2 May – The Taliban threatens further attacks as the deadline for withdrawal passes 1 May, when previous US PresidentDonald Trump said US forces would withdraw from Afghanistan.[6]
6 May
High-profile Afghan reporter Newat Rawan is shot dead by an unidentified assailant inKandahar.[7]
Taliban fighters capture Afghanistan's second largest dam and keyarmy bases astheirinsurgency intensifies across the country.[8]
30 June – The Taliban capture 700 trucks andHumvees from the Afghan National Army as more districts fall under the group's control during their offensive in the north.[14]
3 July – More than 1,000 Afghan border guards and soldiers cross the stateborder withTajikistan to flee from Taliban forces.[16] According to Tajik authorities Hohon,Shahri Buzurg and Rogiston county ofBadakhshan Province fell to the Taliban. Tajik forces allow the retreating Afghan servicemen to cross into their territory.[17]
3 August – A suspected Talibansuicidecar bomber and gunmen attack the house of Afghan Defence MinisterBismillah Khan Mohammadi, killing 13 people, including five attackers. Mohammadi was unharmed in the attack.[18]
6 August – Zaranj, the capital ofNimruz, is captured by Taliban insurgents after fierce fighting in the region.[19]
12 August – Taliban capture provincial capital ofGhazni. Afghanistan's third largest city,Herat, also fell to the insurgents. The group later seizes the country's second-largest city,Kandahar.[26]
13 August
Capital ofHelmand Province,Lashkar Gah, fell to the Taliban.[27] The insurgents also capturedQalati Ghilji, Terenkot,Puli Alam, Feruz Koh and Qal-e-Naw. As of 13 August, a total of 18 provincial capitals have been seized by the Taliban.[28]
Finland,Denmark andSwitzerland announced plans to withdraw their consulate workers amidst advancing Taliban fighters.[28]
President Ashraf Ghani addresses the nation as the Taliban makes rapid gains.[29]
United States announces that it will deploy 3,000 troops to Afghanistan to help with the evacuation process from the country. Additional 5,000 troops will also be deployed.[30][31]
Mazar-i-Sharif, the last anti-Taliban stronghold in Northern Afghanistan, is captured by the Taliban, signifying the near collapse of Afghan government control in the north. Taliban also capture the provincial capital ofAsadabad,Gardez,Maymana,Mihtarlam,Nili andSharana. More than half of the country's provinces have been seized by the insurgents.[32]
15 August
As the Taliban advances to Kabul, incumbent Afghan President Ashraf Ghani decided to flee the country.[33]
Talibancaptures Kabul with little resistance, marking the beginning of Taliban rule over Afghanistan.
16 August - At least seven people are killed after thousands flocked to Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to flee from Taliban rule of Afghanistan.[34]
29 August - U.S. army launches drone strike at a residential area in Kabul following reports of a possible terrorist attack in Kabul Airport, killing ten people, including seven children.[37]
Taliban announces victory overPanjshir Valley, claims full control of Afghanistan.[38]
At least 17 deaths and 40 injuries are reported due to the Taliban's celebratory gunfire following the announcement of the Taliban's victory over Panjshir.[39]
Panjshir rebels deny Taliban claim over the rebel-held region.[40]
7 September
Chief spokesman of Taliban announces list of cabinet members for the new caretaker government of Afghanistan. Prominent Talib figureMohammad Hasan Akhund is appointed as the head of the government.[41][42]
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