Afghanistan: Taliban occupy Kabul airport and celebrate end of US occupation | “We are happy that they are gone”

The the taliban celebrated this Tuesday the end of 20 years of American occupation with a parade at Kabul airport. The armed group, which took power two weeks ago, declared Afghanistan’s “complete independence” and promised to form an “inclusive” Islamic government. United States, during, moves its diplomatic headquarters to Qatar.

“The invaders must know that Afghanistan is not a place for them”

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid celebrated that Afghanistan had finally succeeded in “gaining its independence from foreign forces”.

“The invaders must know that Afghanistan is not the place for them, they made a mistake coming here, we are glad they left”, the spokesperson said at a press conference after the last American plane left.

Kabul airport control

International airport, scene of the Taliban celebrations, had been dismantled by the US military Disabled: 73 planes, 70 MRAP armored vehicles resistant to anti-personnel mines, 27 Humvee vehicles and the anti-missile defense system which on Monday stopped five rockets fired by the Islamic State group (IS-K) against the airport.

“Good relations with the United States”

Mujahid promised “Building a system that will represent Afghan and Islamic values” and called on the members of his forces to “be educated and behave well” with the citizens, because after 20 years of war “the nation has the right to a peaceful life, breathe calmly ”.

“We are to be the servants of the nation, not of its dynasty,” he said.

In addition, Mujahid praised his fighters for the rapid seizure of power. “It is thanks to their sacrifices that today we have achieved independence. I want to congratulate you all and our nation on this independence. We hope that Afghanistan will never be occupied again and will remain independent, prosperous and home to Afghans under an Islamic system, ”he said.

The spokesman assured that the Taliban wish to maintain “good relations with the United States” in the future.

US moves diplomats to Qatar

For its part, State Secretary Antony Blinken, announced on Monday that Washington to transfer its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan to Qatar and this will be the responsibility of Ross Wilson, who had been charge d’affaires at the embassy in Kabul.

“A new episode in US relations with Afghanistan has begun. The military mission is over. A new diplomatic mission has started “the official said and clarified that foreign policy with the country will focus on continuing its “unremitting efforts” to help the 200 Americans, as well as foreigners and Afghans, who wish to leave Afghanistan.

According to Blinken, another priority from the administration of President Joe Biden is that the Taliban fulfill their commitment to allow people who wish to travel outside the country. “They are committed to letting anyone with the appropriate documents leave the country in a safe and orderly manner,” he said.

Flights from Afghanistan

The Secretary of State met on Monday virtually the foreign ministers of the United States, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Qatar, as well as the Union European Union (EU) and NATO with the aim of working together “to facilitate safe travel outside of Afghanistan”

“This would allow a small number of daily charter flights, which is essential for anyone wishing to leave Afghanistan,” he said.

The relationship between the Taliban and Washington

The Taliban also pledged to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghanistan as a base of operations that could threaten the United States, but Blinken admitted that the United States would remain “vigilant” for any possible non-compliance. .

“If we can work with the new Afghan government in a way that helps protect those interests – including the safe return of Mark Frerichs, a US citizen held hostage in the region since early last year – and in a way that brings more stability, then we will, ”he said.

Despite this, the Secretary of State warned that every step the United States takes in this direction It will not be based on “what the Taliban government says, but on what it is doing to keep its commitments”.