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

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Since October 7, 2001 following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States has been engaged in a war in Afghanistan as a part of War on Terror.

Background[edit]

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, called Operation Infinite Resolve, was planned but not implemented.

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[edit]

Main articles: September 11, 2001 attacks and 9/11 Commission

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.

2001: war begins[edit]

A Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit leads a column to a security position after seizing a Taliban forward-operating base.
Nov. 25, 2001.
Main articles: War in Afghanistan (2001–present), 2001 in Afghanistan, 2002 in Afghanistan, 2003 in Afghanistan, Afghanistan War order of battle, and Taliban insurgency
See also: Tarnak Farm incident

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.

Coalition operations[edit]

Battles[edit]

2002 operations[edit]

Main article: United States invasion of Afghanistan

Coalition operations[edit]

Insurgent attacks[edit]

2003 operations[edit]

2004 operations[edit]

Main articles: 2004 in Afghanistan and 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[edit]

  • 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.
  • Operation Spurs
  • Operation Mavericks
  • Operation Celtics
  • Operation Red Wings
  • Operation Red Wings II
  • Operation Whalers[8]

2006 operations[edit]

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 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.

Battles[edit]

2007 operations[edit]

Main article: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007

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.

Insurgent attacks[edit]

Battles[edit]

2008 operations[edit]

See also: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2008

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.

Coalition operations[edit]

Insurgent attacks[edit]

Battles[edit]

2009 operations[edit]

A June 2009 grenade attack, following a collision between a MRAP and a humvee, wounding three American soldiers.[13]

Coalition operations[edit]

Insurgent attacks[edit]

Battles[edit]

2010 operations[edit]

Coalition operations[edit]

List of battles and operations[edit]

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.

Operation name From date To date Location Purpose/result
Battle of Chora 2007-06-15 2007-06-19 Chora Battle: This battle has proved to be the biggest Taliban offensive of 2007 in Afghanistan, and resulted in the death of more than 100 people in just three days. The battle involved a significant number of Dutch forces
Battle of Dahaneh 2009-08-12 2009-08-15 Dahaneh in the Helmand Province
Battle of Firebase Anaconda 2007-08-08 2007-08-08 Uruzgan province Battle: A group of roughly 75 Taliban militants mounted a rare frontal assault on a United States-led coalition base
Battle of Garmsir 2008 2011 Garmsir in the Helmand Province Counter Insurgency: A Major U.S. Marine offensive on the Taliban-held town killing more than 400 insurgents. Taliban forces withdrew from the town as a result of the assault and took up a position further south.
Battle of Musa Qala 2007-12-07 2007-12-12 Musa Qala Result: Coalition victory; Taliban retreat
Battle of Now Zad 2006 2014 Nowzad in the Northern Helmand Province
Battle of Panjwaii 2006-07 2006-10 Panjwaii district Battle: Decisive Canadian victory, Panjwaii cleared of Taliban
Battle of Qala-i-Jangi 2001-11-25 2001-12-01 Qala-i-Jangi District Battle: It began with the uprising of Taliban prisoners held at Qala-i-Jangi fortress, and escalated into one of the bloodiest engagements of the war in Afghanistan
Battle of Takur Ghar 2002-03-03 2002-03-04 the peak of Takur Ghar Battle: A helicopter caring a SEAL team went down and began receiving fire from hostile forces.
Battle of Tora Bora 2001-12-06 2001-12-17 Pachir Wa Agam District, Nangarhar province Battle: Attempt and Failure to kill or capture Osama bin Laden
Operation Accius 2002-11-28 2004-06-01 throughout Afghanistan Contingency: The Canadian military's contribution to the civilian-led United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan(UNAMA)
Operation Achilles 2007-03-06 2007-05-30 the Sangin and Kajaki districts of Helmand Counter Insurgency: An attempt to stabilise the security situation in the province
Operation Anaconda 2002-03-01 2002-03-18 Shahi Kot Valley and Paktika Province Counter Insurgency: Attempt to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces
Operation Apollo 10/2001 10/2003 Throughout Afghanistan Contingency: Was the codename for an operation conducted by Canadian Forces in support of the United States in its military operations in Afghanistan
Operation Archer 07/2005 2006-08-31 throughout Afghanistan Contingency: The Canadian Forces contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
Operation Argus 09/2005 10/2008 throughout Afghanistan Contingency and Security: Canadian Forces team of strategic military planners to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Operation Athena 10/2003 2005-10-18 Kabul and Kandahar Security: The Canadian Forces contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan
Operation Asbury Park 2004-06-02 2004-06-17 Oruzgan Province and Zabul Province Counter Insurgency: Was characterized by atypical fighting on the side of the tactics of the Taliban and other guerillas encountered
Operation Asbury Park II 2004 2004 the Dey Chopan region Counter Insurgency: Army infantrymen, Afghan National Army troops, and attached Marines again sparred with ACM forces in the region, once again inflicting significant losses against the enemy
Operation Avalanche 12/2003 12/2003 the entire eastern, southeastern and southern portion Counter Insurgency: To search out Al-Qaeda members and illegal weapons while conducting a village assessment
Operation Baawar 12/2010 ongoing (as of 09/2014) Horn of Panjwai (HoP) To build and hold in the HoP
Operation Buzzard 2002-05-29 2002-07-09 Khowst region Counter Insurgency: The operation reflects the success that coalition forces have enjoyed in forcing Al Qaida and Taliban to abandon a large-scale presence in much of the region
Operation Celtics 05/2005 05/2005 Counter Insurgency and Humanitarian: to hunt down enemy fighters and provide humanitarian support
Operation Condor 2002-05-17 2002-05-22 the mountains of Paktia province Counter Insurgency: Engaged in combat with Al Qaida and Taliban forces
Operation Counterstrike 2006-01-05 2006-01-05 Kandahar Airfield
Operation Diablo Dragnet 2007-07-19 2007-07-19 Kandahar Airfield Humanitarian: Linked People to Government
Operation Diablo Reach Back 2005-06-07 2005-06-27 Kandahar Province Combined Task Force Bayonet forces engaged Taliban forces in some of the fiercest fighting seen this year
Operation Dragon Tree 08/2004 08/2004 Kandahar Counter Insurgency: Searched for weapons caches
Operation Falcon Summit 2006-12-15 2007-01-05 the Panjawi and Zhari districts of Kandahar Counter Insurgency: Had the intention of expelling Taliban fighters
Operation Fingal 2002-01-01 2002-03-19 Kabul Security: An international security assistance force
Operation Flashman 2004-07-16 2004-07-16 Paktika Province Humanitarian and Security: Bring stability to the area as well as establishing voter registration sites
Operation Hammer (Chakush) 2007-07-24 2007-07-27 the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand province Counter Insurgency: The operation is continuing the momentum towards expelling Taliban forces
Operation Harekate Yolo 2007-10-01 2007-11-08 North-west Afghanistan Counter Insurgency: Targeted hostile forces in the northern provinces
Operation Haven Denial 2003-07-02 2003-07-06 the Paktika and Khost provinces Counter Insurgency: Targeted against Taliban remnants and Al Qaeda fighters
Operation Headstrong 2003 2004 Kabul Law enforcement: Involved the training of Afghan commandos by British special forces to seek out and destroy drug laboratories and to confiscate drug shipments
Operation Herrick 2002-06-20 2014-12-12 throughout Afghanistan Contingency: The codename for all the British operations in Afghanistan
Operation Hoover 2007-05-24 2007-05-25 Kandahar Province district of Zhari Counter Insurgency: Was a Canadian-led offensive against the Taliban
Operation Jacana 04/2002 07/2002 Khost province, Paktia Province
Operation Khanjar 2009-07-02 2009-08-20 Helmand Province Counter Insurgency: A major U.S. Marine offensive to secure the province
Operation Lightning Resolve 2004 2007 towns and villages throughout Afghanistan Security: Provide security in support of the first democratic elections ever in Afghanistan
Operation Lions Pride 2006-04-21 2006-04-21 Korengal Valley Humanitarian: To provide medical assistance to more than 3,100 Afghans
Operation Mavericks 2004 2005 The mountains of Eastern Afghanistan Counter Insurgency: Detained suspected terrorists and confiscating several weapons and explosives caches
Operation Medusa 2006-09-02 2006-09-17 Kandahar Province Counter Insurgency: Was a Canadian-led offensive by major elements of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Army.
Operation Moshtarak 2010-02-13 2010-12-07 Marjah in the Helmand Province "poppy-growing belt" Counter Insurgency: The largest military offensive ever launched by Nato troops in Afghanistan to clear the city of Taliban militants and drug traffickers eliminating the last Taliban stronghold in Helmand. It involves U.S. Marine units and Afghan troops along with the U.S. Special Forces and other ISAF members.[16]
Operation Mountain Blizzard 2004/01 2004-03-12 the south, southeast, and eastern portions, Afghanistan Counter Insurgency: Killed 22 enemy combatants and discovered caches with 3,648 rockets, 3,202 mortar rounds, 2,944 rocket- propelled grenades, 3,000 rifle rounds, 2,232 mines and tens of thousands of rounds of small-arms ammunition
Operation Mountain Fury 2006-09-16 2007-01-15 Paktika, Khost, Ghazni, Paktia, Logar Counter Insurgency: Was a NATO-led operation as a follow up operation to Operation Medusa, to clear Taliban rebels from the eastern provinces of Afghanistan
Operation Mountain Lion 2006-04-11 2006 near the Pakistan border Counter Insurgency: Searching along the border with Pakistan for Al Qaeda and former Taliban forces
Operation Mountain Reach II 2010-05 2010-05 Kunar Province US Army, Theatre Assets, ANSF, ANP, ANA were ambushed by 150+Taliban for 8.5 hours along the route from Marawara District Center to Daridam Village area. 60-80 Taliban killed; 3 wounded US Soldiers.
Operation Mountain Resolve 2003-11-07 2008 Nuristan and Kunar provinces Counter Insurgency: The operation involved an airdrop into the Hindu Kush Mountains by the US 10th Mountain Division and resulted in the killing of Hezbi commander Ghulam Sakhee
Operation Mountain Storm 2004-03-05 07/2004 the south, southeast, and eastern portions of Afghanistan With the aim of cornering al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants
Operation Mountain Sweep 2002-08-18 at least 2002-08-28 mainly around Dormat and Narizah, south of Khowst and Gardez Was designed to search out al Qaeda and Taliban forces and information about the terrorist organizations
Operation Mountain Thrust 2006/05 2006-07-31 Kandahar, Helmand, Paktika, Zabul and Uruzgan A major offensive. Its primary objective was to quell the ongoing Taliban insurgency in the south of the country.
Operation Mountain Viper 2003/08 2003/09 the mountains of Daychopan district, Zabul province Sought to uncover Taliban rebels. One-hundred-and-twenty-four militants, five Afghan Army personnel and one US soldier were killed in the operation.
Operation Neptune 2005-08-09 2005 Nawa District
Operation Nibbio ????/??/?? ????/??/?? Italian code name for Enduring Freedom. Operation Sparviero is the Italian Army contribution to ISAF in Kabul
Operation Northern Wind ????/??/?? ????/??/??
Operation Oracle ????/??/?? ????/??/??
Operation Palk Mesher 08/2007 08/2007 Helmand Province to disrupt and eliminate insurgents
Operation Panther's Claw 2009-06-19 2009-08-20 Helmand Province 350 British Troops attacked a Taliban Stronghold near Babaji
Operation Pickaxe-Handle (Pashto) 2007-05-30 2007-06-14 Helmand province Was a British-led NATO operation
Operation Pil 2005-10-16 2005-10-23 the Watapor Valley of the Kunar Province to improve security and assist in stabilizing the government in the troubled region
Operation Pizmah 2005 2005-12-15 Zabul Province To reestablish a coalition presence in the districts of Dey Chopan, Argandab and Khaki-Afghan
Operation Ptarmigan 2002-04-15 ????/??/?? Gardez and Khost regions The name given to the British share of military actions with U.S. and coalition forces
Operation Red Wings 2005-06-28 2005-06-28 Kunar province Counterterrorism mission
Operation School House ????/??/?? ????/??/?? Kabul The program, started by U.S. and coalition personnel from the Kabul Compound, receives donated school supplies from the U.S. and distributes them to needy schools
Operation Silicon 2007-04-30 ????/??/?? Upper Helmand Province A sub-operation of Operation Achilles, carried out by NATO (mostly British) and Afghan troops. Recaptured Gereshk from the Taliban.[17]
Operation Silver 2007 2007 Counter Insurgency: Was conducted to keep up the pressure on the Taliban in the hopes of blunting their expected spring offensive
Operation Sleigh Ride 12/2005 12/2005 forward operating bases at Salerno, Ghazni, Orgun-E and Sharana Christmas-time Morale boost for the troops in Afghanistan
Operation Slipper 10/2001 Present The Australian Defence Force's contribution to operations in Afghanistan
Operation Snipe 2002-05-02 2002-05-13 the remote Afghan mountains A British Royal Marine search and clear operation over a significant area believed to be used as a base by Al Qaida and Taliban forces
Operation Sparviero ????/??/?? ????/??/??
Operation Torii ????/??/?? ????/??/??
Operation Tor Shezada 2010-07-30 Present
Operation Veritas 2001-10-07 2002-07-31 Throughout Afghanistan The codename used for British military operations against the Taliban government of Afghanistan
Operation Vigilance 2005-04-15 04/2005 Wardak Province Counter insurgency and Humanitarian: Targeted three individuals that coalition forces were trying to kill or captureand and included humanitarian aid drops in several villages
Operation Volcano 2007-02-?? 2007-02-?? near the Kajaki hydroelectric dam Was a British operation to clear a Taliban base, consisting of 25 compounds. Was part of Operation Achilles
Operation Warrior Sweep 2003-07-20 2003-07-?? the Zormat Valley, Paktia province
Operation Wyconda Pincer ????/??/?? 2006 districts of Bala Buluk and Pusht-i-Rod, in Farah province. Italian and Spanish Task-Force 45, killed 70 Taliban.
Operation Cobra's Anger 2009-12-04 2009-12-07 Now Zad Valley
Operation New Dawn 2010-06-12 Present Helmand Province An extension of Operation Moshtarak, Operation New Dawn was launched on 12 June 2010 as joint ISAF / ANA operation, led by the United States Marines, to disrupt insurgents and deny them freedom of movement in the sparsely populated areas between Marjah and Nawa.[18][19]
Operation Hamkari Present

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ Osama bin Laden Wealthy Saudi exile is a terrorist mastermind
  2. ^ Kitty Hawk Archived March 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ Charles H. Briscoe & al., Weapon of choice : U.S. Army Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. : Combat Studies Institute Press, 2003, p.141-143
  4. ^ Donald P. Wright & al., A Different Kind of War : The United States Army in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) October 2001-September 2005, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. : Combat Studies Institute Press, 2009 http://documents.nytimes.com/a-different-kind-of-war#p=1 p.173
  5. ^ Donald P. Wright & al., A Different Kind of War : The United States Army in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) October 2001-September 2005, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. : Combat Studies Institute Press, 2009 http://documents.nytimes.com/a-different-kind-of-war#p=1 p.171
  6. ^ Donald P. Wright & al., A Different Kind of War : The United States Army in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) October 2001-September 2005, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. : Combat Studies Institute Press, 2009 http://documents.nytimes.com/a-different-kind-of-war#p=1 p.177
  7. ^ Cawthorne, Nigel, The Mammoth Book of Inside the Elite Forces, Robinson, 2008 ISBN 1845298217 ISBN 978-1845298210
  8. ^ Ed Darack, Victory Point website
  9. ^ Bishop 2009, p. 41.
  10. ^ Bishop 2009, p. 63.
  11. ^ Bishop 2009, p. 78.
  12. ^ Bishop 2009, p. 103.
  13. ^ CBS, Grenade wounds 3 US troops, Afghan child[dead link]
  14. ^ a b Southby-Tailyour 2010, p. 10.
  15. ^ Hughes 2018, p. 9.
  16. ^ Gal Perl Finkel, Back to the ground?, Israel Hayom, November 8, 2015.
  17. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20090713194545/http://www.army.mod.uk/news/army_news_archive/year_2007/operation_silicon.htm. Archived from the original on July 13, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2007. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "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.

Bibliography[edit]

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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