Several Afghans killed in national flag-waving protests against Taliban

Gulf Today Report

In the first signs of popular opposition to the insurgents, flag-waving protesters took to several Afghan cities on Thursday, the protesters in Asadabad and Jalalabad were reportedly tearing down the white flags of the Taliban, in result several people were killed when Taliban fired on a crowd.

Despite the promise of peace in Afghanistan, the Taliban on Thursday fired on protesters, which led to a stampede, killing many. It isn’t clear whether the casualties resulted directly from the firing or the subsequent stampede.

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"Our flag our identity," a crowd of men and some women waving black, red and green national flags shouted in Kabul, a video clip posted on social media showed.

One woman walked with a flag wrapped around her shoulders. Afghanistan celebrates its 1919 independence from British control on Aug. 19.

A Taliban spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

In Asadabad, capital of Kunar province, several people were killed during a rally but it was not clear if the casualties resulted from the firing or from a stampede that it triggered, witness Mohammed Salim said.

"Hundreds of people came out on the streets," Salim said. "At first I was scared and didn't want to go but when I saw one of my neighbours joined in I took out the flag I have at home."

"Several people were killed and injured in the stampede and firing by the Taliban."

Protesters also took to the streets of the eastern city of Jalalabad and a district of Paktia province.