2021 Taliban offensive

The 2021 Taliban offensive was a major military campaign in Afghanistan. This offensive led to the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. It also ended the War in Afghanistan, which had lasted nearly 20 years. The Taliban is an insurgent group that sought to regain control of the nation. Their victory changed the political landscape of the region. It also raised global concerns regarding human rights and terrorism.

The offensive followed a specific pattern of territorial expansion. It utilized a bottom-up succession of surrenders. These surrenders were often negotiated or paid for at the village level. This process began after a February 2020 deal between the United States and the Taliban. The Taliban also used social media to coordinate their efforts. They strategically chose to attack northern provinces to gain ground. They also utilized main highways to maintain freedom of movement. This allowed them to move quickly across the country.

Several factors contributed to the rapid success of the Taliban. The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) faced sudden losses in support. The United States and its allies began withdrawing troops in May 2021. This included the departure of 2,500 U.S. troops. The ANSF lost access to essential technical support. They also lost proprietary software and critical aerial support. Without these tools, the Afghan military struggled to defend rural areas. The government's strategy focused on protecting cities while sacrificing the countryside.

Internal problems within the Afghan government also weakened its defense. Many military officers were accused of using "ghost soldiers" to fund themselves. This means they claimed pay for soldiers who did not exist. Additionally, many ANSF members went months without receiving their salaries. There was also significant cronyism in military appointments. President Ashraf Ghani struggled to create a national consensus. He was unable to convince many local warlords to support the central government. Many Afghans remained more loyal to ethnic or tribal ties than to Kabul.

The scale of the Taliban's territorial gains was immense. In the first three months, they increased their control from 73 districts to 223 districts. By June, they had captured 69 districts. They also seized significant military equipment from the Afghan forces. This included 700 trucks and Humvees. They also captured armored vehicles, artillery systems, and Boeing Insitu ScanEagle drones. The Taliban also received help from other militant groups. These included al-Qaeda and several Pakistani groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.

The offensive reached its climax in August 2021. On August 6, the Taliban attacked provincial capitals. Most towns surrendered without a fight. Major cities like Herat, Kandahar, and Lashkargah fell after weeks of battle on August 13. On August 15, President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. The Taliban then captured the capital, Kabul, with only sporadic resistance. This resulted in the reinstatement of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The speed of this takeover surprised the United States, Russia, and even the Taliban themselves.

The takeover had massive consequences for the people of Afghanistan. Many civilians and soldiers were caught in the violence. Some Afghan soldiers fled to neighboring countries like Tajikistan and Iran. In northern Afghanistan, women held large demonstrations against the Taliban. Some women even learned to use firearms to defend themselves. The fall of the government changed the daily lives of millions. It also forced a massive international evacuation effort. Many people had to flee through the Hamid Karzai International Airport.