Afghanistan: America's Battle Finishes With The Last US Military Flight.

They added that the diplomatic mission to support those unable to leave before the deadline would continue. After the last plane took off, the ceremonial shooting by the Taliban could be heard.

The plane's takeoff marked the latest chapter in a controversial military effort.

The United States finally returned Afghanistan to the Islamist militants who tried to eradicate it when US troops invaded the country in 2001.

Taliban fighters from Fateh Zwak's unit, in possession of US weapons, equipment, and uniforms, storm Kabul International Airport on August 31, 2021. It also marked the end of a massive evacuation operation on August 14, shortly after the Taliban took control of the country.

America's top military commander in the region, General Kenneth Mackenzie, said a total of more than 123,000 civilians have evacuated from the US and coalition aircraft -- an average of more than 7,500 civilians per day during that time.

Following the announcement, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called the evacuation a "huge military, diplomatic also humanitarian undertaking" also one of the most difficult the United States has ever undertaken. "A new chapter has begun," he said. "Military mission has ended. A new diplomatic mission has begun."

He said the Taliban should gain legitimacy and be measured by the extent to which they have fulfilled their obligations and obligations to allow civilians in and out freely, protect the rights of all Afghans, including women, and take over terrorist groups that get in the way. Support.

He added that while the United States had suspended its diplomatic presence in Kabul by moving operations to the Qatari capital, Doha, it would continue its "continued efforts" to help Americans and Afghans with US passports to leave Afghanistan if you so wish.

President Joe Biden made a brief statement thanking everyone involved in the evacuation operations over the past 17 days and said he would address the nation Tuesday evening. Following the withdrawal, Taliban fighters scouted Kabul airport and seizing its facilities, including hangars with planes abandoned by the United States. Some of the soldiers wore discarded US military uniforms and equipment.

A Los Angeles Times photojournalist said the fighters had arranged deliveries, inspected abandoned equipment, and secured the perimeter.

Media captionEmal Ahmadi: "Ten people died here...including my daughter, she is two years old."

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to declare reports that a US drone strike on suspected suicide bombers in Afghanistan has killed scores of civilians, including six children and a man who worked like an interpreter for the US armed forces. Relatives said the car crash near Kabul Airport was based on misinformation.

Millions of Afghans face insecurity.

Analyzer box from Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent

Even after 40 years of war, I can't believe that the Afghan people have seen such an uncertain transition, one so shrouded in darkness and overcast fear. There is significant uncertainty about what lies ahead.

There is uncertainty and fear for the thousands of Afghans who have fled the country in recent days and who will wonder if they will see their homeland again.

For the 38 million Afghans who remain in the country, there is a lot of uncertainty about what power the Taliban will wield. But, if they reinstate the harsh rules and penalties that marked their last term, the state is responsible. Many Afghans see the Taliban rule in rural areas and fear that it is not changing but is somehow getting worse.