‘By the grace of jihad, Allah defeated them’: As Afghanistan celebrates ‘Freedom Day’ five years on from the fall of Kabul, DAVID PATRIKARAKOS takes to the streets where the Taliban brandish (American-made) spoils of war in triumph
The article reports on Taliban celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of Kabul’s fall, described by the group as “Freedom Day”. It depicts Taliban members publicly celebrating their return to power and presenting the US withdrawal as a military and religious victory, while highlighting the enduring symbolism of American equipment now in Taliban hands.
The piece focuses on street-level scenes in Afghanistan, where Taliban fighters reportedly brandish US-made weapons and vehicles left behind after the 2021 withdrawal. It frames the anniversary as a reminder of the Taliban’s consolidation of control since the collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government, and of the political and military consequences of the US-led intervention’s end.
- Taliban mark five years since Kabul’s fall.
- US-made military equipment features in celebrations.
- Anniversary underscores the legacy of the 2021 withdrawal.