November 13, 2001 · Northern Afghanistan Theater
November 13, 2001
Seven weeks after 9/11, the Taliban abandon Kabul without a major fight as Northern Alliance forces, backed by US Special Forces on horseback calling in B-52 strikes, sweep through northern Afghanistan. The capital falls in 24 hours. Afghans celebrate in the streets — women remove their burqas, men shave their beards, music plays publicly for the first time in five years. The speed of the Taliban collapse stuns the world.
Commanders