ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers celebrated the fourth anniversary of their return to power in August, with Defense Ministry helicopters scattering flowers from the air to crowds below.

Some 10,000 people gathered across the capital, Kabul, in six locations to watch the “flower shower.”

The Taliban seized controlof Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021, as the U.S. and NATO withdrew their forces at the end of a two-decade war.

Since then, they have reimposed their interpretation of Islamic law on daily life, including sweeping restrictions on women and girls, based on edicts from their leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

The anniversary program also comprised speeches from key Cabinet members. An outdoor sports performance, initially expected to feature Afghan athletes, did not take plac

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