Lexi Webster
The war in Afghanistan ended on August 30, 2021, when the last U.S. military forces departed the country, bringing an end to a 20-year occupation. The war began in 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, with the goal of preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for international terrorists. Over the course of the war, the U.S. and its allies worked to establish a stable Afghan government and security forces capable of countering the Taliban and other terrorist groups. Despite these efforts, the Taliban regained control of the country following the U.S. withdrawal, raising questions about the effectiveness of the war and the potential for future conflict.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan | 30 August 2021 |
| Length of the war | 20 years |
| Number of people evacuated from Kabul airport | 120,000 |
| Number of U.S. service members killed in the war | 2,448 |
| Number of U.S. service members wounded in the war | 20,722 |
| Number of U.S. service members killed in the final week of the war | 13 |
| Number of civilians killed in the final week of the war | 170 |
| Date of the U.S. withdrawal agreement with the Taliban | February 2020 |
| Date of the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan | May 2021 |
| Date of the withdrawal of U.S. troops | 31 August 2021 |
| Date of the collapse of the Afghan government | 15 August 2021 |
| Date of the withdrawal of RSM forces | August 2021 |
| Date of the termination of the Resolute Support Mission | Early September 2021 |
What You'll Learn
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan
The Biden administration, which assumed office in January 2021, had to grapple with the decision to either follow through with the deal or risk facing attacks from the Taliban by extending the deadline. In April 2021, President Biden announced that the US would withdraw its troops by September 2021. The withdrawal was completed on August 30, 2021, a day ahead of schedule, bringing an end to the US's longest war.
The US withdrawal was marked by chaos and violence. The Taliban, which had been making rapid gains, captured Kabul on August 15, 2021, leading to the collapse of the Afghan government and the flight of President Ashraf Ghani from the country. This triggered a mass exodus, with thousands of Afghans rushing to Kabul airport in a desperate attempt to flee the country. The evacuation process was fraught with challenges, and on August 26, a suicide attack killed around 180 people, including 13 US troops.
The US withdrawal left Afghanistan in a state of crisis, with a collapsed economy, a humanitarian crisis, and the Taliban imposing restrictions on civil society and women's rights. The US policy of using sanctions and cutting off aid to moderate the Taliban has been unsuccessful, and there is an ongoing debate about how to alleviate the suffering of Afghans without aiding the Taliban regime.
The withdrawal also sparked a debate about the purpose and legacy of the US's longest war. While some argued that the war diverted resources and attention from other pressing issues, others defended the intervention as necessary to counter the terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan cost the US over $2 trillion and led to the deaths of 2,448 US personnel, with thousands more wounded.
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The Taliban's recapture of Afghanistan
The Taliban's sweep into the Afghan capital, Kabul, prompted the US-backed President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country. The Taliban took over the presidential palace and declared their plans to form a new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The US embassy in Kabul was evacuated, and the American flag was lowered.
The Taliban's return to power has also raised concerns among international observers about the group's support for terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda. The US initially invaded Afghanistan after it refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. There are fears that Afghanistan could once again become a safe haven for terrorists under the Taliban's rule.
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The evacuation of US citizens and Afghan allies
The evacuation operations were one of the largest airlifts in history. The US alone evacuated about 82,300 people from Hamid Karzai International Airport, including US citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other vulnerable Afghans. In total, over 122,000 people were airlifted abroad. The evacuation was completed on 30 August, one day before a deadline agreed upon with the Taliban.
The evacuation efforts were not without challenges. There were reports of chaos and violence at the airport, with thousands of fleeing Afghan civilians rushing to board flights out of the city. The situation was further complicated by the Taliban's control of the city and its checkpoints. To facilitate the evacuations, the US provided the Taliban with a list of names of American citizens, green card holders, and Afghan allies to grant entry into the city's airport. This decision was controversial and prompted outrage from lawmakers and military officials due to the Taliban's history of brutally murdering Afghans who collaborated with US and coalition forces.
Despite the challenges, the evacuation efforts were ultimately successful. Senior Biden administration officials stated that the US had the capacity to evacuate the approximately 300 US citizens remaining in Afghanistan who wanted to leave before the deadline. The US also continued its efforts to evacuate Afghans who had worked with US forces, with President Biden pledging to bring all Americans and Afghan helpers home.
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The future of Afghanistan
Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire, with millions of people in need of food, shelter, and medical care. The United Nations estimates that between 5 and 7.5 million people are extremely vulnerable and require international assistance. The United States, the World Food Program, and other international organizations have been working tirelessly to provide aid, but insecurity and logistical challenges have hindered their efforts.
Women and Girls' Rights
The Taliban's rule has raised concerns about the protection of women's and girls' rights. During their previous regime, the Taliban imposed strict restrictions on women, denying them access to education and employment. The current Taliban leadership has pledged to uphold women's rights, but there are doubts about their commitment. Ensuring that women and girls have access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities is crucial for the country's future.
Geopolitical Implications
The United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan has shifted the geopolitical landscape in the region. Neighboring countries such as Pakistan, India, and Iran have a vested interest in Afghanistan's stability and are closely watching the situation. Russia and China, who share a border with Afghanistan, are also paying close attention to developments and may seek to exert their influence.
The Way Forward
The international community must remain engaged in Afghanistan to support the country's transition and prevent a return to the chaos and violence of the past. This includes providing humanitarian assistance, promoting inclusive governance, and investing in the country's economic development. Afghanistan's future depends on the ability of the international community and the Afghan people to work together to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.
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The US's longest war
The war in Afghanistan was the longest war in US history, lasting nearly two decades and spanning four presidencies.
The US invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks. The invasion was authorised by President George W. Bush, as al-Qaeda, the terrorist organisation that orchestrated the attacks, was operating out of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
The initial goal of the war was to defeat al-Qaeda and neutralise Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda. The Taliban regime fell within weeks, and bin Laden evaded capture for over a decade. However, the US and its allies remained in Afghanistan to support a new government in Kabul and prevent the resurgence of the Taliban.
The war cost the US close to $1 trillion and resulted in the deaths of more than 2,000 American soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Afghans. The conflict also caused immense destruction and suffering in Afghanistan, with civilian casualties and the economy suffering immensely.
The war in Afghanistan was characterised by shifting goals, challenging terrain, and a resilient enemy. The US and its allies made significant efforts to stabilise and rebuild Afghanistan, but these efforts were often hampered by corruption, human rights abuses, and a lack of consistent strategy.
The decision to withdraw from Afghanistan was made by President Biden, who concluded that the war was no longer in the US national interest. The withdrawal was completed on August 30, 2021, bringing an end to America's longest war.
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Frequently asked questions
The US invaded Afghanistan to ensure that the country would not become a safe haven for international terrorists to attack NATO member countries. The invasion was also a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
The invasion of Afghanistan began on October 2001.
The US military departed from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, a day ahead of schedule.
The outcome of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan is debated. While some argue that the invasion was successful in preventing another major attack on US soil, others point to the high cost in lives and money, as well as the eventual return of the Taliban to power.
