In a first, more than 1,000 Taliban militants rallied in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul for a show of strength.<o:p></o:p>

Taliban officials and commanders led a huge rally of men and young boys who have pledged their lives to Taliban and their principles. Nearly 1,000 militants attended the rally at the Kohdaman township in the outskirts of the capital city.<o:p></o:p>

This was the first time such a rally had been organised by the terrorist group since the group took control of Afghanistan on August 16, 2021.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-army-vs-pakistan-army-how-two-military-forces-stack-up-against-each-other-417849">India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other</a></o:p>

Militants were seen dressed in combat gear, majority of which was left by the US army. These fighters were seen carrying rifles and other weapons and waved black and white Taliban flags.

The rally was a show of strength and unity by the terrorist group which some believe might be a way of showing that all is well within the terrorist group.

Taliban began this rally by carrying out a procession in which militants marched with Taliban flags and weapons such as assault rifles, rocket launchers and more.

<o:p><img alt="Taliban rally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d94d7583-47cb-4799-8139-89a253c49744" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Taliban%20rally.jpg" /></o:p><o:p></o:p>

To add on the armed demonstration, songs about the victories of the terrorist group echoed around the venue on loudspeakers.<o:p></o:p>

"America is defeated, impossible, impossible -- but possible!" one song said.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

People in plain clothes also chanted pro-Taliban slogans and sounds of "Allahu Akbar" were heard from militants and Taliban supporters.<o:p></o:p>

This has come at a time when Afghanistan locals have been fighting for their rights on a daily basis, especially women. In almost all of recent announcements, Taliban has kept women away from schools, jobs and women have been protesting against these restrictions that are hindering with their rights.<o:p></o:p>

While Taliban claim they are adopting a more humane and advanced approach, last week Taliban militants opened fired and violently pushed women protestors who were marching in the capital city for their right to study and participate in high school.<o:p></o:p>

In a first, more than 1,000 Taliban militants rallied in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul for a show of strength. Taliban officials and commanders led a huge rally of men and young boys who have pledged their lives to Taliban and their principles.

In a first, more than 1,000 Taliban militants rallied in Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul for a show of strength. Taliban officials and commanders led a huge rally of men and young boys who have pledged their lives to Taliban and their principles. Nearly 1,000 militants attended the rally at the Kohdaman township in the outskirts of the capital city. This was the first time such a rally had been organised by the terrorist group since the group took control of Afghanistan on August 16, 2021. Also read | India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other Militants were seen dressed in combat gear, majority of which was left by the US army. These fighters were seen carrying rifles and other weapons and waved black and white Taliban flags. The rally was a show of strength and unity by the terrorist group which some believe might be a way of showing that all is well within the terrorist group. Taliban began this rally by carrying out a procession in which militants marched with Taliban flags and weapons such as assault rifles, rocket launchers and more. To add on the armed demonstration, songs about the victories of the terrorist group echoed around the venue on loudspeakers. "America is defeated, impossible, impossible -- but possible!" one song said. People in plain clothes also chanted pro-Taliban slogans and sounds of "Allahu Akbar" were heard from militants and Taliban supporters. This has come at a time when Afghanistan locals have been fighting for their rights on a daily basis, especially women. In almost all of recent announcements, Taliban has kept women away from schools, jobs and women have been protesting against these restrictions that are hindering with their rights. While Taliban claim they are adopting a more humane and advanced approach, last week Taliban militants opened fired and violently pushed women protestors who were marching in the capital city for their right to study and participate in high school.

Nearly 1,000 Taliban militants rally in Kabul to show power and unity

Afghan karate champion Meena Asadi pounds the heavy bag as part of her training routine, but she fears female athletes still in her homeland may have already lost their fight to compete now that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-nato-pledges-to-speed-evacuations-as-criticism-mounts-407020">Taliban</a> are back in power.

Meena left Afghanistan when she was 12 and went to Pakistan, where she started karate training and later represented Afghanistan in the 2010 South Asian Games.

She returned to Kabul the next year and opened a fight club, but was forced to flee a second time due to violence and ended up in Indonesia with her husband and then 1-year-old daughter.

"I feel miserable. I lost my hope and the people of my country lost their hope, too," Meena told Reuters in a studio in Cisarua, a town south of Jakarta where she teaches karate to refugees who, like her, hope to resettle in a third country.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-talibans-takeover-former-afghan-womens-football-captain-urges-players-to-burn-kits-406926">After Taliban's takeover, former Afghan women's football captain urges players to burn kits</a>

When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, their strict interpretation of Islamic law - sometimes brutally enforced - dictated that women could not work and girls could not go to school. Women had to cover their faces and be accompanied by a male relative to venture out of their homes.

With the Taliban back in Kabul, Meena is fearful of what that means for the progress made by her compatriots.

Watch: Afghan women lead anti-Taliban protests

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"All the achievement and values are destroyed, and this would be a dark moment for the people, especially for women and girls," said the 28-year-old, who is also a member of the Hazara minority.

This week, taekwondo athlete Zakia Khudadadi had her dreams shattered of becoming Afghanistan's first female competitor at the Paralympic Games due to the turmoil in Kabul.

"Everything is finished for women athletes," said Meena, who was the sole female athlete representing Afghanistan at the 2012 South Asian Karate Championship, where she won two silver medals.

Taliban leaders have tried to reassure Afghans and the international community that girls and women would have the right to an education and to work, but Meena and others are sceptical.

"They are the extremist party, and they don't believe in human rights or rights of women," said Meena.

Already there have been reports that some women were ordered from their jobs as the Taliban advanced across Afghanistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

"They will never change ... they are the same Taliban."

The majority of Afghan refugees in Indonesia are Hazara, who have been targeted for decades by Sunni militants, including the Taliban and Islamic State, for their ethnicity and mostly Shi'ite religious beliefs.

Afghan karate champion Meena Asadi pounds the heavy bag as part of her training routine, but she fears female athletes still in her homeland may have already lost their fight to compete now that the Taliban are back in power.

Afghan karate champion Meena Asadi pounds the heavy bag as part of her training routine, but she fears female athletes still in her homeland may have already lost their fight to compete now that the Taliban are back in power. Meena left Afghanistan when she was 12 and went to Pakistan, where she started karate training and later represented Afghanistan in the 2010 South Asian Games. She returned to Kabul the next year and opened a fight club, but was forced to flee a second time due to violence and ended up in Indonesia with her husband and then 1-year-old daughter. "I feel miserable. I lost my hope and the people of my country lost their hope, too," Meena told Reuters in a studio in Cisarua, a town south of Jakarta where she teaches karate to refugees who, like her, hope to resettle in a third country. ALSO READ | After Taliban's takeover, former Afghan women's football captain urges players to burn kits When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, their strict interpretation of Islamic law - sometimes brutally enforced - dictated that women could not work and girls could not go to school. Women had to cover their faces and be accompanied by a male relative to venture out of their homes. With the Taliban back in Kabul, Meena is fearful of what that means for the progress made by her compatriots. Watch: Afghan women lead anti-Taliban protests × "All the achievement and values are destroyed, and this would be a dark moment for the people, especially for women and girls," said the 28-year-old, who is also a member of the Hazara minority. This week, taekwondo athlete Zakia Khudadadi had her dreams shattered of becoming Afghanistan's first female competitor at the Paralympic Games due to the turmoil in Kabul. "Everything is finished for women athletes," said Meena, who was the sole female athlete representing Afghanistan at the 2012 South Asian Karate Championship, where she won two silver medals. Taliban leaders have tried to reassure Afghans and the international community that girls and women would have the right to an education and to work, but Meena and others are sceptical. "They are the extremist party, and they don't believe in human rights or rights of women," said Meena. Already there have been reports that some women were ordered from their jobs as the Taliban advanced across Afghanistan. "They will never change ... they are the same Taliban." The majority of Afghan refugees in Indonesia are Hazara, who have been targeted for decades by Sunni militants, including the Taliban and Islamic State, for their ethnicity and mostly Shi'ite religious beliefs.

'I feel miserable': Afghan karate champion fears it's game over for female athletes

Afghanistan's former women's football captain Khalida Popal on Wednesday said worries about the safety of the country's female players have left her unable to sleep since the Taliban returned to power.

Popal, 34, was granted asylum in Denmark in 2016, and considers herself "privileged" not to have to now seek safe haven from the hardline Islamists.

The team which Popal helped create in 2007 is made up of foreign- and Afghanistan-based players, with the threat of reprisals against those still in the country high given their previous high-profile criticisms of the regime.

Gunmen are already being sent house to house searching for "enemies", she said, despite the group's attempt to ease concerns of a return to brutal oppression.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/please-hold-my-hand-and-help-me-afghan-athlete-wants-to-participate-in-tokyo-paralympics-issues-plea-for-help-406477">'Please hold my hand and help me': Afghan athlete wants to participate in Tokyo Paralympics, issues plea for help</a>

Her own family in the western city of Herat have already recounted a change, she said.

"Women family members of mine that have been out in the street have either been told to turn round and go home and not go to school or been beaten," she told AFP by phone from Copenhagen.

No protection

But Popal, who is now the women's team director, said the women footballers risk far worse.

"I was one of the main people in the Afghan association who founded the women's team with the purpose to stand together as women of Afghanistan and use football as an avenue of activism," she said.

"We wanted to give the message to the world and to the Taliban that we (women) are not weak, you may kill our sisters but we will show you we are with them.

"These are young girls who went on social media and publicly said the Taliban was the enemy.

"My players are now seeing that armed enemy outside their doors and windows and they are scared as to what will happen to them."

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/fall-of-kabul-striking-photos-point-to-uncertain-future-406352">Fall of Kabul: Striking photos point to uncertain future</a>

Popal described the situation as "heartbreaking" and said players were struggling to understand how they had been left by the pull-out of US-led international forces.

"When they call me or send voice messages to me they are saying, 'Why have they (the West) betrayed us? Why have politicians abandoned the women of Afghanistan? What have we done wrong?'" she said.

With access to Kabul airport blocked and also unlikely the players would be accepted for immediate evacuation, Popal said help for them within the country is not evident either.

"At the moment those players living in the country are moving from one spot to another," she said.

"The scary thing is nobody wants to give them protection because the Taliban are striking fear into them saying, 'If you do not give us information and identify who are against us then you and your family will be killed'."

'The dreams are fading'

Popal said she faced sexism when she was finance officer for the national football association: some men refused to accept their pay cheques from her due to her being a woman.

But she said that was nothing compared to life for women under the Taliban from 1996 until they were ousted after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

The Taliban said on Tuesday they would respect women's rights and permit them to be educated and work, albeit under Sharia law.

But Popal said those were "just empty, empty words".

"When they announce that it will be under Sharia law, well, we have seen what that means for women already in the past in Afghanistan and in other countries too," she added.

"If they are following Sharia law then that gives no rights to women whatsoever. All these achievements and dreams (for women) are fading away."

Popal said it was hard to believe that history is repeating itself two decades on, describing it as "traumatising to see my childhood repeating before my eyes".

"I was a child when the Taliban took over and I was told not to go outside and play in the street or go to school which was burned down by the Taliban eventually.

"When the Taliban started beating my father and threatening my family we left and for almost eight years we were in Pakistan refugee camps.

"Then we went back to Afghanistan as there was&nbsp;hope of a new Afghanistan.

"However, empty and fake promises were made and the country once again is left alone and back to square one, and women are without any protection."

Afghanistan's former women's football captain Khalida Popal on Wednesday said worries about the safety of the country's female players have left her unable to sleep since the Taliban returned to power.

Afghanistan's former women's football captain Khalida Popal on Wednesday said worries about the safety of the country's female players have left her unable to sleep since the Taliban returned to power. Popal, 34, was granted asylum in Denmark in 2016, and considers herself "privileged" not to have to now seek safe haven from the hardline Islamists. The team which Popal helped create in 2007 is made up of foreign- and Afghanistan-based players, with the threat of reprisals against those still in the country high given their previous high-profile criticisms of the regime. Gunmen are already being sent house to house searching for "enemies", she said, despite the group's attempt to ease concerns of a return to brutal oppression. ALSO READ | 'Please hold my hand and help me': Afghan athlete wants to participate in Tokyo Paralympics, issues plea for help Her own family in the western city of Herat have already recounted a change, she said. "Women family members of mine that have been out in the street have either been told to turn round and go home and not go to school or been beaten," she told AFP by phone from Copenhagen. No protection But Popal, who is now the women's team director, said the women footballers risk far worse. "I was one of the main people in the Afghan association who founded the women's team with the purpose to stand together as women of Afghanistan and use football as an avenue of activism," she said. "We wanted to give the message to the world and to the Taliban that we (women) are not weak, you may kill our sisters but we will show you we are with them. "These are young girls who went on social media and publicly said the Taliban was the enemy. "My players are now seeing that armed enemy outside their doors and windows and they are scared as to what will happen to them." ALSO READ | Fall of Kabul: Striking photos point to uncertain future Popal described the situation as "heartbreaking" and said players were struggling to understand how they had been left by the pull-out of US-led international forces. "When they call me or send voice messages to me they are saying, 'Why have they (the West) betrayed us? Why have politicians abandoned the women of Afghanistan? What have we done wrong?'" she said. With access to Kabul airport blocked and also unlikely the players would be accepted for immediate evacuation, Popal said help for them within the country is not evident either. "At the moment those players living in the country are moving from one spot to another," she said. "The scary thing is nobody wants to give them protection because the Taliban are striking fear into them saying, 'If you do not give us information and identify who are against us then you and your family will be killed'." 'The dreams are fading' Popal said she faced sexism when she was finance officer for the national football association: some men refused to accept their pay cheques from her due to her being a woman. But she said that was nothing compared to life for women under the Taliban from 1996 until they were ousted after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. The Taliban said on Tuesday they would respect women's rights and permit them to be educated and work, albeit under Sharia law. But Popal said those were "just empty, empty words". "When they announce that it will be under Sharia law, well, we have seen what that means for women already in the past in Afghanistan and in other countries too," she added. "If they are following Sharia law then that gives no rights to women whatsoever. All these achievements and dreams (for women) are fading away." Popal said it was hard to believe that history is repeating itself two decades on, describing it as "traumatising to see my childhood repeating before my eyes". "I was a child when the Taliban took over and I was told not to go outside and play in the street or go to school which was burned down by the Taliban eventually. "When the Taliban started beating my father and threatening my family we left and for almost eight years we were in Pakistan refugee camps. "Then we went back to Afghanistan as there was hope of a new Afghanistan. "However, empty and fake promises were made and the country once again is left alone and back to square one, and women are without any protection."

'The dreams are fading': Taliban return causes anguish for Afghan female football pioneer

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Nearly 1,000 Taliban militants rally in Kabul to show power and unity

'I feel miserable': Afghan karate champion fears it's game over for female athletes

'The dreams are fading': Taliban return causes anguish for Afghan female football pioneer