Jazmin Li
Kabul International Airport has been at the centre of Afghanistan's tumultuous recent history. After the US invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, the airport was bombed by US and coalition forces. In the years that followed, the airport was slowly developed, with a new radar system and a $35 million terminal for international flights. However, in 2021, the airport became a key site during the Taliban's offensive to take control of Afghanistan. As the last major city to fall to the Taliban, Kabul's airport was the only way out of the country for foreigners and Afghans with links to foreign governments. The US took control of the airport to facilitate evacuations, but it was targeted by ISIS-K, resulting in the deaths of over 185 people, including US service members and Afghan civilians. The last American forces departed from the airport on August 30, 2021, ending US involvement in the 20-year war, and the Taliban subsequently took control.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current controller of Kabul Airport | Taliban |
| Previous controller of Kabul Airport | U.S. military |
| Current operational status of the airport | Closed |
| Commercial airline status | Not flying into the airport |
| Air traffic control services status | Unavailable |
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What You'll Learn
The Taliban currently control Kabul Airport
The Taliban took control of the airport following the departure of the last American forces on 30 August 2021, ending the US's 20-year involvement in Afghanistan. The airport had been the site of chaotic scenes as thousands of Afghans attempted to evacuate the country, with some falling to their deaths while trying to cling to planes. On 26 August 2021, more than 185 people were killed in an explosion outside the airport, including at least 13 US service members and 90 Afghans. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Taliban's takeover of the airport was marked by celebratory gunfire, with one Taliban guard stating, "After 20 years, we have defeated the Americans. They have left, and now our country is free." However, the airport's infrastructure had suffered significant damage during the evacuation process, with the Taliban estimating the cost of repairs at around $350 million.
The future management of the airport and Afghanistan's airspace remains uncertain. While the Turkish government had previously agreed to take control of the airport in a deal with NATO, it is unclear if this agreement still stands. With the US withdrawal, there is currently no air traffic control in place, and US civil aircraft are barred from operating over Afghanistan without prior authorization from the FAA.
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The US withdrawal from Kabul Airport
On August 12, 2021, as the Taliban continued to make territorial gains, the Biden administration announced the deployment of 3,000 US troops to Kabul Airport to facilitate the evacuation of embassy personnel, US citizens, and Special Immigrant Visa applicants. The situation escalated quickly, with the Taliban seizing the capital city of Kabul on August 15, leading to the collapse of the Afghan government under President Ashraf Ghani. The US increased its troop presence to 7,000 by August 16, but the evacuation efforts were disrupted by a suicide bombing attack on August 26 that killed 13 US service members and approximately 170-185 Afghan civilians.
The last US military planes departed from Kabul Airport on August 30, 2021, ending US involvement in the war. The withdrawal left a power vacuum, with the Taliban taking control of the airport and the country. The aftermath of the withdrawal has been characterised by a crisis within the US military, a decline in recruitment and retention, and moral injury among service members and veterans.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee has been actively investigating the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal, seeking accountability and answers for the American people. The investigation has revealed a lack of planning and contingency management, with the administration prioritising the optics of the withdrawal over the security of US personnel. The failure to execute a timely noncombatant emergency evacuation (NEO) put US personnel at significant risk.
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The August 2021 Kabul Airport attack
On 26 August 2021, two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul International Airport. The attack killed more than 185 people, including 13 US service members and 90 Afghans. Thousands of people had gathered at the airport, seeking to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack. Hours before the attack, US diplomats in Kabul, the United Kingdom Armed Forces Minister, and the embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia warned of high-security threats involving the airport.
The attack disrupted the final push of the US-led evacuation effort. On 29 August 2021, the United States carried out a drone strike targeting a vehicle a few kilometres from Kabul Airport. According to relatives, 10 nearby civilians were killed, including seven children. Some of those killed had worked for international organisations and held visas allowing them entry into the US.
In 2023, the leader of the ISIS-K cell that organized the attack was believed to have been killed by Taliban security forces.
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The future of Kabul Airport management
The future of Kabul Airport's management is uncertain. After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban took control of the airport. However, the airport's infrastructure was degraded and damaged during the evacuation, with the Taliban estimating the damage at around $350 million.
The airport, officially known as Hamid Karzai International Airport, is located 16km away from Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. It is the country's primary airport and a hub for several Afghan airlines.
In the past, the airport has undergone significant development, including the installation of a new radar system in 2005, which was upgraded in 2010, and the construction of a new international terminal in 2008. These improvements were made possible with aid from the US Federal Aviation Administration and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Following the Taliban takeover, the airport was closed, and commercial airlines stopped flying into it. The US military had warned pilots that the airport was "uncontrolled" and that no air traffic control or airport services were available. This warning was echoed by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which stated that US civil aircraft were prohibited from operating over Afghanistan due to the lack of air traffic services and security concerns.
It is unclear who will take over the management of Afghanistan's airspace and the airport in the future. There were reports that the Turkish Government had agreed to take over control of the airport in a deal with NATO. However, as of now, the airport remains under Taliban control, and it is uncertain when or if commercial flights will resume.
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Turkey's agreement to control Kabul Airport
On June 3, 2021, the Turkish government agreed to take control of Hamid Karzai International Airport, located 16 km away from Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. The airport, which is Afghanistan's primary airport, also serves as a military base and a hub for several Afghan airlines. The deal, worth $130 million, was made with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The agreement came at a time of uncertainty regarding Turkey's commitment to defending the airport. The Civil Aviation Authority of Afghanistan requested that NATO hand over control of the air traffic control (ATC) tower, stating that they lacked the capacity and financial resources to run the airports independently.
Turkey's defense minister, Hulusi Akar, emphasized that negotiations were still ongoing and that a final decision had not been reached. Turkey, a NATO member with over 500 troops in Afghanistan, had previously played a significant role at the airport and expressed its intention to stay under certain conditions.
In July 2021, as the Taliban took control of areas near Kabul Airport, Turkey announced it would provide security at the airport. However, despite these efforts, Kabul ultimately fell to the Taliban, resulting in a chaotic evacuation and the closure of the airport. The Taliban estimated the damage to the airport at around $350 million.
Turkey, along with Qatar, later assisted in resuming airport operations. On September 8, 2021, a notice indicated that the airport was operating between 03:30 and 13:30 Coordinated Universal Time.
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Frequently asked questions
The Taliban currently control Kabul airport.
The US previously controlled Kabul airport to evacuate staff, Americans, local embassy staff and their families, and "vulnerable Afghan nationals".
Yes, the Turkish government took control of the airport in June 2021.
