APTOPIX Afghanistan Taliban 5th Anniversary

Four young girls dressed in matching outfits hold Taliban flags on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal and the start of Taliban rule in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.

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While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis

While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis

Taliban rulers have celebrated the fifth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan. They claim to have brought stability and ended decades of conflict. However, a top United Nations official warns of a grave human rights crisis, especially for women and girls. The Taliban seized power on August 15, 2021, after U.S. and NATO troops withdrew. They banned girls' education beyond sixth grade and restricted women's public participation. The Taliban government remains isolated internationally, with Russia being the only country to recognize it. The U.N. highlights ongoing human rights abuses, urging the international community not to normalize the Taliban's policies.