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US Exits Afghanistan

Wikipedia Creative Commons

Final flight leaves Kabul marking US withdrawal and end of 20-yr-long war in Afghanistan with Taliban in control

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | Aug 31, 2021, at 09:16 am

#Afghanistan #Taliban #USTroopsWithdrawal

As the last US military flight carrying troops left the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, the United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan, ending a two-decade-long war ignominiously, with the Islamist Taliban in full control.

The last three US military evacuation flights departed HKIA just ahead of the August 31 deadline. The last one, a C-17 Globemaster transport plane, took off from the Kabul airport at 3:29 pm. East Coast Time, Russia Today (RT) reported quoting General Kenneth McKenzie, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Foreign correspondents in Kabul reported how Taliban fighters rejoinced the historic event with celebratory gunfires after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan was officially completed.

Celebratory gunfire from #Taliban fighters shooting tracer rounds into #Kabul's night sky after #US withdrawal. pic.twitter.com/4dhrHz7CNw
— Nabih (@nabihbulos) August 30, 2021

U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad in a tweet said: "Our war in Afghanistan is over. Our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen served with distinction and sacrifice to the very end. They have our enduring gratitude and respect."

1/5 Our war in Afghanistan is over. Our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen served with distinction and sacrifice to the very end. They have our enduring gratitude and respect.
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) August 30, 2021

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