One Day Before Withdrawal Deadline, All US Troops Withdraw
Taliban: "We Made New History... Jihad Victory"
Taliban Back on the Road... Biden Administration Faces Criticism
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondents Baek Jong-min and Lee Hyun-woo] "The 20-year-long U.S. military presence in Afghanistan has ended."
President Joe Biden officially declared on the 30th (local time) in a statement released at the White House that the U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan have completely withdrawn and the civilian evacuation operation has been completed. Thus, the Afghanistan War, known as the longest war in U.S. history that lasted for 20 years since the September 11 attacks in 2001, has officially ended. President Biden emphasized, "Over the past 17 days, the U.S. military conducted the largest airlift operation in American history, evacuating more than 120,000 U.S. and allied citizens. They accomplished this with courage, professionalism, and determination."
Prior to President Biden's official statement that day, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the withdrawal operation was urgently completed one day ahead of the withdrawal deadline on the 31st. General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of the U.S. Central Command, said at a press conference, "The last C-17 transport plane took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport," adding, "This marks the end of the 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001." He also emphasized, "Since the evacuation operation intensified on the 14th, 123,000 people have escaped from Afghanistan."
◆$1 Trillion Spent... Roads Controlled by the Taliban
In the early morning of the 31st (local time), shortly after the last U.S. transport plane left Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan, celebratory fireworks were launched to commemorate the event. Kabul (Afghanistan) = AFP·Yonhap [Image source=AFP Yonhap] Photo by AFP
The Taliban celebrated their victory in the 20-year war against the U.S. Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, stated in a declaration that "the U.S. military has left Kabul Airport, and we have achieved complete independence," adding, "The Taliban now controls all of Afghanistan."
According to Al Jazeera, Anas Haqqani, a Taliban leader responsible for security in Kabul, tweeted, "We have made new history," and "The 20-year occupation of Afghanistan by the U.S. and NATO has ended. Jihad has ended in victory." Al Jazeera also reported that gunfire from Taliban fighters celebrating their victory echoed throughout Kabul city.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is expected to face criticism over responsibility for the Afghanistan situation. The Afghanistan War, which cost enormous resources and lives over 20 years, ended with the Taliban's return to power, likely intensifying public backlash.
According to CNN, the U.S. Department of Defense reports that 2,461 U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan died over 20 years. During the same period, 3,846 contractors working for the U.S. government and 1,144 NATO and allied troops also lost their lives, reflecting significant sacrifices. Additionally, the estimated cost of the war to the U.S. over 20 years exceeds $1 trillion (1,165 trillion won).
◆What About Remaining Civilians and Afghan Collaborators?
Immediately after the U.S. military withdrawal, the Taliban took control of Kabul Airport, raising concerns about the safety of civilians who have not yet escaped Afghanistan. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference that "about 100 Americans remain in Afghanistan, and if they and local people who cooperated with the U.S. military choose to leave, we will continuously strive to assist them." The U.S. government stated it will continue diplomatic negotiations with the Taliban to evacuate remaining U.S. nationals.
However, U.S. media express concerns that approximately 250 Americans still remain in Afghanistan and it is uncertain whether they can evacuate safely. It is estimated that up to 100,000 Afghan local collaborators who worked with the U.S. and Western countries remain in the country.
Kabul Airport is already under Taliban control and is in an uncontrollable state. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned, "Kabul Airport is uncontrolled airspace where air traffic control is impossible," and "Aircraft landing at Kabul Airport or flying over Afghan airspace must exercise extreme caution."
The international community has urged the Taliban to guarantee the safe evacuation of civilians attempting to flee Afghanistan, as previously promised. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution that emphasizes the Taliban must honor their commitment to allow civilians to freely leave Afghanistan even after the U.S. military withdrawal.
The resolution was adopted unanimously by 13 of the 15 UNSC member countries, excluding China and Russia. However, the proposal to establish a 'safe zone' within Kabul, previously suggested by France and the United Kingdom, was not included. The safe zone proposal aimed to designate part of Kabul city as a UN-controlled area to serve as an evacuation zone for civilians remaining in Afghanistan. However, it was reportedly scrapped due to strong opposition from the Taliban.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
