Protesters in Kabul on Tuesday asked the United States to release Afghanistan’s frozen bank assets and prevent the country’s economy from collapse. 

Videos from the protest show a few hundred people rallying towards the empty U.S. embassy compound in Kabul, carrying slogans that read “Give us our frozen money!” and “Let us eat!”. 

The pro-Taliban protesters also chanted “Death to America!”. 

Unlike the suppression of other civil protests, the Taliban officials and social media activists widely campaigned for the gathering and their foot soldiers provided them with security.

More than $9 billion from the Afghan central bank is parked outside Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country in August.

The Taliban’s de facto government is suffering financially and is unable to provide basic services, just as the country’s economy is in free fall, with millions of Afghans losing their income.

No country has recognized the Taliban regime yet.

The international community has repeatedly called on the Taliban to respect women and human rights and form an inclusive government in return for international recognition. 

Observers believe the Taliban are using starving Afghans to extort money out of other countries but also to establish recognition of their regime.

(dpa/NAN)