AMERICAN HOSTAGES
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
Contrary to other sections, Afghanistan will be presented in style of the original whiteboards. To read more about the War in Afghanistan, go to the Situation Analysis page. To see the whiteboards and/or war timeline, go to the Explore the War page.
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban retook control of Kabul. This was the first time they controlled Afghanistan since 2001. 15 days later on August 30, U.S. troops fully withdrew from the country. In speed of the hasty withdrawal, American citizens have been left behind. This section will display the situation in Afghanistan as an unfolding crisis.
AFGHANISTAN: A CONTINUOUS CRISIS
STRANDED
U.S. CITIZENS
OFFICIAL (appx.): 175
ESTIMATE: 1000+
TIME SINCE
U.S. TROOP WITHDRAWAL
*Numbers are subject to change
On August 30, 2021, U.S. Forces fully withdrew from Afghanistan. In the time since then, the concern grows stronger over U.S. Citizens still in Afghanistan.
20 YEARS OF WARFARE: U.S. AND AFGHAN COOPERATION
Photo by SPC Marshall Emerson is licensed under CC BY NC-ND
U.S. Soldiers and local Afghans pose with an American Flag during Operation Mountain Sweep (August 2002).
On October 7, 2001, the United States (U.S.) launched Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Forces fought alongside the Northern Alliance to deprive the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and affiliated terrorist groups of territory in Afghanistan. As the U.S. presence grew stronger over the years, Afghans became more central to operations. For years, the U.S. funded and trained the Afghan Army. Afghans also served as interpreters to U.S. troops.
When the Taliban was overthrown in 2001, the U.S. and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) focused on rebuilding Afghanistan. The objective was to improve the infrastructure (such as the 2002 Ring Road) and form a new democratic government. Implementing democracy into the political process was central to transforming Afghanistan. From 2003, ISAF led the rebuilding efforts of Afghanistan. In 2004, Afghanistan held its first democratic election. Hamid Karzai (first selected in the 2002 loya jirga) became its first democratically elected president.
The U.S. also sought to implement social change in Afghanistan. Under Taliban rule, girls were not allowed to attend school. The U.S. funded the construction of thousands of schools in Afghanistan since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. Most funding throughout the war was aid toward strengthening Afghan defense forces. One may even infer increased military aid to Afghanistan as more U.S. troops deployed there.
Following the peak of U.S. troop deployments from 2011, it became ever more essential to prepare the handover of Afghanistan. The plan was to continue the U.S. training of the Afghan National Army. Once U.S. and ISAF forces leave, the Afghan National Army can prevent the country from falling back under Taliban control. The U.S. spent over $80 billion toward Afghan Army training and armament. Operation Enduring Freedom concluded in December 2014. In January 2015, the War in Afghanistan was designated Operation Freedom's Sentinel. ISAF's mission was to be Operation Resolute Support.
In July 2021, the U.S. launched Operation Allies Refuge. More than 100,000 Afghanis were airlifted from Kabul to eventually be resettled in the United States. After U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan, reports confirmed many Afghan allies left behind. Many served as interpreters and assisted U.S. forces during the War in Afghanistan.
2021 TALIBAN OFFENSIVE AND FALL OF AFGHANISTAN
Most of Afghanistan fell under Taliban control during the Summer of 2021. This section will analyze major factors that contributed to the Taliban offensive, and possibly answer questions on their rapidity of advance.
Under the 2020 Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan, U.S. troops were to fully withdraw by May 1, 2021. The Taliban made clear the threat to retaliate against U.S. troops if they were to remain in Afghanistan past the agreed withdrawal date. Since the signing of the peace deal in February 2020, U.S. military casualties dramatically decreased in Afghanistan. No U.S. troops were killed in action until the Kabul Airport Attack in August 2021. This was the longest streak since the beginning of Operation Freedom's Sentinel in 2015.
In Spring 2021, the U.S. withdrawal date changed several times before finalizing on August 31. The Taliban began their 2021 offensive on May 1. As the final U.S. troops deployed in Afghanistan were withdrawing, the Afghan Army had more jurisdiction. The U.S. plan was for the Afghan Army to hold off and prevent Afghanistan from falling under Taliban control. The previous section detailed the billions in U.S. funding toward the Afghan Army. In July 2021, 300,000 Afghan forces were mustered to combat the Taliban. However, during the years the U.S. advised and trained the Afghan Army, continuous problems recurred- a major advantage to the Taliban.
One of the main issues was the lack of combat readiness among Afghan troops. Many who were to report for training went AWOL (absent without leave), there were also reports of drug usage. From a study in 2010, over 9% of the Afghan National Police were drug users. Percentages were higher in certain provinces (i.e., Helmand, Kandahar, etc.); which eventually became combat hotspots for U.S. troops during peak deployment. According to the 2019 Survey of the Afghan People, data reported that 74.5% of Afghanis were concerned about security. That trend has increased nearly 30% since 2006. Support for the Aghan National Army fluctuated between 50 and 60% from 2007-2019. This contradicts support for the Afghan National Police. From 2007-2019, support remained under 50%. As for the Taliban, over 70% of Afghanis regarded them as a threat. Afghan citizens were optimistic towards peace in the country. Over 60% believed in future peace between Afghanistan's current government the Taliban (2019). Support however differed between locations. Provinces such as Helmand and Kandahar have stronger support for the Taliban. For instance, a 2012 report found that 42% in Kandahar opposed U.S. troops in 2010. When asked about negotiating or peace with the Taliban, over 80% supported it (2010). Pakistan, a major benefactor to Afghanistan's Taliban for decades supported its control. Over 50% of Pakistanis in a 2021 poll supported Afghanistan under Taliban control.
Another recurring issue amongst the Afghan Army was attacks from infiltration (Green on Blue attacks). To reiterate, the Taliban was an insurgency since its 2001 defeat. Green on Blue attacks were Afghan Army trainees or soldiers launching attacks against U.S. or ISAF forces. Methods included shooting U.S. troops during training exercises and suicide attacks. The Taliban used Green on Blue attacks to their advantage to demoralize the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. According to data from the Long War Journal, Green on Blue attacks were 15% of all ISAF casualties in 2012. Attacks increased between 2011 and 2013. Most were located in Kandahar, Helmand, and Nangahar Provinces. Between 2008 and 2017, 155 U.S. and ISAF troops were killed by Green on Blue attacks.
When the Taliban's 2021 offensive commenced, major factors analyzed above contributed toward their success. The inability and ineffectiveness of the Afghan Army led to less resistance against the advance of the Taliban. Support amongst the Afghan people for peace and a more optimistic approach toward the Taliban indicated a direction unlike earlier years during the war. Infiltration capabilities of the Taliban to attack U.S. and Coalition forces contributed to a prolonged war. Finally, support from subsidizers like Pakistan helped embolden the Taliban. On August 15, 2021, Afghanistan's capital, Kabul fell. The Taliban retained control over Afghanistan for the first time since 2001. Many other links can be tied to the Taliban's rapid 2021 offensive, but those mentioned above were major recurring issues that played a major stake hold in Afghanistan's future toward the Taliban's return.
20 YEARS LATER: AFGANISTAN'S NEW TALIBAN GOVERNMENT
Photo is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Taliban Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid answering questions during an international press conference (August 2021).
Prior to the War in Afghanistan, the Taliban was led by Mullah Mohammed Omar. After its overthrow in late 2001, the Taliban became an insurgency. In 2021, after the fall of Kabul, the Taliban once again ruled Afghanistan. Its new leader is Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. The new Taliban government raises suspicion of future national security concerns for the United States. After declaring Afghanistan an Islamic Emirate, the Taliban faces two critical challenges: ISIS-K and a humanitarian crisis. Both ISIS-K and the Taliban are enemies (further explained below). Currently, Afghanistan's economy is in shambles. Millions of Afghans are facing starvation. The Taliban has appealed for international assistance on the starvation crisis. However, the question is the trustworthiness of the Taliban. After the 2021 withdrawal, the Taliban acquired billions in U.S. weaponry left behind in Afghanistan. China has also taken an interest in Afghanistan in wake of the U.S. withdrawal. Going forward, the new Taliban government raises questions of a breeding ground for international intervention and possible future warfare.
PREVIOUS GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEES
IN TALIBAN GOVERNMENT
The Taliban officially reinstituted power over Afghanistan for the first time since 2001. Concerns about the new Taliban government are ties to al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. Contrary to statements of peace and anti-terror pledges by the Taliban, there is ample concern about the future. Former detainees released from Guantanamo Bay in the Taliban government raise questions about the future of the United States and combatting terrorism in Afghanistan. If the Taliban strengthens ties with al-Qaeda or any affiliated terrorist groups, should the U.S. strengthen an anti-terrorism policy for future war in Afghanistan?
TALIBAN vs ISIS-K
JIHAD CIVIL WAR
In Afghanistan, ethnic and tribal conflict is not uncommon. Pashtuns consist of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group. Under the Taliban rule, many who opposed (i.e., Northern Alliance) were comprised of Tajiks and Uzbeks. Ethnic persecution such as the Taliban's massacre of Hazaras remains rampant.
The Taliban's main challenger (aside the Afghan National Resistance Front) is ISIS-K. Both carry out attacks against one another. ISIS-K does not occupy territory in Afghanistan, but instead uses insurgency tactics against the Taliban. Increased tension and fighting amongst both groups render a question of a future Afghan civil war.
KABUL AIRPORT ATTACK
The final U.S. withdrawal deadline from Afghanistan was August 31, 2021. During the closing weeks near the deadline, thousands of U.S. troops were deployed to Afghanistan. Their mission was to secure and assist with the evacuation of Americans and Afghan Allies. Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan was the main departure route. During Operation Allies Refuge, Afghan refugees were flown out of the airport on U.S. C-17s. On August 26, 2021, ISIS-K launched a suicide attack at Abbey Gate in Hamid Karzai International Airport (Kabul, Afghanistan). 13 U.S. troops were killed, including more than 100 Afghan civilians. They were the last U.S. troops killed in action during the 20-year War in Afghanistan. The ISIS-K leader responsible for the attack still remains at large. U.S. troops continued evacuation and security at the airport until the last plane left Afghanistan on August 30, 2021.
DOCUMENTED ABUSE AGAINST AMERICANS (2021 WITHDRAWAL--NON-MILITARY):
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Taliban kicked a pregnant American woman in the stomach; forced her into hiding.
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Taliban going door to door hunting Americans
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Taliban beat and held American mother at gunpoint.
2021 AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL: CHAOS IN KABUL
Sporadic Information is common once evaluating the withdrawal. The list of incidents below (documented at time of occurrence) highlights the size, security status, and possible implications of the 2021 Withdrawal.
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No Exact Number
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U.S. Embassy Issued Security Alerts Against Airport Travel
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No Guaranteed Safe Passage
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Taliban Control/Surround Airport
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U.S. Passports Revoked by Taliban
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Taliban Harmed U.S. Citizens En Route to Airport
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Operation Pineapple Express
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Taliban Swear-in -- 9/11 Anniversary
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State Department Blocked Flights
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Families of U.S. Troops Abandoned
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Stranded Americans Included School Children
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ACTIVE TERROR THREATS
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CIA Informants Face Execution
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ISIS-K Bomber WANTED
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Taliban Wants Legitimacy
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MI-5 WARNING OF JIHADI THREAT
20 YEARS LATER: AFGHANISTAN UNDER TALIBAN RULE
After U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, questions remain about Afghanistan's future. Following a 20-year war analysis and chaotic withdrawal, could there be another future war in Afghanistan? If it results in the future deployment of U.S. forces, what lessons could the past 20 years and current situation in Afghanistan offer?
Taliban fighters in Kabul's Presidential Palace on August 15, 2021.