What Is Happening In Afghanistan?

By: Logan Antio

Editor: Grace Pilkay

Picture provided by the United States Air Force

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After 20 years of the U.S. and other western nation's support to convert Afghanistan to a

modern democracy, Taliban forces invaded the Afghanistan capital, Kabul, on August 15, 2021. Following the capitols invasion, people rushed to Hamid Karzai International Airport, where citizens tried to cling to planes as they took off which caused about half a dozen Afghans to die. After tens of thousands had evacuated, there were still many others trying to flee. The United States had to complete evacuations by August 31, but due to so many citizens that needed to be evacuated, allies called to extend the deadline. The August 31 deadline was described as the Red Line by the Taliban and has given threats if the White House pushes back the date. A group known as ISIS-K is targeting airports and aircraft that are evacuating people from Kabul. The Taliban forces have managed to gain control of almost all of the country along with many U-S-made armored vehicles, aircraft, and a large number of small arms. Due to the Taliban controlling large areas, there have been many issues for the women of Afghanistan. The Taliban placed restrictions on the rights of women, abused them, banned them from the workplace, and have even done public executions. At the entrance of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, a suicide bomber detonated an explosion in a crowd of people trying to evacuate. This bombing killed 13 United States service members and over 100 Afghan citizens. The United States completed evacuations of U.S citizens yesterday (August 31). It is estimated that we left over 200 Americans behind.