The 174 countries at WAR in 2021 – almost every nation in conflict so far this year mapped

Despite calls for peace, the ongoing crisis situation in Afghanistan has prompted fears of all all-out violence.

The US completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on Monday, with the last of its planes taking off from Kabul airport.

All its service members have now departed, bringing an end to a 20-year campaign which saw more than 2,400 Americans die as well as tens of thousands of Afghans.

The Taliban called Afghanistan a “free and sovereign” state in the wake of the departure of US troops – describing the move as a “historic moment”.

Taliban fighters took charge of Kabul’s airport on Tuesday, with celebratory gunfire and fireworks lighting up skies in the nation’s capital.

Speaking during a news conference, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said: “I pledge before you that we will spare no effort to restore our national unity and to regain our social harmony, steering away from any form of hypocrisy or those who are trying to drive a wedge among our people.”

source: express.co.uk