Taliban Marks Five Years in Power as Aid Groups Warn of Deepening Crisis

The Taliban government marked five years in power on Saturday with a military parade outside the former US embassy in Kabul, framing the milestone as a victory over Western influence. The Taliban’s interior minister described their return to power as the result of morale and divine assistance, while also acknowledging that certain problems remain within the country.

Rights Groups Cite Ongoing Restrictions on Women

International organizations continue to report severe restrictions on Afghan women and girls since the Taliban regained control in 2021. According to global data, roughly 2.5 million girls remain barred from secondary schools and universities, and recent findings show half of Afghan women now leave their homes only once or twice a month. The Taliban maintains that its policies align with its interpretation of Islamic law.

Government Remains Internationally Isolated

Five years on, the Taliban’s government remains formally unrecognized by most of the world, with only one country having granted official recognition. Relations with a key neighboring country have grown strained amid accusations of supporting cross-border insurgents. Still, analysts say the Taliban have quietly expanded diplomatic ties, particularly around deportation agreements with European nations and economic arrangements tied to the region’s strategic location. Anniversary ceremonies were expected to take place in several allied capitals.

Violence and Humanitarian Needs Rising

The government has also faced a string of targeted killings of regional officials in recent weeks, including two senior figures in the country’s northeast, with one attack claimed by a militant group.

Meanwhile, aid organizations report Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs have reached record levels, driven by drought, earthquakes, and mass deportations from neighboring countries. The number of Afghans requiring assistance has risen by millions since 2021, even as international aid funding has declined. Personal accounts from Afghan citizens, including women forced to return after living abroad, highlight ongoing struggles to meet basic living needs.