The capture of Kabul by the Afghan Northern Alliance fighters occurred after a sustained military campaign against the Taliban regime. Following the events of September 11, 2001, the United States launched a military operation against Taliban forces in Afghanistan, which were harboring Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network responsible for the terrorist attacks. By November, the Northern Alliance, comprising various ethnic factions opposed to Taliban rule, received pivotal support from U.S. airstrikes that targeted Taliban positions, greatly aiding their advance. This collaboration catalyzed their ability to launch successful assaults on Taliban-held territories.

On this day, Northern Alliance fighters entered Kabul, encountering little resistance as the Taliban quickly retreated, fragmented under the pressure of sustained attacks from both the Alliance and American forces. This rapid declaration of control over the capital marked a turning point, as it not only indicated the collapse of the Taliban's grip on power but also heralded a new chapter in Afghanistan's political landscape. With the fall of Kabul, discussions began regarding the future of Afghanistan and its governance, leading to new coalitions formed among various factions.

The implications of this military victory were profound, as it paved the way for an interim government that was multi-ethnic and represented various factions of Afghan society. The Northern Alliance established a temporary administration, which faced the challenging task of unifying a country that had been divided along ethnic lines and marred by decades of civil war. While the seizure of Kabul was a moment of triumph for the North, it also set the stage for ongoing strife, as differing visions for Afghanistan's future emerged, and international actors began to influence the political processes.