#DoNotChangeNationalFlag social media campaign gathers pace among Afghans (VIDEO)

Kabul: As Afghanistan under the shadow of the Taliban celebrates the 102nd anniversary of its independence on Thursday, a social media campaign has caught on with many voicing support for the national flag and many in favour of the Taliban flag.

The campaign #DoNotChangeNationalFlag saw many support the red, green and black national flag, which has been removed by the Taliban across the country and replaced with the white flag of the fundamentalist group.

On Thursday, protesters in Kabul waved the national flag and chanted “Long Live Afghanistan”.

Separately, in Kabul, many youth sported white bandanas with the Taliban banner.

The Taliban white banner has the writing in Arabic “La ilah ila Allah, Mohammad rasoul Allah” (There is no god but God and Muhammad is God’s messenger), according to some websites.

Many twitterati in support of the national flag, said “I love Afghanistan, I love my flag”, while those in support of the Taliban flag, said “Love this flag ...representative of Islamic state Afghanistan”.

Separately, Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the Supreme National Reconciliation Council, and former President Hamid Karzai met with Pakistani Ambassador Mansour Ahmad Khan on Thursday.

“The current situation in the country and the inclusive political process with national and international legitimacy were discussed at the meeting,” Karzai posted on Twitter.

The Taliban on Thursday declared the formation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of the country’s independence.

The announcement was made by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Muhaid on his Twitter account.

“Declaration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of the country's independence from British rule,” he posted.

The Taliban took over the country on Sunday, leading to President Ashraf Ghani fleeing Kabul. 

Three people killed after Taliban target car covered with Afghan flags in Kunar

Three people got killed after the Taliban members shelled a car covered in national Afghan flags in the Kunar province on Thursday, a source told Sputnik.

The incident occurred in Asadabad, the provincial capital.

Four people killed in Taliban fire at independence day celebrations in Jalalabad

At least four people were killed when the Taliban opened fire to disperse a crowd at the celebrations of the Afghan Independence Day in Jalalabad, the capital of the eastern Nangarhar province, on Thursday, a source told Sputnik.

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#Talibans shooting civilians for carrying Afg flag with themselves on the independence day of Afg in #Jalalabad #SanctionPakistan #SanctionTaliban #TalibanTakesOver #TalibanTakeover#TalibanDestroyingAfghanistan pic.twitter.com/usGHnG5PAe

— Afghan Malang (@AfghanMalang8) August 19, 2021 >

Three more people were seized hostage.(UNI)