Yeah, they're mocking the Iwo Jima photo.
And they're wearing American clothes and gear, and carrying American weapons while they do it:
This is absolutely unacceptable.
We are being laughed at.
The videos show heavily armed Taliban soldiers carrying U.S. and U.S. ally-made weapons and gear that appear to be stolen from various allied militaries. Various helicopters and light attack aircraft, including 35 American Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, are also now reportedly under Taliban control.
In one propaganda photo, it appears the Taliban is mocking one of the most iconic American images from World War II — Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.
Taliban fighters are typically seen wearing turbans and vests over shalwar kameez clothing while carrying old Soviet guns, many from the Soviet-Afghan War which happened from 1979-89.
The elite Badri 313 special unit, however, makes Taliban soldiers look similar to U.S. soldiers, wearing tactical helmets — some with night-vision goggles — as well as camouflage, combat boots, and body armor while carrying M4 carbine assault rifles and driving around in armored Humvees. M4s are made by U.S.-based Colt's Manufacturing Company which designed and produced the weapons for U.S. armed forces.
