KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - Afghanistan's supreme leader appeared publicly for only the second time in six years on Sunday , telling worshippers celebrating Eid al-Fitr the Taliban had achieved freedom and security since seizing power last year.
"Congratulations on victory, freedom and success," he told thousands of worshippers at the Eidgah mosque in the southern city of Kandahar, the hardline Islamist group's de facto power centre.While the number of bombings across the country has dropped since Kabul fell to the Taliban last August, attacks soared over the final two weeks of the fasting month of Ramadan, which ended Saturday for Afghans.
Akhundzada delivered his brief address from one of the front rows of worshippers in Kandahar without turning to face the crowd, according to social media posts. Taliban officials did not allow journalists to approach him, an AFP correspondent reported.It was Akhundzada's second known public appearance since taking control of the Taliban in 2016.
His public profile has largely been limited to the release of messages during Islamic holidays, and Akhundzada is believed to spend most of his time in Kandahar.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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