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Bonfires over Kabul on the evening of the US withdrawal
Photo: - / AFP
With the withdrawal of its last soldiers from Kabul airport, the US ended its military operation in Afghanistan after almost 20 years.
"The sky is quiet," wrote a reporter for the New York Times on Twitter.
He could hear and see what shots of joy by the Taliban were.
The Taliban hail the withdrawal of US troops as historic.
The high-ranking member Anas Hakkani wrote on Monday evening German time on Twitter: »We are writing history again.
The 20-year occupation of Afghanistan by the US and NATO ended this evening. "
Taliban spokesman Sabiullah Mujahid said on Twitter that the last US soldier left Kabul airport around midnight Afghan time and that the country had now achieved complete independence.
Biden addresses the nation on Tuesday
The spokesman wrote in another tweet that the current shots are shots of joy, people shouldn't worry. Try to get this under control. Taliban supporters congratulated each other on social media. “Congratulations to everyone,” it said, “Afghanistan is free”. Others wrote that the myth of American invincibility was shattered in Afghanistan. And: "You had the clocks, we had the time."
Tomorrow, US President Joe Biden wants to address his compatriots in a speech.
He will explain his decision not to extend the US presence in Afghanistan beyond the end of August, it said in a message distributed by the White House on Monday.
Biden thanked the US soldiers who had operated the "largest airlift in US history" with courage, professionalism and determination.
"Our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has now come to an end."
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken commented on the situation in the Hindu Kush on Monday evening.
The United States will maintain "solid" counter-terrorism capabilities in the region even after US troops have withdrawn, he explained without further details.
US Minister: Taliban must earn legitimacy
At the same time he announced possible cooperation with the new Afghan government.
"If we can work together in a way that safeguards our national interests, then we will," says Blinken.
A Taliban-led government in Afghanistan must earn international legitimacy and support.
"The Taliban can do that," Blinken said.
To do this, they would have to keep their promises of freedom of travel and respect fundamental rights.
They are also not allowed to give refuge to terrorists or take revenge against their opponents.
Blinken also stated that diplomatic activities had been relocated to Doha (Qatar) in view of the uncertain security situation.
He currently assumes that fewer than 200 US citizens have remained in Afghanistan.
The US government will continue to seek them out.
This also applies to US citizens who have family roots in Afghanistan and may not decide to leave the country until later.
"We'll help them leave."
jok / dpa