The chaos in Kabul continues AfghanistanMass evacuation, TalibanThe rapid takeover and suicide bombing that killed more than 180 people (including American soldiers) now all eyes are on the United States, because the deadline for their final withdrawal is fast approaching.
In the months after the inauguration of the U.S. President, the Taliban moved at an astonishing speed Joe Biden Announcing the withdrawal of the remaining U.S. troops from the country. A key turning point came when a US contingent emptied a major base-this militant group swept through and effectively conquered most of Afghanistan in a few weeks-including its capital.
The Islamic organization’s brutal rule over the country from 1996 to 2001 included throwing stones at adulterers and banning women from going to work or school until they were repelled by the US-led coalition forces pursuing asylum members of Al Qaeda.
In recent weeks, concerns about possible reprisals for Afghans who helped coalition forces have triggered massive exodus. Other Afghan civilians, including officials, journalists, activists and minorities, have also been asked to leave.
The following is a prelude to the Taliban’s takeover of the country and what has happened so far in the evacuation of refugees.
February 29, 2020: U.S. and Taliban diplomats Sign a peace agreement In Doha, Qatar, the country reached an agreement to withdraw American troops and the Taliban to stop attacking Americans.
Later in September of the same year, negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government will begin, but no progress or agreement has been reached.
April 14, 2021: Biden announced The withdrawal of the remaining U.S. troops It was held in Afghanistan on September 11, the 20th anniversary of Al Qaeda’s terrorist attack on the United States.
From May 2021 to July 2021: The Taliban began to make progress in several key areas and territories of Afghanistan. Kabul is currently unaffected and is under government control.
July 2, 2021: U.S. Army Withdraw from the country’s largest air base — Bagram Air Force Base — nearly 20 years later. The base has been handed over to the Afghan security forces, but there has been some confusion during the transition.
On the same day, the Pentagon stated that the final U.S. troop withdrawal may be completed by the end of August—before the time that Biden ordered it to end before September 11.
July 8, 2021: Canadian government sources Tell Reuters the plan Received Afghan interpreters and their families during the U.S. withdrawal.
After the last active Canadian troops left in 2014, Canada’s military intervention in Afghanistan has been restricted for seven years.
July 14, 2021: U.S. officials Announced plans to withdraw some Afghan military aides This helped its troops in the area.
July 17, 2021: Canadian officials, including Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, Confirm plans to help Afghans Have cooperated with Canada, although they did not give a clear timetable or further commitment details.
In the next few days, the Afghan interpreter in Canada promised to help say that the Immigration Bureau failed to relocate them and their families. Advocates condemned the slow and difficult documentation process.
July 23, 2021: Federal government Uncover a new “protection road” To support the Canadian military to relocate Afghans and their families.
After the government abandoned the initial 72-hour application timeline, the inboxes for these Afghans to apply for resettlement later collapsed.
July 30, 2021: this Afghan’s first flight This helped the U.S. military arrive in Dulles, Virginia, transporting more than 200 people, including children and infants.
August 2, 2021: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Accuse the Taliban militants of the rapid advance Regarding the rapid withdrawal of the United States. He said his government will focus its security forces on protecting provincial capitals and urban areas, and claimed that Afghan forces will be “capable” to defeat the Taliban insurgents.
August 4, 2021: this The first plane carrying Afghan refugees landed in Canada, Although federal officials will not specify how many people are on board.
In the following days, Taliban assassinates an Afghan officialAnd the United Nations compared the upcoming conflict with the situation in Syria.
August 10, 2021: Taliban is Estimated to control 65% of the country’s land, According to the European Union. Approximately 400,000 Afghans have been displaced.
August 12, 2021: Captured by Taliban forces Kandahar and Herat, The second and third largest city in the country.
August 13, 2021: Canadian officials announced Plan to resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees, Including interpreters, activists, female leaders, and LGBTQ2 community members.
August 15, 2021: The Taliban began to enter Kabul, prompting President Ghani flees Fight side by side with multiple officials.
Insurgent group claims Afghanistan “end of war”, After they attacked the capital, they basically completely controlled the country.
On the same day, Canada temporarily suspended diplomatic relations with that country.
August 16, 2021: The evacuation flight at Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul was suspended after at least five people were killed.
Circulated pictures show that when a U.S. military plane took off, refugees clung to it. There were reports that two people fell and died.
August 17, 2021: Evacuation flight Recovery from Kabul, The US military is in charge of the airport. The Taliban control all other ground routes in the city.
In obvious moderation behavior, Taliban announces “amnesty” Everyone across the country and ask women to join their government.
Two more Flight arrival in Canada Transporting Afghan refugees and diplomats.Trudeau reiterated Canada “has no plan” to officially recognize the Taliban As the national government.
August 18, 2021: Biden Commitment to withdraw All American citizens from the country said that American soldiers will stay until they all leave.
Canada Reached an agreement to resume normal flight of two military aircraft Evacuate personnel from Kabul Airport.
this The Taliban will kill at least one person and injure six more After suppressing protests in Jalalabad near the Pakistani border.
August 20, 2021: Report Targeted clearance in Taliban-controlled areas Encouraging thousands of refugees to flock to Kabul Airport.
Biden assured Americans still in Kabul that the United States would let them go home, and Canadian officials began to exempt Afghan refugees from passports and COVID-19 testing requirements.
August 23, 2021: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that he will Convene the Group of Seven to hold emergency talks on Afghanistan.
Biden also confirmed that he did not rule out extending the August 31 deadline set before the Taliban took over.
Several Canadian, U.S. and other foreign institutions stated that they Clear content from their website To protect the Afghans.
August 24, 2021: Trudeau announced Canada will be “prepared to stay” Exceeded the August 31 deadline set by the United States. However, Biden Will double in the future Evacuation date at the end of the month.
The United Nations has reported evidence of human rights violations by the Taliban, Including “Summary Execution” The surrendered civilians and the Afghan army.
August 25, 2021: Poland and Belgium To end their evacuation in Afghanistan.
August 26, 2021: report Two explosions near the entrance of Kabul Airport.
Officials later revealed that the explosion killed 12 members of the US military and injured 15 others-the first group of soldiers killed in the US military in 18 months.
According to reports, at the end of the day, at least 60 Afghan civilians were killed and another 140 were injured.
According to the Canadian Department of Global Affairs, there are no reports of injuries to Canadians.
U.S. military officials blamed ISIS Khorosan, also known as ISIS-K -A branch of the Islamic State operating in Afghanistan. The organization later claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing.
In a briefing, Biden promised to hunt down those responsible.
Canadian Officials also officially ended the evacuation work in the country, Although some Canadians are still trapped in a country controlled by the Taliban.
According to General Wayne Al, approximately 3,700 people were evacuated during the operation.
August 27, 2021: The number of deaths caused by the explosion Rise to more than 180 people -According to officials, there are 169 Afghans and 13 American soldiers.
Canadian officials also stated that they had obtained 500 seats on a US flight from Kabul to evacuate the citizens and refugees they left behind.
The U.S. military says it has used Drone kill A member of the Islamic State affiliated organization is believed to be behind the bombing.
—Documents from Reuters, Associated Press, and Canadian media
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