Afghanistan is marking five years since the final withdrawal of US forces, an anniversary that Afghan authorities and supporters of the country’s reconstruction view as a turning point toward greater national sovereignty, stability and postwar recovery.

August 31 marks five years since the last US troops left Afghanistan, ending nearly two decades of US-led military intervention in the country.

Five years after the withdrawal, Afghanistan is seeking to advance reconstruction, strengthen its economy and expand access to modern technology while maintaining its religious and cultural identity, according to a report by British publication On Herd.

The report points to the growing use of smartphones, internet services and digital technologies in major cities, including Kabul and Kandahar. The expansion of modern administrative and security systems is also highlighted as part of efforts to adapt to changing technological and economic conditions.

Economy and Infrastructure

Afghanistan has also seen continued activity in trade, infrastructure development and investment, according to the report.

Development initiatives are being pursued across several sectors as the country works to rebuild infrastructure damaged by decades of conflict and revive economic activity.

The report describes the process as gradual but persistent, with investment and development projects contributing to efforts to establish a more sustainable economic foundation.

Focus on Stability

Security remains a central issue in Afghanistan's postwar recovery. The report points to improvements in national security, which it says have created greater space for economic activity and reconstruction efforts.

For many Afghans, the anniversary of the US withdrawal carries significance beyond the end of a military campaign. It represents a period in which the country is attempting to consolidate its sovereignty and determine its own political, economic and development priorities.

Five years on, Afghanistan continues to face significant challenges, including economic pressures and the need for further infrastructure and development. At the same time, ongoing investment, expanding technology use and infrastructure projects point to efforts to rebuild the country and establish a path toward long-term stability and economic recovery.

The anniversary therefore marks not only the end of a two-decade foreign military presence but also Afghanistan's continuing effort to rebuild after years of war while balancing modernization with its religious, cultural and national identity. (ILKHA)