The Taliban marked five years in power in Afghanistan on Saturday with a military parade in Kabul, portraying their rule as a victory over Western intervention while international organisations warned of worsening humanitarian and rights crises.
Armoured Taliban vehicles, flags and banners were displayed outside the former US embassy in Kabul as the government celebrated what it called "victory day". Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said the Taliban's return to power was achieved through "morale, courage" and "divine assistance", while acknowledging that problems remained.
The Taliban seized power in 2021 following the withdrawal of US and allied forces. Despite initial promises of more moderate rule, the government has imposed extensive restrictions on women and girls. UNESCO says about 2.5 million girls and women have been barred from secondary schools and universities, while UN Women reported that half of Afghan women now leave their homes only once or twice a month.
The Taliban says it respects women's rights under Islamic sharia law.
The government remains internationally unrecognised, with Russia the only country to have formally recognised it. Relations with Pakistan have also deteriorated, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of supporting Pakistani insurgents.
Despite its diplomatic isolation, the Taliban has expanded engagement with several countries and is pursuing economic agreements based on Afghanistan's location between South, Central, and West Asia. Taliban officials said anniversary ceremonies were expected in Pakistan, China, Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkey, and Malaysia, reported Reuters.
Security concerns have also increased. The Taliban's information director in Badakhshan was killed in late July in an attack claimed by Islamic State. The mayor of the provincial capital was also killed in an attack on Thursday, according to local media.
The International Rescue Committee said Afghanistan's humanitarian needs had reached a record level, driven by drought, deadly earthquakes and the deportation of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan. It said the number of Afghans requiring humanitarian assistance has risen by 3.5 million since 2021 as foreign aid budgets have declined.
UN officials said lasting peace would require a society where the rights and potential of all Afghans are protected.