The US Department of Defense announced on Monday, August 30, 2021 that the USA was completing its final withdrawal from Afghanistan with the final departure of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster from Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport around 3:29 p.m. Eastern Time.
This final withdrawal from Afghanistan late Monday, marks an end to America’s longest war. Heavy gunfire was reported in the Afghan capital, Kabul, as pro-Taliban forces were celebrating the final withdrawal of U.S. service members.
During a news briefing at the Pentagon, commander of US Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie told reporters : “I’m here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan. Tonight’s withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001.” He also declared that the cost of the mission had been high, with more than 2,400 US service personnel killed since 2001.
General Kenneth McKenzie
General Kenneth McKenzie declared that between August 14 and August 30, the US evacuated some 79,000 people from Kabul, including 6,000 American citizens.
August 14, marks the day before the Taliban took control of Kabul, taking over Afghanistan following a fierce and rapid offensive that forced the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country, triggering the collapse of government forces. The Taliban reached Kabul on August 15 while the US and other foreign allies were evacuating their personnel.
The withdrawal of U.S. service members from Afghanistan closes a historical chapter in military history as it is considered a significant failure. It is an episode which will long be remembered in war history.
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