Military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

Background

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. [ [http://www.infoplease.com/spot/osamabinladen.html Osama bin LadenWealthy Saudi exile is a terrorist mastermind] ] Following the 1998 US embassy bombings in Africa, the US military launched submarine-based cruise missiles at these camps with limited effect on their overall operations.

The UN Security Council had issued Resolutions 1267 and 1333 in 1999 and 2000 directed towards the Taliban which applied financial and military hardware sanctions to encourage them to turn over bin Laden to appropriate authorities for trial in the deadly bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa in August 1998, and close terrorist training camps.

The 9-11 attacks

After the September 11, 2001, attacks, investigators rapidly accumulated evidence implicating Osama bin Laden. In a taped statement, bin Laden publicly acknowledged his and al-Qaeda's direct involvement in the 9-11 attacks. In an audiotape posted on a website that the U.S. claims is "frequently used by al-Qaeda", on May 21, 2006, bin Laden said he had personally directed the 19 hijackers.

The War in Afghanistan 2001 to 2003

The War in Afghanistan (2001–present) began on October 7, 2001, as Operation Enduring Freedom, a response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States of America (U.S.). This marked the beginning of the U.S. War on Terrorism. The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbour to al-Qaeda.

2004 Operations

2005 Operations

Operation Archer - The Canadian Forces contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Operation Argus - Canadian Forces team of strategic military planners support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

2006 Operations

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 would lead similar deployments in Orūzgān Province and Kandahar Province respectively. The Americans with 2,200 troops stayed in control of Zabul Province. Local Taliban figures voiced opposition to the incoming force and pledged to resist it.

2007 Operations

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

2008 Operations

US and NATO ISAF operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban through 2008. Significant military operations in 2008 included the ongoing Helmand province campaign, Operation Karez, and Operation Eagle's Summit, amongst others.

List of Battles and Operations

This is a list of military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present). You can sort by any column by clicking on the hourglass in the column title.

ee also

*Afghanistan War order of battle
*British forces casualties in Afghanistan
*Canadian Forces casualties in Afghanistan
*Civilian casualties of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
*Coalition casualties in Afghanistan
*Global Islamic Insurgency
*International Security Assistance Force
*List of Coalition aircraft losses in Afghanistan
*Taliban insurgency
*U.S. government response to the September 11, 2001 attacks
*
*Soviet war in Afghanistan
*War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

References

* [http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10846 DOD announces 101st Airborne deployment]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1431914.ece Another 1,500 British troops being sent to keep control in Afghanistan]
* [http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/installation/pao/news/newsRelease.asp?id=2007/0702-02 10th Mountain passes torch to 82nd Airborne]
* [http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/02/14/afghanistan.troops/index.html U.S. sending more troops to thwart Taliban offensive]
* [http://www.defenselink.mil//Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=10514 DOD Announces Afghanistan Force Rotation]
* [http://www2.hq.nato.int/ISAF/media/pdf/placemat_isaf.pdf Details of ISAF and PRT deployments in Afghanistan - 2006]
* [http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=10196 DoD Announces Unit for Next Afghanistan Rotation]
* [http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/installation/pao/news/newsRelease.asp?id=2006/0611-13 4th Brigade Combat Team Task Force Deploys to Afghanistan]
* [http://www.defenselink.mil//Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=9804 DoD Announces Units for Next Afghanistan Rotation]
* [http://www.jfcbs.nato.int/ NATO-ISAF: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, Netherlands]
* [http://www.cfc-a.centcom.mil/ Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan]
* [http://www.cjtf76.army.mil/ Combined Joint Task Force 76]
* [http://www.floridaguard.army.mil/tfphoenix/default.asp Task Force Phoenix]
* [http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2005/nr20051220-12185.html Operation Enduring Freedom Rotation Adjustment Announced]
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/opslipper/ Australian Defence Force - Operation Slipper]
* [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/InDepth/OperationsInAfghanistan.htm British Operations in Afghanistan]
* [http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/archer/view_news_e.asp?id=1703 Canadian Forces Operations in Afghanistan]
* [http://milnewstbay.pbwiki.com/CANinKandahar/ News about Canadian Forces in Kandahar, via MILNEWS.ca]
* [http://www.rpima1.terre.defense.gouv.fr 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4673026.stm Dutch deployment to Afghanistan]
* [http://english.mapn.ro/operations/index.php Romanian operations in Afghanistan]