The Taliban have also been pictured trying out gym equipment at the presidential palace
As horrifying scenes of desperate Afghans clinging to planes and risking their lives to flee their homeland emerged on Monday, videos of a very different kind also started appearing on social media.
That of the Taliban, seemingly enjoying themselves in the aftermath of taking back control of Afghanistan, as if it was just any other day. It’s a surreal picture under the new regime so far.
https://twitter.com/HAvni2861/status/1427551261818302469
In one video, numerous Taliban fighters are seen on a children’s merry-go-round. Sitting on the miniature horses, the group enjoys the ride before letting other group members have a go. “I don’t (know) whether to laugh or cry,” says one confused Twitter user.
In another video, which currently has thousands of likes and shares, the Taliban are seen to be testing out their newly acquired gym equipment from the Presidential Palace. President Ashraf Ghani fled the capital as Kabul was flooded with insurgents, leaving the palace and its gym free for taking.
https://twitter.com/Terrence_STR/status/1427473597703114754
The Taliban have even been pictured trying out bumper cars. The images of the insurgents enjoying activities usually crowded with Afghan citizens is undeniably difficult to watch. It’s the outright flippant way in which they are conducting themselves just a day or so into their rule that is truly galling.
🇦🇫 · #Taliban playing bumper cars, I think it is the most surreal image we can see of the conflict in #Afghanistan and the fall of #Kabul pic.twitter.com/eNcK76BIi4
— Iván Esteve (@EsteveGirbes_EU) August 16, 2021
While there is nothing sinister in the Taliban having fun at an amusement park, concerns have been raised that the footage is being used to humanise the military group.
There are also concerns about what else the group are set to inherit from the cities defences – such as weapons, aircraft and vehicles supplied by the US.
Helicopters aren’t the only thing the Taliban will inherit when they eventually take Kabul airport pic.twitter.com/0Y6idyGbKj
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) August 15, 2021
Not only did the West remove themselves from the conflict, but their funding has supplied the Taliban regime with an incredible array of military equipment.
Large parts of the west are pointing the finger at the Afghan army they pumped money into, claiming that their lack of willpower and drive ultimately handed over the nation to the Taliban. “Money can’t buy will. You cannot purchase leadership,” John Kirby – chief spokesman for the US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin – said on Monday.
The Taliban get some new toys …………. pic.twitter.com/TVGgaHnfcj
— DEX (@DEX45822297) August 15, 2021
With Kabul now a ghost town, a large portion of its people having fled or hiding, the Taliban are not only free to enforce their ideals, but also enjoy their success. With America choosing to wash its hands of the situation, and the UK’s parliament not meeting until tomorrow, the bleak future of the Afghan people is increasingly uncertain.
Related links:
- At least five dead amid Kabul airport chaos as Taliban takes capital
- Taliban enter outskirts of Kabul in move to retake whole of Afghanistan
- Last remaining British troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan
