"I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens," said General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of the US Central Command. 

"The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m. east coast time. And the last manned aircraft is clearing the airspace above Afghanistan now,” he said.

With less than two weeks before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States has announced the end of its military mission in Afghanistan.

Former President George W. Bush launched the war in Afghanistan to topple the Taliban, who was believed to be harboring the al Qaeda terrorists alleged to have conducted the 9/11 attacks.