Ruqayyah Snyder
The safety of soldiers on military bases in Afghanistan has been a concern for many years, particularly in the context of the United States' forever war in the country. In 2021, the US and NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan, marking the end of a nearly 20-year presence in the country. This withdrawal raised questions about the safety of soldiers on bases in Afghanistan, especially during the transition period. There are reports of US forces leaving key bases in the middle of the night, cutting off power, and facing criticism from Afghan soldiers for the way the departure was handled. The rapid departure left bases vulnerable to looting and raised concerns about the security situation in the country. The Taliban's surge in Afghanistan and the fall of district after district to the group further highlight the precarious situation faced by soldiers on bases in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of US withdrawal from Afghanistan | 2021 |
| Month of US withdrawal from Afghanistan | July |
| Date of US withdrawal from Bagram Airfield | 3rd of July |
| Time of US withdrawal from Bagram Airfield | 3 a.m. |
| US notification of Afghan commander about the withdrawal | More than 2 hours after the departure |
| Looting of Bagram Airfield | Yes |
| Year of NATO's entry into Afghanistan | 2001 |
| Reason for NATO's entry into Afghanistan | To ensure that the country would not become a safe haven for international terrorists |
| Number of years of NATO's presence in Afghanistan | 20 |
What You'll Learn
Looting of abandoned US bases
The US military's withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was 90% complete as of July 2021, has been described as "slipping away in the night". US forces abandoned the Bagram Air Base, the main centre of US military operations in the country, without notifying the base's new commander, Gen. Mir Asadullah Kohistani. The electricity was shut off, and the base was looted before the Afghan army could take control.
Gen. Kohistani stated that the US left behind 3.5 million items, including small arms and ammunition, hundreds of military vehicles, and thousands of civilian cars and trucks. Many of the civilian vehicles did not have keys. Also left behind were tens of thousands of bottles of water and energy drinks, meals-ready-to-eat, and some personal items such as guitars.
The looters ransacked the base, taking anything they could. Afghan soldiers were still collecting piles of garbage left by the looters three days after the US departure.
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The future of Afghanistan's security
Afghanistan's future security is uncertain. The country has been ravaged by decades of war, and the recent withdrawal of US and NATO forces has left a power vacuum that various factions are vying to fill. The Taliban, who seized power in August 2021, are the de facto rulers but face several challenges to their authority.
The Taliban's rule has been authoritarian and repressive, especially with regards to women's rights and freedom of expression. They have banned girls from receiving secondary education and imposed strict dress codes and travel restrictions on women. The Taliban have also cracked down on dissent, with arbitrary detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings. These actions have led to widespread condemnation from the international community and raised questions about the Taliban's commitment to human rights and their ability to govern effectively.
The Taliban also face military challenges from several insurgent groups, including the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) and the National Resistance Front (NRF). The Taliban have been relatively successful in containing these groups, but the conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with almost half of the Afghan population facing acute food insecurity. The country's economy is in a dire state, with banking sanctions, frozen assets, and a lack of development aid exacerbating the situation.
The Taliban's response to these challenges will determine the future security environment in Afghanistan. If the Taliban can consolidate their rule, improve the humanitarian and economic situation, and reach a political settlement with the insurgent groups, the country may achieve a modicum of stability. However, if the Taliban continue their repressive policies and fail to address the economic crisis, they risk further alienating the population and triggering a civil war.
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The withdrawal of NATO forces
The withdrawal came despite fears that it could allow the Taliban to regain power in the country and amid escalating violence, with Afghan security forces on high alert for reprisal attacks. Indeed, the Taliban had warned that they were no longer bound by an agreement not to target international troops and that they could target foreign forces if they did not meet the May 1 deadline for withdrawal.
The US and NATO had a presence in Afghanistan for almost 20 years, entering the country following the 9/11 terrorist attacks to ensure that Afghanistan would not become a safe haven for international terrorists to attack NATO member countries. The withdrawal signalled the start of a new chapter in NATO's relationship with Afghanistan, with the alliance remaining committed to standing with the Afghan people and promoting security and upholding the gains of the last 20 years.
The process of withdrawing from Afghanistan was a complex and delicate operation with significant risks. There were huge unresolved issues, such as how to combat terrorist threats like Al-Qaeda, and the fate of thousands of private contractors who were expected to leave along with military forces. The rapid withdrawal also exposed a variety of complex problems, including how to ensure security for Kabul's international airport and the fate of the Afghan Air Force, which relied heavily on private contractors for maintenance.
The US military's Bagram Air Base, the largest US base in the country, was the main hub for the withdrawal and was likely the last base vacated by US forces. The base was vacated in July 2021, marking the end of America's longest war.
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The Taliban's resurgence
For nearly two decades, US and NATO forces were engaged in Afghanistan, working to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for international terrorists and to support the Afghan government and security forces. However, the decision to withdraw these troops created a power vacuum that the Taliban has been quick to fill. The withdrawal of US forces from Bagram Airfield, a major base in Afghanistan, left the Afghan army ill-equipped and unprepared to counter the Taliban's offensive.
Additionally, the Taliban has effectively exploited Afghanistan's rugged terrain to its advantage. The country's mountainous regions, such as Kunar and Nangahar, have served as strongholds for the group, making it difficult for US and Afghan forces to root them out completely.
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The impact on Afghan civilians
The impact of the War in Afghanistan on Afghan civilians has been devastating, with high numbers of casualties, displacement, and a reversal of gains in various sectors.
The war has resulted in a significant loss of life, with civilian casualties making up a large portion of the death toll. According to the Costs of War Project at Brown University, the war killed 46,319 Afghan civilians in Afghanistan. However, this number may be higher due to unaccounted deaths from disease, lack of access to food, water, infrastructure, and other indirect consequences of the conflict. A report by Physicians for Social Responsibility and other organizations estimates that between 106,000 and 170,000 civilians have been killed due to the fighting, with the Taliban and other anti-government elements being responsible for the majority of these deaths. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented 10,453 civilian casualties in 2017 alone, with 3,438 killed and 7,015 injured.
The war has also led to widespread displacement, with many Afghans becoming refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are currently 6.4 million Afghan refugees, asylum seekers, and IDPs worldwide, with an additional 2 million IDPs in Afghanistan itself. Pakistan has taken in the largest number of Afghan refugees, followed by Iran, India, Indonesia, and Tajikistan.
The conflict has also had a detrimental impact on various sectors in Afghanistan. The economy is on the verge of collapse, with sanctions and the termination of development aid crippling the country's economic situation. The revocation of the Afghan central bank's credentials has severely restricted cash flow, and skyrocketing inflation has led to a more than 50% increase in the price of goods. The humanitarian situation is dire, with the United Nations declaring it the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. Food insecurity is widespread, and by March 2022, 95% of Afghan households did not have enough to eat, with more than 3.5 million children in need of nutrition support. The war has also set back advancements in health, education, and women's rights. Girls are once again barred from secondary schools, and women's rights and freedoms have been severely restricted by the Taliban.
The impact of the war on Afghan civilians has been immense, with loss of life, displacement, and a reversal of progress in various sectors. The country now faces a dire humanitarian crisis, and the future remains uncertain for those still living under Taliban rule.
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Frequently asked questions
The safety of soldiers on US bases in Afghanistan cannot be guaranteed. In 2021, the US and NATO forces evacuated Afghanistan, and the country has since been taken over by the Taliban. While there are no recent reports of attacks on US bases, the security situation is unpredictable, and the Taliban continues to gain ground.
The safety of soldiers on US bases in Afghanistan depends on various factors, including the effectiveness of the Afghan security forces, the presence of US and NATO forces, and the activity of insurgent groups such as the Taliban.
No recent attacks on US bases in Afghanistan have been reported. However, the security situation remains unstable, and the Taliban is actively seeking to regain control of the country.
US bases in Afghanistan are heavily fortified and protected by Afghan security forces. Additionally, the US military takes measures to ensure the security of its bases, such as coordinating withdrawals with Afghan leadership.
The withdrawal of US and NATO forces has likely increased the vulnerability of US bases in Afghanistan. With the departure of international forces, the Afghan government and security forces are left to confront the Taliban and other insurgent groups without the same level of support and resources.
