Fall of Kabul (2001)

This article is about the 2001 fall of Kabul to the Northern Alliance. For the return of Taliban after the offensive against the internationally recognized government, see Fall of Kabul (2021).

Fall of Kabul
Part of the War on terror, the United States invasion of Afghanistan and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Kabul in December 2003
Date12–13 November 2001 (1 day)
Location
Kabul, Afghanistan
Result

Northern Alliance and American victory

Belligerents
Islamic State of Afghanistan
 United States		 Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
 Al-Qaeda[1]
Commanders and leaders
Mohammed Fahim
Atiqullah Baryalai
Tommy Franks		 Mullah Omar
Osama bin Laden[1]
Mohammed Atef †
Units involved
Northern Alliance
ODA 555		 Afghanistan Afghan Armed Forces
al-Qaeda 055 Brigade

Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, fell in November 2001 to the Northern Alliance forces during the War in Afghanistan. Northern Alliance forces began their attack on the city on 13 November and made swift progress against Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces that were heavily weakened by American and British air strikes. The advance moved ahead of plans, and the next day the Northern Alliance forces (supported by ODA 555)[2] entered Kabul and met no resistance inside the city. Taliban forces retreated to Kandahar in the south.[3]

Coupled with the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif five days earlier, the capture of Kabul was a significant blow to Taliban control of Afghanistan. As a result of all the losses, surviving members of the Taliban and al-Qaeda, including Osama bin Laden,[1] retreated toward Kandahar, the spiritual birthplace and home of the Taliban movement, and Tora Bora.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d "In Hiding, Bin Laden Had Four Children and Five Houses". New York Times. 29 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b Neville, Leigh, Special Forces in the War on Terror (General Military), Osprey Publishing, 2015 ISBN 978-1472807908, p.43
  3. ^ "The United States Army in Afghanistan - Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - October 2001-March 2003". army.mil. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008.