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· collected 2026-08-16 · by AFP; AP
Taliban supporters poured into central Kabul on Saturday to mark five years since the group took control, waving white flags and chanting slogans as senior officials praised their "victory" and promised continued enforcement of their vision of governance. The event was attended by thousands, with convoys of cars and pick-up trucks displaying Taliban banners, but many Kabul residents stayed away citing concerns over unemployment, rising prices, and shrinking freedoms. According to UNESCO, 2.4 million girls have been excluded from secondary education since the Taliban's return to power, while child malnutrition has reached critical levels in a third of Afghanistan's provinces. The Taliban leaders claimed credit for restoring security and national sovereignty, but acknowledged that the country's economy remains fragile due to billions of dollars in frozen state reserves and banking restrictions.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-16,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Thousands of Taliban supporters gathered in Kabul's central area on Saturday, waving white flags and chanting religious slogans, to mark five years since the group seized power. The celebration was a showcase for the Taliban's claim that they've brought an end to external interference and restored security and national sovereignty. Convoys of cars with Taliban banners drove through the streets, while heavily armed fighters stood guard around the area where senior officials addressed the crowd, praising the "victory of the Islamic Emirate". The Taliban leaders used the occasion to reiterate their demand for international recognition, arguing that engagement rather than sanctions and isolation is needed to stabilize the country. However, Afghanistan's economy remains fragile, with billions of dollars in state reserves frozen abroad and banking restrictions affecting businesses. Despite this, Taliban officials claimed credit for restoring security, pointing to the absence of large-scale fighting since foreign troops withdrew and the previous government collapsed in August 2021.
Written for “Taliban Rule Anniversary” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.35 for article 900 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-26
Thousands of Taliban supporters have poured into central Kabul, waving white flags and chanting religious slogans, as authorities marked five years since the group swept back into power and brought an end to the Western-backed republic.
asserted
group → pour → republic
Convoys of cars and pick-up trucks festooned with Taliban banners rolled through the streets on Saturday towards a main gathering outside a compound housing key ministries.
asserted
Convoys → festoon → ministries
Heavily armed fighters stood guard around the area as senior officials addressed the crowd, praising what they called the “victory of the Islamic Emirate” and promising to continue enforcing their vision of governance.
asserted
they → stand → governance
Taliban leaders used the anniversary to claim credit for restoring security and national sovereignty, pointing to the absence of large-scale fighting since foreign troops withdrew and the previous government collapsed in August 2021.
uncertain
government → use → August
Officials repeated longstanding demands for international recognition, arguing that engagement rather than sanctions and isolation is needed to stabilise the country.
asserted
engagement → repeat → country
Afghanistan’s economy remains fragile.
asserted
economy → remain → ?
Billions of dollars in state reserves remain frozen abroad, banking restrictions have squeezed businesses and aid agencies warn that millions of Afghans still rely on humanitarian assistance to survive.
asserted
millions → remain → assistance
Many Kabul residents who stayed away from the rally said unemployment, rising prices and shrinking freedoms overshadow any sense of security they may feel.
uncertain
they → stay → security
At the gathering, however, attendees voiced a different narrative.
asserted
attendees → voice → narrative
Supporters credited the Taliban with ending what they see as foreign occupation, reducing crime and keeping major roads open.
asserted
they → credit → roads
For them, the anniversary was a moment to celebrate what they view as a governing system finally free of external interference – even as the country remains divided over what that system has delivered and what it has taken away in the five years since the Taliban’s return.
asserted
it → celebrate → return
UNESCO estimated that 2.4 million girls have been excluded from secondary education.
asserted
girls → estimate → education
Another United Nations agency, the World Food Programme, said child malnutrition has reached critical levels in a third of Afghanistan’s provinces and is expected to worsen due to funding shortfalls.
asserted
malnutrition → say → shortfalls
