Taliban announced Wednesday that a the “Salem Izadyar Square” in downtown Kabul has been renamed to its original designation, “the Zanbaq Square.”
According to Taliban-controlled national television, the decision was made during a meeting of the Taliban’s Naming Commission, responsible for renaming historical sites, streets, and intersections. The commission also reaffirmed the name “Qala-e-Wazir Intersection” in another part of the city.
The square had been renamed in July 2017 to honor Salem Izadyar, the son of Mohammad Alam Izadyar, the former deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s Senate. Salem Ezadyar was killed during a protest against the government’s handling of a devastating bombing near Zanbaq Square, which claimed over 100 lives.
A protest rooted in tragedy
The protest, organized by the “Uprising for Change” movement, demanded the dismissal and prosecution of senior security officials, including National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar. Tensions escalated as protesters attempted to march toward the presidential palace, leading to violent clashes in which Salim Izedyar was killed.
The May 2017 bombing near Zanbaq Square remains one of Kabul’s most lethal attacks. The previous government attributed the assault to the Haqqani Network. Renaming the square to honor Ezadyar was seen as a gesture to memorialize the victims and express public outrage over the tragedy and the former government’s perceived failures.
