Description
A group of Afghans wave the black, red and green flags over their vehicles in the streets of Kabul to mark the country's Independence Day on 19 August, just days after the Taliban seized power and raised their own white standard over government buildings.
The latest Afghan national flag was adopted in 2013 and features three vertical bands of black, red and green, with the national emblem printed in white. In contrast, the Taliban flag is a plain white banner inscribed with the Islamic declaration of faith -- now a familiar pennant since the group's lightning-fast takeover of the country following a simmering 20-year insurgency.
On Wednesday, Taliban fighters fired shots to disperse dozens of Afghans in Jalalabad who waved the flag ahead of national day.
There were also unconfirmed reports on of shots fired in Kunar Thursday and Twitter showed several cars and motorbikes racing through a suburb while flying flags.
Social media also showed a crowd cheering a man scurrying up a pole in Abdul Haq Square -- also in Kabul -- before tying the flag to the top. IMAGES