Fall of Kabul

Fall of Kabul refers to the capture of the capital city of Afghanistan by Taliban forces on 15 August 2021, which precipitated the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The event marked the culmination of a rapid offensive launched by the Taliban following the withdrawal of United States and NATO troops. The fall led to the flight of President Ashraf Ghani, a chaotic international evacuation, and the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Background

The War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) began following the September 11 attacks and the subsequent United States invasion of Afghanistan which toppled the first Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. For two decades, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, supported by a U.S.-led coalition, fought an insurgency led by the Taliban. Key events during this period included the Operation Enduring Freedom, the Bonn Agreement, and the presidency of Hamid Karzai. The Doha Agreement between the United States and the Taliban in February 2020 set a timeline for the withdrawal of foreign forces, creating conditions for a renewed Taliban military campaign.

Prelude to the fall

Following the Doha Agreement, the United States under President Joe Biden announced a full withdrawal by September 2021. The Taliban subsequently launched a major offensive in May 2021, rapidly capturing provincial capitals and districts. Major cities like Kandahar, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif fell in quick succession, often with minimal resistance from the Afghan National Army. The speed of the advance shocked officials in Kabul and in Western capitals, including the Pentagon and White House. The collapse of key defensive positions, such as those in Lashkargah and Sheberghan, demonstrated the crumbling morale of government forces.

Collapse of the Afghan government

As Taliban forces encircled Kabul in mid-August 2021, the government of President Ashraf Ghani disintegrated. Key figures, including Abdullah Abdullah and Hamid Karzai, attempted to negotiate a transfer of power. However, with the Taliban entering the city, Ghani fled the country, reportedly to the United Arab Emirates. The Afghan National Army effectively dissolved, and the Afghan Air Force ceased operations. This institutional collapse left the capital defenseless, leading to the surrender of the Presidential Palace to Taliban negotiators.

Taliban takeover

On 15 August 2021, Taliban fighters entered Kabul and took control of key government institutions, including the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Defense. The group announced the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from the palace. Initial public statements were made by spokesmen like Zabihullah Mujahid and political chief Abdul Ghani Baradar. While the entry was largely peaceful, panic spread among civilians fearing a return to the group's previous harsh rule, leading to a rush on Kabul International Airport.

Aftermath and international evacuation

The immediate aftermath was dominated by a massive airlift from Hamid Karzai International Airport, led by the United States Armed Forces and other nations. Operations like Operation Allies Refuge and the British Operation Pitting evacuated over 120,000 people. Chaotic scenes unfolded at the airport, culminating in the 2021 Kabul airport attack by ISIS-K. The evacuations involved coordination between the U.S. Department of State, the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and other allies, but left behind many Afghan partners.

Impact and consequences

The fall reshaped regional geopolitics, affecting neighboring countries like Pakistan, Iran, and China. It triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with organizations like the United Nations and World Food Programme warning of famine. Domestically, the Taliban imposed restrictions on women in Afghanistan, banned most secondary education for girls, and cracked down on dissent. The event also led to a congressional investigation in the United States, with hearings involving Generals Mark A. Milley and Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., examining the chaotic withdrawal. Category:2021 in Afghanistan Category:Battles of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:History of Kabul Category:August 2021 events