While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
The Taliban seized power on Aug. 15, 2021, as the U.S. and other NATO troops withdrew following a costly two-decade war. The U.S. withdrawal led to chaos at Kabul airport as crowds of people tried to flee the country in desperation.
The Taliban marked five years in power in Afghanistan on August 15. Supporters celebrated in the streets of Kabul, with cars decorated with flags and military helicopters throwing fresh flowers over a parade of male athletes. According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the government spokesman, the day “will be written in golden lines in the history of Afghanistan”.
The Taliban seized power in August 2021, after a rapid offensive that toppled government forces as US-led troops withdrew. The withdrawal led to chaos at Kabul airport, with crowds of people trying to flee the country.
The celebrations took place amid tightening restrictions in daily life, with women banned from sport in Afghanistan. A foreign ministry spokesman, Zia Ahmad Takal, invited countries to invest in Afghanistan, despite GDP per capita being in decline, partly due to over six million Afghans arriving in the country.
Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, Business Recorder — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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