List_of_military_operations_in_the_war_in_Afghanistan_(2001–present)

List of military operations in the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

List of military operations in the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

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The United States launched an invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks from October 7, 2001, to August 31, 2021, as a part of the war on terror. Participants in the initial American operation, Operation Enduring Freedom, included a NATO coalition whose initial goals were to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and assist Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions after the fall of the Taliban regime in December 2001. However, coalition forces were gradually involved in the broader war as well, as Taliban resistance continued until 2021, when they regained control of the country and formed a new government. This is a list of known code names and related information for military operations associated with the war, including operations to airlift citizens of coalition countries and at-risk Afghan civilians from Afghanistan as the war drew to a close.

Background

Main articles: September 11 attacks and 9/11 Commission

From May 1996, Osama bin Laden had been living in Afghanistan along with other members of al-Qaeda, operating terrorist training camps in a loose alliance with the Taliban.[1] Following the 1998 US embassy bombings in Africa, the US military launched cruise missiles at these camps with limited effect on their overall operations. A follow-on plan, Operation Infinite Resolve, was planned but not implemented.[citation needed] The UN Security Council issued Resolutions 1267 and 1333 in 1999 and 2000, respectively, applying financial and military hardware sanctions to encourage the Taliban to turn over bin Laden to appropriate authorities for trial in the embassy bombings, as well as to close terrorist training camps.

After the September 11, 2001, attacks, investigators rapidly accumulated evidence implicating bin Laden. In a taped statement released in 2004, bin Laden publicly acknowledged his and al-Qaeda's direct involvement in the attacks. In an audiotape posted on a website that the US claims is "frequently used by al-Qaeda,"[citation needed] on May 21, 2006, bin Laden said that he had personally directed the 19 hijackers.

2001: War begins

A Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit leads a column to a security position after seizing a Taliban forward-operating base in November 2001.
Main articles: 2001 in Afghanistan, United States invasion of Afghanistan, and Taliban insurgency

The war in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as Operation Enduring Freedom, in response to the 9/11 attacks. This conflict marked the beginning of the US war on terror. The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime, which had provided them support and safe harbor. In December, the Taliban government fell and a transitional government was established.

Coalition operations

Battles

2002 operations

Coalition operations

Insurgent attacks

2003 operations

2004 operations

See also: War in North-West Pakistan
  • Operation Asbury Park
  • Operation Asbury Park II
  • Operation Flashman
  • Operation Headstrong
  • Operation Lightning Resolve
  • Operation Mountain Blizzard
  • Operation Mountain Storm

2005 operations

2006 operations

Main article: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2006

In January 2006, NATO's focus in southern Afghanistan was to form Provincial Reconstruction Teams with the British leading in Helmand Province and the Netherlands and Canada leading similar deployments in Orūzgān Province and Kandahar Province, respectively. The Americans remained in control of Zabul Province. Local Taliban figures voiced opposition to the incoming force and pledged to resist it.

Battles

2007 operations

Main article: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007

US and NATO ISAF operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban in 2007. Significant military operations in 2007 included operations around Sangin, Operation Achilles, the Battle of Chora, Operation Harekate Yolo and the Battle of Musa Qala, among others.

Insurgent attacks

Battles

2008 operations

Main article: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2008

Significant military operations in 2008 included the Helmand province campaign, Operation Karez, and Operation Eagle's Summit, among others.

Coalition operations

  • Operation Sohil Laram III during March and April around Hutal[8]
  • Operation Sur Kor (Red House) during April in Zari District[9]
  • Operation Karez during May in Badghis Province
  • Operation Oqab Sterga (Eagle's Eye) during May around Grishk[10]
  • Operation Janub Zilzila (Southern Edge) during June in Mizan District, Zabul Province[11]
  • Operation Eagle's Summit (Oqab Tsuka) during August and September in Kandahar and Helmand Provinces
  • Operation Sond Chara (Red Dagger) during December in Helmand Province

Insurgent attacks

Battles

2009 operations

Main article: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2009
A June 2009 grenade attack, following a collision between a MRAP and a humvee, wounding three American soldiers.[12]

Coalition operations

Insurgent attacks

Battles

2010 operations

Coalition operations

2011 operations

Coalition operations

Insurgent attacks

Battles

2012 operations

2013 operations

2014 operations

2015 operations

2016 operations

2017 operations

2018 operations

2019 operations

2020 operations

2021 operations

List of battles and operations

The following table lists known military operations of the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

More information Operation name, From date ...

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to War in Afghanistan (2001-present).

References

  1. [1]
    Osama bin Laden Wealthy Saudi exile is a terrorist mastermind
  2. [2]
    Briscoe, Charles H.; et al. (2003). Weapon of Choice: U.S. Army Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Combat Studies Institute Press. pp. 141–143. ISBN 9781944961763.
  3. [3]
    Wright et al. 2009, p. 173.
  4. [4]
    Wright et al. 2009, p. 171.
  5. [5]
    Wright et al. 2009, p. 177.
  6. [6]
    Cawthorne, Nigel (2008). The Mammoth Book of Inside the Elite Forces. Running Press. ISBN 9780762433827.
  7. [7]
    Ed Darack, Victory Point website
  8. [8]
    Bishop 2009, p. 41.
  9. [9]
    Bishop 2009, p. 63.
  10. [10]
    Bishop 2009, p. 78.
  11. [11]
    Bishop 2009, p. 103.
  12. [12]
    "Grenade Wounds 3 U.S. Troops, Afghan Child". CBS News. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  13. [13]
    Southby-Tailyour, Ewen (2010). 3 Commando Brigade: Helmand Assault. UK: Ebury Press. p. 10. ISBN 9780091937768.
  14. [14]
    Hughes, Kim (2018). Painting The Sand. UK: Simon & Schuster UK. p. 9. ISBN 9781471156724.
  15. [15]
    "Triumph for British forces in Boy's Own-style Kajaki mission". afghanistan-un.org. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  16. [16]
    Gal Perl Finkel, Back to the ground?, Israel Hayom, November 8, 2015.
  17. [17]
    "1st Recon launches new operation near Marjah". Marine Corps Times. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 12 September 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  18. [18]
    "ANA, ISAF Complete First Task in Operation New Dawn". ISAF. 21 June 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  19. [19]
    Portaria nº399/2021,24 August (2021), Participação nacional na operação SOLACE — Afghan Staff Relocation — célula de coordenação local, Diário da República 2ª Série, 182, pp29-30, Lisboa: Ministério da Defesa Nacional

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