopkeepers warning them to display the group's flag on their shops. The group has threatened shopkeepers that if they fail to comply with this order, their shops will be sealed.

Mandatory Participation in Anniversary Celebrations

Alongside the flag installations, the Taliban has issued notices in provinces like Bamiyan and Paktia instructing teachers and students to attend the group's anniversary celebrations.

Earlier, sources told Afghanistan International that the chancellor of Bamiyan University had mandated the attendance of professors and administrative staff at the Taliban's victory celebration.

A Taliban education official in Gardez city of Paktia province also warned teachers and headmasters in an audio file that they must attend the "victory celebration" with 50 to 100 students.

The Taliban has threatened teachers with "job-related issues" if they fail to attend the anniversary event and has stated that they will not have the right to complain.

August 15 marks the third anniversary of the fall of the previous government to the Taliban; a day the Taliban calls a "victory over US occupation".

At the same time, many citizens view this day as a "dark day" marking the collapse of democracy and human rights values in Afghanistan.

The Taliban has also threatened teachers, students, and university students to participate in the group's "victory celebration”.

Videos from various cities in Afghanistan showcase shops displaying the Taliban flag and Taliban fighters patrolling the streets in both military and civilian vehicles.

It seems that this year the Taliban is paying more attention to organising events under the name "victory celebration" and is trying to involve ordinary citizens.

On Wednesday, August 14, Afghanistan International received videos from different cities in Afghanistan showing the Taliban flag displayed around the city.

Mandatory Participation in Anniversary Celebrations

Alongside the flag installations, the Taliban has issued notices in provinces like Bamiyan and Paktia instructing teachers and students to attend the group's anniversary celebrations.

Earlier, sources told Afghanistan International that the chancellor of Bamiyan University had mandated the attendance of professors and administrative staff at the Taliban's victory celebration.

A Taliban education official in Gardez city of Paktia province also warned teachers and headmasters in an audio file that they must attend the "victory celebration" with 50 to 100 students.

The Taliban has threatened teachers with "job-related issues" if they fail to attend the anniversary event and has stated that they will not have the right to complain.

August 15 marks the third anniversary of the fall of the previous government to the Taliban; a day the Taliban calls a "victory over US occupation".

At the same time, many citizens view this day as a "dark day" marking the collapse of democracy and human rights values in Afghanistan.

Three Years of Taliban Rule: Mujahid Says Sharia Is Group's 'Primary Priority'

Aug 14, 2024, 12:38 GMT+1

In a statement marking the third anniversary of the Taliban's takeover of power in Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid the group's spokesperson said that the implementation of Sharia is the "primary responsibility and priority" of the Taliban.

Mujahid also stated that the group will "strongly protect and defend" its regime” at any cost”.

Over the past three years, the international community has repeatedly urged the Taliban to lift restrictions on the work and education of women and girls. The Taliban, however, have dismissed these criticisms as "interference" in their internal affairs and have claimed they are acting according to Sharia.

In a statement released on Wednesday, August 14, the Taliban claimed that now there is "peace and security" in Afghanistan.

Opponents of the Taliban have warned that failure to comply with the people's demands will lead to inevitable conflict.

Mohammad Mohaqiq, who heads the Political Committee of National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, said in a statement on August 14 that the Taliban has not respected the people's demands.

The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, 2021, after former President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, seizing power.

Three years into the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, no country has officially recognised the group's government. The Taliban have not responded positively to domestic and international demands regarding the type of government, elections, democracy, and human rights.

While the Taliban celebrate August 14 as their "Victory Day," many Afghan citizens consider it a "dark day” in Afghanistan.

Iranian Border Guard Commander Announces Approval of Plan to Seal Country’s Borders

Aug 14, 2024, 11:48 GMT+1

Ahmad Ali Goudarzi, Iran’s Border Guard Commander, announced the approval of a plan to seal the country's borders.

In an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Goudarzi stated that the plan will begin in the second half of this year [solar Hijri calendar] and is expected to reach a "satisfactory condition" by the end of next year.

He added that a budget of three billion euros has been approved by the Ministry of Interior of Iran for the implementation of this plan.

This Iranian security official stated, "Currently, preliminary actions, including contract signing, have been completed, and we are in the process of preparing to construct watchtowers and checkpoints, as well as purchasing the necessary sensors, cameras, and advanced weapons."

Goudarzi emphasised, "The southeastern borders are of special importance to us."

The southeastern borders refer to the shared borders between Iran and Afghanistan. Recently, the issue of Afghan citizens migrating to Iran and the harsh treatment by security forces and some Iranian citizens towards migrants has made headlines.

Previously, some high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic had also emphasized closing the shared borders between Afghanistan and Iran to prevent the entry of migrants.

Taliban Cannot Participate In 79th UN General Assembly

Aug 14, 2024, 10:28 GMT+1

Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, stated that the group would not be able to participate in the 79th United Nations General Assembly in September this year.

He told Russia's state news agency, RIA Novosti, that the Taliban has not yet been granted Afghanistan's seat at the United Nations.

Shaheen is the Taliban's nominee for Afghanistan's seat at the UN.

Currently, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, a diplomat appointed by the previous government, serves as the acting representative of Afghanistan at the UN.

The UN Credentials Committee postponed the decision on granting Afghanistan's seat to the Taliban for the third time last December.

The 78th UN General Assembly was held in September 2023, with the situation of Afghan women also on the agenda.

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, described the violation of women's rights in Afghanistan under Taliban rule as shameful.

NRF Reports Attack On Taliban Checkpoint In Kabul

Aug 14, 2024, 09:24 GMT+1

The National Resistance Front (NRF) announced that, following an attack by its forces on a checkpoint in Kabul, two Taliban fighters were killed and one member of the group was injured.

According to the statement by the front on the X social media platform, the attack took place at 9:40 PM on Tuesday night in the 15th police district.

NRF did not provide details on the nature of the attack.

This armed group opposing the Taliban added that no harm came to its forces during the attack.

The Taliban has not yet made an official statement on the matter.

Earlier, local sources told Afghanistan International that they had heard an explosion in the 15th police district of Kabul.

UN Says Nearly Half of Afghanistan's Population Lives Below Poverty Line

Aug 13, 2024, 17:20 GMT+1

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 23.7 million Afghans are dependent on humanitarian aid.

OCHA stated that currently, 48 percent of Afghanistan's population lives below the poverty line, and 12.4 percent are experiencing food insecurity.

In a note shared on X social media platform on Tuesday, the UN office highlighted that economic poverty has significantly increased compared to previous years.

According to OCHA, of the more than $30 billion budget requested by the organisation for 2024, only 25 percent has been funded.

The UN's humanitarian coordination office is urging countries and aid organisations to continue their support through humanitarian aid distribution programmes in Afghanistan.

Amid the UN's concerns, several other aid organisations have also warned that Afghanistan is facing one of the world's largest and most complex humanitarian crises.

According to the latest World Bank report, three years after the Taliban's return to power, Afghanistan's economy has shown no growth and remains in a state of stagnation.

Monitoring agencies indicate that the Taliban's restrictions on women's activities, education, and employment have further exacerbated the economic situation in Afghanistan.

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