The statement from Haibatullah Akhunzada was posted on social media on Friday to commemorate “Victory Day,” four years after the chaotic United States and NATO withdrawal from the country, which ended more than 20 years of war and saw the Taliban retake Kabul. The warning served as a stark reminder of the sweeping restrictions and repression of rights—especially for women and girls—that have defined the Taliban’s rule, based on its strict interpretation of Islamic law.

 In his statement, Akhunzada said Afghans had endured decades of hardship in the name of establishing religious law, which he claimed had saved citizens from “corruption, oppression, usurpation, drugs, theft, robbery and plunder.” He added: “These are great divine blessings that our people should not forget and, during the commemoration of Victory Day, express great gratitude to Allah Almighty so that the blessings will increase. If, against God’s will, we fail to express gratitude for blessings and are ungrateful for them, we will be subjected to the severe punishment of Allah Almighty.”

 Akhunzada also instructed government ministers to remove the word “acting” from their job titles, signaling the consolidation of his administration’s rule amid a lack of internal opposition. Four years after its return to power, the Taliban government remains largely isolated internationally due to its harsh restrictions on rights. However, Russia became the first country to officially recognize the Taliban administration in early July.

 The Taliban also maintains close ties with China, the United Arab Emirates, and several Central Asian states, though none of them officially recognizes its government.

 Victory Day parades were planned in several Afghan cities on Friday. In Kabul, helicopters were scheduled to drop flowers across the city. Photos from an official ceremony in the capital showed a hall filled exclusively with male delegates.

 Instead of celebrating, members of the activist group United Afghan Women’s Movement for Freedom staged an indoor protest in the northeastern province of Takhar against the Taliban’s oppressive rule, The Associated Press reported. (Aljazeera)