Thousands of panicked people mobbed the airport in Kabul on Monday trying to flee the feared hardline rule of the Taliban, who were once again in control of Afghanistan in a stunningly swift end to 20 years of war.
President Biden Address Taliban victory in Afghanistan
US President Joe Biden was due to address the nation — and the world — about the chaotic situation on the ground, and try to explain how two decades of US-led military intervention fuelled by billions of dollars ended in such a bruising defeat.
The militants captured Kabul, and many other cities, with little bloodshed — but in the capital, a sense of panic and fear overwhelmed residents, some of whom worried about a repeat of the insurgents’ brutal Islamist rule from 1996 to 2001.
At the airport, frantic Afghans tried to board the few flights available throughout the day, before US forces — sent in to secure the facility — shut down military and civilian operations.
“We are afraid to live in this city,” a 25-year-old ex-soldier told AFP as he stood among huge crowds on the tarmac.
“Since I served in the army, the Taliban would definitely target me.”
The United States — which was left shocked by the rapid collapse of the Afghan government — has sent 6,000 troops to ensure the safe evacuation of embassy staff, as well as Afghans who worked as interpreters or in other support roles.
Other governments including France, Germany and Australia also organised charter flights.
“US military forces are on the scene working alongside Turkish and other international troops to clear the area of people. We do not know how long this will take,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
US soldiers shot dead two men in the crowd with weapons who had “brandished them menacingly”, a Pentagon official said.
Dramatic footage posted on social media showed hundreds of men running alongside a US Air Force plane as it rolled down the runway, with some clinging to the side of it.
In other videos, civilians frantically clambered up an already overcrowded and buckling jetway.
Taliban fighters have taken over checkpoints across Kabul, and militants with rifles slung over their shoulders walked through the streets of the Green Zone, the heavily fortified district that houses most embassies and international organisations.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country Sunday, finalising the collapse of his government which, without the support of the US military, was unable to withstand the Taliban assault.
“The Taliban have won with the judgement of their swords and guns, and are now responsible for the honour, property and self-preservation of their countrymen,” Ghani said afterwards.
The Taliban sought to reassure the international community that Afghans should not fear them, and said they will not take revenge against those who supported the US-backed alliance.
“Now it’s time to test and prove. Now we have to show that we can serve our nation and ensure security and comfort of life,” Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar said in a message posted to social media.
He called on his fighters to remain disciplined following their victory, which capped a 10-day lightning offensive across the country.
The US military invaded in 2001 after the September 11 attacks and toppled the Taliban for its support of Al-Qaeda.
But in the 20 years since, the United States ultimately failed to build a democratic government capable of withstanding the insurgent onslaught.
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