Taliban Marks Fifth Anniversary of Return to Power in Kabul
Taliban officials and delegates convened in Kabul to mark five years since the U.S. withdrawal and the group's return to power.
KABUL — Taliban officials and delegates from across Afghanistan gathered at the Loya Jirga Hall in Kabul on Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal and the group's return to power.
Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi addressed the assembled delegates during the meeting, which opened the anniversary celebrations. The event brought together representatives from various parts of the country.
The gathering comes five years after foreign forces completed their departure from Afghanistan, paving the way for the Taliban to assume control of the government. The anniversary is being observed amid ongoing international scrutiny of the group's governance and its policies, particularly regarding human rights and women's access to education and employment.
The Loya Jirga Hall, traditionally used for grand councils and national assemblies, served as the venue for the commemorative meeting. The presence of delegates from across the country underscored the Taliban's efforts to project unity and nationwide representation on this symbolic date.