Thousands of Taliban supporters gathered in central Kabul, waving white flags and chanting religious slogans, as the administration marked five years since the movement regained power, ending the Western-backed republic.
On Saturday, convoys of cars and pickup trucks adorned with Taliban flags paraded through the streets toward the main gathering area outside the complex of key ministries. Heavily armed fighters stood guard around the area while senior officials addressed the crowd, praising what they called the “victory of the Islamic Emirate” and pledging to continue implementing their governance vision.
On the occasion of the anniversary, Taliban leaders touted their role in restoring security and national sovereignty, pointing to the absence of large-scale fighting since foreign troops withdrew and the previous government collapsed in August 2021. Officials reiterated their long-standing call for international recognition, arguing that dialogue, not sanctions and isolation, is needed to stabilize the country.
Afghanistan’s economy remains fragile. Billions of dollars in state reserves remain frozen abroad, banking restrictions tighten business activity, and aid agencies warn that millions of Afghans still depend on humanitarian assistance to survive. Many Kabul residents who did not attend the rally said unemployment, rising prices, and shrinking freedoms overshadow any sense of security they might feel.
At the gathering, attendees conveyed a different narrative. Supporters credited the Taliban with ending what they saw as foreign occupation, reducing crime, and keeping major routes open. For them, the anniversary was a moment to celebrate a governance system they believe has finally broken free from external interference—even as the country remains divided over what that system has delivered and what it has taken away over the past five years.
UNESCO estimates that 2.4 million girls have been excluded from secondary education. The UN World Food Programme says child malnutrition has reached critical levels in one-third of Afghanistan’s provinces and is expected to worsen due to funding shortfalls.
