Music, dance, selfies: Kabul erupts in celebration as Taliban mark five years in power

Kabul erupted in jubilation on Saturday as the Taliban marked five years of rule, with supporters flooding the city center to revel in the government's achievements. Hundreds of Afghans gathered near the site of the former U.S. embassy, where foreign forces had hastily departed in 2021, their presence now a distant memory. People crammed into vehicles, some even exiting through sunroofs and truck beds, proudly waving the Taliban's white flag.

The authorities have faced criticism for enforcing a strict Islamic law, especially on women and girls, but many were overjoyed with the occasion.

"Young Mohammad Daud Rahmani, a 28-year-old construction business owner from Kandahar, expressed his hopefulness for Afghanistan's future, calling for increased engagement from other nations. Amidst the festive atmosphere, men and children carried AK-47 rifles as they mingled with the crowd. However, some Taliban members took it a step further, even dancing with a rocket-propelled grenade.

The streets, once bustling with U.S. personnel and foreign officials, were now eerily quiet. Women were prohibited from posing for pictures with the flag, leaving the area in frustration. Despite the strict rules, the streets were adorned with red, white, and green attire, with young boys donning military fatigues and carrying toy guns. Taliban members danced to traditional music while helicopters soared overhead, and the crackling of firecrackers filled the air.

Asif Khan Barakzai, a 21-year-old Kabul resident, expressed his gratitude to the Taliban supreme leader and security forces, citing a peaceful atmosphere. The government had declared the day a national holiday, and some shops remained closed while traffic eased in the usually congested capital.