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KABUL – On the fourth anniversary of the NATO and U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a stark warning to Afghans, threatening “divine punishment” for those who are ungrateful for the group’s rule.
In a rare public statement, Akhundzada claimed that Afghans had endured decades of hardship to establish the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law, known as Sharia, which he said had protected the population from “corruption, oppression, usurpation, drugs, theft, robbery, and plunder.”
“These are great divine blessings that our people should not forget,” he said, urging citizens to express gratitude to God during the commemoration of Victory Day so that these blessings would continue.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions in the country, where many Afghans struggle under the Taliban’s strict governance and economic instability. Despite the celebrations and displays of loyalty in Kabul, a growing segment of the population remains wary of the regime’s rigid control and its impact on daily life.
Taliban flags were seen being sold across the capital ahead of the anniversary, reflecting both the official pageantry and the regime’s efforts to consolidate public support. Analysts say the message is part of a broader strategy to reinforce the Taliban’s ideological authority and deter dissent four years after the group returned to power.
