The video features a blend of dark comedy, views of the Afghan countryside, and military visuals

A bizarre promotional video targeting American tourists and inviting them to travel to Afghanistan has been released by a local tour operator. The 50second clip opens with a mock hostage scenario before shifting to scenic lakes, rugged mountains, rifles, tanks, and outdoor meals.

The video, published over the weekend by the Raza Afghanistan tourism agency, quickly went viral. Its release is said to have been timed to coincide with US Independence Day on July 4. The caption accompanying the post reads: "The mountains of Afghanistan are ready and steady to host the most of," and includes emojis of the US flag and a bald eagle.

The opening scene is reminiscent of Taliban hostage execution videos, featuring three hooded figures kneeling as one fighter ominously declares: "We have one message for America." Then, one of the hoods is removed, revealing a smiling man who gives a thumbsup and says: "Welcome to Afghanistan!"

The tone abruptly shifts into a montage intercutting shots of tanks, pickup trucks carrying armed fighters, lakeside swims with assault rifles, and Western visitors tasting Afghan cuisine in colorful tents. One casually inspects a rifle marked "Property of US Government," quipping, "It's not even on safety."

Earlier this month, Russia officially recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, becoming the first country in the world to establish formal diplomatic ties with the Islamist authorities in Kabul.

Shortly after, media reports surfaced claiming that Russian tour companies had begun advertising trips to Talibanruled Afghanistan, with weeklong packages priced at approximately 235,000 rubles ($3,000) and departures planned for midJuly.

However, Aleksan Mkrtchyan, vice president of the Alliance of Russian Travel Agencies, denied the claims, stating that package tours to the Islamic Emirate are impossible due to safety concerns. He acknowledged however, that individual travel arrangements are possible, provided that tourists accept full responsibility for their own safety.

(RT.com)