Afghanistan has not simply disappeared merely because the US forces, which had controlled considerable parts of it since 2001, have now left, Amrullah Saleh, the former Vice-President of the war-torn country, has said. The Taliban's takeover earlier this month only reflects on the "superpower's" own stature, according to him.
In a Twitter post, Mr Saleh, the self-proclaimed "caretaker" President of Afghanistan, mocked the US, dubbing it "mini power", for apparently leaving his country in trouble.
"The Taliban are an unpopular proxy force and hated. That is why the whole country wants to escape from them. A superpower decided to be mini power. That is OK."
Afgh wasn't packed & put in the bag of the last US solider The country is here. D rivers are flowing & d mountains are majestic. Talibs R an unpopular proxy force & hated that is why the whole country wants to escape from them. A super power decided to be mini power that is OK. https://t.co/5cDR1lTNz3
— Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) August 31, 2021
The former Vice-President posted his comments, quoting Canadian columnisy Tarek Fateh's tweet that carried a video of one of Mr Saleh's television interviews.
This is a leader. An Afghan, true to his land and his people. This is why @AmrullahSaleh2 inspires so many as their leader and keeps their hopes alive. pic.twitter.com/LGlo8vDKXz
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) August 29, 2021
His comments today came a day after the last US soldier left Afghan soil, ending nearly 20 years of direct US role in the country.
The last days of the US presence, which also saw the Taliban terrorists' abrupt take over of power, were chaotic with hundreds of people -- Afghans and others -- looking to make their way out of the country fearing reprisal from the Islamists. Scores of people have been killed in violence, including suicide bombings and gunfire, and in trying to flee the country.
In the television interview cited by Mr Fateh, too, Mr Saleh is seen saying that even if the US forces leave, people like him would continue to fight the Taliban terrorists since they cannot abandon their own country.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
