A year ago, a two-decade conflict came to an end, as the US completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The final pullout fulfilled Joe Biden’s pledge to end what he called a “forever war”.
Our World News Editor Kate Gregan reports.
One year ago, the deadly and chaotic departure of American troops from Afghanistan stunned the world.
The final flight left Kabul just one minute before the midnight deadline -- and as the C-17 disappeared into the night sky, the Taliban celebrated with gunfire and fireworks.
More than 120,000 people were evacuated in the weeks prior -- but dozens were left behind.
General Kenneth McKenzie, oversaw the American withdrawal.
"Look there is a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure, we did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out."
But said the moment was historic and marked the end of an era.
"Tonight's withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001."
And while the exit was deemed shambolic, US President Joe Biden was defiant - saying the choice was between leaving or escalating the conflict.
"To those asking for a third decade of war in Afghanistan, I ask, what is the vital national interest."
He went on to defend the hasty exit - calling it an 'extraordinary success'.
"Now some say we should have started mass evacuation sooner, and couldn't this have been done in a more orderly manner? I respectfully disagree."
But the rapid withdrawal meant - along with people - a huge amount of the hardware was left behind.
A Pentagon report found that US$7 billion worth of gear - including aircraft, military vehicles and weapons were abandoned.
The vast majority was rendered useless - but it didn't stop Taliban fighters from posing in American aircraft for pictures.
Afghanistan was turned upside down - but the Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was time to move on.
"A new chapter of America's engagement with Afghanistan has begun. It's one in which we will lead with our diplomacy. The military mission is over, a new diplomatic mission has begun."
The 30th of August 2021 marked the end of America's longest war.
The conflict claimed the lives of more than 2,400 US personnel, 1,100 troops from coalition countries, and more than 100,000 Afghan forces and civilians.
