With fireworks and ceremonial shots, the Taliban announced the “full independence” of Afghanistan after the last US soldiers had flown out after 20 years of war.
Taliban celebrate withdrawal of US troops with fireworks (AFP photo)
The Taliban have declared Afghanistan “full independence” the last US soldiers flew out after 20 years of war.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early Tuesday that “American soldiers have left Kabul airport and our nation has achieved full independence.”
The US confirmed that its last troops had withdrawn before Tuesday’s deadline, ending America’s longest war and a hectic two-week evacuation effort. The Taliban captured most of the country within a few days earlier this month.
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Taliban fighters watched the last US planes disappear into the night sky around midnight Monday, and then fired their guns into the air and lit fireworks to celebrate victory after a 20-year insurrection in Afghanistan, the most powerful military in the world one of the poorest displaced countries.
Celebratory gunfire illuminates part of the night sky after last U.S. plane takes off in Kabul (AFP photo)
The departure of the cargo planes marked the end of a massive airlift in which tens of thousands of people fled Afghanistan fearing the return of Taliban rule after taking over most of the country and rolling it into the capital earlier this month.
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“The last five planes are gone, it’s over!” Said Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul International Airport. “I can’t put my luck into words. … Our 20-year-old victim worked. “
In Washington, General Frank McKenzie, chief of US Central Command, announced the conclusion of America’s longest war and evacuation efforts, saying the last planes took off from Kabul Airport at 3:29 p.m. EDT – one minute before midnight in Kabul.
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