Fall of Kabul (2001)

This article is about the battle in 2001. For the battle of Kabul in 1996 by Taliban, see Battle of Kabul (1992–1996). For the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021, see Fall of Kabul (2021).

Fall of Kabul
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present) and the Invasion of Afghanistan
Kabul in 2003.
Date 13–14 November 2001 (1 day) Location Kabul, Afghanistan Result Northern Alliance/American victory
Belligerents
Northern Alliance United States	Afghanistan
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

The 2001 Fall of Kabul took place 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) entered Kabul and met no resistance inside the city. Taliban forces retreated to Kandahar in the south.

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.