The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has marked the 107th anniversary of the country’s independence, portraying the occasion as a historic symbol of Afghan resistance against foreign domination and calling on younger generations to preserve the nation’s sovereignty, faith and territorial integrity.

The Islamic Emirate congratulated the Afghan people on Independence Day and said Afghanistan’s sovereignty had been secured through the sacrifices, determination and resistance of its people against British colonial rule.

The statement also linked the 1919 struggle to two later conflicts that, according to the Islamic Emirate, culminated in the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989 and the end of the U.S.-led foreign military presence in 2021. It attributed these victories to divine assistance as well as what it described as the courage, perseverance and sacrifices of the Afghan people.

Afghanistan observes August 19 as its Independence Day, commemorating the restoration of its ability to conduct an independent foreign policy following the Third Anglo-Afghan War of 1919. The conflict ended with the Treaty of Rawalpindi, through which Britain relinquished control over Afghanistan’s foreign affairs.

The conflict began in May 1919 under Emir Amanullah Khan. Although the war was relatively brief, Afghan resistance and the strategic circumstances facing Britain after World War I contributed to negotiations that ultimately recognized Afghanistan’s independence in foreign affairs. August 19 subsequently became established as the date of national independence commemorations.

The Islamic Emirate’s statement presents the 1919 victory as the first of three major milestones in Afghanistan’s modern history. The government’s own historical account also identifies February 15, 1989, as marking the end of the Soviet occupation and August 15, 2021, as the end of the U.S. and Western military presence.

In its Independence Day message, the Islamic Emirate urged Afghanistan’s younger generation to follow what it described as the example of their forefathers by remaining committed to defending the country’s religion, independence and territorial integrity.

The statement also called on Afghans to express gratitude for what it characterized as divine blessings, adhere strictly to Islamic Sharia and remain vigilant in protecting the gains achieved through decades of conflict and sacrifice.

The anniversary comes just days after the Islamic Emirate marked five years since its return to power in Kabul following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces in August 2021. Islamic Emirate officials have repeatedly described the withdrawal as the conclusion of a prolonged foreign occupation and as another major milestone in Afghanistan’s struggle for sovereignty.

The anniversary is being observed as Afghanistan continues to face significant economic and humanitarian challenges. While the Islamic Emirate has emphasized improved security and the restoration of state authority, international organizations continue to raise concerns about humanitarian needs, economic hardship and restrictions affecting women and girls.

At the diplomatic level, Afghanistan has also sought to strengthen relations with neighboring and regional countries. Recent years have seen increased engagement between the Islamic Emirate and governments across Asia, even as formal international recognition of its government remains limited.

The independence anniversary therefore carries both historical and contemporary significance for Kabul. For the Islamic Emirate, August 19 represents not simply the end of British control in 1919 but part of a broader narrative of Afghan resistance to foreign military intervention and the preservation of national sovereignty.

The government’s message ultimately urged Afghans to ensure that the sacrifices of previous generations are not forgotten and that the country’s independence, territorial integrity and Islamic identity remain protected for future generations. (ILKHA)