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
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.Osama bin Laden Wealthy Saudi exile is a terrorist mastermind 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. 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. On May 21, 2006, an audiotape attributed to bin Laden was released on a website (the US alleged) known to be used by al-Qaeda affiliates. In it, bin Laden claimed personal responsibility for selecting and directing the 19 hijackers. who carried out the 9/11 attacks, reaffirming Bin Laden's central role in the plot.BBC News. "Bin Laden tape: Text." May 23, 2006.
2001: War begins
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 Operation Crescent Wind Operation Relentless Strike Operation Rhino
Battles Fall of Mazar-i-Sharif Siege of Kunduz Fall of Kabul (2001) 2001 uprising in Herat Battle of Tarin Kowt Fall of Kandahar Battle of Qala-i-Jangi Battle of Tora Bora
2002 operations
Coalition operations Operation Accius Operation Anaconda (includes Operation Harpoon, and the Battle of Takur Ghar) Operation Glock Operation Polar Harpoon Operation Jacana Operation Ptarmigan Operation Snipe Operation Condor Operation Buzzard Operation Mountain Lion Operation Mountain Sweep Raid on Hazar Qadam
Insurgent attacks Kabul
2003 operations
Coalition operations Operation Mongoose Operation Tsunami Operation Eagle Fury Operation Viper Operation Desert Lion Operation Haven Denial Operation Athena Operation Warrior Sweep Operation Mountain Resolve Operation Mountain Viper Operation Avalanche Operation Headstrong Operation Valiant Strike
Insurgent attacks
Battles
2004 operations
Operation Asbury Park Operation Asbury Park II Operation Flashman Operation Headstrong Operation Lightning Resolve Operation Mountain Blizzard Operation Mountain Storm
2005 operations Operation Archer Operation Argus Operation Spurs Operation Mavericks Operation Celtics Operation Red Wings Operation Red Wings II Operation WhalersEd Darack, Victory Point website
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 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.
Coalition Operations
Operation Mountain Thrust Operation Kaika Operation Perth Operation Medusa Operation Falcon Summit
Insurgent attacks
2006 Taliban offensive
Battles Battle of Lashkagar Battle of Panjwaii Siege of Sangin Battle of Nawzad Operation Cobra Strike
2007 operations
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.
Coalition operations
Operation Achilles Operation Commando Fury Operation Hammer Operation Harekate Yolo Operation Hoover Operation Kryptonite Operation Luger Operation Pickaxe-Handle Operation Rock Avalanche Operation Silver (2007) Operation Volcano
Insurgent attacks Operation Kamin Operation Nasrat Bagram Air Base Baghlan
Battles Battle of Musa Qala Battle of Chora Battle of Firebase Anaconda Battle of Aranas
2008 operations
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 Operation Sur Kor (Red House) during April in Zari District Operation Karez during May in Badghis Province Operation Oqab Sterga (Eagle's Eye) during May around Grishk Operation Janub Zilzila (Southern Edge) during June in Mizan District, Zabul Province 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 Hotel Serena Kandahar Indian Embassy Uzbin Valley ambush Balamorghab ambush Sarposa Prison attack Spin Boldak bombing
Battles Battle of Arghandab Battle of Garmsir Gora Prai airstrike Battle of Shewan Battle of Shok Valley Battle of Wanat
2009 operations
Coalition operations Counterinsurgency in Northern Afghanistan Operation Aabi Toorah (Blue Sword) 2C Operation Tor Tapus 2 Operation Cobra's Anger Operation Diesel Operation Khanjar (Strike of the Sword) Operation Oqab (Eagle) Operation Panchai Palang (Panther's Claw) Operation Sarack (May) Operation Shahi Tandar
Insurgent attacks Kabul raid Kandahar Indian Embassy UN guest house Camp Chapman attack
Battles Battle of Dahaneh Battle of Alasay (Operation Dinner Out) Battle of COP Keating Battle of Ganjgal Battle of Sabzak
2010 operations
Coalition operations Operation Baawar Operation Bulldog Bite Operation Burnham Operation Dragon Strike Operation Moshtarak (Battle of Marja) Operation Tor Shezada Operation Halmazag Operation Hamkari Operation Mountain Reach II (Battle of Daridam)
Insurgent attacks
Kabul attack (Jan) Kabul attack (Feb) Kabul bombing Nadahan wedding bombing
Battles
Battle of Derapet Battle of Sangin (2010)
2011 operations
Coalition operations
Operation Hammer Down Operation Thunder Doom
Insurgent attacks
Logar Kabul hotel Nimruz Zabul Kabul (Sep) Kabul & Mazar-e-Sharif
Battles
Battle of Do Ab Battle of Doan Battle of Barawala Kalay Valley
2012 operations
Coalition Operations
Raid on Kunar
Insurgent attacks Hostage incident at Lake Qargha Raid on camp bastion (2012) Forward Operating Base (2012)
Battles
Battle of Baghak
2013 operations
Coalition opearations
insurgent attacks
Farah Kabul court Kabul Palace Jalalabad Herat
Battles
2014 operations
Coalition opearations
insurgent attacks
Kabul Restaurant attack Kabul Serena Hotel shooting 2014 attack on Indian consulate in Herat 2014 Bagram Airfield bombing 2014 Paktika car bombing 2014 Yahyakhel suicide bombing December 2014 Kabul bombings Kabul Serena Hotel Shooting
Battles
Kunar Offensive
2015 operations
Coalition opearations
insurgent attacks
Jalalabad suicide bombing 2015 Park Palace guesthouse attack 2015 Kabul Parliament attack 2015 Khost suicide bombing 7 August 2015 Kabul attacks 10 August 2015 Kabul suicide bombing 22 August 2015 Kabul suicide bombing Ghazni prison escape 2015 Kandahar Airport bombing 2015 Spanish Embassy attack in Kabul 2015 Bagram Airfield bombing
Battle
Battle of Kunduz (2015)
2016 operations
Coalition opearations
insurgent attacks
Operation Omari April 2016 Kabul attack Kabul attack on Canadian Embassy guards 30 June 2016 Afghanistan bombings July 2016 Kabul bombing American University of Afghanistan attack Kabul Defense Ministry (2016) 2016 bombing of the German consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif 2016 Bagram Airfield bombing
Battles
Battle of Boz Qandahari Battle of Kunduz (2016) Nangarhar offensive (2016) Battle of Tarinkot (2016)
2017 operations
Coalition opearations
insurgent attacks
Kunduz Offensive (2017) January 2017 Afghanistan bombings 2017 Kabul hospital attack 2017 Camp Shaheen attack May 2017 Kabul bombing June 2017 Herat mosque bombing June 2017 Lashkargah bombing August 2017 Herat mosque attack 17 October 2017 Afghanistan attacks 20 October 2017 Afghanistan attacks 28 December 2017 Kabul suicide bombing
Battles
Battle of Darzab (2017) Battle of Tora Bora (2017)
2018 operations
Coalition operations
insurgent attacks
2018 Inter-Continental Hotel Kabul attack Save the Children Jalalabad attack Kabul ambulance bombing
Battles
2019 operations
Coalition opearations
insurgent attacks Maidan Shar Attack
Battles
2020 operations
Coalition opearations
insurgent attacks
6 March 2020 Kabul shooting
Battles
2021 operations
Coalition opearations
Operation Allies Refuge Operation Devi Shakti
insurgent attacks
Battles
Battle of Kandahar (2021)
List of battles and operations
The following table lists known military operations of the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021).