inside kabul over 3 years after u.s. withdrawal

The Fallout of the U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

More than three years have passed since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a decision that marked the end of a two-decade-long military presence in the war-torn country. The withdrawal, which was part of a broader effort to end the U.S.’s involvement in what many deemed an unwinnable conflict, has had far-reaching consequences for Afghanistan, its people, and the region at large. The images of chaos and desperation at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport in August 2021, as thousands of Afghans attempted to flee the country following the Taliban’s swift takeover, are etched into the collective memory of the world. However, the aftermath of the withdrawal has been marked by both hope and despair, as the Afghan people grapple with a new reality under Taliban rule.

One of the most tragic events during the withdrawal was the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, one of the entrances to the airport, on August 26, 2021. The bombing, which killed 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghans, was one of the deadliest attacks during the withdrawal process. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, a regional affiliate of the Islamic State group. The bombing occurred at a time when the airport was overwhelmed with people desperate to escape the Taliban’s return to power, and it marked a devastating end to the U.S.’s involvement in Afghanistan.

The Aftermath of the Abbey Gate Bombing

The Abbey Gate bombing was a devastating blow to the morale of both the U.S. military and the Afghan people. The attack not only claimed the lives of innocent civilians and American service members but also underscored the pervasive threat of terrorism in the region, even as the U.S. was pulling out its forces. Then-President Joe Biden vowed to retaliate against those responsible for the attack, stating, "We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay." This promise resonated deeply with the American public, who were still reeling from the images of chaos and destruction emanating from Kabul.

In the months and years that followed, the U.S. and its allies worked tirelessly to bring those responsible for the attack to justice. Recently, U.S. officials announced that Mohammad Sharifullah, a regional ISIS-K commander, had been extradited to the United States in connection with the bombing. Sharifullah, who was captured in a joint raid by Pakistani intelligence and the CIA roughly 10 days prior to the announcement, is believed to have been one of the masterminds behind the attack. His extradition marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the loss of so many innocent lives.

Political Fallout and Blame-Shifting

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent attack at Abbey Gate have become highly politicized issues, with both sides of the aisle engaging in blame-shifting and finger-pointing. Then-President Donald Trump, who had initially negotiated the withdrawal deal with the Taliban, was harshly criticized for the manner in which the withdrawal was executed. Critics argued that the rapid pullout of U.S. forces created a power vacuum that allowed the Taliban to swiftly overrun the country, leading to the chaos and violence that ensued.

In the aftermath of the attack, former President Trump lambasted President Biden for his handling of the withdrawal, claiming that it was a strategic blunder that emboldened America’s adversaries and led to further instability in the region. During a recent joint address to Congress, Trump again criticized Biden’s handling of the withdrawal, even going so far as to suggest that it contributed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While such claims have been met with skepticism by many, they underscore the deep political divisions in the U.S. regarding the withdrawal and its consequences.

The Human Cost of the Withdrawal

While the political and strategic implications of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan have dominated much of the discourse, it is the human cost that continues to resonate most deeply with the global community. The images of desperation at Kabul’s airport, the countless lives lost in the Abbey Gate bombing, and the ongoing suffering of the Afghan people under Taliban rule all serve as stark reminders of the tragic consequences of the withdrawal.

For the Afghan people, the U.S. withdrawal has meant a return to life under the Taliban, a regime known for its oppressive policies and human rights abuses. Women and girls, in particular, have faced significant challenges, as the Taliban has rolled back many of the gains made during the U.S. presence. The international community has been left grappling with how to respond to the crisis, with many countries unwilling to officially recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

The Broader Regional Implications

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has also had significant implications for regional security. The rise of the Taliban has emboldened extremist groups across the region, while the messy nature of the withdrawal has raised questions about the reliability of the U.S. as a global partner. In the years since the withdrawal, the region has seen an uptick in terrorist activity, as groups like ISIS-K and others seek to exploit the instability in Afghanistan.

The recent extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah to the U.S. is a reminder that the threat posed by such groups is very real, and that the international community must remain vigilant in the face of such dangers. At the same time, the cooperation between Pakistani intelligence and the CIA in capturing Sharifullah highlights the importance of regional collaboration in combating terrorism, a challenge that transcends borders and requires a united effort.

Conclusion: A New Era for Afghanistan?

More than three years after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country remains in a state of flux. While the Taliban has solidified its control over the government, the human rights situation continues to deteriorate, and the threat of terrorism persists. For the U.S., the withdrawal has raised important questions about the legacy of its involvement in Afghanistan and the lessons that can be learned from the experience.

The extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah to the U.S. in connection with the Abbey Gate bombing is a step towards justice for the victims of that tragic event. However, it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the region and the need for continued international engagement. As Afghanistan looks towards an uncertain future, the world will be watching to see how the new Taliban regime navigates the complexities of governance and whether it can find a path towards peace and stability. For the Afghan people, the hope remains that one day their country will emerge from the shadows of conflict and find a way to heal and rebuild.