India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will visit Iran today and meet the country’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. The main focus of the meeting will be the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban continue&nbsp;to make significant gains.

Jaishankar is expected to reach the country at around 3 pm (IST). He will make&nbsp;a stopover in Iran's capital Tehran while going to Moscow. He is going to Russia for the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).&nbsp; 
 
Jaishankar had made a similar stopover in Iran in September of 2020 while on his Moscow visit.

Both countries have been working on the Chabahar port project which has been the key pillar of connectivity between, especially Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, India supplied cranes for the post. India is involved with the development of phase-I of the Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar.&nbsp;

In December 2018, an Indian company, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) took over the port operations, and as of December 2020, the port has handled 1.75 million tonnes of bulk cargo and more than 13000 TEUs of container cargo.

India used the&nbsp;port&nbsp;to send 75,000 MT of wheat to&nbsp;Afghanistan in 2020&nbsp;as part of the humanitarian aid amidst the covid pandemic.&nbsp;

India also supplied 20,000 litres of the pesticide Malathion 96% ULV to Iran via&nbsp;Chabahar&nbsp;port in 2020 to help Iran curb the menace of desert locusts.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will visit Iran today and meet the country’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. The main focus of the meeting will be the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban continue to make significant gains.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will visit Iran today and meet the country’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. The main focus of the meeting will be the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban continue to make significant gains. Jaishankar is expected to reach the country at around 3 pm (IST). He will make a stopover in Iran's capital Tehran while going to Moscow. He is going to Russia for the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). Jaishankar had made a similar stopover in Iran in September of 2020 while on his Moscow visit. Both countries have been working on the Chabahar port project which has been the key pillar of connectivity between, especially Afghanistan. Earlier this year, India supplied cranes for the post. India is involved with the development of phase-I of the Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar. In December 2018, an Indian company, India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) took over the port operations, and as of December 2020, the port has handled 1.75 million tonnes of bulk cargo and more than 13000 TEUs of container cargo. India used the port to send 75,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan in 2020 as part of the humanitarian aid amidst the covid pandemic. India also supplied 20,000 litres of the pesticide Malathion 96% ULV to Iran via Chabahar port in 2020 to help Iran curb the menace of desert locusts.

With Afghanistan in focus, India's Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar to land in Iran today

As the Taliban launched fresh attacks in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-launches-fresh-attack-on-northwestern-afghan-province-396513">Qala-i-Naw</a>, the capital of Badghis located in the northwestern Afghan province, Afghan special forces carried out operations in Kunduz city with several districts under the control of the militant group.

Pentagon had said on Tuesday that 90 per cent of US troops had pulled out of the region as the Taliban continued to gain a foothold in the northern areas.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghan-forces-mobilise-as-taliban-mounts-offensive-396253/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Afghan troops have been battling the Taliban with several districts falling in the past month as foreign troops have retreated denying government soldiers security cover.

Last week US troops handed over the Bagram airbase to Afghan&nbsp;forces and pulled out of the area after nearly 20 years. President Joe Biden had pledged to bring back US troops by September 11, however, the pullback has occurred ahead of schedule in most cases.

Amid the renewed fighting in several areas, RIA news agency reported that Tajikistan has appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) consisting of countries from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for&nbsp;help in dealing&nbsp;with unstable security condiction along the border with&nbsp;Afghanistan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier called President Emomali Rakhmon assuring him of all help after hundreds of Afghan troops had poured into Tajikistan&nbsp;as&nbsp;the Taliban made rapid gains.

Russia already has a military base in Afghanistan even as foreign minister Lavrov said Russia was ready to use its military base

"We will do everything we can, including using the capabilities of the Russian military base on Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan, to prevent any aggressive impulses towards our allies," Lavrov said.

Meanwhile, UK PM Boris Johnson said the current situation in Afghanistan is "fraught with risks".

UK under former PM Tony Blair had entered the war in Afghanistan in 2001. At least 400 British troops have died in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

As the Taliban launched fresh attacks in Qala-i-Naw, the capital of Badghis located in the northwestern Afghan province, Afghan special forces carried out operations in Kunduz city with several districts under the control of the militant group.

As the Taliban launched fresh attacks in Qala-i-Naw, the capital of Badghis located in the northwestern Afghan province, Afghan special forces carried out operations in Kunduz city with several districts under the control of the militant group. Pentagon had said on Tuesday that 90 per cent of US troops had pulled out of the region as the Taliban continued to gain a foothold in the northern areas. Watch: Afghan troops have been battling the Taliban with several districts falling in the past month as foreign troops have retreated denying government soldiers security cover. Last week US troops handed over the Bagram airbase to Afghan forces and pulled out of the area after nearly 20 years. President Joe Biden had pledged to bring back US troops by September 11, however, the pullback has occurred ahead of schedule in most cases. Amid the renewed fighting in several areas, RIA news agency reported that Tajikistan has appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) consisting of countries from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for help in dealing with unstable security condiction along the border with Afghanistan. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier called President Emomali Rakhmon assuring him of all help after hundreds of Afghan troops had poured into Tajikistan as the Taliban made rapid gains. Russia already has a military base in Afghanistan even as foreign minister Lavrov said Russia was ready to use its military base "We will do everything we can, including using the capabilities of the Russian military base on Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan, to prevent any aggressive impulses towards our allies," Lavrov said. Meanwhile, UK PM Boris Johnson said the current situation in Afghanistan is "fraught with risks". UK under former PM Tony Blair had entered the war in Afghanistan in 2001. At least 400 British troops have died in Afghanistan. (With inputs from Agencies)

Afghan forces launch attacks in Kunduz as Taliban pounds northwestern province

The Indian Embassy in Kabul described reports stating that India is closing its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan in view of escalating violence as incorrect. They added that they are closely monitoring the evolving security situation.

Indian Embassy describes reports saying India closing its mission in Afghanistan as false

According to the Pentagon, the US military has withdrawn more than 90% of its troops and equipment from Afghanistan. The United States has officially handed over seven facilities to the Afghan military.

US troops withdrawal from Afghanistan is more than 90% complete says Pentagon

India denies report of closing Afghan consulates

India's Foreign minister S. Jaishankar is set to leave for Russia this week to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. It is expected that both the ministers would talk over Afghanistan's current situation. Russia has been a time-tested partner for India and the country has been a key pillar of New Delhi’s foreign policy.

Afghanistan turmoil to be focus on S Jaishankar's visit to Russia

Afghanistan government delegation held a meeting with Taliban representatives in Tehran. The highly anticipated talks come as Afghanistan faces the domino effect of American troops exit from the country.

Afghan delegation meets Taliban in Tehran: Iran foreign minister

Taliban and Afghan delegation hold meeting in Tehran

United States: Maintain over-the-horizon capability

India has prepared a contingency plan to bring back its officials and citizens as the situation deteriorates in Afghanistan.

India has its mission in Kabul&nbsp;with many consulates spread over the country. A source told WION, "We are working on" any plans to bring back Indian nationals but explained that "decision will depend upon security situation", and added that "safety and security of our officials is most important".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-getting-ready-for-offensive-against-taliban-says-general-asadullah-bagram-airfields-new-commander-396311" hreflang="en">Exclusive: Getting ready for offensive against Taliban, says Bagram commander</a>

Last week, the American troops left the Bagram airfield, a symbol of the US presence in the country.

Since the US troops left, the situation has been tense in many parts of the country as the Taliban is reportedly making rapid advances in a situation that has an eerie resemblance to the 1990s.

While the contingency plan has been ready, it does not change India's commitment to Afghanistan. India has been one of the biggest donors to the country in the region and has been involved in mega infrastructure projects such as the Afghan Parliament and the India-Afghanistan friendship dam.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-denies-reports-of-closing-consulates-in-afghanistan-396308">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-denies-reports-of-closing-consulates-in-afghanistan-396308/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There are many Indians in Afghanistan working in banks, IT firms, construction companies, hospitals, NGOs, Government of India-sponsored projects, Government of Afghanistan, and UN missions. The Indian Mission interacts closely with members of the indian diaspora, providing assistance, wherever required.

India has issued two security advisories for its nationals in the country this year. The first security advisory was in April and the second was issued recently on June 29.

The June directive&nbsp;is a significant 13-point advisory under which Indians have been "advised to exercise utmost vigilance and caution with regard to security at the workplace, place of residence and also during movement to their places of work."

The advisory asked&nbsp;Indian nationals to "avoid all types of nonessential movements" and Indian companies to "take up necessary security measures in respect of their Indian employees deployed at project sites."

There have been instances of Indians being abducted in Afghanistan. The recent being the 2018 abduction of seven Indian engineers in the northern Baghlan province.

India has prepared a contingency plan to bring back its officials and citizens as the situation deteriorates in Afghanistan. India has its mission in Kabul with many consulates spread over the country.

India has prepared a contingency plan to bring back its officials and citizens as the situation deteriorates in Afghanistan. India has its mission in Kabul with many consulates spread over the country. A source told WION, "We are working on" any plans to bring back Indian nationals but explained that "decision will depend upon security situation", and added that "safety and security of our officials is most important". Also read | Exclusive: Getting ready for offensive against Taliban, says Bagram commander Last week, the American troops left the Bagram airfield, a symbol of the US presence in the country. Since the US troops left, the situation has been tense in many parts of the country as the Taliban is reportedly making rapid advances in a situation that has an eerie resemblance to the 1990s. While the contingency plan has been ready, it does not change India's commitment to Afghanistan. India has been one of the biggest donors to the country in the region and has been involved in mega infrastructure projects such as the Afghan Parliament and the India-Afghanistan friendship dam. WATCH | There are many Indians in Afghanistan working in banks, IT firms, construction companies, hospitals, NGOs, Government of India-sponsored projects, Government of Afghanistan, and UN missions. The Indian Mission interacts closely with members of the indian diaspora, providing assistance, wherever required. India has issued two security advisories for its nationals in the country this year. The first security advisory was in April and the second was issued recently on June 29. The June directive is a significant 13-point advisory under which Indians have been "advised to exercise utmost vigilance and caution with regard to security at the workplace, place of residence and also during movement to their places of work." The advisory asked Indian nationals to "avoid all types of nonessential movements" and Indian companies to "take up necessary security measures in respect of their Indian employees deployed at project sites." There have been instances of Indians being abducted in Afghanistan. The recent being the 2018 abduction of seven Indian engineers in the northern Baghlan province.

India prepares contingency plan as situation in Afghanistan deteriorates

More than 20,000 Tajikistan troops have been sent to bolster the border with Afghanistan after 1,000 Afghan security personnel fled to the country. The order was given by the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmon.

Tajikistan sends 20,000 troops to border with Afghanistan

The statement by the Indian embassy followed reports of major Taliban victories in the north of Afghanistan with an AP report saying that this had resulted in some countries deciding to close their consulates in northern Afghanistan.

India denies reports of closing consulates in Afghanistan

Government forces plan a counteroffensive in Afghanistan's northern provinces after losing ground to the Taliban. The Taliban now control roughly a third of all 421 districts and district centers in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan army plan counteroffensive against Taliban in northern provinces

The Taliban plan to present a written peace proposal to the Afghan government side as soon as next month, a spokesman for the Islamist insurgents said even as they make major territorial gains in the breach left by departing foreign forces. 
 
Hundreds of Afghan security force members have fled into neighbouring Tajikistan in the face of Taliban advances since the United States vacated its main Afghan base, centrepiece of US&nbsp;and NATO might for almost two decades in the country, as part of a plan to withdraw all foreign troops by September&nbsp;11. 
 
While the transfer of Bagram Air Base to the Afghan army added momentum to a Taliban drive to seize control over new districts, Taliban leaders renewed the long stalled talks with Afghan government envoys in Qatar's capital Doha last week. 
 
"The peace talks and process will be accelerated in the coming days ... and they are expected to enter an important stage,&nbsp;naturally it will be about peace plans," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters on Monday. 
 
"Possibly it will take a month to reach that stage when both sides will share their written peace plan," he said, adding that the latest round of talks were at a critical juncture. 
 
"Although we (Taliban) have the upper hand on the battlefield, we are very serious about talks and dialogue." 
 
The upsurge in fighting and the flight of thousands of members of the tattered Afghan security forces have raised grave doubt about the US-backed peace negotiations, which began last year under the then-President Donald Trump's administration. 
 
Responding to a request for comment on the Taliban representative's remarks, a spokesperson for the US&nbsp;State Department said a negotiated settlement was the only way to end 40 years of war in Afghanistan. 
 
"We urge the sides to engage in serious negotiations to determine a political roadmap for Afghanistan’s future that leads to a just and durable settlement, the official said. 
 
"The world will not accept the imposition by force of a government in Afghanistan," the official added. "Legitimacy and assistance for any Afghan government can only be possible if that government has a basic respect for human rights."

The Taliban plan to present a written peace proposal to the Afghan government side as soon as next month, a spokesman for the Islamist insurgents said even as they make major territorial gains in the breach left by departing foreign forces.

The Taliban plan to present a written peace proposal to the Afghan government side as soon as next month, a spokesman for the Islamist insurgents said even as they make major territorial gains in the breach left by departing foreign forces. Hundreds of Afghan security force members have fled into neighbouring Tajikistan in the face of Taliban advances since the United States vacated its main Afghan base, centrepiece of US and NATO might for almost two decades in the country, as part of a plan to withdraw all foreign troops by September 11. While the transfer of Bagram Air Base to the Afghan army added momentum to a Taliban drive to seize control over new districts, Taliban leaders renewed the long stalled talks with Afghan government envoys in Qatar's capital Doha last week. "The peace talks and process will be accelerated in the coming days ... and they are expected to enter an important stage, naturally it will be about peace plans," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters on Monday. "Possibly it will take a month to reach that stage when both sides will share their written peace plan," he said, adding that the latest round of talks were at a critical juncture. "Although we (Taliban) have the upper hand on the battlefield, we are very serious about talks and dialogue." The upsurge in fighting and the flight of thousands of members of the tattered Afghan security forces have raised grave doubt about the US-backed peace negotiations, which began last year under the then-President Donald Trump's administration. Responding to a request for comment on the Taliban representative's remarks, a spokesperson for the US State Department said a negotiated settlement was the only way to end 40 years of war in Afghanistan. "We urge the sides to engage in serious negotiations to determine a political roadmap for Afghanistan’s future that leads to a just and durable settlement, the official said. "The world will not accept the imposition by force of a government in Afghanistan," the official added. "Legitimacy and assistance for any Afghan government can only be possible if that government has a basic respect for human rights."

Taliban aim to present written peace plan at talks as soon as next month

Afghanistan remains on tenterhooks as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/putin-dials-tajikistan-president-amid-talibans-rapid-advance-in-afghanistan-396250">Taliban </a>makes rapid gains in the country&nbsp;in a situation&nbsp;reminiscent of the 1990s.&nbsp;

Amid the turmoil, the Indian embassy in Kabul has said that Indian consulates in the southern city of Kandahar and northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif are "open" and "functioning".&nbsp;

The Indian mission in a tweet also pointed out, "We do however&nbsp;continue to closely monitor the evolving security situation particularly around Kandahar &amp; Mazar cities."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Media reports on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> closing its Embassy &amp; Consulates in 🇦🇫are incorrect. <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianEmbKabul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianEmbKabul</a>, Consulates in Kandahar &amp; Mazar are open, functioning. We DO HOWEVER continue to closely monitor the evolving security situation particularly around Kandahar &amp; Mazar cities. <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a>
— India in Afghanistan (@IndianEmbKabul) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianEmbKabul/status/1412361259006283780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Taliban is making rapid advances in the country as the last of the American troops withdraw after over two&nbsp;decades.&nbsp;Over 1,000 Afghan soldiers have crossed over to Tajikistan as the Taliban made gains in northern Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Afghan envoy to Delhi,&nbsp;Farid Mamundzay had a meeting with India's foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla and&nbsp;briefed him on the security situation in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

During the meeting, Joint Secretary in the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran(PAI) division of the ministry of external affairs JP Singh was also present.

"FS assured our Afghan friends of India's long term commitment towards peace and prosperity in Afghanistan",&nbsp;MEA spokesperson tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Foreign Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/harshvshringla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@harshvshringla</a> was pleased to welcome Ambassador <a href="https://twitter.com/FMamundzay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FMamundzay</a> of Afghanistan. Ambassador briefed FS on the security situation in Afghanistan. FS assured our Afghan friends of India's long term commitment towards peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. <a href="https://t.co/DqsBbwrTnF">pic.twitter.com/DqsBbwrTnF</a>
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1412381850476052483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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India has been involved in a number of infrastructure projects in the country which include the Afghan parliament in Kabul and the India-Afghanistan friendship dam in Herat. India being the largest regional donor&nbsp;has also been involved in capacity building projects in the country.

Other countries have also made announcements about their consulates. Russia has already halted operations in its consulate in Mazar- i-Sharif after special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov confirmed it to state agency TASS.

Meanwhile, reports in local media say Iran and Turkey have closed operations in the consulate which is the capital of Balkh province.

Afghanistan remains on tenterhooks as the Taliban makes rapid gains in the country in a situation reminiscent of the 1990s. Amid the turmoil, the Indian embassy in Kabul has said that Indian consulates in the southern city of Kandahar and northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif are "open" and "functioning".

Afghanistan remains on tenterhooks as the Taliban makes rapid gains in the country in a situation reminiscent of the 1990s. Amid the turmoil, the Indian embassy in Kabul has said that Indian consulates in the southern city of Kandahar and northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif are "open" and "functioning". The Indian mission in a tweet also pointed out, "We do however continue to closely monitor the evolving security situation particularly around Kandahar & Mazar cities." Media reports on #India closing its Embassy & Consulates in 🇦🇫are incorrect. @IndianEmbKabul, Consulates in Kandahar & Mazar are open, functioning. We DO HOWEVER continue to closely monitor the evolving security situation particularly around Kandahar & Mazar cities. @MEAIndia — India in Afghanistan (@IndianEmbKabul) July 6, 2021 × Taliban is making rapid advances in the country as the last of the American troops withdraw after over two decades. Over 1,000 Afghan soldiers have crossed over to Tajikistan as the Taliban made gains in northern Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Afghan envoy to Delhi, Farid Mamundzay had a meeting with India's foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla and briefed him on the security situation in Afghanistan. During the meeting, Joint Secretary in the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran(PAI) division of the ministry of external affairs JP Singh was also present. "FS assured our Afghan friends of India's long term commitment towards peace and prosperity in Afghanistan", MEA spokesperson tweeted. Foreign Secretary @harshvshringla was pleased to welcome Ambassador @FMamundzay of Afghanistan. Ambassador briefed FS on the security situation in Afghanistan. FS assured our Afghan friends of India's long term commitment towards peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/DqsBbwrTnF — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 6, 2021 × India has been involved in a number of infrastructure projects in the country which include the Afghan parliament in Kabul and the India-Afghanistan friendship dam in Herat. India being the largest regional donor has also been involved in capacity building projects in the country. Other countries have also made announcements about their consulates. Russia has already halted operations in its consulate in Mazar- i-Sharif after special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov confirmed it to state agency TASS. Meanwhile, reports in local media say Iran and Turkey have closed operations in the consulate which is the capital of Balkh province.

Consulates remain open in Kandahar, Mazar, says India as Taliban makes rapid gains in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has descended into chaos. The Taliban has captured 9 districts in the last 24 hours. 1,037 Afghan troops have fled to Afghanistan. The onslaught is more than an internal threat. It could soon become a threat for the entire region.

Gravitas: Afghanistan descends into chaos

On July 4, the US marked its Independence day. 2 days before that, it exited Afghanistan following a failed war and left Kabul in path of uncertainty. From Iraq to Afghanistan, the US has time and again botched up in wars abroad.

Gravitas: Afghanistan struggles after America's botched up war

China is willing to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan. Beijing is promising development to Kabul. But at the same time, Chinese hackers are trying to breach the computers of the Afghan National Security Council.

Gravitas: Will China trap Afghanistan in its debt trap?

The upsurge in fighting and the flight of thousands of members of the tattered Afghan security forces have raised grave doubt about the US-backed peace negotiations.

Taliban may present written Afghan peace plan next month

The newly appointed Afghan army chief General Wali Mohammad has said that the forces' top priority was to safeguard the major cities, border towns, and highways.

Afghan forces mobilise as Taliban mounts offensive

The Afghanistan army has vowed to secure major cities and highways amid a rise in Taliban attacks. The newly appointed Afghan army chief General Wali Mohammad has said that the forces' top priority was to safeguard the major cities, border towns, and highways.

Afghan army vows to safeguard major cities, border towns & highways

The war in Afghanistan — launched on October 7, 2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks — is the longest ever waged by the United States.

Here are some key figures about the conflict with US and foreign troops having all but withdrawn from Afghanistan:

- Boots on the ground -

At its peak, under president Barack Obama in 2011, the United States had 98,000 personnel on the ground, according to Pentagon figures.

A NATO alliance of 38 countries committed to the Afghan conflict in December 2001, but the United States has always provided the largest military contingent.

As of February 2020, when Washington signed a deal with the Taliban committing to withdrawing its troops, the Pentagon estimated that around 14,000 remained in the country.

By May 1, 2021 — the original deadline for the withdrawal, pushed back to September 11 by new President Joe Biden — there were about 9,500 foreign troops in Afghanistan, of which American troops made up the largest contingent of 2,500.

- Losses -

Just over 38,000 civilians were killed between 2009 and the end of 2020, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which began systematically recording civilian casualties in 2009. The deadliest year was 2018.

More than 70,000 others were wounded over the same period.

In the last three years, more than 395,800 Afghans have been displaced, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said.

The United States has paid the highest price in terms of foreign fatalities in Afghanistan, with more than 2,400 military personnel killed and more than 20,700 wounded.

As for other NATO coalition members, Britain lost the second-highest number of personnel, with 455 killed, according to icasualties.org, which monitors the dead and wounded in conflicts such as Afghanistan.

The Afghan government no longer publishes data for losses within its army, which are significant, but President Ashraf Ghani in 2019 said more than 45,000 members of the country's security forces have been killed since 2014, when he became leader.

- How much did the war cost? -

As of September 30, 2019, the Pentagon officially estimated the cost of US operations in Afghanistan at $776 billion since 2001. Of that total, $197.3 billion was earmarked for reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and its institutions.

But according to a study by Brown University, the cost of America's wars exceeds the Pentagon's estimate, as State Department aid is not taken into account, nor are any intelligence operations or the medical costs of wounded veterans.

Factoring in all those costs, the Brown researchers say the US "wars on terror" in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan since 2001 have cost $6.4 trillion.

- Progress -

Before being deposed in 2001, the Taliban banned girls from studying and stoned to death women accused of crimes such as adultery.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Education said there are now around 9.7 million children enrolled in schools, 42 percent of them girls. There are currently 18,000 active schools across the country, up from 3,000 two decades ago.

There are 68 women lawmakers in the Afghan parliament, about 30 percent of the lower house. Over the past two decades, women have also held senior political and government positions such as senators, ministers and governors.

Between 2003 to 2018, the infant mortality rate fell from 53 to 23 per 1,000 live births, according to the World Bank.

The war in Afghanistan — launched on October 7, 2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks — is the longest ever waged by the United States. Here are some key figures about the conflict with US and foreign troops having all but withdrawn from Afghanistan: - Boots on the ground - At its peak, under president Barack Obama in 2011, the United States had 98,000 personnel on the ground, according to Pentagon figures.

The war in Afghanistan — launched on October 7, 2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks — is the longest ever waged by the United States. Here are some key figures about the conflict with US and foreign troops having all but withdrawn from Afghanistan: - Boots on the ground - At its peak, under president Barack Obama in 2011, the United States had 98,000 personnel on the ground, according to Pentagon figures. A NATO alliance of 38 countries committed to the Afghan conflict in December 2001, but the United States has always provided the largest military contingent. As of February 2020, when Washington signed a deal with the Taliban committing to withdrawing its troops, the Pentagon estimated that around 14,000 remained in the country. By May 1, 2021 — the original deadline for the withdrawal, pushed back to September 11 by new President Joe Biden — there were about 9,500 foreign troops in Afghanistan, of which American troops made up the largest contingent of 2,500. - Losses - Just over 38,000 civilians were killed between 2009 and the end of 2020, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which began systematically recording civilian casualties in 2009. The deadliest year was 2018. More than 70,000 others were wounded over the same period. In the last three years, more than 395,800 Afghans have been displaced, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said. The United States has paid the highest price in terms of foreign fatalities in Afghanistan, with more than 2,400 military personnel killed and more than 20,700 wounded. As for other NATO coalition members, Britain lost the second-highest number of personnel, with 455 killed, according to icasualties.org, which monitors the dead and wounded in conflicts such as Afghanistan. The Afghan government no longer publishes data for losses within its army, which are significant, but President Ashraf Ghani in 2019 said more than 45,000 members of the country's security forces have been killed since 2014, when he became leader. - How much did the war cost? - As of September 30, 2019, the Pentagon officially estimated the cost of US operations in Afghanistan at $776 billion since 2001. Of that total, $197.3 billion was earmarked for reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and its institutions. But according to a study by Brown University, the cost of America's wars exceeds the Pentagon's estimate, as State Department aid is not taken into account, nor are any intelligence operations or the medical costs of wounded veterans. Factoring in all those costs, the Brown researchers say the US "wars on terror" in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan since 2001 have cost $6.4 trillion. - Progress - Before being deposed in 2001, the Taliban banned girls from studying and stoned to death women accused of crimes such as adultery. Afghanistan's Ministry of Education said there are now around 9.7 million children enrolled in schools, 42 percent of them girls. There are currently 18,000 active schools across the country, up from 3,000 two decades ago. There are 68 women lawmakers in the Afghan parliament, about 30 percent of the lower house. Over the past two decades, women have also held senior political and government positions such as senators, ministers and governors. Between 2003 to 2018, the infant mortality rate fell from 53 to 23 per 1,000 live births, according to the World Bank.

The war in Afghanistan, by the numbers

The United States descended on Afghanistan and its Taliban government in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks by Al-Qaeda, which had sought sanctuary in the country.

With American and NATO troops having all but departed Afghanistan after 20 years of war, here is a timeline of key events:

'War on terror'

On October 7, 2001 -- less than a month after the September 11 attacks that killed around 3,000 people in the United States -- President George W. Bush launches "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan.

The ruling Islamist Taliban had been sheltering Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda movement, which carried out the 9/11 attacks.

The operation opens a military front in the US "war on terrorism" and within weeks, US-led forces overthrow the Taliban, who had been in power since 1996.

About 1,300 American soldiers are on the ground by November 2001, rising to almost 10,000 the next year.

Forgotten war

American attention is diverted from Afghanistan when US forces invade Iraq in March 2003 to oust dictator Saddam Hussein.

The fragmented Taliban and other Islamist outfits regroup in their strongholds in southern and eastern Afghanistan, from where they can easily travel between their bases in Pakistan's tribal areas, and launch an insurgency.

In 2008, the US command in Afghanistan calls for more manpower. President Bush sends additional soldiers, bringing the total to 48,500 US troops deployed.

Peak of 100,000 US troops

In 2009, Barack Obama -- elected president after a campaign that promised to end the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- boosts the US presence to around 68,000. In December, he sends another 30,000 troops.

The objective is to stymie the growing Taliban insurgency and strengthen Afghan institutions.

By 2010, about 150,000 foreign soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan, of which 100,000 are American.

Bin Laden killed

Osama bin Laden is killed on May 2, 2011 in a US special forces operation in Pakistan.

Combat operations end

The NATO alliance ends its combat mission in Afghanistan in December 2014.

But around 12,500 foreign soldiers -- of which 9,800 are American -- remain to train Afghan troops and conduct anti-terrorist operations.

Security in Afghanistan deteriorates as the Taliban's insurgency spreads, with a branch of the Islamic State (IS) group also becoming active in South Asia in 2015.

US reinforcements

President Donald Trump scraps any timetables for a US pullout and re-commits thousands more soldiers in August 2017.

However, deadly attacks multiply, especially against Afghan forces. The United States dramatically steps up air strikes.

Talks

The following year, Washington and Taliban representatives discreetly open talks in Doha, led by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, focused on slashing the American military footprint in Afghanistan.

In return, Washington demands that the Taliban prevent the country from being used as a haven for jihadist groups including Al-Qaeda.

Historic deal

On February 29, 2020, the United States and the Taliban sign a historic deal.

It paves the way for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan by May 2021 -- in return for the insurgents offering some security guarantees and agreeing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government.

The peace talks begin on September 12 but violence surges in Afghanistan and negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan government stall.

The Taliban are blamed for a wave of targeted killings against high-profile activists, politicians, journalists and working women.

End date

Troop numbers by the end of Trump's presidency in January 2021 fall to 2,500 as support for military action wanes. As of February, NATO has around 10,000 service members in the country, the largest contingent of which is from the United States.

President Joe Biden announces he will stick to the agreement with the Taliban, but delays the drawdown deadline until September 11.

Violence surges after the missed May 1 deadline and the Taliban launch a blistering offensive, capturing a number of rural districts close to major cities, stirring fears that Afghan security forces will buckle once US and international troops leave.

Bagram handover

Officials on June 2 announce the departure of all US and NATO troops from Bagram, Afghanistan's biggest air base, signalling that the complete withdrawal of foreign forces is imminent.

Bagram served as the linchpin for US-led operations in Afghanistan, and the ability of Afghan forces to hold the base is likely to prove pivotal to maintaining security in nearby Kabul and keeping up pressure on the militants.

The Taliban welcome the latest step in the pullout of foreign troops.

The United States descended on Afghanistan and its Taliban government in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks by Al-Qaeda, which had sought sanctuary in the country.

The United States descended on Afghanistan and its Taliban government in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks by Al-Qaeda, which had sought sanctuary in the country. With American and NATO troops having all but departed Afghanistan after 20 years of war, here is a timeline of key events: 'War on terror' On October 7, 2001 -- less than a month after the September 11 attacks that killed around 3,000 people in the United States -- President George W. Bush launches "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan. The ruling Islamist Taliban had been sheltering Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda movement, which carried out the 9/11 attacks. The operation opens a military front in the US "war on terrorism" and within weeks, US-led forces overthrow the Taliban, who had been in power since 1996. About 1,300 American soldiers are on the ground by November 2001, rising to almost 10,000 the next year. Forgotten war American attention is diverted from Afghanistan when US forces invade Iraq in March 2003 to oust dictator Saddam Hussein. The fragmented Taliban and other Islamist outfits regroup in their strongholds in southern and eastern Afghanistan, from where they can easily travel between their bases in Pakistan's tribal areas, and launch an insurgency. In 2008, the US command in Afghanistan calls for more manpower. President Bush sends additional soldiers, bringing the total to 48,500 US troops deployed. Peak of 100,000 US troops In 2009, Barack Obama -- elected president after a campaign that promised to end the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- boosts the US presence to around 68,000. In December, he sends another 30,000 troops. The objective is to stymie the growing Taliban insurgency and strengthen Afghan institutions. By 2010, about 150,000 foreign soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan, of which 100,000 are American. Bin Laden killed Osama bin Laden is killed on May 2, 2011 in a US special forces operation in Pakistan. Combat operations end The NATO alliance ends its combat mission in Afghanistan in December 2014. But around 12,500 foreign soldiers -- of which 9,800 are American -- remain to train Afghan troops and conduct anti-terrorist operations. Security in Afghanistan deteriorates as the Taliban's insurgency spreads, with a branch of the Islamic State (IS) group also becoming active in South Asia in 2015. US reinforcements President Donald Trump scraps any timetables for a US pullout and re-commits thousands more soldiers in August 2017. However, deadly attacks multiply, especially against Afghan forces. The United States dramatically steps up air strikes. Talks The following year, Washington and Taliban representatives discreetly open talks in Doha, led by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, focused on slashing the American military footprint in Afghanistan. In return, Washington demands that the Taliban prevent the country from being used as a haven for jihadist groups including Al-Qaeda. Historic deal On February 29, 2020, the United States and the Taliban sign a historic deal. It paves the way for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan by May 2021 -- in return for the insurgents offering some security guarantees and agreeing to hold peace talks with the Afghan government. The peace talks begin on September 12 but violence surges in Afghanistan and negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan government stall. The Taliban are blamed for a wave of targeted killings against high-profile activists, politicians, journalists and working women. End date Troop numbers by the end of Trump's presidency in January 2021 fall to 2,500 as support for military action wanes. As of February, NATO has around 10,000 service members in the country, the largest contingent of which is from the United States. President Joe Biden announces he will stick to the agreement with the Taliban, but delays the drawdown deadline until September 11. Violence surges after the missed May 1 deadline and the Taliban launch a blistering offensive, capturing a number of rural districts close to major cities, stirring fears that Afghan security forces will buckle once US and international troops leave. Bagram handover Officials on June 2 announce the departure of all US and NATO troops from Bagram, Afghanistan's biggest air base, signalling that the complete withdrawal of foreign forces is imminent. Bagram served as the linchpin for US-led operations in Afghanistan, and the ability of Afghan forces to hold the base is likely to prove pivotal to maintaining security in nearby Kabul and keeping up pressure on the militants. The Taliban welcome the latest step in the pullout of foreign troops.

History, combatants, facts and timeline: US-led military intervention in Afghanistan

The United States reportedly left Afghanistan's Bagram airbase by shutting off the electricity and slipping away in the night without notifying the base’s new Afghan commander, who discovered the Americans’ departure two hours after they left.

Afghan commander says US left Bagram Airbase at night without any notice

The Kabul's Bagram airbase buzzed again with activity on Monday as Afghan forces took control over it after US troops made their exit. American troops handed the base over to Afghan security forces to bring an effective end to the longest war in US history, following an agreement with the insurgent Islamist Taliban last year.

Kabul's Bagram airbase bustles again as Afghan troops move in

When Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convened his military brain trust Thursday on a classified videoconference for an update on Afghanistan, commanders had reason to feel positive.

The U.S. troop drawdown that President Joe Biden ordered in April was complete — two months before schedule. The last combat forces would exit the military’s hub at Bagram Air Base overnight, leaving just 650 troops to help secure the US&nbsp;Embassy in Kabul and Kabul International Airport. There was even talk that the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin Miller, would leave for good in a few days.

But reality steadily intruded in the days leading up to Austin’s meeting with Miller; Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the head of the military’s Central Command. The Afghan army was reeling from a series of defeats in battles against the Taliban. The Afghan air force faced grounding without contractor support that was scheduled to end. And Biden’s plan to relocate thousands of Afghan interpreters, drivers and others who worked with U.S. forces in an effort to keep them safe had stalled.

With the White House’s blessing, Austin, a retired four-star Army general who oversaw the US&nbsp;troop withdrawal from Iraq in 2011, ordered a series of steps to slow the pace of the final withdrawal from America’s longest war. The measures would buy some time to soften the drawdown’s psychological shock to the Afghans, and to extend at least through August a U.S. security umbrella that no longer had any combat troops, equipment or bases in the country.

The first measure sought to underscore Biden’s message to Afghan leaders that the United States was not abandoning the country at a moment when intelligence analysts assess that the government could fall in as few as six months to a resurgent Taliban.

Miller will remain in Afghanistan for “at least a couple more weeks,” John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesperson, told reporters Friday, to help transition the U.S. military mission from warfighting to two new objectives — protecting a continuing US&nbsp;diplomatic presence in Kabul and maintaining liaison with the Afghan military.

Miller will turn over his command to McKenzie, another four-star officer who from his headquarters in Tampa, Florida, will assume at least through August the same authorities that Miller had to carry out airstrikes against al-Qaida, the Islamic State group and, in very limited circumstances, Taliban fighters, Pentagon officials said.

A two-star Navy admiral in Kabul, Rear Adm. Peter Vasely, and a one-star Army general in Qatar, Brig. Gen. Curtis Buzzard, will handle day-to-day security and security assistance matters, and will report to McKenzie, Kirby said.

McKenzie will be authorized, at least through September, to move 300 additional troops into Afghanistan if needed for security or emergencies, like the possible evacuation of the US&nbsp;Embassy, a growing concern amid the deteriorating security in the country, Pentagon officials said.

Over the next few weeks, Miller will travel within Afghanistan, as well as to Brussels, to brief NATO officials on the transition, and to the forward headquarters in Qatar, Pentagon officials said. One senior official described Miller’s travels as “a hand-holding tour.”

Biden had given the military until Sept. 11 to complete the withdrawal, but with only 3,500 troops left in Afghanistan, the pullout went much faster than expected. Several Pentagon officials and military commanders predicted the mission could wrap up by early to mid-July.

But Kirby said for the first time Friday that the withdrawal would now be completed by the end of August, a subtle but significant shift that is intended to help achieve at least three objectives, officials said.

First, it will extend the contracts of a few hundred of the 18,000 Pentagon contractors who now provide essential maintenance to and resupply missions for the Afghan military.

The Afghan air force, in particular, is heavily reliant on US&nbsp;and other foreign contractors for repairs, maintenance, fueling, training and other jobs necessary to keep it operating. Those contractors are now departing along with the US&nbsp;military, leaving a void that US&nbsp;and Afghan leaders say could be crippling to Afghan forces as they face the Taliban alone.

DynCorp and Leidos, and their subcontractors, now provide the main support to the air force and the Afghan fleet of Black Hawk helicopters, officials said. Both contractors declined to comment on their operations in Afghanistan.

The August date also gives the administration more time to find places to relocate thousands of Afghans, and their family members, who helped Americans during the 20-year war. The White House has come under heavy pressure to protect Afghan allies from revenge attacks by the Taliban and speed up the lengthy and complex process of providing them with special immigrant visas.

“We can’t turn our backs and leave them to die,” Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “They will be slaughtered by the Taliban.”

Administration officials previously said they were looking at Guam as one possible location, but State Department officials say they need multiple sites. The foreign ministers of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were both in Washington last week, and the issue of Afghan security was raised in their meetings with Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Finally, having Miller stay on a few more weeks, and extending the security umbrella at least through August, is intended to offer, if nothing else, a boost for beleaguered Afghan troops. Pentagon officials said that exiting Bagram Air Base and having Miller leave at the same time would have been a devastating blow to Afghan morale.

“A safe, orderly drawdown enables us to maintain an ongoing diplomatic presence, support the Afghan people and the government, and prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists that threatens our homeland,” Kirby said.

The White House joined in the reassurance messaging campaign Friday — up to a point. Biden said that even though the United States still retained the ability to conduct airstrikes to protect the Afghan government, no reversal of the withdrawal was on the table.

“We have worked out an over-the-horizon capacity,” he said, talking about U.S. warplanes and armed Reaper drones based mainly in the Persian Gulf, “but the Afghans are going to have to do it themselves with the air force they have.”

But all U.S. combat troops and aircraft are now out of Afghanistan, officials said, so any military support to the Afghan forces will have to come from US&nbsp;bases eight hours away in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates.

Between now and the end of August, current and former US&nbsp;officials said, there will be a contentious policy debate over what authorities military commanders will have in Afghanistan after that.

“Our leaving does not end the war. It just ends the American involvement,” said John Allen, a retired four-star Marine Corps general who commanded US-led forces in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2013, and oversaw the beginning of the drawdown of allied forces there, from 150,000 troops to about 11,000, at the end of 2014. “The war will continue.”

When Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convened his military brain trust Thursday on a classified videoconference for an update on Afghanistan, commanders had reason to feel positive.

When Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convened his military brain trust Thursday on a classified videoconference for an update on Afghanistan, commanders had reason to feel positive. The U.S. troop drawdown that President Joe Biden ordered in April was complete — two months before schedule. The last combat forces would exit the military’s hub at Bagram Air Base overnight, leaving just 650 troops to help secure the US Embassy in Kabul and Kabul International Airport. There was even talk that the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin Miller, would leave for good in a few days. But reality steadily intruded in the days leading up to Austin’s meeting with Miller; Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the head of the military’s Central Command. The Afghan army was reeling from a series of defeats in battles against the Taliban. The Afghan air force faced grounding without contractor support that was scheduled to end. And Biden’s plan to relocate thousands of Afghan interpreters, drivers and others who worked with U.S. forces in an effort to keep them safe had stalled. With the White House’s blessing, Austin, a retired four-star Army general who oversaw the US troop withdrawal from Iraq in 2011, ordered a series of steps to slow the pace of the final withdrawal from America’s longest war. The measures would buy some time to soften the drawdown’s psychological shock to the Afghans, and to extend at least through August a U.S. security umbrella that no longer had any combat troops, equipment or bases in the country. The first measure sought to underscore Biden’s message to Afghan leaders that the United States was not abandoning the country at a moment when intelligence analysts assess that the government could fall in as few as six months to a resurgent Taliban. Miller will remain in Afghanistan for “at least a couple more weeks,” John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesperson, told reporters Friday, to help transition the U.S. military mission from warfighting to two new objectives — protecting a continuing US diplomatic presence in Kabul and maintaining liaison with the Afghan military. Miller will turn over his command to McKenzie, another four-star officer who from his headquarters in Tampa, Florida, will assume at least through August the same authorities that Miller had to carry out airstrikes against al-Qaida, the Islamic State group and, in very limited circumstances, Taliban fighters, Pentagon officials said. A two-star Navy admiral in Kabul, Rear Adm. Peter Vasely, and a one-star Army general in Qatar, Brig. Gen. Curtis Buzzard, will handle day-to-day security and security assistance matters, and will report to McKenzie, Kirby said. McKenzie will be authorized, at least through September, to move 300 additional troops into Afghanistan if needed for security or emergencies, like the possible evacuation of the US Embassy, a growing concern amid the deteriorating security in the country, Pentagon officials said. Over the next few weeks, Miller will travel within Afghanistan, as well as to Brussels, to brief NATO officials on the transition, and to the forward headquarters in Qatar, Pentagon officials said. One senior official described Miller’s travels as “a hand-holding tour.” Biden had given the military until Sept. 11 to complete the withdrawal, but with only 3,500 troops left in Afghanistan, the pullout went much faster than expected. Several Pentagon officials and military commanders predicted the mission could wrap up by early to mid-July. But Kirby said for the first time Friday that the withdrawal would now be completed by the end of August, a subtle but significant shift that is intended to help achieve at least three objectives, officials said. First, it will extend the contracts of a few hundred of the 18,000 Pentagon contractors who now provide essential maintenance to and resupply missions for the Afghan military. The Afghan air force, in particular, is heavily reliant on US and other foreign contractors for repairs, maintenance, fueling, training and other jobs necessary to keep it operating. Those contractors are now departing along with the US military, leaving a void that US and Afghan leaders say could be crippling to Afghan forces as they face the Taliban alone. DynCorp and Leidos, and their subcontractors, now provide the main support to the air force and the Afghan fleet of Black Hawk helicopters, officials said. Both contractors declined to comment on their operations in Afghanistan. The August date also gives the administration more time to find places to relocate thousands of Afghans, and their family members, who helped Americans during the 20-year war. The White House has come under heavy pressure to protect Afghan allies from revenge attacks by the Taliban and speed up the lengthy and complex process of providing them with special immigrant visas. “We can’t turn our backs and leave them to die,” Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “They will be slaughtered by the Taliban.” Administration officials previously said they were looking at Guam as one possible location, but State Department officials say they need multiple sites. The foreign ministers of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were both in Washington last week, and the issue of Afghan security was raised in their meetings with Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Finally, having Miller stay on a few more weeks, and extending the security umbrella at least through August, is intended to offer, if nothing else, a boost for beleaguered Afghan troops. Pentagon officials said that exiting Bagram Air Base and having Miller leave at the same time would have been a devastating blow to Afghan morale. “A safe, orderly drawdown enables us to maintain an ongoing diplomatic presence, support the Afghan people and the government, and prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists that threatens our homeland,” Kirby said. The White House joined in the reassurance messaging campaign Friday — up to a point. Biden said that even though the United States still retained the ability to conduct airstrikes to protect the Afghan government, no reversal of the withdrawal was on the table. “We have worked out an over-the-horizon capacity,” he said, talking about U.S. warplanes and armed Reaper drones based mainly in the Persian Gulf, “but the Afghans are going to have to do it themselves with the air force they have.” But all U.S. combat troops and aircraft are now out of Afghanistan, officials said, so any military support to the Afghan forces will have to come from US bases eight hours away in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates. Between now and the end of August, current and former US officials said, there will be a contentious policy debate over what authorities military commanders will have in Afghanistan after that. “Our leaving does not end the war. It just ends the American involvement,” said John Allen, a retired four-star Marine Corps general who commanded US-led forces in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2013, and oversaw the beginning of the drawdown of allied forces there, from 150,000 troops to about 11,000, at the end of 2014. “The war will continue.”

Pentagon seeks to soften blow of US withdrawal from Afghanistan

The Taliban outlawed dozens of seemingly innocuous activities and pastimes in Afghanistan during their 1996-2001 rule - including kite flying, TV soap operas, pigeon racing, fancy haircuts, and even playing music. These have made a comeback in the years since, but fears are growing they will be banned again if the hardline Islamists return to power.

'Talibanned': From kite-running to breakdancing, Afghan pastimes again under threat

Bagram Air base buzzed again on Monday as Afghan forces settled in the vast complex. US forces have fully vacated the base which was their main hub for 20 years for 20 years until their withdrawal last week.

American soldiers handed over the base to0 Afghan security forces.

“They (Americans) are completely out now and everything is under our control, including watchtowers, air traffic and the hospital,” a senior Afghan government official told Reuters.

Reuters journalists on Monday visited the heavily fortified compound, long a symbol of Western forces deployed to shore up the Afghan government against the Taliban's campaign to regain power after being toppled by a U.S. intervention in 2001.

At the air base, dozens of vehicles left behind by US forces could be seen. Afghan officials and personnel could be seen travelling in others.

Hundreds of Afghan security personnel moved into barracks that once housed US soldiers.

Outside the walls of the vast base, things are not as serene. The Taliban have ramped up offensives against Afghan government forces across the country, particularly in the north where insurgents have gained territory rapidly.

On Sunday, hundreds of members of the Afghan security forces fled to refuge in neighbouring Tajikistan.

There are fears that Afghanistan may once again see a civil war for control of the country. Peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government remain inconclusive

Neighbourhoods and markets in the shadow of the base were left ruing the past and bracing for what comes next.

“It is not a problem for us if there are foreign forces (here) or they leave, but the fact that the Taliban are taking over districts at any moment affects our work,” Wasim Shirzad, a shopkeeper told Reuters.

Another shopkeeper Nematullah Ferdaws, agreed: “Most shopkeepers do not invest...because they are hesitant about the country's future.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Bagram Air base buzzed again on Monday as Afghan forces settled in the vast complex. US forces have fully vacated the base which was their main hub for 20 years for 20 years until their withdrawal last week.

Bagram Air base buzzed again on Monday as Afghan forces settled in the vast complex. US forces have fully vacated the base which was their main hub for 20 years for 20 years until their withdrawal last week. American soldiers handed over the base to0 Afghan security forces. “They (Americans) are completely out now and everything is under our control, including watchtowers, air traffic and the hospital,” a senior Afghan government official told Reuters. Reuters journalists on Monday visited the heavily fortified compound, long a symbol of Western forces deployed to shore up the Afghan government against the Taliban's campaign to regain power after being toppled by a U.S. intervention in 2001. At the air base, dozens of vehicles left behind by US forces could be seen. Afghan officials and personnel could be seen travelling in others. Hundreds of Afghan security personnel moved into barracks that once housed US soldiers. Outside the walls of the vast base, things are not as serene. The Taliban have ramped up offensives against Afghan government forces across the country, particularly in the north where insurgents have gained territory rapidly. On Sunday, hundreds of members of the Afghan security forces fled to refuge in neighbouring Tajikistan. There are fears that Afghanistan may once again see a civil war for control of the country. Peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government remain inconclusive Neighbourhoods and markets in the shadow of the base were left ruing the past and bracing for what comes next. “It is not a problem for us if there are foreign forces (here) or they leave, but the fact that the Taliban are taking over districts at any moment affects our work,” Wasim Shirzad, a shopkeeper told Reuters. Another shopkeeper Nematullah Ferdaws, agreed: “Most shopkeepers do not invest...because they are hesitant about the country's future.” (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan soldiers occupy Bagram air base, former hub of US forces

Afghanistan is on the verge of where it all started-into the hands of Taliban. During Taliban's last reign from 1996 to 2001, it has outlawed dozens of harmless activities. The people in Afghanistan now stare at their dreams coming to end. Watch this report

Afghanistan people fear the return of the Taliban

Taliban have besieged important districts & strategic provinces. Thousands of Afghan troops have started fleeing. After years of financial support from the US govt, Afghanistan has failed to put up a fight against Taliban.

Afghanistan: How wealthy is the Taliban?

The Taliban's march through northern Afghanistan gained momentum overnight with the capture of several districts from fleeing Afghan forces, several hundred of whom fled across the border into Tajikistan.

Taliban captures several districts in Afghanistan, forces flee to Tajikistan

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