US forces finally withdrew from Afghanistan on Monday, bringing to an end a deployment that began in the wake of the September 11 attacks two decades ago. The end of the western military presence – the UK had already pulled out its remaining troops – also concluded the airborne evacuation effort from Kabul, leaving Afghans wanting to escape the Taliban facing an uncertain future, PA Media reports.

But while the international community appears to have accepted the reality of Taliban rule, the UK and US remain willing to take on Islamic State, also known as Daesh.

The group’s Afghan offshoot, ISKP, carried out the bloody attack on Kabul airport in the final days of the evacuation effort that killed two Britons and the child of a British national, along with 13 US service personnel and scores of Afghans.

The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said the global coalition against the terrorist group was ready “to combat Daesh networks by all means available, wherever they operate”.

Air chief marshal Sir Mike Wigston indicated the RAF could strike Isis-K targets in Afghanistan.

He told the Daily Telegraph:

Ultimately what this boils down to is that we’ve got to be able to play a global role in the global coalition to defeat Daesh, whether it’s strike, or whether it’s moving troops or equipment into a particular country, at scale and at speed.

If there’s an opportunity for us to contribute I am in no doubt that we will be ready to – that will be anywhere where violent extremism raises its head, and is a direct or indirect threat to the UK and our allies.

Afghanistan is probably one of the most inaccessible parts of the world, and we’re able to operate there.

The attack on Kabul airport on Thursday has led to a transatlantic blame game, with US sources indicating the gate that was attacked was kept open to facilitate the British evacuation.

According to leaked Pentagon notes obtained by Politico, Rear Admiral Peter Vasely, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, had wanted to close Abbey Gate but it was kept open to allow UK evacuees into the airport.

The Ministry of Defence said that throughout the operation at the airport “we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people”.

(Source: The Guardian)