Fall of Kabul (2021) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fall of Kabul |
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| Part of the 2021 Taliban offensive of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the war on terror | |||||||||
 Clockwise from top left: Afghans fleeing Kabul Airport aboard a US Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, US Marines assisting at an evacuation checkpoint at Hamid Karzai International Airport, coalition soldiers assist a child during the evacuation, armed Taliban fighters in Kabul, Taliban fighters aboard a captured Humvee |
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 AfghanistanSupported by: |
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| Taliban units |
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On August 15, 2021, the city of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, was taken over by the Taliban. This happened after a big attack by the Taliban that started in May 2021. This event was the final part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). It meant the Taliban had won completely.
After Kabul fell, the government of Afghanistan, called the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, was removed. Its leader, President Ashraf Ghani, left the country. The Taliban then brought back their own government, known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
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Why Did Kabul Fall So Quickly?
The US–Taliban deal, signed in February 2020, was a very important reason for the quick collapse of Afghanistan's army and police forces. These forces were called the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).
After this deal, the United States greatly reduced its air attacks. This meant the Afghan forces lost a key advantage they had when fighting the Taliban.
Unexpected Speed of the Taliban Takeover
Months before Kabul fell, experts in the United States Intelligence Community (groups that gather information for the US government) thought it would take at least six months for the Taliban to take Kabul. This was expected to happen after US troops had fully left Afghanistan.
However, starting in May 2021, even while US troops were still leaving, the Taliban quickly took control of most of Afghanistan's provinces. The speed of their takeover surprised many. US President Joe Biden later said that the collapse "unfolded more quickly than [they] had anticipated."
Evacuating People from Kabul
Between August 14 and August 30, 2021, the US and its allies helped more than 123,000 people leave Afghanistan. They used airlifts from Kabul International Airport, which was then known as Hamid Karzai International Airport.
During this time, the airport stayed under the control of NATO and the US military. This was true even though the Afghan government had fallen. People who were evacuated included foreign diplomats, military staff, and civilians from other countries. Afghan allies, journalists, and human rights activists were also helped to leave.
This airlift was the largest operation of its kind in US military history. US military members helped 79,000 civilians leave Afghanistan through the airport over 18 days.
People Left Behind
After the United States finished its withdrawal on August 30, about 1,000 people were still in Kabul. These included US citizens and Afghans who had US visas. Two weeks later, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that several thousand US residents and about one hundred US citizens were still in Afghanistan.
Images for kids
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Taliban fighters during their 2021 attack.
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People getting on buses to be processed during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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A protest in Rotterdam against the Taliban's takeover, August 21, 2021.
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US President Joe Biden talking about the fall of Kabul with the National Security Council on August 18, 2021.
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Civilians getting ready to be flown out of Kabul Airport, August 18, 2021.
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The Panjshir Valley, a place where some anti-Taliban forces went.
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Taliban members celebrating in Kabul on the anniversary of their victory, August 2022.
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