Gov. Gulab Mangal, governor of Helmand province, gestures to the Afghan and U.S. leadership responsible for the improved security in the city of Marjah at a flag-raising ceremony announcing the new Marjah District Center. The ceremony marks and important day in taking back the city of Marjah from insurgents and returning it to its rightful owner: the people of Afghanistan. Marjah, Aghanistan. 25/02/2010.
Gov. Gulab Mangal, Helmand province governor, pays credit to U.S. and Afghan leadership responsible for the improved security in the city. Due to the security of the area, officials were able to raise the Afghan flag over the town for the first time since insurgents infiltrated the city of Marjah years ago.
Each colour on the Afghan flag is symbolic; the black signifies its history and that once light has travelled it only leaves darkness, as does time. The red signifies the blood of Afghans and their struggle, while the green symbolizes hope, prosperity, growth, fertility, the future.
The Afghan flag begins its flight over the city of Marjah, as part of the ceremony meant to establish the newly-appointed city officials and district government center. Hundreds of local Afghan citizens showed up to support the government of Afghanistan.
Gov. Gulab Mangal, Helmand province governor, Afghanistan, addresses the residents of Marjah after the flag-raising ceremony. The ceremony took place on Day 13 of an ongoing operation aimed at clearing the city of Marjah and giving it back to the people of Afghanistan.
The Afghan flag flies above the new Marjah District Center in Helmand province. The flag marks a new era for the war-torn city, with improved security and newly elected members of the government of Afghanistan in place.
Children of the city of Marjah, Helmand province, attend the ceremony signifying a monumental step in taking back the city from Taliban insurgents.
