102-558: Timeline Major operations Airstrikes Major insurgent attacks 2002 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Massacres Other Operation Pitting was a British military operation to evacuate British nationals and eligible Afghans from Afghanistan following the 2021 Taliban offensive . The operation consisted of more than 1,000 military personnel, including soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade . It ran concurrently with
204-554: A "no-fly" watchlist, used to protect against those deemed to be a security threat, such as terrorists, but later confirmed not to be. Around 200 members of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland prepared to deploy. In total, over 1,000 military personnel were now involved with operations. On 24 August, the UK hosted an emergency meeting for G7 leaders which Prime Minister Boris Johnson used to request an extension of
306-572: A Chagatai prince raised an army from Kandahar against the Ilkhanid governor of Sistan . Kandahar was described by Ibn Battuta in 1333 as a large and prosperous town three nights journey from Ghazni . Timur the Great , founder of the Timurid Empire , captured Kandahar in 1383. He appointed his grandson Pir Muhammad as governor of Kandahar in 1390. Following his death in 1405, the city
408-529: A Shia mosque in the city . The Arghandab River runs along the west of Kandahar. The city has 15 districts and a total land area of 27,337 hectares. The total number of dwellings in Kandahar is 61,902. Only 64% of families in Kandahar have access to safe drinking water; 22% of households have access to safe toilet facilities; and 27% of households have access to electricity, with the remainder dependent on public power. Kandahar's transportation infrastructure
510-411: A Taliban suicide bomber who had hidden explosives inside his turban . On 27 July 2011, the mayor of the city, Ghulam Haider Hamidi , was assassinated by another Taliban militant who had hidden explosives in his turban. Two deputy mayors had been killed in 2010, while many tribal elders and Islamic clerics have also been assassinated in the last several years. The overwhelming majority of the victims in
612-502: A collision, however the aircraft was able to reach the required speed to get airborne, narrowly missing the vehicles by 10–15 ft (3.0–4.6 m). Further complicating the situation, the aircraft had to take-off without the aid of runway lights as the airport had suffered a power failure. On 31 August, emails revealed to BBC Newsnight showed that the British Embassy had instructed evacuees to reach Abbey Gate hours before
714-523: A fragment of Edict 13 in Greek, as well as a full Edict, written in both Greek and Aramaic has been discovered in Kandahar. It is said to be written in excellent Classical Greek, using sophisticated philosophical terms. In this Edict, Ashoka the great used the word Eusebeia (" Piety ") as the Greek translation for the ubiquitous " Dharma " of his other Edicts written in Prakrit . Islamic conquest Until
816-405: A governing authority through the imposition of a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Formal education for girls was banned as well as the consumption of TV, films, music with instrumental accompaniments , and the playing of sports. In December 1999, a hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814 plane by Pakistani militants loyal to Harkat-ul-Mujahideen landed at Kandahar International Airport and kept
918-567: A local ruler of the Saffarid dynasty , conquered Kandahar and environs in the name of Islam. Ghanavids It is believed that the Zunbil dynasty were the rulers of the Kandahar region from the 7th century until the late 9th century AD. Kandahar was taken by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni in the 11th century followed by the Ghurids of Ghor . Kandahar appears to have been renamed Teginābād in
1020-577: A months-long campaign of carpet bombing and bulldozing by the Soviets and Afghan communist soldiers in 1987. Kandahar International Airport was used by the Soviet Army during their ten-year troop placement in the country. The city also became a battle ground for the US and Pakistani-backed forces against the pro-Communist government of Afghanistan. Kandahar underwent a complete sociopolitical collapse in
1122-636: A name given to some cities that Alexander founded during his conquests. Kandahar was a frequent target for conquest because of its strategic location in Asia, controlling the main trade route linking the Indian subcontinent with the Middle East and Central Asia . The territory became part of the Seleucid Empire after the death of Alexander. It is mentioned by Strabo that a treaty of friendship
SECTION 10
#17327808228291224-765: A natural cause. A new city was laid out by Ahmad Shah and is dominated by his mausoleum, which is adjacent to the Mosque of the Cloak in the centre of the city. By 1776, his eldest son Timur Shah had transferred Afghanistan's main capital, due to several conflicts with various Pashtun tribes, from Kandahar to Kabul, where the Durrani legacy continued. From 1818 to 1855, Kandahar was ruled by half-brothers of Dost Mohammad Khan as an independent principality . In September 1826, Syed Ahmad Shaheed 's followers arrived to Kandahar in search of volunteers to help them wage jihad against
1326-644: A new operation, code-named Operation Toral , part of the wider NATO Resolute Support Mission . In February 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement which permitted the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners, including 400 who were accused and convicted of major crimes, such as murder , in exchange for US and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, the prevention of Al-Qaeda operating in areas under Taliban control and dialogue between
1428-545: A partial timeline of the War in Afghanistan . For events prior to October 7, 2001, see 2001 in Afghanistan . The army of the United States continues to conduct missions throughout Afghanistan, began closing forward operating bases (FOB). Kandahar Kandahar ( English: / ˈ k æ n d ə h ɑːr / ; Pashto : کندهار , romanized: Kandahār ; Dari : قندهار , romanized: Qandahār )
1530-734: A small team from the Home Office to assist the FCDO in Kabul with processing visas and other travel documents. Command and control for the operation was based at Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood , London and it was led by Commander of Joint Operations Sir Ben Key . The United States carried out a concurrent military operation with the same aim, code-named Operation Allies Refuge , and there were similar operations being carried out by other countries . The UK established an airbridge between
1632-710: A total of 261,000 miles (420,000 km). Thirty-one flights from Kabul were undertaken by the A400M, forty-six by the C-17 and twenty-four by the C-130J. One flight undertaken by a C-17 carried a total of 436 people, triple the aircraft's designed capacity and the highest capacity flight in RAF history. A total of over 15,000 people were evacuated, consisting of 5,000 British nationals and 8,000 Afghans—2,200 of which were also children. A peak of over 1,000 military personnel were involved with
1734-531: Is a city in Afghanistan , located in the south of the country on Arghandab River , at an elevation of 1,010 m (3,310 ft). It is Afghanistan's second largest city , after Kabul , with a population of about 614,118. It is the capital of Kandahar Province and the centre of the larger cultural region called Loy Kandahar . Kandahar is the founding city and spiritual center of the Taliban . Despite
1836-403: Is a major trading center for sheep, wool , cotton, silk, felt , food grains , fresh and dried fruit . The region produces fine fruits, especially pomegranates and grapes, and the city has plants for canning, drying, and packing fruit, and is a major source of marijuana and hashish . The region around Kandahar is one of the oldest known human settlements. A major fortified city existed at
1938-470: Is considered as an important political area for Afghanistan revelations. Many empires have long fought over the city due to its strategic location along the trade routes of southern , central and western Asia . In 1709, Mirwais Hotak made the region an independent kingdom and turned Kandahar into the capital of the Hotak dynasty . In 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani , founder of the Durrani dynasty , made Kandahar
2040-485: Is known to be active in Afghanistan. The UK also acknowledged this threat. Whilst both radical Jihadist groups, ISIL-KP follows Wahhabi-Salafist traditions which are a lot more extreme than the Deobandi traditions practised by the Taliban. This has brought both groups into conflict with one another . On 23 August, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced that the UK had "hours not weeks" to complete its evacuations after
2142-675: Is preserved in the epic poem Qandahār-nāma ("The Campaign Against Qandahār"), a major work of Saib Tabrizi which is a classic of Persian literature. Mirwais Hotak , chief of the Ghilji tribe, revolted in 1709 by killing Gurgin Khan , an ethnic Georgian subject and governor of the Shia Safavid Persians. After establishing the Hotak dynasty in Kandahar, Mirwais and his army successfully defeated subsequent expeditions by Kay Khusraw and Rustam Khán. Mirwais resisted attempts by
SECTION 20
#17327808228292244-548: The Battle of Kandahar . Kandahar remained peaceful for the next 100 years, except during 1929 when loyalists of Habibullah Kalakani (Bache Saqqaw) placed the fortified city on lock-down and began torturing its population. Nobody was allowed to enter or leave from within the city's tall defensive walls, and as a result of this many people suffered after running out of food supplies. This lasted until October 1929 when Nadir Khan and his Afghan army came to eliminate Kalakani, known as
2346-495: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised all British nationals to leave Afghanistan immediately due to the worsening security situation; however, it warned people not to rely on the FCDO for support due to the limited capacity of the British Embassy in Kabul. The FCDO believed more than 4,000 British nationals were situated in Afghanistan at the time. The operation was first announced on 13 August 2021 after it
2448-603: The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), alongside the US and allies, to train and reinforce the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and counter a Taliban insurgency . At its peak, the UK had 9,500 military personnel deployed to Afghanistan. These numbers were gradually reduced, in coordination with allies, beginning in 2013. By 2014, all combat operations had ceased, whilst training continued under
2550-675: The Safavid Shah Tahmasp in return of 12,000 soldiers he received from the Shah to reconquer India. In 1595, Humayun 's son Akbar the Great reconquered the city by diplomacy. Akbar died in 1605 and when this news reached the Persian court, Shah Abbas ordered his army to besiege the city which continued until early 1606 and finally failed due to the reinforcements sent by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir that forced
2652-592: The Sikh invaders to what is now Pakistan. Led by Ranjit Singh , the Sikhs had captured several of Afghanistan's territories in the east, including what is now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir . More than 400 local Kandahar warriors assembled themselves for the jihad. Sayed Din Mohammad Kandharai was appointed as their leader. British war British-led Indian forces from neighbouring British India invaded
2754-495: The Trump administration in the United States agreed to an initial reduction of its force level from 13,000 to 8,600 by July 2020, followed by a full withdrawal by 1 May 2021. The newly-incumbent Biden administration subsequently extended the withdrawal deadline to 11 September 2021. This was further shifted to 31 August. The Taliban stepped up its offensives in response to the US and NATO withdrawals, making significant advancements in
2856-633: The evacuation efforts of numerous other countries . Over 15,000 people were airlifted to safety on more than 100 flights in the largest British evacuation since the Second World War and the largest airlift since the Berlin Blockade of 1948–9. Of those evacuated, 5,000 were British nationals and 8,000 were Afghans who were vulnerable to persecution by the Taliban due to their role in assisting British forces during Operation Herrick (2002–2014). Around 2,200 evacuees were children, with
2958-585: The 10th-12th centuries, but the origin of the new name is unclear. During this period, nearby Panjway served as the administrative center for the area. However, Kandahar was of much more strategic importance, to the extent that Minhaj-i-Siraj attributes the downfall of the Ghaznavids to the loss of Kandahar. The city's name was changed back to Kandahar by the 13th century, after Ala ad-Din Husayn Jahansuz sacked Lashkari Bazar , near Bost . Again,
3060-557: The 9th century, Kandahar and other regions ruled by the Zunbils were considered part of the Indian Subcontinent , though it was an Eastern Iranic realm which followed Zurvanism . In the 7th century AD , Arab armies conquered the region but failed to convert the entire population to Islam.The leader of the expedition was Abbad ibn Ziyad , who governed Sijistan between 673 and 681. In AD 870, Yaqub ibn Layth Saffari ,
3162-518: The Afghan police force for the prevention of a Taliban comeback in Kandahar, the militants' "spiritual birthplace" and a strategic key to ward off the Taliban insurgency , as a part of a larger effort that also aimed to deliver services such as electricity and clean drinking water that the Taliban could not provide – encouraging support for the government in a city that was once the Taliban's headquarters. The most significant battle between NATO troops and
Operation Pitting - Misplaced Pages Continue
3264-582: The Alikozai and Barakzai, refused to give up their lands. Only the Popalzai finally offered him his pick of their lands. The foundations for the city were laid in June, 1761. Once begun, the city was built with grand proportions. It was laid out in the form of a regular rectangle with a circumference of three miles; walls 30 feet thick at the bottom and 15 feet at the top, rose 27 feet high to enclose it. Outside,
3366-491: The Defence Staff Sir Nick Carter confirmed that evacuation operations were ending that same day, stating that it was "heartbreaking" that they had failed to evacuate everyone who wanted to get out. During one of the final evacuation flights, flying via Dubai to Birmingham , an Afghan refugee gave birth to a baby girl. The final evacuation flight for civilians left later on that same day, followed by
3468-1143: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: 3,000–3,500 [REDACTED] Taliban : 58,000-100,000 (As of February 2021) [REDACTED] HIG : 1,500–2,000+ (2014) [REDACTED] al-Qaeda : ~300 in 2016 (~ 3,000 in 2001) [REDACTED] Fidai Mahaz : 8,000 (2013) Afghan security forces: 66,000–69,095 killed Northern Alliance: 200 killed Coalition : Dead: 3,579 Wounded: 23,536 Contractors Dead: 3,917 Wounded: 15,000+ Taliban insurgents : 52,893 killed (2,000+ al-Qaeda fighters) Civilians killed: 70,000 Total killed: 176,206 (per Brown University ) 212,191+ (per UCDP ) The continued list includes nations who have contributed fewer than 200 troops as of November 2014. Timeline Major operations Airstrikes Major insurgent attacks 2002 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Massacres Other The following items form
3570-724: The Persian government who were seeking to convert the Afghans from Sunni to the Shia sect of Islam. He died of a natural death in November 1715 and was succeeded by his brother Abdul Aziz , but after being suspected of giving Kandahar's sovereignty back to the Persians he was killed by his nephew Mahmud Hotak . In 1722, Mahmud led an army of Afghans to the Safavid capital Isfahan and proclaimed himself King of Persia. The Hotak dynasty
3672-587: The Safavid retreat. In the Mughal–Safavid War , Kandahar was once again lost to the Safavids. In 1698, Mughals under Samandar Khan of Kalat State captured Kandahar again. Kandahar was regarded as important to the Mughal Empire because it was one of the gateways to India, and Mughal control over Kandahar helped to prevent foreign intrusions. The memory of the wars fought over Kandahar at this time
3774-593: The Tajik bandit from the village of Kalakan in northern Kabul Province. During Zahir Shah 's rule, the city slowly began expanding by adding modern style streets and housing schemes. In the 1960s, during the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, Kandahar International Airport was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers next to the city. The U.S. also completed several other major projects in Kandahar and in other parts of southern Afghanistan. In
3876-436: The Taliban and Afghan government. However, within 45 days of the agreement, between 1 March and 15 April 2020, there had been a significant upsurge in Taliban attacks against Afghan security forces. On 22 June 2020, 291 ANSF were killed in the previous week and 550 wounded in 422 attacks carried out by the Taliban. At least 42 civilians, including women and children, were also killed with 105 wounded, in 18 provinces. Despite this,
3978-527: The Taliban became uncooperative, British forces may have to abandon rescue operations. On 18 August, reports began to emerge that Taliban checkpoints outside the airport were refusing entry to some Afghans and beating women and children. This was followed by a report published by the RHIPTO Norwegian Center for Global Analyses that the Taliban were conducting door-to-door searches for Afghans who had previously assisted coalition forces. During
4080-556: The Taliban lasted throughout the summer of 2006, culminating in Operation Medusa . The Taliban failed to defeat the Western troops in open warfare, which marked a turn in their tactics towards IED emplacement. In June 2008, it was reported that over 1,000 inmates had escaped from Sarposa prison . In Spring 2010, the province and the city of Kandahar became a target of American operations following Operation Moshtarak in
4182-418: The Taliban, describing it as "rotten" and a "mistake". In an interview with the press, Wallace also stated he was so "aghast" at the US decision to withdraw that he canvassed other NATO allies to see if there was support for a new alliance without the United States. In the UK, calls were made by veterans, politicians and campaigners for the government to grant asylum to Afghans who assisted British forces during
Operation Pitting - Misplaced Pages Continue
4284-497: The UK and Afghanistan with stop-overs taking place in the United Arab Emirates . The operation had been planned months before, however the Taliban offensive progressed far quicker than expected. British military personnel began arriving at Kabul 's Hamid Karzai International Airport on 15 August aboard a Royal Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III . HQ staff worked to establish a command and control centre beyond
4386-438: The US and argued it was an issue of political will. On 26 August, Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated the "overwhelming majority" of eligible people had been evacuated by the UK, amounting to a total of around 15,000 people, however around 2,000 remained. Defence Minister James Heappey admitted that some people would not be evacuated by the 31 August deadline. Heappey also warned of the risk posed by Islamic State and claimed there
4488-419: The US announced its intention to withdraw on 31 August. The UK government said it would request an extension of the US deadline to allow more flights to take place, however, the Taliban said it would not support a deadline extension. On the same day, it was announced that a total of 6,631 people had been evacuated by the UK since operations began. This included one person who was shortly afterwards thought to be on
4590-421: The US but insisted that the attacks, blamed on ISIL-KP, had not hastened this departure. 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (2 YORKS) had arrived in Kabul on the same day, deploying from Cyprus . Hours after the attack, an RAF C-17 loaded with evacuees also had a near miss with three vehicles, including a bus, which had mistakenly steered onto the runway. Both pilots believed aborting take-off would result in
4692-450: The US deadline, backed by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan. In response, the Taliban reiterated its position, describing a deadline extension as a "violation" which it would respond to. Following the G7 leaders meeting, the US announced that the deadline would remain in place. In the UK, questions were raised on the prospects of the UK military taking over Kabul airport after
4794-519: The United States and its allies in invading Afghanistan to depose the Taliban which was providing a safe haven to Al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden , both responsible for the September 11 attacks in the United States. The British contribution to this invasion was code-named Operation Veritas , which was replaced by Operation Herrick in 2002. During the operation, the UK worked as part of
4896-462: The airlift protection force. By 17 August, US forces, with the support of British and allied forces, had successfully taken control of the airport. The airport subsequently became more stable, allowing the RAF to begin mass airlifts. The access points to the airport, as well as the city at large, remained under Taliban control, however the Taliban were cooperative with local commanders. Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key warned that if
4998-485: The airport due to the Taliban. In the previous 24 hours, the RAF had evacuated 963 people. On 21 August, soaring temperatures and cramped conditions lead to increased disorder from growing queues of Afghans. This resulted in casualties, which were tended to by British medics, as well as a number of deaths. To try and maintain order, shots were fired into the air. During the same day, an on-scene report by Sky News Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay provided an insight into
5100-399: The airport wire to coordinate evacuation efforts, whilst other troops helped vacate diplomatic staff at the British Embassy and also establish a processing centre at Baron Hotel. Elsewhere, troops began cooperating with US forces to secure the airport. During the same day, Kabul, the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban shortly after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled
5202-400: The area. About a month later, the Taliban began surrendering in mass numbers to a private militia that had been formed by Gul Agha Sherzai and Hamid Karzai . Kandahar once again fell into the hands of Sherzai, who had control over the area before the rise of the Taliban. He was transferred in 2003 and replaced by Yousef Pashtun until Asadullah Khalid took the post in 2005. Toryalai Wesa
SECTION 50
#17327808228295304-521: The assassination city of Afghanistan after witnessing many targeted killings. In July Ahmed Wali Karzai , brother of President Hamid Karzai, was shot by his long time head of security. Soon after the Quetta Shura of the Taliban claimed responsibility. The next day an Islamic cleric (mulla) of the famous Red Mosque in the Shahr-e Naw area of the city and a number of other people were killed by
5406-438: The attack, despite the UK and US previously announcing an attack was imminent. On 30 August, Politico also claimed that US commanders wanted to close Abbey Gate due to the risk of an attack but kept it open at the UK's request to allow British evacuations to take place. These claims, however, were denied by the UK government. On 27 August, the UK government announced the Kabul evacuation had entered its final stage. As part of
5508-440: The attacks are ordinary Afghan civilians. On 6 June 2012, at least 21 civilians were killed and 50 others injured when two Taliban suicide bombers on motorcycles blew themselves up in a market area near Kandahar International Airport. On 4 May 2020 , a policewoman was assassinated in the centre of Kandahar, making her the fifth policewoman to be killed during the previous two months in Kandahar. No group claimed responsibility for
5610-541: The capital of Afghanistan being Kabul, where the government administration is based, Kandahar is the seat of power in Afghanistan as the supreme leader and his spiritual advisers are based there. Kandahar has therefore been called the de facto capital of Afghanistan , though the Taliban maintain Kabul is the capital. Kandahar is one of the most culturally significant cities of the Pashtuns community and has been their traditional seat of power for more than 300 years. It
5712-584: The capital of the Afghan Empire . The modern name of the city derives from the name of the original city built here, Alexandria . This city (often referred to as Alexandria in Arachosia to distinguish it from other Alexandrias ) was founded after the invasion of Alexander the Great in 330 BC. The name "Alexander" in the local Pashto language is rendered as "Iskandar". It is believed that over time this transformed into "Scandar" , and eventually
5814-613: The city in 1839, during the First Anglo-Afghan War , but withdrew in 1842. In November 1855, Dost Mohammad Khan conquered Kandahar. The British and Indian forces returned in 1878 during the Second Anglo-Afghan War . They emerged from the city in July 1880 to confront the forces of Ayub Khan , but were defeated at the Battle of Maiwand . They were again forced to withdraw a few years later, despite winning
5916-432: The city, and fighting in 1993. During this time, banditry, rape, and murder became rampant in Kandahar, creating a demand for a more moral and unified alternative. This led to the rise of the talibs (students), who eventually formed the Taliban movement. By the spring of 1994, the nucleus of the Taliban emirate had begun to take shape, and that year, they launched operations to dismantle warlord militia checkpoints around
6018-494: The city. Government and Soviet troops surrounded the city and subjected it to heavy air bombardment in which many civilians lost their lives. In January 1982 indiscriminate shelling and bombing by the Soviets killed hundreds. 300 civilians were killed during Soviet bombings in July 1984. It was under siege again in April 1986. The city's population was reduced from 200,000 before the war to no more than 25,000 inhabitants, following
6120-471: The city. The talibs gained considerable popularity and legitimacy during this period by defeating these predatory warlords. In August 1994, the Taliban, under Mohammed Omar Mujahid , captured Kandahar from commander Mullah Naqib almost without a fight and turned the city into their headquarters. The capture of Afghanistan's second-largest city marked the Taliban's transformation from a fledgling militia into an Islamic emirate, solidifying their legitimacy as
6222-583: The compound, a bus shuttled the evacuees to a passenger handling facility where the RAF Police performed safety checks and RAF movers processed check-ins. The Royal Logistics Corps was responsible for all logistics. On 22 August, the US made changes to its evacuation procedures due to the threat posed by ISIL-KP , a branch of the Islamist terrorist organisation Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant which
SECTION 60
#17327808228296324-745: The country, leading to the collapse of the Afghan government. The Taliban subsequently requested a peaceful transfer of power. During the Fall of Kabul, the airport was targeted by gunfire and mortar rounds. Some of these rounds landed around an RAF A400M Atlas C1 aircraft which had landed with military personnel on board. On 16 August, the first flight of 370 evacuees arrived at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England via an RAF Airbus A330 Voyager aircraft. A total of eleven RAF aircraft, consisting of four Voyagers, four C-17s, two Atlas C1s and one Lockheed C-130J Hercules were involved in operations during
6426-701: The country. The 205th Corps of the Afghan National Army was based at Kandahar and provided military assistance to the south of the country. The Canadian Forces maintained their military command headquarters at Kandahar, heading the Regional Command South of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force in Kandahar Province . The Taliban also had supporters inside the city reporting on events. NATO forces expanded
6528-403: The countryside and increasing the number of its controlled districts from 73 to 223 in the first three months. From 6 August 2021, the Taliban had captured twenty of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals, including Kandahar and Herat , and by 10 August, it controlled 65% of the country's area. British Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace was highly critical of the deal between the US and
6630-436: The crowd, beating people with canes. They also checked documents and ushered people to the front of the queue if they had basic travel documentation, such as a passport. They were then let through the line of paratroopers and shipping containers for further processing. According to another report by the same author, the Taliban cooperated closely with the paratroopers, sometimes standing atop their shipping containers. Once through
6732-412: The departure of the US, however, according to retired British Army General Sir Richard Barrons , the UK would find it difficult to replace the vast resources the US has deployed and the Taliban, opposed to foreign forces remaining beyond the US withdrawal, had the potential to pose too great a threat. Former Defence Minister Johnny Mercer denied claims the UK was unable to carry out its operations without
6834-534: The drawdown, the processing centre at Baron Hotel was closed and the focus shifted to evacuating those already processed. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace described his "deep regret" that not everyone would be able to evacuate but praised the efforts of those involved in evacuating over 13,000 people in 14 days. Wallace also disclosed that timetables had been "squeezed" and military equipment was under consideration to be left behind or destroyed to free up capacity for more Afghans and British nationals. On 28 August, Chief of
6936-496: The early 1990s, driven in part by the divide-and-rule tactics of the communist governor-general, Nur ul-Haq Ulumi , who manipulated rival mujahideen factions against each other, and by the rampant greed within both the communist and mujahideen militias. After the Soviet withdrawal and the collapse of Najibullah 's government in 1992, Kandahar fell to local mujahideen commander, Gul Agha Sherzai . However Sherzai lacked authority against other local commanders which led to lawlessness in
7038-460: The empire, Chandragupta Maurya , confronted a Macedonian invasion force led by Seleucus I in 305 BC and following a brief conflict, an agreement was reached as Seleucus ceded Gandhara and Arachosia and areas south of Bagram to the Mauryas. During the 120 years of the Mauryas in southern Afghanistan, Buddhism was introduced and eventually become a major religion alongside Zoroastrianism and local pagan beliefs. Inscriptions made by Emperor Ashoka,
7140-463: The finds from Deh Morasi and Said Qala tie in with those of pre- Indus Valley sites and with those of comparable age on the Iranian Plateau and in Central Asia, indicating cultural contacts during this very early age. British excavations in the 1970s discovered that Kandahar existed as a large fortified city during the early 1st millennium BC; while this earliest period at Kandahar has not been precisely dated via radiocarbon , ceramic comparisons with
7242-462: The foundation for a new town to be built next to the destroyed ancient city, naming it " Naderabad ". His rule ended in June 1747 after being murdered by his Persian guards. Ahmad Shah Durrani, chief of the Durrani tribe, gained control of Kandahar and made it the capital of his new Afghan Empire in October 1747. Initially, Ahmad Shah had trouble finding land on which to build his city. His own tribe had no extensive lands and others who had, such as
7344-431: The killing of the policewomen by the end of the day of the reported event. On 12 August 2021, the Taliban captured Kandahar . After days of brutal clashes with ANA soldiers retreating from the city, the Taliban were finally able to capture the city. It became the twelfth provincial capital to be seized by Taliban as part of the wider 2021 Taliban offensive . On 15 October 2021, four suicide bombers killed dozens at
7446-474: The latest period at the major Bronze Age city of Mundigak have suggested an approximate time-frame of 1000 to 750 BC. This fortified city became an important outpost of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th to 4th centuries BC, and formed part of the province of Arachosia . Foundation of city and Greek invasion The now known " Old Kandahar " was founded in 330 BC by Alexander the Great , near
7548-477: The location being fertile and historically known for producing fine grapes, pomegranates , apricots , melons and other sweet fruits. Ernst Herzfeld claimed Kandahar perpetuated the name of the Indo-Parthian king Gondophares , who re-founded the city under the name Gundopharron. However, modern historians and linguists generally find this derivation implausible. An alternative etymology derives
7650-504: The meantime, Soviet engineers were busy building major infrastructures in other parts of the country, such as Bagram Airfield and Kabul International Airport . During the 1980s, Soviet–Afghan War , Kandahar city (and the province as a whole) witnessed heavy fighting as it became a centre of resistance as the mujahideen forces waged a strong guerrilla warfare against the Soviet-backed government , who tightly held on control of
7752-507: The modern "Kandahar" . The change of the name from "Scandar" to Candar is mentioned by the 16th-century Portuguese historian João de Barros in his most famous work, Décadas da Ásia . A folk etymology offered is that the word "kand" or "qand" in Persian and Pashto (the local languages) is the origin of the word " candy ". The name "Candahar" or "Kandahar" in this form probably translates to candy area. This probably has to do with
7854-1877: The name of the city from Gandhara , the name of an ancient Hindu-Buddhist kingdom located between the Kunar River and Abaseen River, centred on the Peshawar Valley . The name Kandahar ( Sanskrit : कंधार ) is believed to be linguistically corrupted form of a word Gandhāra ( Sanskrit : गंधार ), which was used between 2000-1700 BCE. Macedonia 330 BC–312 BC Seleucid Empire 312 BC–304 BC Maurya Empire 304 BC–204 BC Seleucid Empire 204 BC–c. 180 BC Greco-Bactrian Kingdom 180 BC-c. 150 BC Yavana Kingdom c. 150 BC–142 BC Indo-Scythians 142 BC–32 BC Parthian Empire 32 BC–19 CE Indo-Parthian Kingdom 19–36 Kushan Empire 36–230 Sasanian Empire 230–645 Rashidun Caliphate 645–661 Umayyad Caliphate 661–750 [REDACTED] Abbasid Caliphate 750-861 Saffarid dynasty 861–977 Ghaznavid Empire 977–1175 Ghurid dynasty 1175-1207 Khwarazmian Empire 1207–1222 Mongol Empire 1222-1256 [REDACTED] Ilkhanate 1256-1347 Kart dynasty 1347-1382 [REDACTED] Timurid Empire 1382-1507 [REDACTED] Mughal Empire 1507–1649 [REDACTED] Safavid Empire 1649-1711 [REDACTED] Hotak dynasty 1711–1738 [REDACTED] Afsharid Empire 1738–1747 Durrani Empire 1747–1818 [REDACTED] Principality of Kandahar 1818-1839 [REDACTED] United Kingdom ( Company Raj ) 1839-1842 [REDACTED] Principality of Kandahar 1842-1855 [REDACTED] Afghanistan 1855–present Excavations of prehistoric sites by archaeologists such as Louis Dupree and others suggest that
7956-414: The neighbouring Helmand Province . In March 2010, U.S. and NATO commanders released details of plans for the biggest offensive of the war against the Taliban insurgency. In May 2010, Kandahar International Airport became subject of a combined rocket and ground attack by insurgents, following similar attacks on Kabul and Bagram in the preceding weeks. Although this attack did not lead to many casualties on
8058-492: The operation aimed to evacuate a further 1,500 people over the next 24–36 hours. A further 200 military personnel were deployed to Kabul, bringing the total to 900, with further troops able to rapidly deploy from elsewhere in the region, as well as from the UK, if necessary. The RAF began diverting aircraft from other operations to assist. The UK Border Force also became involved with the operation to help process evacuees. 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment deployed as part of
8160-840: The operation. The British Army was involved with a variety of tasks, including force protection , logistics, humanitarian assistance and the processing of evacuees. Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (2001%E2%80%932021) Invasion (2001): [REDACTED] Northern Alliance [REDACTED] United States [REDACTED] United Kingdom [REDACTED] Canada RS phase (2015–2021): [REDACTED] ISAF : 130,000+ (Peak Strength) [REDACTED] Afghan National Defense and Security Forces : 307,947 (Peak Strength, January 2021) [REDACTED] Resolute Support Mission : 17,178 (Peak Strength, October 2019) Defence Contractors: 117,227 (Peak Strength, Q2 2012) [REDACTED] High Council of
8262-652: The passengers hostage as part of a demand to release three Pakistani militants from prison in India. In October 2001, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom , the United States Navy began hitting targets inside the city by precision-guided cruise missiles that were fired from the Persian Gulf . These targets were the airport and buildings that were occupied by the Taliban, including Arab families who had arrived several years earlier and were residing in
8364-422: The procedures undertaken by British forces. According to his report, a compound was being used to process evacuees which had a row of shipping containers at its entrance. Soldiers were stood atop them and called eligible people forward. Beyond the containers, a chaotic crowd of "possibly tens of thousands" awaited processing, held back by a line of paratroopers with riot shields. Taliban militants were also present in
8466-698: The reason for the name change is not clear. Mongols Kandahar was besieged by a Mongol army in 1221, although Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu defeated them. In 1251, upon accession to the Mongol throne, Möngke Khan granted Kandahar, along with other lands in Afghanistan, to Shams ad-Din Mohammad Kart of the Kart dynasty . However, the city is mentioned as being under Chagatai control in 1260–61; Kandahar didn't come under Kart control until 1281. Later, in 1318,
8568-422: The region around Kandahar is one of the oldest known human settlements known so far. Early peasant farming villages came into existence in Afghanistan ca. 5000 B.C., or 7000 years ago. Deh Morasi Ghundai, the first prehistoric site to be excavated in Afghanistan, lies 27 km (17 mi) southwest of Kandahar (Dupree, 1951). Another Bronze Age village mound site with multiroomed mud-brick buildings dating from
8670-493: The same day, two RAF evacuation flights took place, carrying a potential maximum of 250 passengers each, which also included 76 Australians. On 19 August, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced that no unattended children would be permitted to fly after footage was released of desperate Afghan families handing over their children to British and US forces. On 20 August, a report from The Times claimed UK Special Forces were active in Kabul and seeking out those unable to access
8772-404: The same day. Following the suspension of most commercial flights from Kabul, crowds of stranded Afghans took to the runways out of desperation and attempted to board aircraft. There were at least five confirmed deaths, with some falling to their deaths after latching onto the sides of aircraft that were taking off. This occurred in the commercial part of the airport, whilst British forces operated in
8874-584: The same period sits nearby at Said Qala (J. Shaffer, 1970). Second millennium B.C. Bronze Age pottery , copper and bronze horse trappings and stone seals were found in the lowermost levels in the nearby cave called Shamshir Ghar (Dupree, 1950). In the Seistan , southwest of these Kandahar sites, two teams of American archaeologists discovered sites relating to the 2nd millennium B.C. (G. Dales, University Museum, University of Pennsylvania , 1969, 1971; W, Trousdale, Smithsonian Institution , 1971 – 76). Stylistically
8976-400: The separate military side; Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was given assurances from the Taliban, via a third party, that the military side would be kept functional. During an interview with LBC , an emotional Wallace also admitted that some people would be left behind, particularly those not in Kabul, but insisted that the operation was open-ended and without a time limit. According to Wallace,
9078-404: The side of NATO forces, it did show that the militants are still capable of launching multiple, coordinated operations in Afghanistan. In June 2010, a shura was held by Afghan President Hamid Karzai with tribal and religious leaders of the Kandahar region. The meeting highlighted the need for support of NATO-led forces in order to stabilize parts of the province. By 2011, Kandahar became known as
9180-560: The site of Kandahar, probably as early as c. 1000–750 BC, and it became an important outpost of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire in the 6th century BC. Alexander the Great had laid-out the foundation of what is now Old Kandahar (which is in the southern section of Kandahar city) in the 4th century BC and gave it the Ancient Greek name Ἀλεξάνδρεια Ἀραχωσίας ( Alexandria of Arachosia ). Historically, this province
9282-636: The site of the ancient city of Mundigak (established around 3000 BC era). Mundigak served as the provincial capital of Arachosia and was ruled by the Medes followed by the Achaemenids until the arrival of the Macedonians. The main inhabitants of Arachosia were the Pakhtas , an ancient Indo-Iranian tribe, who might have been among the ancestors of today's Pashtuns . Kandahar was named Alexandria ,
9384-463: The very final evacuation flight, carrying military personnel, marking the end of the operation. Between 800–1,100 eligible Afghans and 100–150 British nationals were estimated to have been left behind, along with some military equipment. The UK government subsequently entered into talks with the Taliban on the safe passage out of Afghanistan of those left behind. By the end of the operation, the RAF had carried out over 100 evacuation flights, amounting to
9486-742: The walls were ringed by a moat 24 feet wide. Six mammoth gateways pierced these walls: the Eid Gah Gate on the north, the Shikarpur Gate on the south; the Herat and Top Khana Gates on the west; and, the Bar Durrani and Kabul Gates on the east. At its peak, Ahmad Shah's empire included present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Khorasan and Kohistan provinces of Iran, along with Punjab in India. In October 1772, Ahmad Shah retired and died from
9588-551: The war, such as interpreters , due to fears of Taliban reprisals. In December 2020, the UK government launched the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme to offer relocation of eligible Afghans to the UK. An Afghan Threat and Risk Evaluation Unit (ATREU) was established at the British Embassy in Kabul to assess candidates. The scheme began to offer relocation or other assistance in April 2021. On 6 August,
9690-602: The youngest just one day old. The evacuation implemented commitments made by the British government under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), which began in April 2021. In total, 10,000 eligible Afghans were evacuated under ARAP through to the end of Operation Pitting. The operation marked the end of the UK's 20-year military occupation in Afghanistan. In 2001, the United Kingdom joined
9792-414: Was "now very, very credible reporting of an imminent attack". During the same day, a suicide bombing occurred on the outskirts of the airport which resulted in the deaths of at least 182 people, including 13 US military personnel, and injuries to over 150. Two British nationals and the child of a British national were also killed. There were initial reports of a second bombing occurring at Baron Hotel, which
9894-584: Was appointed Governor of the province by President Hamid Karzai in December 2008 after Rahmatullah Raufi 's four-month rule. In 2002, Kandahar International Airport started to be used by members of the United States armed forces and NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). NATO began training the newly formed Afghan National Police and provided security responsibility of the city. The military of Afghanistan , backed by NATO forces, gradually expanded its authority and presence throughout most of
9996-660: Was authorised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson . Its stated aim, according to the Ministry of Defence, was to evacuate British nationals, embassy staff and Afghans eligible for relocation under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP). The operation began with approximately 600 military personnel, some of which were drawn from the British Army 's high-readiness 16 Air Assault Brigade , tasked with logistical support and force protection . They were joined by
10098-409: Was being used as a processing centre for British forces, however subsequent investigations found a second attack had not taken place. Following the attack, British forces provided medical assistance to the wounded and secured the perimeter, allowing US forces to extract their dead or wounded. British forces also assisted with bomb disposal . Wallace announced that British forces would withdraw ahead of
10200-701: Was established eventually between the Greeks and the Mauryas (Indians). The city eventually became part of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom (250 BC – 125 BC), and continued that way for two hundred years under the later Indo-Greek Kingdom (180 BC – 10 AD). While the Diadochi were warring amongst themselves, the Mauryas were developing in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent . The founder of
10302-484: Was eventually removed from power by a new Persian ruler, Nader Shah . In 1738, Nader Shah invaded Afghanistan and destroyed the now Old Kandahar , which was held by Hussain Hotak and his Ghilji tribes. In the meantime, Nader Shah freed Ahmad Khan (later Ahmad Shah Durrani ) and his brother Zulfikar who were held prisoners by the Hotak ruler. Before leaving southern Afghanistan for Delhi in India, Nader Shah laid out
10404-719: Was ruled by other Timurid governors. Kandahar was entrusted to the Arghuns in the late 15th century, who eventually achieved independence from the Timurids. Guru Nanak , the founder of Sikhism , is believed to have visited the town (c. 1521 AD) during his important journey between Hindustan and Mecca in Arabia. Mughal and Safavid Era Tamerlane's descendant, Babur , the founder of the Mughal Empire , annexed Kandahar in 1508. In 1554, Babur's son, Humayun , handed it over to
#828171