War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

October 7, 2001 – August 30, 2021 · Afghanistan

Armed conflict in Afghanistan, 2001-2021, the longest war in US military history. A US-led coalition invaded after the September 11 attacks by Taliban-allied al-Qaeda and toppled the Taliban; the Taliban regrouped and, after the 2020 US-Taliban deal and US withdrawal, retook Kabul on 15 August 2021, last aircraft departing 30 August. An estimated 176,000-212,000 died, including 46,319 civilians.

On the map Overview Contemporaries

Coalition

Taliban

Other

United States

United Kingdom

NATO

Germany

France

Italy

Australia

Canada

Show 3 more

Georgia

Norway

Denmark

Taliban

al-Qaeda

George W. Bush belligerent leader

Barack Obama

Donald Trump

Joe Biden

Osama bin Laden Leader of al-Qaeda, Target of the US-led invasion; escaped to Pakistan

Strength and losses

France Killed c. 12

Australia Killed c. 6

Germany Killed c. 25

United Kingdom Killed c. 110

Canada Killed c. 88

United States Killed c. 552

Killed: c. 14,393

Battles and events 60

Key events

Operation Enduring Freedom October 7, 2001 – December 28, 2014
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines January 15, 2002 – October 23, 2017
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa October 7, 2002
  - Maersk Alabama hijacking April 8–12, 2009 · All hostages rescued
  - Operation Ocean Shield August 17, 2009 – November 24, 2016
United States invasion of Afghanistan October 7 – December 17, 2001 · American-led coalition victory
- Battle of Tarinkot November 13–14, 2001 · Northern Alliance/American victory
Fall of Mazar-i-Sharif November 9–10, 2001 · Northern Alliance and American victory
Battle of Tora Bora December 6–17, 2001 · Partial coalition victory
Operation Anaconda March 1–18, 2002 · Coalition victory
Operation Red Wings June 27, 2005 – July 2005 · Taliban victory
Battle of Kamdesh October 3, 2009
Operation Moshtarak February 13 – December 7, 2010 · Tactically inconclusive
Resolute Support Mission December 28, 2014 – July 12, 2021
United States–Taliban deal February 29, 2020
2021 Taliban offensive May 1, 2021 · Taliban victory
- Capture of Zaranj August 6, 2021
Fall of Kabul (2021) August 15, 2021

2001 13 events

Operation Enduring Freedom October 7, 2001 – December 28, 2014
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines January 15, 2002 – October 23, 2017
- Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa October 7, 2002
  - Maersk Alabama hijacking April 8–12, 2009 · All hostages rescued
  - Operation Ocean Shield August 17, 2009 – November 24, 2016
United States invasion of Afghanistan October 7 – December 17, 2001 · American-led coalition victory
- Battle of Tarinkot November 13–14, 2001 · Northern Alliance/American victory
2001 uprising in Herat October 7 – November 12, 2001
Operation Crescent Wind October 7, 2001 – December 2001 · US–UK victory
Bombing of Kandahar (2001) October 7, 2001 · Successful American airstrikes in the city, Taliban strengthening position within city.
Operation Rhino October 19–20, 2001 · U.S. victory
Fall of Mazar-i-Sharif November 9–10, 2001 · Northern Alliance and American victory
Siege of Kunduz November 11–23, 2001 · Northern Alliance and US victory
Fall of Kabul (2001) November 12–13, 2001 · Northern Alliance and American victory
Battle of Qala-i-Jangi November 25 – December 1, 2001 · Coalition victory
Battle of Tora Bora December 6–17, 2001 · Partial coalition victory
Fall of Kandahar December 7, 2001 · Coalition victory
Taliban insurgency December 17, 2001 – August 15, 2021

2002 1 event

Operation Anaconda March 1–18, 2002 · Coalition victory

2005 1 event

Operation Red Wings June 27, 2005 – July 2005 · Taliban victory

2006 7 events

Friendly fire incident at Sangin March 29, 2006
Operation Mountain Thrust May 15 – July 31, 2006 · Taliban victory
Helmand province campaign June 4, 2006 · Both sides claim victory
Siege of Sangin June 27, 2006 – April 5, 2007 · Coalition victory
Operation Perth July 2006 · Coalition victory
Operation Medusa September 2006
Operation Mountain Fury September 16, 2006 · Coalition victory

2007 7 events

Operation Hoover May 24–25, 2007 · Coalition victory
Operation Achilles May 30, 2007 · Coalition claims victory
Operation Pickaxe-Handle May 30 – June 14, 2007 · Tactical Coalition victory Strategic outcome unclear
Battle of Chora June 15–19, 2007 · Coalition victory
Operation Hammer (Afghanistan) July 24–27, 2007 · Coalition strategic victory (Coalition forces took control of territory south of the Helmand river.)
Operation Harekate Yolo October 2007 – November 2007 · Tactical Coalition victory
Battle of Musa Qala December 7–12, 2007 · Coalition Victory

2008 9 events

Operation Karez 2008
Sarposa prison attack of 2008 2008 · Taliban victory (1,200+ prisoners freed) .
Pakistan–United States skirmishes June 10, 2008 – July 4, 2012
Battle of Arghandab (2008) June 18–19, 2008 · Coalition victory
Battle of Wanat July 13, 2008 · Initial American victory; later withdrawal See Aftermath
Battle of Shewan August 8, 2008 · US victory
Uzbin Valley ambush August 18–19, 2008
Operation Eagle's Summit August 27 – September 5, 2008 · Coalition tactical victory.
Operation Red Dagger December 11–26, 2008 · Coalition victory

2009 8 events

Operation Diesel February 6–7, 2009 · Coalition victory
Operation Panther's Claw June 19, 2009 · Coalition victory
Operation Strike of the Sword July 2 – August 20, 2009 · Inconclusive
Operation Oqab July 18, 2009 · Temporary forced displacement of the Taliban forces
Battle of Dahaneh August 12–15, 2009 · Coalition victory
2009 Kunduz airstrike September 4, 2009
Battle of Kamdesh October 3, 2009
Operation Cobra's Anger December 12, 2009 · Coalition Victory

2010 2 events

Operation Moshtarak February 13 – December 7, 2010 · Tactically inconclusive
Shah Wali Kot Offensive June 10–14, 2010 · Coalition victory

2011 1 event

Salala incident November 26, 2011 · Inconclusive

2014 2 events

Counterinsurgency in Northern Afghanistan December 2014 · Gradual "Afghanization" of combat operations during drawdown of ISAF forces; de facto status quo ante bellum
Resolute Support Mission December 28, 2014 – July 12, 2021

2015 2 events