The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Taliban group has declared Tuesday, August 15, as a holiday due to the two-year anniversary of Kabul's fall. This was reported by Daryo's correspondent in Afghanistan.
The Taliban stated that August 15 is Victory Day over the "American occupation" and its allies.
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban gained control of the Afghan capital city of Kabul through an offensive operation against government forces. The seizure of the city by the Taliban occurred just hours after the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, left the Presidential Palace and fled the country.
Prior to this, a significant portion of administrative centers in various regions of Afghanistan came under Taliban control during the withdrawal of U.S. forces, which was supposed to be completed by mid-September 2021.
On August 15, the Taliban leadership officially ordered their forces to cease advancing toward the gates of Kabul, stating they would not capture the city by force despite already entering its vicinity. Local residents reported that the Taliban were advancing into urban areas, contrary to their leaders' official statements.
There were reports of clashes, and the Taliban forces captured the Pul-e-Charkhi prison, freeing all prisoners, including members of ISIS and Al-Qaeda. The Taliban raised their flag in several city districts and compelled some police officers to surrender their weapons. They also seized the Bagram Air Base and the Parwan Detention Facility, which housed around 5,000 prisoners.
Thousands of people at Kabul airport on August 15-16 attempted to leave the country on military transport planes. Kabul airport became the focal point of the unfolding conflict. Thousands of Afghans tried to flee the country. In an attempt to restore order, U.S. military personnel fired shots into the air. Reports indicate five people died due to a stampede on the runway, and several others were killed after shots were fired.
Crowds of people attempted to board American military transport planes on the runway at Kabul airport. People climbed onto wings and landing gear. On August 16, a video emerged showing people falling from the aircraft of U.S. Air Force as it took off from Kabul airport.
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