Timeline of U.S.-led war in Afghanistan as Taliban seize control of the country

Record ID: 1632441

  • Title: Timeline of U.S.-led war in Afghanistan as Taliban seize control of the country
  • Date: 11th August 2021
  • Summary: The 2014 presidential election was locked in a bitter contest between candidates Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah. Abdullah's support is mainly in the north, among the Tajik minority, while Ghani is supported by Pashtun tribes in the east and south. U.S. State Secretary John Kerry convinced the two feuding candidates to agree to a total recount of April's presidential election, which threatened to split the country along ethnic lines and sign a deal to share power, ending months of turmoil over a disputed election that destabilised the country. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (FILE - APRIL 5, 2014) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ASHRAF GHANI PUTTING HIS BALLOT INTO THE BOX PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ABDULLAH ABDULLAH PUTTING HIS BALLOT IN THE BOX KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (FILE - JULY 12, 2014) (REUTERS) UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY, AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ABDULLAH ABDULLAH AND ASHRAF GHANI SHAKING HANDS AND HUGGING AND RAISING THEIR HANDS UP TOGETHER ON THE PODIUM
  • Embargoed: 25th August 2021 08:48
  • Keywords: Afghan President Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani Barack Obama Bush Donald Trump George W ISAF Joe Biden NATO Northern Alliance Sept. 11 Taliban U.S. U.S. President U.S. troops insurgency military violence war withdrawal
  • Location: KABUL, BAGRAM, KANDAHAR, BAGRAM AIR BASE, KUNDUZ, TALEQAN, TAKHAR, AFGHANISTAN / BONN, GERMANY / WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES /DOHA, QATAR
  • City: KABUL, BAGRAM, KANDAHAR, BAGRAM AIR BASE, KUNDUZ, TALEQAN, TAKHAR, AFGHANISTAN / BONN, GERMANY / WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES /DOHA, QATAR
  • Country: Various
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA008EPUQ3WN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15, two decades after they were forced out by U.S.-backed forces.
    The militant group's rapid conquest of Kabul followed Biden's decision to withdraw U.S. forces after 20 years of war - the nation's longest - that he described as costing more than $1 trillion.
    It took the Taliban just over a week to seize control of the whole country after a lightning sweep as government forces, trained for years and equipped by the United States and others, melted away.
    Many Afghans fear the Taliban will return to past harsh practices. During their 1996-2001 rule, women could not work and punishments such as public stoning, whipping, and hanging were administered.
    Now, the group is seeking to present a more moderate face.
    The Taliban said on Tuesday (August 17) they wanted peaceful relations with other countries and would respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law, as they held their first official news briefing since their lightning seizure of Kabul.
    The Taliban announcements, short on details but suggesting a softer line than during their rule 20 years ago, came as the United States and Western allies resumed evacuating diplomats and civilians the day after scenes of chaos at Kabul airport as Afghans thronged the runway.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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