Five years ago today, Taliban fighters entered Kabul, completing a rapid takeover of Afghanistan as the former government collapsed.
Since then, the Taliban have consolidated their rule, but Afghanistan remains a country facing economic pressure, international isolation and sweeping restrictions on women and girls.
Five years ago today (15 August), scenes from this city were being watched around the world. Taliban fighters were entering Kabul, the former republic was collapsing, and thousands of Afghans were desperately trying to leave.
Today, the guns of that war are largely silent; however, Afghanistan has been transformed.
The Taliban's return on 15 August 2021 ended two decades of Western-backed government and brought the movement back to power twenty years after it had been removed. For the Taliban, the anniversary is a victory.
The authorities say they have restored security, brought the country under a single administration and expanded Afghanistan's political and economic relations with its neighbours. On the streets of Kabul, many Afghans acknowledge that the large-scale fighting that once affected much of the country has ended.
Shopkeeper in Kabul, Samiullah Ahmadzai, said “The Islamic Emirate has both positive and negative points. Among the positive points is that security has prevailed. We can go anywhere, anytime we want, for a holiday or vacation. The same is true with infrastructure projects like the TAPI project, as well as the many road projects in cities and villages."
"We want to ask the Islamic Emirate to provide jobs, as you can see there is a lack of employment. We want the government to provide us with jobs. Women should be allowed to work, specially in places such as health centres, where we need them most. And our sisters should be allowed to go to schools and receive an education,” he said.
But peace has not meant prosperity for everyone. The World Bank says Afghanistan’s economy is growing again, but rapid population growth and the return of millions of Afghans are putting pressure on jobs and incomes, while GDP per person has fallen.
Nowhere is the change more visible or controversial than for women and girls. Afghanistan remains the only country where girls and women are barred from secondary and higher education, including universities. UNESCO estimates 2.4 million girls have been excluded from secondary education since the Taliban returned to power.
And new United Nations Women research says half of the women it surveyed now leave their homes only once or twice a month.
The Taliban authorities reject international criticism of their record and say women enjoy their rights under their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan culture.
Teacher in Kabul, Sadaf Sakhizada said, “Over the past five years, we have had both difficult days and experienced positive changes. In terms of security, the situation has improved significantly, and major national infrastructure projects have also been implemented. However, the restrictions on women’s education and employment have been very difficult for us. We want to work and continue our education."
"For the future, we ask the authorities to allow women to work and receive an education above grade six,” Sadaf said.
Internationally, the picture is also changing. Russia formally recognised the Taliban government in 2025, while other countries have increased diplomatic and economic engagement with Kabul without taking that final step.
However, restrictions on women, human rights concerns and questions over Afghanistan's political system continue to stand in the way of broader recognition.
Five years after the Taliban returned to power, Kabul is no longer a city at war. But for millions of Afghans, the questions are now about what comes next - jobs, education, basic freedoms, and Afghanistan’s place in the world.
The Taliban have secured control of the country. The bigger test now is what they choose to do with it.
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