| Translate This News In |
|---|
Ghazni: A new historical display — portions of blast walls from a previous US military installation — is exhibited in the governor’s compound of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province before a rapt crowd of Taliban fighters.
The names and battalions of US servicemen who served in the area during the country’s longest conflict are written on one concrete block.
US forces, like soldiers throughout history, drew their names on the walls of the bases and fixed positions they occupied on a regular basis.
However, the colossal structure is now on display, bolstering the Taliban’s claim that they have defeated US-led forces after 20 years of combat.
“We have to demonstrate this so that Afghans, the rest of the world, and future generations know we destroyed the Americans,” Mullah Habibullah Mujahid, the Taliban province’s culture commander, told AFP.
“Even if they called themselves the world’s biggest power.”
Ghazni, 150 kilometres (95 miles) south of Kabul, was taken by Taliban forces three days before the capital fell on August 15.
The territory has a 3,500-year history, and the Taliban are currently working on the latest chapter, which will include confirmation of their military victory.
The propaganda campaign comes as Afghanistan’s new rulers try to transition from insurgency to governing power in a country on the verge of economic collapse, with the UN estimating that more than half of the population is starving.
Another informal memorial to the Taliban victory has been created on the outskirts of the almost 200,000-strong city.
On exhibit are rusted hulks of damaged American armoured vehicles, their armaments removed and their tyres flat and frayed.
Children scramble around and over the wreckage, which includes remains of abandoned Soviet tanks from Afghanistan’s decade-long occupation.
The Soviet invasion ended in humiliation, and Afghans are quick to point out that the country has already defeated three foreign empires, including the British in the nineteenth century.
“When we witness this, we are happy of our accomplishment,” said 18-year-old Taliban fighter Ozair, who goes by one name like many others in the nation.
“We demonstrated that Afghans born here could defeat a powerful country,” he said as he looked over the crumpled humvees and burnt troop carriers.
There are reminders and artefacts of the US-led occupation of Afghanistan strewn across the country, some of which can be used.
During the last tumultuous days of the US-backed government in Afghanistan, most military hardware sent to Afghan police and armed personnel ended up in the hands of the Taliban.
The new rulers of Kabul have tangible trophies of victory thanks to a windfall of guns, trucks, and uniforms.
However, turning those trophies into a genuine tribute to the Taliban’s re-accession to power remains a difficult task.
Mullah Habibullah Mujahid, standing near the blast walls, stated that the 20 or so names etched included “major commanders and generals” fallen in fighting.
The ranks listed, however, were all junior, and none of the names appear in wartime American casualty files.
