Fall of Kabul

The Fall of Kabul took place in 2001 during the War in Afghanistan. Northern Alliance forces began their attack on the city on November 13 and made swift progress against Taliban 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)[1] entered Kabul and met no resistance inside the city. Taliban forces retreated to Kandahar in the south.[2]

This article is about the battle in 2001. For the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 1996, see Battle of Kabul (1992–1996).

Fall of Kabul
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present) and the Invasion of Afghanistan
Overview of a section of Kabul in 2011.
Date 13–14 November 2001 (1 day) Location Kabul, Afghanistan Result Northern Alliance/American victory
Belligerents
Northern Alliance  United States	Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Taliban
Commanders and leaders
Mohammed Fahim Bismillah Khan Tommy Franks	Unknown
Strength
98,000	58,000
Casualties and losses
528 killed 205 wounded	2,314 killed 646 wounded 1,345 captured

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 retreated toward Kandahar, the spiritual birthplace and home of the Taliban movement, and Tora Bora.[3]

References

1. Neville, Leigh, Special Forces in the War on Terror (General Military), Osprey Publishing, 2015 ISBN 978-1472807908, p.43
2. The United States Army in Afghanistan - Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - October 2001-March 2003 Archived February 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
3. Neville, Leigh, Special Forces in the War on Terror (General Military), Osprey Publishing, 2015 ISBN 978-1472807908, p.43