In the compound of the governor of Ghazni province, Afghanistan, a new historical exhibit has been unveiled before an enthusiastic audience of Taliban fighters – sections of the walls blown up from a former US military base.
A concrete slab is inscribed with the names and regiments of American soldiers who served in the province during America’s Longest War.
Like soldiers throughout history, American soldiers regularly inscribed their names on the walls of bases and the places they occupied.
But now the huge bloc is on public display – being used to reinforce the narrative of the Taliban toppling US-led forces after 20 years of fighting.
“We have to show this so that Afghans, the world and future generations know that we have defeated the Americans,” said Taliban provincial culture chief Mullah Habibullah Mujahid. AFP,
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“Even if they call themselves the greatest power in the world.” Taliban forces captured the city of Ghazni, 150 kilometers (95 mi) south of Kabul, three days before the capital’s fall on 15 August.
The region has a rich history spanning 3,500 years, and the Taliban are now busy writing the latest chapters with evidence of their military victories.
The setback comes as Afghanistan’s new ruler struggles to grow from an insurgency into a ruling power in a country on the verge of economic collapse, with the United Nations estimating that more than half the population faces acute hunger. Is.
In the streets outside the city of about 200,000, another unofficial exhibition has been erected to commemorate the Taliban’s victory.
Rusty piles of destroyed American armored vehicles are on display, their weapons removed, their tires flat and frayed.
Children climb over and over the rubble, which also contains the skeletons of abandoned Soviet tanks from Afghanistan’s decade-long occupation.
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That invasion ended in disgrace for the Soviet Union, and – with the defeat of British troops in the 19th century – Afghans look forward to reminding visitors that the country has now conquered three foreign empires.
“We are proud of our achievement when we look at it,” said Ozair, an 18-year-old Taliban fighter who, like many in the country, goes by only one name.
“We have shown that Afghans born here can defeat a powerful country, America,” he said.
Reminders and relics of two decades of the US-led occupation of Afghanistan are scattered across the country – some of them usable.
In the last chaotic days of the US-backed government, much of the military hardware gifted to the Afghan police and armed forces fell into the hands of the Taliban.
A storm of weapons, vehicles and uniforms have given the new rulers of Kabul the tangible spoils of victory.
But turning those trophies into a credible tribute to the Taliban’s return to power remains a challenge.
Standing on the walls of the blast, Mullah Habibullah Mujahid claimed that the 20 or so names included “important commanders and generals” killed in the war.
However, the enlisted ranks were all juniors – and none are named on the database of Americans killed in battle.