Afghanistan latest: Taliban leaders walk across airport runway to mark triumph; US finishes withdrawal
The last plane carrying U.S. forces left Afghanistan on Monday, meeting an Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw U.S. forces from the Taliban-led nation, after 20 years of war that left nearly 2,500 American troops dead and spanned four presidencies.
The Biden administration has spent weeks scrambling to evacuate Americans and Afghan translators who helped the American military after the Taliban quickly gained control of Kabul on Aug. 15.
The withdrawal also comes in the aftermath of an ISIS-K suicide bombing that killed dozens of people, including 13 U.S. service members, on Aug. 26. The U.S. retaliated with airstrikes targeting Islamic extremists on Friday and Sunday.
Evacuations originally began in July with at least 122,000 people evacuated out of Afghanistan as of Monday, including 5,400 Americans.
–Mabinty Quarshie
More:With last plane out of Kabul, America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan is over
will have to rely on diplomatic pressure – not American military might – to ensure their safe exit.
For Afghans whose lives are in danger because they worked with U.S. or allied forces, the U.S. withdrawal marked a terrifying moment, a bleak end to weeks of furtive efforts to snag a coveted spot on a U.S. evacuation flight.
“No option for us,” one Afghan who worked for an American project said in a message to USA TODAY on Monday. “Just hide.”
Read more here:With soldiers gone, security for remaining Americans in Afghanistan will depend on diplomacy
–Ledyard King and Deirdre Shesgreen
Photo of the last boots on the ground
Nearly 20 years after the first U.S. troops set foot on Afghan soil, Major Gen. Chris Donahue became the last soldier to depart the country.
“The last American soldier to leave Afghanistan: Maj. Gen Chris Donahue, commanding general of the @82ndABNDiv, @18airbornecorps, boards an @usairforce C-17 on August 30th, 2021, ending the U.S. mission in Kabul” reads a tweet from the Pentagon.
In the photo, Donohue is alone and stone-faced, carrying his firearm, with a Kabul airport hangar behind him as he gets ready to climb aboard the aircraft that left just before a self-imposed U.S. deadline to evacuate.
The photo is shot through a night-vision lens, giving the scene an eerie green tint.
–Ledyard King
What happens next in the nation now led by the Taliban?
WASHINGTON – After the last flight carrying United States forces departed Afghanistan Monday, the country entered a new era as the 20-year war with the U.S. came to a close.
The Taliban now in control of the country will have to contend with terror group ISIS-K as the United Nations and President Joe Biden urge the new government to allow for safe travel for Afghans and to uphold human rights.
The US is out of Afghanistan. What happens next in the nation now led by the Taliban?
–Rebecca Morin
Blinken leaves open possibility of engaging with Taliban
Blinken left open the possibility of continued engagement with the Taliban, the militant Islamic group the U.S. routed from power twenty years ago after the Sept. 11 attacks.
“Any engagement with a Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only — our vital national interests,” he said.
If the U.S. can work with a new Afghan government in way that helps protect American interests, brings stability to the region and preserves the gains of the past two decades, “we will do it,” Blinken said. “But we will not do it on the basis of trust or faith.”
He noted that the Taliban is seeking international legitimacy; it’s leaders can achieve that by “meeting commitments and obligations on freedom of travel, respecting the basic rights of the Afghan people, including women and minorities,” and keeping promises to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists, among other steps, Blinken said.
He said the U.S. would also continue to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan, with funding being channeled through independent organizations.
–Deirdre Shesgreen
Americans who wanted to leave beyond the roughly 6,000 already evacuated.
“We’re trying to determine exactly how many, we’re going through manifests,” and calling and texts pre-existing lists, Blinken said.
“Part of the challenge with fixing a precise number is there there are longtime residents of Afghanistan who have American passports and who were trying to determine whether or not they wanted to leave.”
Many are dual citizens with “deep roots and extended families” and face a “painful choice.”
–Ledyard King and Deirdre Shesgreen
Twenty years after George W. Bush ordered the first B-52s to bomb al-Qaida strongholds in Afghanistan, the final C-17 cargo jet carrying troops and equipment lifted off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
American forces are out.
“No words from me could possibly capture the full measure of sacrifices and accomplishments of those who serve, nor the emotions they’re feeling at this moment, but I will say that I’m proud that both my son and I have been a part of it,” said Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the head of U.S. Central Command.
Operation Enduring Freedom was launched at a moment of almost unprecedented national unity. The nation was reeling from the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and Washington in 2001, and U.S. intelligence agencies quickly identified as culprits Osama bin Laden and the Islamic extremist group he led, which was given haven by the Taliban.
Read the rest here:Goodbye, Afghanistan: From George W. Bush to Joe Biden, no celebration as America’s longest war ends
–Susan Page
The US service members who died in Thursday’s Kabul airport bombing included 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman and one Army soldier.
They came from across the United States, California to Massachusetts, Wyoming to Texas. Many of them were too young to remember 9/11.
Their names are:
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas
- Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California
- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah
- U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee
- Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyoming
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California
- Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska
- Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri
- Navy Hospital Corpsman Max W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio
They made the ‘ultimate sacrifice’: The 13 US service members killed in Afghanistan airport bombing
Biden to address nation on Tuesday
President Joe Biden said he will address Americans on the U.S. compl its military withdrawal from Afghanistan on Tuesday afternoon as he commended the military for executing the “largest airlift in U.S. history.”
“They have done it with unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve,” Biden said in a statement. “Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended.”
A separate White House release of Biden’s Tuesday schedule showed the address slated for 1:30 p.m. EDT.
In his statement, Biden said it was the “unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground” to end the airlift mission as planned on Aug. 31.
“Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead,” Biden said.
Biden urged Americans to pray tonight for three things: the troops and diplomats who carried out the mission in Afghanistan, the network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation and to everyone in the U.S. and around the world who is welcoming Afghan refugees.
“Finally, I want to end with a moment of gratitude for the sacrifice of the 13 service members in Afghanistan who gave their lives last week to save tens of thousands,” he said, listing out their names.
— Joey Garrison
Taliban celebrate victory as U.S. troops leave Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Taliban fighters watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky around midnight Monday and then fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a 20-year insurgency in Afghanistan that drove the world’s most powerful military out of one of the poorest countries.
The departure of the cargo planes marked the end of a massive airlift in which tens of thousands of people fled Afghanistan, fearful of the return of Taliban rule after they took over most of the country and rolled into the capital earlier this month.
“The last five aircraft have left, it’s over!” said Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul’s international airport. “I cannot express my happiness in words. … Our 20 years of sacrifice worked.”
“American soldiers left the Kabul airport, and our nation got its full independence,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early Tuesday Afghanistan time.
More:Biden says the Taliban are ‘not good guys.’ So why is the U.S. cooperating with them against ISIS-K?
–The Associated Press
Read Biden’s full statement on US withdrawal
“I want to thank our commanders and the men and women serving under them for their execution of the dangerous retrograde from Afghanistan as scheduled – in the early morning hours of August 31st, Kabul time – with no further loss of American lives. The past 17 days have seen our troops execute the largest airlift in US history, evacuating over 120,000 US citizens, citizens of our allies, and Afghan allies of the United States. They have done it with unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended.
“Tomorrow afternoon, I will address the American people on my decision not to extend our presence in Afghanistan beyond 8/31. For now, I will report that it was the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned. Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops, and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead.
“I have asked the Secretary of State to lead the continued coordination with our international partners to ensure safe passage for any Americans, Afghan partners, and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan. This will include work to build on the UN Security Council Resolution passed this afternoon that sent the clear message of what the international community expects the Taliban to deliver on moving forward, notably freedom of travel. The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments. It will include ongoing diplomacy in Afghanistan and coordination with partners in the region to reopen the airport allowing for continued departure for those who want to leave and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
“For now, I urge all Americans to join me in grateful prayer tonight for three things. First, for our troops and diplomats who carried out this mission of mercy in Kabul and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results: an airlift that evacuated tens of thousands more people than any imagined possible. Second, to the network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport, and provide support along the way. And third, to everyone who is now – and who will – welcome our Afghan allies to their new homes around the world, and in the United States.
“Finally, I want to end with a moment of gratitude for the sacrifice of the 13 service members in Afghanistan who gave their lives last week to save tens of thousands: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss.”
More:They made the ‘ultimate sacrifice’: The 13 US service members killed in Afghanistan airport bombing
–White House statement
Pentagon confirms final U.S. military plane has left Afghanistan
What happened to US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan?
hands full with ISIS-K,” he added.
Asked about his personal reflections on the war’s end, he said, “It was very very conflicted actually but … I was pretty much focused on the task at hand. I’ll have days ahead to actually think about that.
–Deirdre Shesgreen and Joey Garrison
Withdrawal complete, diplomatic mission continues
Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr. said the withdrawal signified “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 9/11.
“While the voluntary evacuation is complete, the diplomatic mission to ensure additional US citizens and eligible Afghans who want to leave continues. ”
–Joey Garrison
only hours left before the Aug. 31 deadline for full withdrawal arrives. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden would be speaking in the coming days about America’s withdrawal.
Since Aug. 14, the U.S. has evacuated 122,000 people from the country, including 6,000 Americans, Psaki said Monday. The State Department believes there are about 300 Americans left in the country, according to the White House.
On the U.S. troop withdrawal, Psaki said “this is exactly what government is supposed to do,” noting that the effort was currently the largest airlift in history.
Psaki declined to answer when asked whether Afghanistan was a safer country than when the U.S. first invaded while noting that the administration remains vigilant against terrorism.
She also noted that Biden “has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritize doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground.” The president’s directive comes after a deadly attack on the airport claimed the lives of 13 Americans and hundreds of Afghans.
The U.S. has since responded with two drone strikes against ISIS-K/ targets. At least one of the those strikes killed multiple children, according to the Washington Post and CNN.
“The president stands by his decision to bring our men and women home from Afghanistan. We would have sent thousands of troops in harm’s way to fight a war that Afghans weren’t willing to fight in to preserve their government,” Psaki said during a Monday press briefing.
–Matthew Brown
the American military is down to its last day in Afghanistan before it runs up against a withdrawal deadline.
Biden administration officials repeatedly have said the U.S. will will fully leave the country by Aug. 31.
“Obviously we are reaching the end of our prescribed mission,” Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor told reporters on Monday. Final details of the American withdrawal from the country are being concealed due to security concerns.
Since the withdrawal began, the military has evacuated around 122,000 people from the country, including 5,400 Americans. Most people evacuated through American flights are being ferried through U.S. military bases in the Middle East and Europe, especially in Qatar in Germany.
– Matthew Brown
More:24 hours to go: It is now Aug. 31 in Afghanistan, but there are few details about how America’s longest war will end
has been relieved of his duties.
Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller posted a video to Facebook on Thursday, “demanding accountability, integrity, and honesty from senior leaders in the Marine Corps” after 13 U.S. service members were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul.
“People are upset because their senior leaders let them down and no one is raising their hands and accepting accountability, saying we messed this up,” he said in the video. “Did any of you throw your rank on the table and say, hey, it’s a bad idea to evacuate Bagram Airfield, a strategic airbase, before we evacuate everyone? Did anyone do that,”
A veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Scheller was recently assigned to the School of Infantry East, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, as the commanding office aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in June, according to his bio.
After 17 years of service, Scheller closed the video out by saying he is willing to throw it all away to demand accountability.
On Friday, Scheller made a separate post to Facebook stating as of 2:30 p.m. he was relieved of his duties. He has declined comment to all media until his official exit from the military.
Base officials confirmed the news, adding Scheller was relieved of command by Col. David Emmel, commanding officer of School of Infantry-East, due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command.
“This is obviously an emotional time for a lot of Marines, and we encourage anyone struggling right now to seek counseling or talk to a fellow Marine. There is a forum in which Marine leaders can address their disagreements with the chain of command, but it’s not social media,” said Marine Corps spokesperson Maj Jim Stenger.
– Trevor Dunnell, Jacksonville Daily News
targeting ISIS-K bombers in Afghanistan on Sunday may have also killed civilians.
“We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today,” said Navy Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for U.S. Central Command, on Sunday.
At least one of the occupants of the vehicle was believed to be a suicide bomber, according to a U.S. official. The Pentagon confirmed the drone strike Sunday, saying it was against an “imminent ISIS-K threat” to the airport in Kabul.
“We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties,” Urban said. “It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further.”
At a Monday press briefing, officials said the incident is being investigated.
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Afghanistan:A timeline of the US withdrawal and Taliban recapture of Afghanistan
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul had warned of a “specific credible threat” and urged those hoping to evacuate to leave the airport. President Joe Biden said Saturday the Kabul airport was “highly likely” to be the target of another attack before the Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline.
A blast at the airport on Thursday killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 169 Afghans. A retaliatory U.S. drone strike on Friday killed two ISIS-K members.
Biden administration taps former acting FEMA head to lead resettlement efforts of Afghan refugees
Former Acting FEMA Administrator Robert Fenton, Jr. will lead the Biden administration’s effort to resettle refugees from Afghanistan, the Department of Homeland Security announced Sunday.
Fenton, who will report directly to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, will lead a broad range of operations to resettle Afghans, including immigration processing, COVID-19 testing and isolation and securing permanent homes for refugees who are neither American citizens nor permanent residents, DHS said.
They made the ‘ultimate sacrifice’:The 13 US service members killed in Afghanistan airport bombing
Nicole Gee:California Marine Nicole Gee, 23, who cradled baby at Kabul airport, killed in Afghanistan attack
“Bob has dedicated his career to public service and has decades of experience managing complex and critically important missions. He will help lead this interagency effort with incredible adeptness and the highest standards of honor and integrity,” Mayorkas said in a statement.
Fenton has a long history of responding to national disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, wildfires in California and the 9/11 terrorist attack. He was acting FEMA administrator during the presidential transition periods in 2017 and 2021.
– Kristine Phillips