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. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Taliban officials and supporters marked five years since their return to power with gatherings and street celebrations in Kabul, following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A boy sits among Taliban delegates from across the country during a meeting opening celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban’s return to power, at Loya Jirga Hall in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)A flower seller arranges bouquets ahead of celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal and the start of Taliban rule in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)A group of young women walk past a woman selling plastic water jugs along a street 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. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)Armed Taliban police stand along a street ahead of celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal and the start of Taliban rule in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)Young children look out from a car as a Taliban flag is held nearby 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. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)A Taliban security officer checks a driver’s identification at a checkpoint ahead of celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the start of Taliban rule, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)A man offers Taliban flags for sale ahead of celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the start of Taliban rule, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)Taliban supporters reach for flags during celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)A boy walks past Taliban members riding motorcycles and waving flags during celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)Taliban delegates from across the country attend a meeting that opens celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal and the start of Taliban rule, at the Loya Jirga Hall in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)Taliban government supporters attend celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)Children ride on a motorcycle carrying Taliban flags during celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)Children ride on a motorcycle carrying Taliban flags during celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)A boy holds an AK-style rifle while sitting in a vehicle decorated with Taliban flags during celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)Children ride on a vehicle and wave Taliban flags during celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)Taliban government supporters attend celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Nava Jamshidi)
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