Video Doesn't Show Taliban Celebrating Takeover by Jumping on Trampoline
The Claim
The following video shows Taliban fighters celebrating their victory in Kabul by jumping on a trampoline in a local amusement park.
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The claim went viral shortly after the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021.
Misbar’s Analysis
MENA: We found instances of this video from more than a year before the August 15th Taliban takeover of Kabul. The earliest instance we found was shared on Facebook on March 15, 2020. The video was also posted to YouTube as far back as August 28, 2020. It’s not clear who was featured in the video or where it was originally filmed.
Amid the U.S. withdrawal of Afghanistan, Taliban fighters quickly began to regain control of the country. Between August 6 and August 15, the Taliban had recaptured much of Afghanistan. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on August 15 as Taliban fighters took control of Kabul.
Shortly after the takeover, several unverified videos were shared across social media allegedly showing the Taliban celebrating their victory. This includes fighters riding bumper cars, dancing to Drake, and working out in the presidential palace’s gym.
