The last American flight with the military departed from Kabul, putting an end to the 20-year war. The C-17 military transport aircraft carrying the US ambassador left Afghanistan shortly before midnight on Tuesday, August 31. Read today in USA.ONE :
Last US military left Afghanistan
President of the United States Joe Biden called the withdrawal «America's best solution.»
Last military flight USA departed from Kabul 
The plane took off marked the end of the longest and most costly US war, as a result of which Afghanistan returned to the Islamites, with whom the Americans had fought since 2001. Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army, was the last to board the C-17.
As for those who did not manage to leave Afghanistan until yesterday, the diplomatic mission to assist them will continue. The mass evacuation from Kabul began on 14 August. Then the Taliban captured almost the entire country and were already approaching the capital. According to General Kenneth Mackenzie, the head of Central Command, which is responsible for the American military operations in Afghanistan, over 123 thousand civilians were evacuated from the country in 17 days, that is, 7.5 thousand per day.
According to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the evacuation has become one of the most complex, large-scale military, diplomatic and humanitarian events ever undertaken by the United States.
“The military mission is over. A new chapter has begun. Now it's up to the diplomatic mission, ”he said.
Blinken also added that the Taliban will have to earn legitimacy and everything will depend on how the new regime will fulfill its obligations to ensure the free movement of citizens within the country or for its limits, protect their rights, including the female population, and confront terrorist groups that can spread throughout the country.
The United States suspended its diplomatic presence in Kabul, moving operations to Doha, the capital of Qatar. At the same time, the government will help American citizens stranded in Afghanistan.
After the withdrawal of the military, the Taliban occupied the Kabul airport building, including a hangar with Chinook helicopters abandoned by the Americans. Some of the fighters were seen wearing abandoned military uniforms and equipment from the US Army. The Taliban have begun taking inventory of the abandoned property and installing security around the perimeter.
As for the President of the United States, he stated that the decision not to extend the mission was taken unanimously by the military command. On Tuesday, August 31st, Joe Biden addressed the nation with the words:
“The longest war in American history ended in Kabul yesterday.”
He called the efforts of the US military to evacuate people from Kabul not «a military mission, but a mission of mercy», paying tribute to the self-sacrifice of US military personnel who died in the line of duty in the Afghan capital. According to the president, the evacuation could hardly have been more orderly than it was.
Biden recalled that his predecessor Donald Trump signed the agreement with the Taliban. Talking about the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, he emphasized the priority of ensuring the national interests and security of US residents. The President listened to the views of the military and security sector representatives, and also consulted with allies.
“We have been a country that has been at war for too long,” Joe Biden emphasized.
Researchers at Brown University estimate that over 20 years of military operations in Afghanistan, the United States spent $ 300 million dollars a day. According to Biden, American citizens should be aware of this. He also assured that the priority for him was and remains the issue of the country's security.
The President added that at present, the terrorist threat is not necessarily linked specifically to Afghanistan, as it was at the beginning of the war. It may come from Somalia or Yemen, where IS fighters still operate. The head of the White House said that this problem has not yet been resolved.
Recall that Joe Biden and members of his administration had been discussing for several weeks the possibility of leaving troops in Afghanistan for longer than the established period, weighing the pros and cons of such a decision for a mass evacuation US citizens and Afghan civilians.
“The Joint Chiefs of Staff and field commanders unanimously advised that the mission be completed on schedule. They believe that ending hostilities is the best way to protect the lives of our soldiers and ensure the evacuation of those Afghan residents who want to leave the country soon, ”Biden said.
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