The Taliban's capture of Kabul in August 2021 ended the 20-year War in Afghanistan and dissolved the US-backed Afghan republic.
Key Facts
- Date of capture
- 15 August 2021
- Evacuees airlifted
- 123,000+ people
- Evacuation duration
- 14–30 August 2021 (18 days)
- US military evacuees transferred
- 79,000 civilians
- US–Taliban deal signed
- 29 February 2020
- Stranded after US withdrawal
- ~1,000 initially; later several thousand people
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The US–Taliban deal signed on 29 February 2020 sharply curtailed American air support, undermining the Afghan National Security Forces. Beginning in May 2021, as US troops withdrew, the Taliban launched a major offensive, rapidly seizing most Afghan provinces. US intelligence had expected Kabul to hold for at least six months after withdrawal, but the ANSF collapsed far sooner than anticipated.
On 15 August 2021, Taliban forces entered and captured Kabul, the final action of the 20-year War in Afghanistan. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, ending the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Taliban assumed control of the capital without significant armed resistance, declaring the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Between 14 and 30 August 2021, the US and coalition partners conducted the largest non-combatant evacuation in US military history, airlifting over 123,000 people from Kabul International Airport. After the final US withdrawal on 30 August, hundreds of US citizens and thousands of Afghan allies remained stranded, prompting ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
2 belligerents
Ashraf Ghani, Joe Biden.