Afghanistan five years after US troop withdrawal
Five years after the withdrawal of American troops, rural communities across Afghanistan are seeing improved security and a gradual revival of local commerce, though the return of labour migrants and rising unemployment cast a shadow over this recovery.
When the guns fall silent and foreign armies leave, a country is left alone with its scars and hopes. Five years ago, American troops left Afghanistan, leaving behind two decades of war, destruction and uncertainty. Today, Afghan villages are slowly coming back to life: shops are opening, roads are being built, people are returning to markets. But the peace so long awaited has brought not only relief — it has exposed new challenges. Thousands of migrants returning from Iran and other countries are looking for work that does not exist, a reminder that post war recovery is not only about rebuilding buildings but also about rebuilding hopes.
On 30 August 2021, American and coalition forces hastily withdrew from Afghanistan, ending a 20 year war that had devastated the country. Since 2023, Afghanistan's interim government has declared 31 August "Departure Day", a sombre reminder of the human cost of the conflict. In the rural markets of Logar province, most shops have reopened. Traders recall that during the war, restricted movement and reduced hours made daily trade nearly impossible. Today, with people able to move more freely, shops have resumed full operation. "Security has improved. This area was devastated by war before, but now the fighting has stopped.
The market is thriving, shops are open until late at night," said Tamim Ahmad, a shopkeeper in rural Logar province. The end of fighting has also opened up opportunities for infrastructure construction across much of the country, including rural areas. The more stable security environment has given locals confidence to rebuild and invest. "Economically, things are good because reconstruction is complete and road construction continues. The market is also thriving," said Hamidullah Nezrabi, another shopkeeper in rural Logar.
Nevertheless, the relative calm has brought new problems. As large numbers of Afghan workers return home from jobs in Iran and other countries, this influx is putting new pressure on local employment. "The market has grown, new markets have appeared, but sales volumes are not what they used to be, because the economy is weaker than before. Everything used to flourish when most people worked in Iran and sent money back, and their families spent it here in the market. Now, with so many returnees, unemployment has risen," said Ahmad.
Afghanistan, which endured decades of war, now stands at a crossroads. Improved security has allowed economic activity to resume, but the country remains one of the poorest in the world. Dependence on international aid, a lack of sustainable income sources and high youth unemployment pose serious obstacles. The return of migrants, who once supported their families through work abroad, is worsening the situation. The interim government is trying to attract investment and develop infrastructure, but the scale of the task is enormous. Five years is enough time to assess progress, but too short to forget the pain.
As CCTV+ reports, Afghanistan is slowly but steadily recovering after years of war. Yet peace has brought not only relief but also new trials. The return of migrants and rising unemployment remind us that the path to stability will be long and difficult. The international community continues to monitor developments, hoping that the Afghan people can overcome these challenges and build the future they deserve.
