Taliban marks independence anniversary with war-focused narrative
The Taliban administration marked the anniversary of independence with an emphasis on a wartime narrative.
In a statement issued on the occasion of the 107th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence, the Taliban administration congratulated citizens on the occasion and focused its version of independence on war and confrontation with foreign powers.
In the statement, the Taliban administration claimed that 107 years ago, Afghans, as a result of a “jihadist struggle,” forced Britain to recognise Afghanistan’s independence and hand over control of the country’s foreign policy to Afghans.
The Taliban administration also said in the statement that the people of Afghanistan later fought and prevailed against the Soviet Union and the United States. In the statement, the defeat of three major powers over a century was attributed to “divine victory” as well as the “faith, will and courage” of the people of Afghanistan.
The administration called on Afghanistan’s young and future generations to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and stand firm against any aggression and occupation.
The statement further said that this year’s 28 Asad is being commemorated four days after the fifth anniversary of the Taliban administration’s return to power was also marked.
In Afghanistan, 28 Asad is known as the anniversary of the restoration of independence, the day on which Afghanistan’s independence in foreign policy was recognised after the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
