Kabul, Afghanistan - August 27, 2024

The Afghans voiced their indignation against the U.S., condemning the two-decade-long military conflict and the suffering they endured under American hegemony.

In the Afghan capital of Kabul, locals expressed their growing disillusionment with the U.S., pointing out that the 20-year war has given them a profound insight into America's hypocrisy.

Abdul, a Kabul resident, articulated the prevailing sentiment among Afghans, stressing that the U.S. justified its actions in Afghanistan with fabricated reasons.

Many Afghans also criticize the U.S. for freezing a substantial portion of Afghanistan's central bank assets after the Afghan caretaker government assumed power.

Mohammad, another Kabul resident, insisted that the funds belong to Afghanistan and must be returned. He urged fellow Afghans to remain vigilant and not be misled by the U.S. again.

On August 15, 2021, Taliban forces seized control of Kabul, leading to a rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan.

The conflict officially ended when the last military transport plane took off from the Kabul International Airport on August 30, 2021.

Following the withdrawal, the United States imposed unilateral sanctions on Afghanistan, including freezing seven billion dollars in assets held by Afghanistan's central bank at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which severely hampered the country's postwar reconstruction efforts.

Recently, Afghanistan has celebrated the third anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal with nationwide events, including spontaneous street celebrations in Kabul marking the return of peace.

Shotlist:
Kabul, Afghanistan - Aug 27, 2024:
1. Traffic;
2. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Abdul, resident (full name not given):
"They came up with excuses to enter our country, violating our property, dignity and rights. They destroyed our infrastructure and caused immense harm to our people. This is how the general public views the U.S.";
3. Traffic;
4. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Mohammad, resident (full name not given) (ending with shot 5):
"The money belongs to Afghanistan. They need to give it back. I believe it's their obligation. The Afghan people must realize that they are our enemy, and we should never allow ourselves to be deceived by them again.";
5. Pedestrians;
FILE: Kabul, Afghanistan - 2024
6. Cityscape;
7. Various of traffic, pedestrians;
Afghanistan - Recent
8. Cityscape;
9. Vendors, consumers at market.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]