After 20 years of war, the US decided to withdraw troops in Afghanistan, with President Biden stating, “We have to focus on the challenges in front of us”.
The withdrawal is timelined to happen from May to 11 September 2021 (the 20th anniversary of 9/11), removing at least 2,500 troops from the country. This pushes back the previously agreed date of 1 May, which was made by Trump on the conditions that the US will lift sanctions against the Taliban.
The news has, according to the BBC, alarmed many Afghans, quoting that they “do not think conditions are suitable for withdrawal”. This is due to the worry that they will return to the “dark days” [BBC] and that rights, especially for women, will be rolled back.
The UK is meant to join the US in withdrawing over 450 troops by 11 September, following through with NATO’s statement that its members will leave together. Jonathan Beale (BBC defense correspondent) has said that this is due to the UK’s reliance on the “US's infrastructure, logistics and support in Afghanistan.”
Mir Rahman Rahmani, the speaker of the parliament of Afghanistan, has said that the withdrawal will lead to civil war, despite the US’s promise to continue to support the country in a non-military manner.
Written by Anna Male
Artwork by Zara Masood
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