On the third anniversary of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the group has forced shopkeepers in several provinces to install the Taliban flag on their stores.
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.
