Taliban leaders and other officials mark the fifth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, holding events at the traditional Loya Jirga assembly hall. At the gathering, Taliban officials and government figures present the takeover as a turning point, saying it brings stability and ends decades of conflict following foreign military presence.
Several outlets report that the UN issues a warning alongside the celebrations, describing the situation as a growing rights crisis. The Hindu and other accounts also describe participation from ordinary citizens and some foreign representatives as speeches commemorate what officials call Afghanistan’s “liberation” from American forces. Other reporting adds that the Taliban-led event is held without women present, underscoring concerns about restrictions on rights.
In wider context, PBS NewsHour recalls that the Taliban seized power on Aug. 15, 2021, after the U.S. and NATO withdrawal following a two-decade war, and that the withdrawal contributed to chaos at Kabul airport as people sought to leave. Across outlets, the core contrast is between the Taliban’s depiction of progress and the UN’s warning that rights are deteriorating.
