What Happened to Kabul?
Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, has undergone a dramatic transformation since the Taliban seized control in August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces. The city now operates under strict Taliban rule, characterized by severe restrictions on human rights, particularly for women and girls, and faces a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis exacerbated by natural disasters, mass returnees, and significant cuts in international aid. As of early 2026, the city continues to grapple with instability, poverty, and a volatile security environment.
Quick Answer
Kabul is currently under the control of the Taliban, who swiftly took over the city in August 2021 after the withdrawal of international forces. Since then, the city has experienced a severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly half of Afghanistan's population requiring assistance in 2026 due to widespread poverty, food insecurity, and natural disasters. The Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law has led to significant erosion of women's rights, including bans on education and employment, while the economy struggles amidst frozen assets and reduced international support. Security remains a concern with ongoing threats from terrorist groups and regional conflicts.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Taliban Offensive Begins
The Taliban and allied militant groups launched a widespread offensive across Afghanistan following the start of the significant withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Fall of Kabul to the Taliban
The Taliban captured Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul, with little resistance, marking the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the flight of President Ashraf Ghani.
Kabul Airport Suicide Bombing
A suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport killed at least 182 people, including 169 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members, during the chaotic evacuation efforts. ISIS-K claimed responsibility.
U.S. Troop Withdrawal Completed
The United States completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending its 20-year presence in the country.
U.S. Review on Airport Attack
A new review by U.S. Central Command concluded that the August 2021 Kabul airport suicide bombing was unpreventable and identified Abdul Rahman al-Logari as the bomber.
Major Earthquake Strikes Eastern Region
A magnitude 6+ earthquake struck Afghanistan's eastern region, flattening villages and contributing to ongoing humanitarian needs into 2026.
Second Significant Earthquake
A second 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the northern region of Afghanistan, further highlighting the country's vulnerability to natural disasters.
UN Warns of Deepening Humanitarian Crisis for 2026
The UN's Global Humanitarian Overview projected that nearly half of Afghanistan's population (22 million people) would require humanitarian assistance in 2026.
Taliban Decree No. 12 Implemented
The Taliban's 'Decree No. 12' was shared with courts for implementation, formally removing equality between men and women before the law and further restricting women's rights and access to justice.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens with Returnees
UNHCR reported that nearly 150,000 Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan in early 2026, adding to the humanitarian burden and leading to a sharp decline in GDP per capita.
UN Expert Warns of Health System Collapse
A UN expert warned that Afghanistan faces a deepening health crisis due to the Taliban's attack on women's rights and sharp cuts in international funding, threatening the entire health system.
Travel Warnings Intensify Amid Border Conflict
Several governments, including Australia, updated travel advisories, warning against all travel to Afghanistan due to extreme danger, terrorism, kidnapping risks, and escalating military conflict with Pakistan impacting urban centers like Kabul.
Escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Conflict
The Norwegian Refugee Council reported that escalating conflict along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border had displaced 115,000 people since February 26, with 56 civilians killed and 129 injured in the first eight days.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kabul, Afghanistan's capital and largest city, has been at the epicenter of the nation's tumultuous history, most recently marked by the dramatic fall to the Taliban on August 15, 2021. This event followed a rapid offensive by the Taliban across Afghanistan as U.S. and coalition forces completed their withdrawal after two decades. The swift collapse of the Afghan government and President Ashraf Ghani's flight from the country surprised many, including the Taliban themselves, and signaled a complete victory for the insurgent group.
The immediate aftermath saw chaos at Hamid Karzai International Airport, as thousands of Afghans desperately sought to flee. This period was tragically punctuated by a suicide bombing on August 26, 2021, claimed by Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), which killed at least 182 people, including 169 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members. A U.S. review in April 2024 concluded the attack was unpreventable, identifying Abdul Rahman al-Logari, an ISIS militant released by the Taliban, as the bomber.
Under Taliban rule, Kabul and the rest of Afghanistan have seen a systematic reimposition of a harsh interpretation of Islamic law. This has led to a severe regression of human rights, particularly for women and girls, who face extensive restrictions on education, employment, freedom of movement, and public life. Decrees issued by the de facto authorities, including Decree No. 12 in early 2026, have institutionalized discrimination, placing husbands in authority over wives and limiting women's access to justice.
The economic situation in Kabul and Afghanistan remains dire. While the World Bank reported modest GDP growth of 2.5% in 2024 and projected 4.3% in 2025, driven partly by demand from over two million returnees from Iran and Pakistan, rapid population growth has led to a projected 4% decline in GDP per capita in 2025. Poverty affects nearly 70% of Afghans, and unemployment remains high, with over half a million jobs lost since 2021. The country's foreign exchange reserves remain largely frozen, and the economy is heavily reliant on humanitarian aid, which itself faces significant funding shortfalls.
Kabul is also at the heart of a profound humanitarian crisis. In 2026, approximately 21.9 million people—nearly half of Afghanistan's population—are projected to require humanitarian assistance. This crisis is fueled by decades of conflict, recurrent natural disasters like droughts and earthquakes (e.g., August and November 2025 earthquakes), chronic poverty, and the large-scale return of Afghan nationals from neighboring countries. Food insecurity is widespread, affecting 17.4 million people in 2026, with rising rates of acute malnutrition. International aid appeals for 2026, totaling $1.71 billion, are significantly underfunded, with only about 10% received by mid-March 2026.
Security in Kabul remains volatile. The threat of terrorism, particularly from ISIS-K, is ongoing, with attacks targeting civilians and foreign interests. Road travel is extremely dangerous due to criminal and terrorist groups. Recent military conflicts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have also led to displacement and bombings in urban centers, including Kabul, further exacerbating instability as of March 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kabul made different choices?