The United States has completed the withdrawal of all its troops from Afghanistan. The withdrawal of US troops was completed by August 31, in line with the deadline set by US President Joe Biden.
This marked the end of the longest US war in Afghanistan.
The last US military aircraft, the C-17, left Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport shortly before midnight on August 30, local time in Kabul. At that time, the eastern time of the United States was 3:29 on Monday.
The end of this chaotic war has raised deep questions about the United States’ position as the world’s superpower.
More than 2,400 US troops have been killed in the 20-year-old war in Afghanistan. Last Thursday, 13 US soldiers were killed in a horrific suicide attack at Kabul airport.
Meanwhile, US forces have evacuated more than 123,000 people from Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 14. However, some U.S. citizens and Afghans supporting U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan. They will be removed later through a diplomatic mission, a US spokesman said.
President Biden is addressing the nation on Tuesday. Because Biden has been widely criticized for withdrawing troops in a chaotic situation. The United States has been widely criticized for failing to leave Afghanistan in a dignified manner.
Meanwhile, Taliban fighters entered Kabul airport shortly after the last US military plane left. They cheered by firing blank shots into the sky.
But the Taliban, who have regained power after two decades, now have to face a tough challenge. Although the United States has spent billions of dollars rebuilding the country, Afghanistan is plagued by extreme poverty and drought.
A Taliban spokesman in Kabul, Zabihullah Mujahid said, the withdrawal of US troops had given Afghanistan full independence.
Anas Haqqani, a senior Taliban official said, he was proud to have witnessed this historic moment.
But now all eyes are on the Taliban. There is concern and curiosity about how they will handle everything, given the sole authority of the country. Particularly concerned are Afghans and foreigners who are willing to leave but have not been able to do so.
The issue of providing security at Kabul airport has not been resolved yet. Although the Taliban has offered logistical support to Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not yet agreed.
