The rapid fall of Kabul
In August 2021, the Taliban regained control of Kabul, marking a dramatic end to two decades of Western-backed governance in Afghanistan. The takeover followed a swift military campaign across the country, coinciding with the final stages of the United States and NATO troop withdrawal. Afghan government forces, long dependent on foreign military support, collapsed far more quickly than most international analysts had predicted, allowing the Taliban to enter the capital largely unopposed on 15 August 2021.
The final days of the Ghani government
President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on the day of the Taliban’s arrival, reportedly to prevent further bloodshed, though critics accused him of abandoning Afghanistan in its moment of crisis. His departure effectively ended the Afghan Republic, which had been established following the US-led intervention in 2001. Within hours, Taliban fighters took control of key government buildings, the presidential palace, and strategic points in the city.
Evacuation and international response
The takeover triggered a massive and chaotic evacuation effort from Hamid Karzai International Airport, where thousands of Afghans and foreign nationals attempted to secure passage out of the country. Images of overcrowded planes and desperate civilians clinging to departing aircraft underscored the panic and uncertainty. Western nations organised emergency airlifts, extracting diplomats, aid workers, and vulnerable Afghans who had worked with coalition forces. The evacuation continued until the final US troops departed on 30 August 2021.
Taliban promises and the reality on the ground
Upon seizing power, Taliban leaders pledged to form an inclusive government and respect certain freedoms, particularly for women, within the framework of Islamic law. However, reports from the United Nations, human rights groups, and journalists have documented severe restrictions on women’s education, employment, and public participation. Civil society organisations, independent media, and political dissent have faced increasing suppression, while a worsening economic crisis and loss of international aid have deepened humanitarian challenges.
Geopolitical and humanitarian implications
The Taliban’s return altered regional power dynamics, with neighbouring countries including Pakistan, Iran, China, and Russia engaging cautiously with the new authorities. International recognition of the Taliban government remains limited, and sanctions have further constrained Afghanistan’s access to global financial systems. Meanwhile, the United Nations has repeatedly warned of a humanitarian catastrophe, with millions at risk of acute hunger amid drought, conflict, and economic collapse.
A lasting turning point for Afghanistan
The events of August 2021 marked not only the end of the longest war in US history but also a decisive shift in Afghanistan’s trajectory. The country faces an uncertain future, balancing the Taliban’s internal governance priorities against growing social discontent, economic desperation, and ongoing security threats from groups such as Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). The legacy of the Kabul takeover continues to shape international debate over intervention, withdrawal, and the limits of nation-building efforts.
REFH – Newshub, 15 August 2025
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