A number of people protested in Kabul on Tuesday to call on the United States to release Afghanistan’s frozen bank assets and prevent the economic collapse of the country.
Videos from the protest show a few hundred people rallying towards the empty U.S. embassy compound in Kabul, carrying slogans that read “Give us our frozen money!” and “Let us eat!”
The pro-Taliban protesters also chanted “Death to America!”
Unlike the suppression of other civil protests, the Taliban officials and social media activists widely campaigned for the gathering and their foot soldiers provided them with security.
More than 9 billion dollars from the Afghan central bank is parked outside Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country in August that led to a chaotic withdrawal of the international forces.
The Taliban’s de facto government is suffering financially and is unable to provide basic services.
The country’s economy is in free fall. Millions of Afghans have lost their main source of income.
No country has recognized the Taliban regime yet.
The international community has repeatedly called on the Taliban to respect women and human rights and form an inclusive government in return for international recognition, but the hardliners keep ignoring them.
Observers believe the Taliban are using starving Afghans not just to extort money out of other countries but also to establish recognition of their regime. (dpa/NAN)
