Kabul Residents Report Unidentified Drone Patrolling Over Capital

Residents of Kabul reported observing an unidentified drone patrolling in the sky over the capital. A resident from district 17 in the Kotel Khairkhana area said on Thursday, the first of Hut (February 20), that a "pilotless aircraft" was visible at a patrol altitude over Kabul.

The resident sent video footage to Afghanistan International showing the drone in the sky over Kabul. He stated the drone had been seen patrolling for hours.

It remains unclear which country the drone belongs to. The Taliban has not officially commented on the reported patrol over Kabul's sky.

Taliban officials have acknowledged that since taking power in Asad 1400 (August 2021), they have no control over Afghanistan's airspace, which they describe as still under "occupation."

Over the past four and a half years of Taliban rule, citizens in various provinces have repeatedly reported sightings of unidentified drones. Reports indicate U.S. reconnaissance drones and fighter jets have flown over different parts of Afghanistan during this period. Pakistan has also conducted flights of fighters and drones in Afghan airspace with U.S. permission and coordination.