ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban will shower Kabul with flowers from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, an official said Thursday.

The Taliban seized control of the country on August 15, 2021, weeks before the U.S. and NATO withdrew their forces after a costly, two-decade war.

Defense Ministry helicopters will perform “beautiful aerial displays” above the Afghan capital on Friday to “shower the city” with colorful flowers, according to a note from Habib Ghofran, the spokesman for the Information and Culture Ministry. There will be sports performances from Afghan athletes from the afternoon until the early evening, said Ghofran.

The festivities come as Afghanistan struggles with a massive influx of refugees from neighboring countries, a falter

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