Withdrawal of US Troops from Afghanistan Completed, Taliban Welcomes Happily

The US military has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan to end a brutal 20-year war – a war that began and ended with the hardline Taliban in power, despite billions of dollars being spent trying to rebuild the conflict-torn country.

Celebrating gunfire rang out in Kabul in the early hours of Tuesday, and jubilant senior Taliban officials hailed the event as a defining moment.

The withdrawal comes after the last tense days of evacuating tens of thousands of Americans and Afghans who have helped the US-led war effort – and which left scores of Afghans and 13 soldiers The US was killed in a suicide attack last week.

The attack – claimed by ISIS’ Afghanistan branch – gave tense urgency to the US-led international airlift from Kabul, and also exposed the possible troubles ahead for Afghanistan as the Taliban moved to form a government and actually rule.

Before August 31
The withdrawal came before the end of August 31, the actual deadline set by President Joe Biden to end America’s longest war – a war that ultimately claimed the lives of more than 2,400 US troops.

“I am here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens,” US General Kenneth McKenzie told reporters on Monday Washington time.

“Tonight’s withdrawal marks the end of the military component of evacuation but also the end of a nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001.”

Biden said he will address the nation on Tuesday in Washington.

Taliban response
Taliban game togel online spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghanistan had “gained complete independence” with the US withdrawal, and Anas Haqqani, a senior Taliban official, said he was “proud” to witness this “historic moment”.

AFP correspondents in the city heard celebratory gunfire from several Taliban checkpoints, as well as the cheers of fighters manning security posts in the green zone.