New Delhi: Taliban on Tuesday fired their guns in the air in celebration as the United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan, after 20 years of military presence.
“Parts of Kabul erupted in celebratory gunfire after the last US C-17 aircraft lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport right before midnight shortly after the last aircraft departed,” CNN reported.
General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of the US Central Command, made the withdrawal announcement at a Pentagon news briefing.
Watch here:
Taliban celebrate US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Celebratory firing at the Kabul airport after the last US aircraft left an hour ago. Taliban flag hoisted. Top Taliban leader Anas Haqqani confirms United States has officially left Afghanistan after 19 years and 8 months. pic.twitter.com/HSTniIaME6
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 30, 2021
“I announce the completion of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens and Afghans… The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai Airport on August 30 this afternoon at 3:29 pm (local time), he said.
Following US troops withdrawal, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has also said the last American soldier left Kabul airport at 9 pm Afghan time.
Yet another video of Taliban celebrating US troop withdrawal at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan after the last United States flight left. Massive firing all across the airport and several parts of Kabul city, as per witnesses. pic.twitter.com/FCPmK4YLn6
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 30, 2021
“The last American soldier left Kabul airport at 9 pm Afghan time and our country gained full independence, Alhamdulillah Walmana,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden will address the American people on US troops withdrawal from Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Major General Chris Donahue. The last American Soldier to leave Afghanistan.
I have a conflicting cocktail of emotions right now, but what the United States Military pulled off in the last two weeks was heroic and makes me proud. pic.twitter.com/YxpNbDMLWn
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) August 31, 2021
“Tomorrow afternoon, I will address the American people on my decision not to extend our presence in Afghanistan beyond August 31,” Biden said.