As Northern Alliance troops advanced towards Kabul amid a relentless military campaign supported by U.S. airstrikes, Taliban forces began their withdrawal from the Afghan capital. The retreat was influenced by the swift successes of ground forces and the deteriorating conditions for the Taliban, who found themselves encircled from multiple fronts. The Northern Alliance, which had been a key opposition group against the Taliban, seized the opportunity to reclaim territory and ultimately entered Kabul, marking a critical turning point in the conflict.

The Taliban's abandonment of Kabul was prompted by a combination of military pressure and the desire to prevent urban warfare that could lead to mass casualties. This decision reflected the broader fragmentation of Taliban control across Afghanistan, as various regions began to resist the group in the face of changing military dynamics. The fall of Kabul was broadcasted globally, symbolizing a potential end to Taliban rule, which had repressed various facets of Afghan society since gaining power in the mid-1990s.

In the days following the abandonment, the Northern Alliance established provisional governance in the capital, intensifying the international community's focus on Afghanistan's future. Countries including the United States and regional powers began discussions on a post-Taliban political framework and humanitarian assistance to address the fallout of years of warfare. The developments set the stage for diplomatic engagements that would continue to shape Afghanistan’s tumultuous landscape in the years to follow.