Afghanistan Celebrates Independence Day With Military Parade

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Source: AP

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Afghanistan celebrated its independence from British rule Sunday with a military parade and colorful display of national dresses on the grounds of a stadium once used by the Taliban for public executions.

Taliban leader Mullah Omar, meanwhile, called on the people to join militants in their attempts to oust government of President Hamid Karzai and its foreign backers.
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Despite the presence of nearly 50,000 foreign troops in the country, violence has risen sharply during the last two months. This year more than 3,700 people - most of them militants - have died, according to an Associated Press tally of casualty figures provided by Western and Afghan officials.

Mullah Omar, the elusive Taliban leader who have been in hiding since the hard-line regime was ousted from power, also issued a statement marking the independence day and calling on the people to join the militant movement as it tries to oust the U.S.-backed Karzai's government.



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How strangely ironic is this celebration. With (old invaders) western troops defending the Country from Talibans and Talibans celebrating the day against the western troops.

Here are the figures of the fallen - the ones whose memory should be celebrated:

11000 dead people since 2002. 6000 in the year 2006 alone.
2.970 dead since the beginning of 2007 (562 civilians, 1.887 talibans or supposed talibans, 422 afghan soldiers, 94 Nato Soldiers).

(Figures source: Peacereporter)