Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpnhwdib2dfx9q8/VRP54131.mp4?dl=0
This is the surreal moment Taliban soldiers reportedly worked out in the presidential palace gym on Tuesday morning (August 17) after their takeover of Kabul, Afghanistan.
The militants appeared to be enjoying themselves while using stationary bicycles, barbells, leg press machines, and other gym equipment in the abandoned facility on August 17.
Taliban forces swept into Kabul on Monday, settling into the presidential palace after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
A Taliban spokesman said the war was ‘over’ and that the militants have accomplished their objective of retaking the Middle East country following two decades of western occupation started by former leaders George Bush and Tony Blair.
Mohammad Naeem said: ‘We have reached what we were seeking, which is the freedom of our country and the independence of our people. We will not allow anyone to use our lands to target anyone, and we do not want to harm others.’
Meanwhile, the US State Department said there has been no formal transfer of power from the Afghan government to the Taliban, but declined to say if Ghani was still recognised as Afghanistan’s president.