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

Record ID: 1632444

  • Title: Timeline of U.S.-led war in Afghanistan as Taliban seize control of the country
  • Date: 11th August 2021
  • Summary: The Pentagon carpet-bombed the Taliban with giant B-52 bombers near Bagram's airbase north of Kabul, at the beginning of the U.S. military campaign, after the September 11 attacks. Its public goals at that time were to dismantle al Qaeda and to deny it a safe base of operations in Afghanistan by removing the Taliban from power. BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN (FILE - SEPTEMBER 2001) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** U.S. BOMBER PLANE FLYING SMOKE RISING FROM EXPLOSIONS SOLDIERS RUNNING AWAY FROM ARTILLERY FIRING ROCKET LAUNCHER MOUNTED ON MILITARY TRUCK BEING FIRED Following the U.S. bombing campaign, thousands of protesters set fire to the U.S. embassy in Kabul. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (FILE - OCTOBER, 2001) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) TALIBAN PROTESTING / U.S. EMBASSY BURNING VEHICLE BURNING Afghan and the Northern Alliance soldiers headed towards the capital Kabul after the Taliban regime collapsed. BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN (FILE - 2001) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NORTHERN ALLIANCE MILITARY VEHICLES DRIVING TOWARDS KABUL Residents of Kabul celebrated the collapse of the Taliban regime as they danced on the street and shaved their beards, which were mandatory under the Afghan Taliban. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (FILE - 2001) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) CROWDS CELEBRATING EXTERIOR OF BARBERSHOP VARIOUS OF MEN GETTING THEIR BEARDS SHAVED The first conference for Afghanistan was held in Bonn, Germany soon after the fall of the Taliban regime to establish a transitional government in Kabul. BONN, GERMANY (FILE - DECEMBER 5, 2001) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) MINISTERS GATHERING FOR SIGNING OF BONN AGREEMENT FORMER AFGHAN MILITIA LEADER PACHA KHAN ZADRAN (LEFT) SIGNING AN AGREEMENT Then-U.S. President George Bush held a news conference announcing the defeat of the Taliban by the U.S. and its allies. WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (FILE - DECEMBER 12, 2001) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) THEN U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH ADDRESSING REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH SAYING: "Thanks to our military and our allies and the brave fighters of Afghanistan, the Taliban regime is coming to an end." International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldiers patrolled the streets of Kabul after the fall of the Taliban. KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (FILE - DECEMBER, 2001) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE (ISAF) VEHICLES DRIVING ISAF SOLDIER PATROLLING ISAF VEHICLE DRIVING Afghan voters turned up in Kandahar to take part in the first presidential election since the fall of the Taliban. KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN (FILE - OCTOBER 9, 2004) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) POLLING STATION IN KANDAHAR VARIOUS OF MAN PLACING HIS BALLOT INTO THE BOX
  • 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: LVA001EPUQ3WN
  • 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)
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