August 17, 2021, 11:35 PM
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Several surreal images of the Taliban enjoying themselves after capturing the Afghanistan's capital of Kabul have emerged on social media.
One video showed the Taliban fighters driving bumper cars at an amusement park, with some of the fighters still carrying their rifles.
🇦🇫 · #Taliban playing bumper cars, I think it is the most surreal image we can see of the conflict in #Afghanistan and the fall of #Kabul pic.twitter.com/eNcK76BIi4
— Iván Esteve (@EsteveGirbes01) August 16, 2021
Another video put up by French media outlet Mediavenir showed the Taliban fighters riding a merry-go-round, reportedly at the same park.
🇦🇫 #Afghanistan : d’autres images de la prise de contrôle du parc par les #talibans. (témoins) #Kabul #Kaboul pic.twitter.com/oqzb07KOLb
— Mediavenir (@Mediavenir) August 16, 2021
Working out at a gym
A third video put up by Lebanese media Mulhak showed the Taliban exercising at a gym, which was supposedly located within the presidential palace in Kabul.
عناصر "#طالبان" يمارسون الرياضة في قاعة جيم بالقصر الرئاسي في #كابل pic.twitter.com/A2ZraOqHtm
— Mulhak - ملحق (@Mulhak) August 16, 2021
It is unclear as to when all three videos were taken.
In addition, a fourth video by Syrian activist Asaad Hanna also went viral, showing the Taliban fighters laughing while jumping on a trampoline.
Taliban's terrorists right now: pic.twitter.com/2F8qHzw6No
— Asaad Sam Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) August 16, 2021
However, another Twitter user pointed out that the video had been first uploaded 11 months ago to YouTube, under the title "taliban first time trampoline 😂‼️"
video is from 11 months ago! https://t.co/ltAq3yWQP9
— Kelly666 (@Kelly666) August 17, 2021
Taliban: We want women to join our government
AP News reported that the Taliban have since declared an "amnesty" across the country and called on women to join the government.
However, many Afghans fear a return to the harsh rule of the group which saw stonings, amputations and public executions during their initial rule from 1996 to 2001.
Women were also barred from working, attending school and had to wear a burqa while accompanied by a male relative if they went outside.
Some residents of Kabul have stayed home, fearful of the militants, while the city's airport has since become a scene of chaos, with at least seven people dying so far.
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Top screenshot via Ivan Esteve Twitter
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