'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

By DAVID PATRIKARAKOS, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 17:52, 15 August 2026 | Updated: 17:52, 15 August 2026 Five years ago to the day, the Taliban swept out of the mountains, villages and fields and retook Kabul.  After twenty years of war, the vast Western coalition assembled to fight them fled ignominiously, leaving behind billions of dollars' worth of infrastructure and military hardware, much of it supplied by the Americans to the Afghan forces. Today is 'Freedom Day', the Taliban (the word means 'students' in Pashto, one of the country's two official languages) are celebrating – and that hardware is all around me.  American-made helicopters fly overhead in the early morning. Taliban soldiers stand guard holding American M16 rifles. Armoured Ford 4x4s drive past with Taliban hanging from the sides. They zoom past on motorcycles. Everywhere you look is the white flag of the Islamic Emirate filled with black Arabic calligraphy across the centre spelling out the shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith: (Lā ilāha illā Allāh, Muḥammadun rasūlu Allāh) 'There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' I head out to Ahmad Shah Massoud Square, one of the central areas of the city. In the square, it's a family day out. One man has brought his children with him to celebrate.  His little son, who can't be more than eight years old, is dressed up as a fighter, complete with handcuffs, full khaki uniform with patches, and a replica automatic weapon. I ask his father why he has brought him out today. 'Alhamdulillah [praise be to God]. Today is Freedom Day. For the first time in the history of Afghanistan, all the people are happily alongside the armed forces,' he says.  Daily Mail journalist David Patrikarakos is pictured in Afghanistan with a Taliban fighter  The vast Western coalition assembled to fight the Taliban fled ignominiously five years ago to the day, leaving behind billions of dollars' worth of infrastructure and military hardware That hardware is all around as David Patrikarakos wanders Kabul on the Taliban's 'Freedom Day' A child pictured here celebrating 'Freedom day' with a mango fruit drink  A boy pictured is wearing what looks like a wig, which, combined with his childish, sharp features, gives him a decidedly feminine appearance Members of the Taliban grab onto a truck as they celebrate independence  'We feel very happy. Afghanistan has a government that stands by its people. And it shows that their children are happy, which is why they're wearing these outfits.' I pose for pictures alongside a man in full military uniform standing guard. On his arms are patches bearing images of Mullah Omar, the founder of the Taliban.  I walk on and see Taliban dancing in the street. In this austere Islamic emirate, dancing is technically banned, but today, it seems, everything is relaxed. I cross the road. Tuk-tuks, filled with yet more people celebrating, stream past, the Taliban flag flying proudly.  Hatchback cars drive by with their boots open, filled with smiling children. Across the street, some Taliban are standing on a truck, waving flags and hooting. On the back stands a boy in a long, flowing white kameez and khaki waistcoat. He is wearing what looks like a wig, which, combined with his childish, sharp features, gives him a decidedly feminine appearance.  But he is wearing it in imitation of the Taliban fighters who often keep their hair long, a style they associate with the Prophet Muhammad. Young children in Afghanistan are pictured wearing the insignia of the modern-day Taliban, kitted out with the hardware the Americans left behind in August 2021 A Taliban soldier patrols the streets of Kabul equipped with what appears to be American-style kit, including an M4 rifle and combat vest with US flag displayed prominently on the front The Taliban were seen dancing in the street as they celebrated 'Freedom Day', marking the end of Nato's presence in Afghanistan five years ago today  Five years ago to the day, the Taliban swept out of the mountains, villages and fields and retook Kabul One man has brought his children with him to celebrate, who were wearing military clothing with one donning handcuffs  The men screamed 'Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!' as they waved their hands and Taliban flags in the air A child pictured here with a bandana with the insignia of the modern-day Taliban on it Another truck drives past and stops in traffic. 'Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!' scream the men standing on its open back, waving their hands and Taliban flags in the air. I walk over to the abandoned American embassy. Outside, I meet a Taliban man driving through the street and ask him what today means to him. 'The Taliban defeated the invaders with the help and support of Allah,' he tells me. 'It was Allah's will that they be defeated.  'They were oppressing us. They had entered the country by force. By the grace of jihad, Allah defeated them.' 'If the West invades us again, we will fight them again as long as there is blood left in our bodies.'