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History of Afghanistan

War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Β© DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Mancini.

History of Afghanistan

War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

2001 Oct 7 - 2021 Aug 30
Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
A US soldier and an Afghan interpreter in Zabul, 2009 Β© DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Mancini.

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The War in Afghanistan, spanning from 2001 to 2021, was initiated in response to the September 11 attacks. Led by the United States, an international coalition launched Operation Enduring Freedom to oust the Taliban government, which harbored al-Qaeda operatives responsible for the attacks. Despite the initial military success that established the Islamic Republic and displaced the Taliban from major cities, the conflict evolved into the United States' longest war, culminating in the Taliban's resurgence and eventual takeover in 2021.


Post-September 11, the US demanded the extradition of Osama bin Laden from the Taliban, who refused without evidence of his involvement. Following the Taliban's expulsion, the international community, under a UN-sanctioned mission, aimed to establish a democratic Afghan government to prevent a Taliban resurgence. Despite these efforts, by 2003, the Taliban had regrouped, launching a widespread insurgency that regained significant territories by 2007.


In 2011, a US operation in Pakistan eliminated Osama bin Laden, prompting NATO to transition security responsibilities to the Afghan government by the end of 2014. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, including the 2020 US-Taliban deal, ultimately failed to stabilize Afghanistan, leading to the Taliban's rapid offensive and re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate as US and NATO forces withdrew.


The war resulted in the deaths of an estimated 176,000–212,000 people, including 46,319 civilians, and displaced millions, with 2.6 million Afghans remaining refugees and another 4 million internally displaced by 2021. The conflict's end marked a significant moment in global politics, reflecting the complexities of international military interventions and the challenges of achieving lasting peace in regions with deep-seated political and ideological divisions.

Page Last Updated: 10/13/2024

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