For nearly 20 years, Bagram was the primary military base used by the United States to wage its war in Afghanistan, according to the report.
The unceremonious departure of US forces from Bagram is the most significant evidence to date that America’s longest war is finally over. The base was in the hands of Afghan security forces on Friday, well ahead of a deadline set by President Joe Biden for all U.S. forces to exit by September 11.
However, this does not mean that the withdrawal of US troops is complete, and officials have pointed out that the highest US commander in Afghanistan, Army General Scott Miller, “still retains all capabilities and authorities to protect the forces.” still present in the country.
The US military has not said when the last US troops are due to pack and return from Afghanistan, but there are many things pending, according to the report.
The Taliban have welcomed the news of Bagram’s handover, spokesman Suhail Shaheen told CBS News on Friday, adding: “We hope there are no more foreign soldiers in our land.”
The Daily Mail has reported for nearly 20 years that Bagram Airfield is the heart of US military might in Afghanistan, a sprawling mini-city behind fences and blast walls just an hour’s drive north of Kabul.
It was first a symbol of the United States’ desire for revenge for the 9/11 attacks, and then of its struggle to find a way out of the ensuing war with the Taliban.
Now, in just a few days, the last American soldiers will have left Bagram.
They leave what likely everyone connected to the base – whether American or Afghan – considers a strained legacy, according to the report.
U.S. Central Command said last week it was well over Bagram’s 50 percent package and the rest was going fast. U.S. officials have said the full U.S. troop withdrawal will most likely be completely complete by July 4.
The Afghan military will then take control of Bagram as part of its continued struggle against the Taliban — and what many in the country fear is yet another eruption of chaos.
As the US troop withdrawal date draws near, thousands of Afghan translators are now at risk of being stranded because they have not yet been accepted for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) in America, the report adds.
Up to 18,000 translators and interpreters constantly fear deadly Taliban attacks and have been driven from their homes for their support of the US government over the past 20 years.
It cost the life of the US military 2,312 and $ 816 billion, according to the Department of Defense.
