Afghanistan Taliban Crisis Live Updates, Kabul attack and evacuation Live News: The last flight out of Kabul, “is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan,” the head of US Central Command, Gen Kenneth McKenzie said.
By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi |
Updated: August 31, 2021 6:29:33 am
Kabul attack and evacuation LIVE updates: the United States military presence in Afghanistan, spanning over 20 years ended on Tuesday as its last evacuation flight left the Afghan soil, marking an end of its war in the country. The last flight out of Kabul, “is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan,” the head of US Central Command, Gen Kenneth McKenzie said.
Reacting to this, the Taliban fighters fired guns into the sky, celebrating their victory and independence after 20 years of US military presence. ‘ I cannot express my happiness in words, our 20 years of sacrifice worked,’ Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul International airport said.
Earlier today, US anti-missile defenses intercepted as many as five rockets that were fired at Kabul’s airport early on Monday, a US official said. According to Reuters, local media reports said that today’s rocket attack was launched from the back of a vehicle. Later in the evening, Islamic State claimed the responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, a Taliban spokesman said that Sunday’s drone attack by the US resulted in civilian casualties, and condemned the United States for failing to inform the Taliban before ordering the strike. Afghan news agency Tolo news claimed that at least 10 members of a family, including children, were killed in the airstrike.