Okay. So we are constantly hearing about events going on in Afghanistan, but do we really understand what’s going on and how the US is involved? No. So, let me break it down for you.

In October 2001 after the Twin Towers in New York were attacked and over 3,000 people were killed U.S. troops were sent to Afghanistan. How many you ask? About 5,000. The reason for sending troops was to take down the forces responsible for the attack on the Twin Towers. Part of this mission was to take out the man responsible for the attacks on 9/11, Osama bin Laden. Laden was the man who conducted and created the plan to attack the US that day. He was killed after a 10-year manhunt by U.S. Navy Seals. Shutting down the Taliban was also a big part of the mission. The Taliban is a “movement” or organization in Afghanistan that took over most of the country. They are responsible for thousands of murders in Afghanistan and even in the U.S.

After the Taliban lost power troops stayed in Afghanistan to keep things peaceful, a process that has taken us 19 years and 10 months. After all that time everything was slowly getting better and under control. Then on May 1st, 2021 president Joe Biden announced that the U.S. troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan and would be concluded by September 11, 2021. September 11 is the date of 9/11 the day that influenced the U.S. in deciding to take troops to Afghanistan. He explained that he believed the war there had gone on too long as it has been almost 20 years. He wanted to end it and he stated, “They’ve got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation”. As troops have been pulled the Taliban has taken over. Again. They have taken over the whole country including the capital. In the first week of the Taliban’s take over 5,000 innocent people had been killed that number continues to increase rapidly. Afghans have been trying to flee the country. Without U.S. troops there to continue to help the country and protect its people those who once helped the U.S. are being murdered by the Taliban quickly and horrendously. 

Afghans have been fleeing the country looking for refuge and safety in other countries. These people have fled to countries such as Spain, Germany, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and the US. While thousands upon thousands have fled to safety many, including Americans are still stuck in the country terrified of what the Taliban may do to them if they even attempt to flee.

On August 27 as many attempted to evacuate an attack occurred as a suicide bombing outside of the Kabul airport, this bombing killed 92 people which included 13 US service members. These people are so scared that they want to leave their homes and all their belongings to get to safety, however, even fleeing is dangerous. They are afraid to live in their own country. More and more refugees are being sent all over the world to get these people to safety. They are being sent to new places and these foreign destinations that are unfamiliar.

Without protection from the US, the Taliban was able to take over the country and its people with no warning these people were slaughtered and stripped from peace. Fear continues in Afghanistan and more concern for all the innocent lives that live there grows with the Taliban being stronger than ever. Afghans will continue to look for safety and peace no matter who is in charge of their country.