2021 evacuation from Afghanistan

2021 evacuation from Afghanistan
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz · Public domain · source
Conflict	2021 evacuation from Afghanistan
Part of	War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)

2021 evacuation from Afghanistan. The 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan was a large-scale evacuation effort conducted by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other NATO countries, in response to the Taliban's rapid takeover of the country. This evacuation was one of the largest airlifts in history, with thousands of people, including Afghan civilians, US military personnel, and diplomats, being evacuated from Kabul International Airport. The evacuation effort was led by the US Department of Defense, in coordination with the US Department of State, US Agency for International Development, and other US government agencies, as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Background

The 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan was preceded by the Doha Agreement, a peace agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, which aimed to end the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). However, the agreement did not include the Afghan government, led by Ashraf Ghani, and the Taliban's takeover of the country was rapid, with the group capturing Kandahar, Herat, and other major cities, including the capital, Kabul. The US military, led by General Mark Milley, and the US Central Command, led by General Kenneth McKenzie, played a crucial role in the evacuation effort, in coordination with the US Embassy in Kabul, led by Chargé d'Affaires Ross Wilson. The United Nations Security Council, including members such as China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, also played a key role in responding to the crisis.

Evacuation efforts

The evacuation efforts were led by the US Air Force, with support from the US Army, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. The US Air Force used a variety of aircraft, including the C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, and KC-10 Extender, to evacuate people from Kabul International Airport. The US military also worked with other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, to evacuate their citizens and Afghan civilians who had worked with them. The International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Children's Fund also played a key role in the evacuation effort, providing support to refugees and internally displaced persons. The US Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and the US Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Xavier Becerra, also played a crucial role in responding to the crisis.

Timeline of events

The evacuation effort began on August 14, 2021, when the Taliban captured Kandahar, and escalated rapidly over the next few days, with the US military deploying thousands of troops to Kabul International Airport to secure the evacuation. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban captured Kabul, and the US Embassy in Kabul was evacuated, with Chargé d'Affaires Ross Wilson and other US diplomats being flown out of the country. The US military worked closely with the British Army, led by Chief of the General Staff General Nick Carter, and the Canadian Armed Forces, led by Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre, to evacuate people from the airport. The Australian Defence Force, led by Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell, and the German Armed Forces, led by Inspector General Eberhard Zorn, also played a key role in the evacuation effort.

International response

The international response to the crisis was led by the United Nations, with Secretary-General António Guterres calling for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians. The European Union, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the G7, including members such as Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, also played a key role in responding to the crisis. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, led by Secretary General Helga Schmid, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, led by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, also provided support to the evacuation effort. The Red Cross, led by President Peter Maurer, and the International Rescue Committee, led by President David Miliband, also played a crucial role in responding to the crisis.

Aftermath and criticism

The evacuation effort was widely criticized, with many arguing that it was poorly planned and executed, and that thousands of Afghan civilians who had worked with the US military and other countries were left behind. The US Congress, including members such as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, held hearings to investigate the evacuation effort, and the US Government Accountability Office launched an investigation into the crisis. The United Nations Human Rights Council, led by President Nazhat Shameem Khan, and the International Criminal Court, led by Prosecutor Karim Khan, also launched investigations into the crisis. The European Parliament, led by President David Sassoli, and the German Bundestag, led by President Bärbel Bas, also held debates and hearings on the crisis.

Casualties and refugee crisis

The evacuation effort resulted in the deaths of at least 180 people, including 13 US military personnel, and the injury of hundreds more. The crisis also led to a massive refugee crisis, with thousands of Afghan civilians fleeing the country, and many more displaced within Afghanistan. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, led by Filippo Grandi, estimated that over 500,000 people had been displaced by the crisis, and that many more were at risk of displacement. The International Committee of the Red Cross, led by President Peter Maurer, and the World Food Programme, led by Executive Director David Beasley, also provided support to refugees and internally displaced persons. The US Department of State, led by Secretary Antony Blinken, and the US Agency for International Development, led by Administrator Samantha Power, also played a crucial role in responding to the crisis. Category:2021 conflicts