The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew after more than two decades of a costly war. Four years have now passed.

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities marked the fourth anniversary of their takeover on Friday buoyed by Russia's first official recognition of their government, a step they hope other countries will follow.

Afghanistan is entering its fifth year under Taliban rule facing economic hardships, women's rights repression, internal power struggles and shifting regional ties.