KABUL, Afghanistan : Hundreds of Afghan people marched through the streets of the Kabul on Thursday, demanding the immediate withdrawal of international military forces ahead of the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion.
The peaceful demonstration in downtown Kabul was meant to mark the Oct. 7 invasion of Afghanistan 10 years ago, following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against the United States.
The U.S. invasion came after Taliban leader Mullah Omar refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, purportedly because of his disbelief that the al Qaeda chief was responsible for the attacks and because it went against the Afghan tradition of hospitality and protection of guests.
The demonstrators chanted "no to occupation," and "Americans out" as they marched through the streets holding pictures of Afghans killed in violence, and later burned an American flag. The demonstration was organized by a small left wing party.
Neither NATO nor US has announced any No official events to mark the invasion, .
"The United States said it came to help the Afghan people and provide a good life to Afghan people, but their true purpose was to occupy our country," said Farzana, a 22-year-old woman who goes by one name.
"It is 10 years since the invasion of Afghanistan and all it has left behind is the blood of the Afghan people. We want the U.S. to leave our country." She added that "suicide attacks, insecurity and corruption are increasing day-by-day."
The U.S.-led coalition currently has more than 130,000 troops in Afghanistan, with about 98,000 from the United States.
