Taliban marks fourth anniversary of return to power with internal threats

A man shouts praises to God and pro-Taliban slogans at a meeting in Kabul commemorating the fourth anniversary of the return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan [Siddiqullah Alizai/AP]

The Taliban’s leader has warned that Afghans ungrateful for its hardline rule will be severely punished by God in a statement marking the fourth anniversary of the group’s return to power.

The statement from Haibatullah Akhunzada was made in a social media post on Friday to commemorate “Victory Day”, four years on from the chaotic United States and NATO withdrawal from the country after more than 20 years of war as the Taliban retook the capital, Kabul.