Taliban celebrate as last U.S. troops leave Afghanistan

The Taliban have proclaimed “full independence” for Afghanistan and celebratory gunfire rang out in Kabul as the US confirmed its last troops withdrew ahead of a Tuesday deadline following 20 years of war. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Tuesday that “American soldiers left the Kabul airport, and our nation got its full independence.” The withdrawal came before the end of August 31, the actual deadline set by President Joe Biden to call time on America's longest war -- one that ultimately claimed the lives of more than 2,400 US service members.

Anas Haqqani, a senior Taliban official, said he was "proud" to witness "these historic moments". "We made history again I am very happy that after 20 years of jihad, sacrifices & hardships I have this pride to see these historic moments," Haqqani tweeted. "All the American troops have left Afghanistan, we are very happy -- you can listen to the celebratory fire," Bilal Karimi, another Taliban spokesperson, told AFP by phone. As the last US planes drew their wheels up around midnight on Monday, Taliban fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a two-decade insurgency in Afghanistan.