New Delhi: The Taliban Thursday released a video of its suicide bombers taking part in a parade at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan. In the video, which was was aired on Afghan National Television, the suicide bombers were seen carrying the Taliban flag, and being referred to as ‘martyrdom-seekers squadron’.
#AFG Disturbing display on State Radio Television of Taliban’s Arsenal of suicide vests, car bombs and road side bombs. Lethal weapons for Taliban but they did murder thousands of Afghan civilians including women and children across Afghanistan over the last 20 years. pic.twitter.com/nt5azZLtU6
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) September 2, 2021
The parade also showcased suicide vests, explosives, guns and rockets. Also part of the weaponry that was displayed were mines, car bombs and yellow barrels.
The video said these weapons were used “against invaders and their puppets in defence of independence and dear country”.
It then went on to explain how the yellow barrels, car bombs and suicide vests were used to “attack and destory the enemy’.
‘Disturbing display’
Many social media users called out the “disturbing display on state radio television” and highlighted how all the weaponry and machinery had been used by the Taliban over the last 20 years, killing thousands of Afghan civilians, including women and children.
#AFG Disturbing display on State Radio Television of Taliban’s Arsenal of suicide vests, car bombs and road side bombs. Lethal weapons for Taliban but they did murder thousands of Afghan civilians including women and children across Afghanistan over the last 20 years. pic.twitter.com/nt5azZLtU6
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) September 2, 2021
Let it sink in. This is Taliban on Afghan National Television broadcasting an official military parade with car bombs, suicide vests, rockets & barrel bombs on display which were used to kill thousands of innocent Afghan children, women & men over last two decades in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/mNTmdEQ2Xq
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 2, 2021
Afghan activist Omaid H. Sharifi said the video reminded him of the dear ones he lost to these weapons.
Car bombs, land mines, suicide vests, rockets; #Taliban parading their military equipment that killed and injured thousands of innocent Afghans all over #Afghanistan, it destroyed our viral infrastructure. Watching these items reminded me of the dear ones I lost to these weapons. https://t.co/BOgIKAxvit
— Omaid H. Sharifi-امید حفیظه شریفی (@OmaidSharifi) September 2, 2021
The Taliban took control of Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, on 15 August after the US decided to withdraw its troops, ending the two-decade war. The US officially ended its military presence in Afghanistan on 31 August with the final flight out of Kabul.
Also read: Tolo woman journalist who interviewed Taliban flees Afghanistan before US completes pullout