The Evacuation Effort: A Nation's Exit From Afghanistan

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 marked the end of America's longest war, spanning four presidencies and 20 years. The evacuation of U.S. citizens and vulnerable Afghans was a complex and challenging operation, with the U.S. falling short of evacuating all American citizens who wished to leave. The State Department estimated that around 1,500 Americans remained in Afghanistan during the final days of the evacuation, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that they were “aggressively reaching out to these individuals. The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan urged Americans to avoid travelling to Kabul airport due to security threats, and while the exact number of Americans left behind is unclear, it is believed to be in the “very low hundreds.

The number of American citizens left in Afghanistan

Initially, it was estimated that there were approximately 1,500 American citizens left in Afghanistan who needed to be evacuated. This figure was described as challenging to determine with "absolute precision" by Blinken, as the US government does not routinely track the travel of its citizens. Of these 1,500 individuals, the State Department was in direct contact with 500, providing them with instructions on how to safely travel to the airport for evacuation.

The remaining 1,000 individuals were more challenging to reach, with the US government "aggressively" attempting to contact them through various communication channels. This group included individuals who may have already left Afghanistan, were not actually US citizens, or were dual citizens who chose to remain in the country. Blinken noted that some Americans may have deep roots and extended families in Afghanistan and face a difficult choice about departing.

As the evacuation efforts progressed, the number of American citizens left in Afghanistan decreased. By August 30, Blinken estimated that the number of Americans remaining in the country was fewer than 200 and "likely closer to 100." This estimate came just hours after the last US military plane departed Kabul, marking the end of America's longest war.

The head of US Central Command, Gen. Frank McKenzie, also provided insights on the number of Americans left behind. He stated that while they did not get everyone out who wanted to leave, the number of American citizens left behind was likely in the very low hundreds. McKenzie expressed confidence that these individuals would still be able to leave the country.

The evacuation efforts in Afghanistan presented significant challenges and complexities, and the US government continued diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe departure of any remaining American citizens who wished to leave.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

The evacuation was rushed and dangerous, with desperate Afghans clinging to planes in hopes of fleeing the country. The US had been evacuating personnel from its embassy, and by August 30, 2021, over 120,000 civilians had been evacuated, including 6,000 Americans and more than 73,500 third-country nationals and Afghan civilians. The evacuation also included Special Immigrant Visa holders, consular staff, and at-risk Afghans and their families.

The US withdrawal came after the Taliban's swift takeover of the country, with the Taliban seizing the presidential palace in Kabul on August 15, 2021, leading to the collapse of the Afghan government. The Biden administration worked to evacuate Americans and Afghan translators who had helped American forces. The evacuation was also marked by tragedy, with an ISIS-K suicide bombing on August 26 killing 13 US service members and dozens of others.

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan resulted in the Taliban regaining control of the country and created a refugee crisis, with many Afghans fleeing. It also raised fears that Afghanistan could become a safe haven for terrorists. The aftermath of the US withdrawal has been marked by a collapsed economy, a humanitarian crisis, and restrictions on civil society, particularly for women and girls, who have been cut off from public life under Taliban rule.

The Taliban's victory

• The Taliban's ability to exploit the power vacuum left by the US withdrawal: The US withdrawal from Afghanistan created a power vacuum that the Taliban was quick to fill. With the US-led coalition forces leaving the country, the Taliban was able to regain control of most of the country, including the capital, Kabul.
• Weaknesses in the Afghan government and security forces: The Afghan government and security forces were unable to effectively counter the Taliban's offensive. This was due to various factors, including corruption, poor leadership, and a lack of unity among the different ethnic and political factions within Afghanistan.
• Support from Pakistan: Pakistan has been accused of providing support to the Taliban, including financial, military, and logistical assistance. This support has been crucial in helping the Taliban regroup and launch their offensive against the Afghan government.
• The Taliban's effective use of guerrilla warfare and terrorist tactics: The Taliban employed guerrilla warfare tactics, such as ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They also carried out targeted killings and suicide bombings, which caused significant casualties and spread fear among the population.
• The Taliban's strict interpretation and enforcement of Sharia law: The Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law, which gained them support from some conservative and religious elements within Afghanistan. This helped them consolidate their power and control over the country.
• The failure of the US-led reconstruction efforts: The US-led reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan were criticized for being ineffective and failing to address the country's fundamental issues. The lack of economic development, poor governance, and persistent corruption created conditions that favored the Taliban's return to power.

The evacuation of Afghan translators

The US government detailed plans to evacuate these interpreters, with an initial group of 750 interpreters and 1,800 of their relatives transported to Ft. Lee, Virginia, to await special visas. A further 4,000 interpreters and their families were to be taken to a third country, likely Qatar, for processing. This operation, dubbed "Operation Allies Refuge", aimed to fly up to 70,000 people to safety.

The evacuation of Afghan interpreters was the first step in a broader effort to relocate and protect Afghans who worked with US-led NATO forces. The US Embassy in Kabul played a crucial role in coordinating these efforts, though the logistics were kept highly secretive due to security concerns. The US also worked with the United Nations International Organization for Migration to relocate families across the country.

Despite these efforts, challenges remained. Interpreters and their families living outside Kabul faced significant obstacles, as Taliban-controlled territories and checkpoints hindered their ability to reach the capital. The bureaucratic visa application process also caused confusion and tension, with some applicants facing rejection or lengthy delays.

The future of Afghanistan

The U.S. has since been working to evacuate Americans and Afghan translators who helped American forces during the war. The evacuation was carried out amid a tense and dangerous situation, with the U.S. carrying out airstrikes targeting Islamic extremists.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul had warned Americans to stay away from the airport, citing a "specific credible threat" from the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan.

While the Biden administration has said it will continue diplomatic efforts to ensure additional U.S. citizens and Afghans who want to leave can do so, the future of those who remain in Afghanistan is unclear.

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