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KABUL: The Taliban declared Wednesday (Aug 31) a national holiday, lighting up the capital with colored lights and fireworks to mark the first anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan after a brutal 20-year war. Fireworks were fired from the air in many parts of Kabul with intense celebrations.
Festive events are planned on August 31 to mark the anniversary, a report said. Earlier, the Taliban declared August 15 as a national holiday to mark the first anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan.
After the fall of the US-backed civilian government, US forces left the country on August 31, 2021, after a 20-year military presence.