Taliban marks five-year rule anniversary with music and flags in Kabul

Kabul’s streets were filled with music, banners and cheering crowds on Thursday as the Taliban marked the fifth anniversary of their return to power. The celebration, which coincided with the anniversary of the August 2021 takeover, featured a series of public gatherings, speeches by senior officials and a display of traditional Afghan cultural performances that gave the capital a carnival‑like atmosphere.

Organizers arranged a series of events across the city, including a rally at the historic Darul Aman Palace and a cultural showcase in the central park that highlighted folk dances and poetry recitals. Senior Taliban leaders, including the acting prime minister, addressed the assembled crowds, emphasizing the regime’s claims of stability and progress in governance, security and infrastructure since 2021. Security forces maintained a heightened presence, with checkpoints and patrols deployed to manage the large turnout, while restrictions on women’s participation in public events remained in place, reflecting the administration’s ongoing policies. No incidents were reported, and the gatherings proceeded without disruption.

The anniversary underscores the Taliban’s effort to project an image of legitimacy and national unity five years after the abrupt end of the internationally backed government. Observers note that the celebratory tone contrasts with the continued economic challenges and international isolation facing Afghanistan, suggesting that the regime will likely continue to use public events to reinforce its authority while navigating persistent domestic and external pressures.