Kabul has fallen to Taliban. The news comes exactly after 19 years and 10 months of US invasion of Afghanistan. The US government announced the War on Terror in October 2001. Thereafter, the US forces were able to immediately take over Kabul from Taliban with their sophisticated weaponry, B-52 bombers and support from Pakistan. However, the Afghan capital has fallen within days as soon the US forces announced their withdrawal. Interestingly, the US forces announced their complete withdrawal until 31 August 2021. However, it seems that the US forces are on run as they didn’t expect such an immediate, pompous and welcoming comeback of Taliban.
Taliban’s Shocking Return to Power
The return of Taliban is surprising for everyone. The Indians are in shock as the Indian Military Academy did help in training of Afghan soldiers for years. Moreover, there are evidences of support to NDS and Afghan Forces against Pakistan in cash and kind. Moreover, the Pakistani were also not expecting such an immediate triumph of Taliban. Yet, it is likely that they will accept and welcome the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. One clear reason for this is the antagonistic attitude of Afghanistan’s former government towards Pakistan.
However, the Americans are in a bigger shock. US invested heavily in capacity building of Afghan government and its forces. Yet, the way they are falling and trembling against the Taliban is shocking for them. The US authorities did expect a Taliban strengthening after their withdrawal from the region. Yet, they also didn’t had a slight idea that it will take days to take back the throne of Kabul.
Importantly, the US was in Afghanistan for 2 decades. The Taliban had severely weakened during these times. However, US was unaware that the Taliban were equipping and regrouping themselves in a better way. The surprising takeover of Kabul has left the US with limited choices.
The US Embassy is asking its citizens to evacuate from Afghanistan. Moreover, it has disabled all sorts of contact and the only way of communication is an online form.
Afghanistan, Pakistan and India
The former Afghanistan government was continuously working against the interests of Pakistan. It was visibly siding with India, allowing several consulates and diplomatic concessions that were specifically targeting Pakistan. However, the date of beginning of Taliban rule in imperative as India celebrates its Independence Day on 15th of August every year.
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The Taliban or Taleban, who refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a Deobandi Islamist movement and military organization in Afghanistan, currently waging war within the country.
The Taliban government was ousted in 2001. Thereafter, a brutal fight in the region led to severe fighting in Tora Bora hills. Later, the Taliban were able to hide and let the US installed Afghan government work in Kabul until their (US) withdrawal. The Taliban would often launch their regular offensive against then Afghan government to let the world know that they were very much there.
The current takeover of Kabul resounds with the same operational offensive. As soon the US announced its withdrawal, the Taliban were able to realign their strategies. Moreover, they have formally taken control of Kabul today.
It is unclear when the new government will sworn in and who will the new leader of Taliban in Afghanistan.
