Taliban firmly in charge as Afghans mark muted 9/11 anniversary

Hundreds of fully veiled women stage a rally at a Kabul university to profess support for the Taliban

KABUL:

Afghanistan marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in muted fashion on Saturday with the Taliban firmly in charge, two decades after being ousted for hosting the architects of the US attacks.

The hardline group retook power on August 15, after a lightning offensive that capitalised on the chaotic last weeks of the 20-year US-led occupation that followed the deadly 2001 attacks.

In a sign that things were returning to normal, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said it would resume flights to Kabul from Monday, the first foreign commercial service since the Taliban seized power last month.

And in a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt, hundreds of fully veiled women staged a rally at a Kabul university to profess support for the Taliban, just days after public protests against their rule were banned.

Made us suffer

Unconfirmed reports had circulated all week that the Taliban may use the September 11 anniversary to swear in their new government, but the day unfolded without formal recognition.

"This is a day for America, not for Afghanistan," said Muhammad Alzoad, a bank clerk.

"This was nothing to do with Afghanistan, but it made us suffer."

The attacks against the United States were planned by al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who had taken refuge in Afghanistan after the Taliban took power in 1996.

When the Taliban refused to hand him over, the US led a massive invasion and installed a new government that became utterly dependent on Western aid and support for survival.

The Taliban have promised a milder form of rule this time, but have moved swiftly to crush dissent — firing in the air to disperse protests by women last week calling for the right to education and work.

Protests blocked

Taliban fighters have violently put down protests that broke out against their rule in Kabul and elsewhere in recent days, shooting two people dead.

They also detained and brutally beat some journalists who covered the protests, before outlawing demonstrations unless permitted by the justice department.

On Saturday, however, dozens of women dressed head-to-toe in black abayas and face-covering niqabs were allowed to rally in support of the Taliban.

Around 300 similarly dressed women first met at a lecture hall of a Kabul university to hear speakers extol the virtues of Taliban policies.

Women were largely excluded from public life — including work and education — under the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime.

This time, the Taliban have said women will be allowed to attend university as long as classes are segregated by sex or at least divided by a curtain.

"Those not wearing the hijab are harming all of us," said one female speaker on Saturday, referring to the headscarves worn by many Muslim women.

"We are supporting our government with all our strength," said another.

After the speeches, the women held banners and walked in organised lines for a short distance on the street outside, flanked by Taliban soldiers carrying rifles and machine guns.