Afghanistan: Taliban declears independence

After the last US troops left Kabul airport and military operations on Afghan land came to an end after 20 years of war, the Taliban declared complete independence for Afghanistan.

Taliban on Tuesday fired their guns in the air in celebration as the United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan, after 20 years of military presence.

"Parts of Kabul erupted in celebratory gunfire after the last US C-17 aircraft lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport right before midnight shortly after the last aircraft departed," CNN reported. General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of the US Central Command, made the withdrawal announcement at a Pentagon news briefing.

The Taliban has hailed the departure of US troops, describing their departure as a “historic moment” while declaring that the country is now a “free and sovereign nation”.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the victory of his group “belongs to us all”.

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“We do not have any doubt that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is a free and sovereign nation,” he said, adding the the Americans “could not achieve their goal through military operations”.

Earlier, Marine General Frank McKenzie, the head of the US Central Command, announced that the last American troops sent to evacuate US citizens and Afghans at risk of the Taliban have flown out of Kabul just before midnight local time (19:30 GMT).

The Taliban's top spokesman congratulated Afghans on their victory.

"Congratulations to Afghanistan… This victory belongs to us all," Talibanspokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said from the runway of Kabul airport.

"We want to have good relations with the US and the world. We welcome good diplomatic relations with them all," he added, calling the American defeat a “lesson for other invaders”.

(With inputs from agencies)