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

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

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 submarine-based cruise missiles at these camps (Operation Infinite Reach) 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

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

A Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) leads a column to a security position after seizing a Taliban forward-operating base.
Nov. 25, 2001.

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

Battles

2002 operations

Coalition operations

Insurgent attacks

2003 operations

2004 operations

2005 operations

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.

Battles

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.

Insurgent attacks

Battles

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.

Insurgent attacks

Battles

2009 operations

A June 2009 grenade attack, following a collision between a MRAP and a humvee, wounding three American soldiers.[8]

Coalition operations

Insurgent attacks

Battles

2010 operations

Coalition operations

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.

Operation name From date To date Location Purpose/result
Battle of Chora 2007-06-15 2007-06-19 ChoraBattle: 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 Dahaneh08/12/200908/15/2009Dahaneh in the Helmand Province
Battle of Firebase Anaconda2007-08-082007-08-08Uruzgan provinceBattle: A group of roughly 75 Taliban militants mounted a rare frontal assault on a United States-led coalition base
Battle of Garmsir2008PresentGarmsir in the Helmand ProvinceCounter 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 Zad2006PresentNowzad in the Northern Helmand Province
Battle of Panjwaii07/200610/2006Panjwaii districtBattle: Decisive Canadian victory, Panjwaii cleared of Taliban
Battle of Qala-i-Jangi2001-11-252001-12-01Qala-i-Jangi DistrictBattle: 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 Ghar2002-03-032002-03-04the peak of Takur GharBattle: A helicopter caring a SEAL team went down and began receiving fire from hostile forces.
Battle of Tora Bora12/200112/2001Pachir Wa Agam District, Nangarhar provinceBattle: Attempt and Failure to kill or capture Osama bin Laden
Operation Accius2002-11-2806/2004throughout AfghanistanContingency: The Canadian military's contribution to the civilian-led United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan(UNAMA)
Operation Achilles2007-03-062007-05-30the Sangin and Kajaki districts of HelmandCounter Insurgency: An attempt to stabilise the security situation in the province
Operation Anaconda2002-03-012002-03-18Shahi Kot Valley and Paktika ProvinceCounter Insurgency: Attempt to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces
Operation Apollo10/200110/2003Throughout AfghanistanContingency: Was the codename for an operation conducted by Canadian Forces in support of the United States in its military operations in Afghanistan
Operation Archer07/20052006-08-31throughout AfghanistanContingency: The Canadian Forces contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
Operation Argus09/2005Ongoingthroughout AfghanistanContingency and Security: Canadian Forces team of strategic military planners to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Operation Athena08/20032005-10-18Kabul and KandaharSecurity: The Canadian Forces contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan
Operation Asbury Park2004-06-022004-06-17Oruzgan Province and Zabul ProvinceCounter Insurgency: Was characterized by atypical fighting on the side of the tactics of the Taliban and other guerillas encountered
Operation Asbury Park II20042004the Dey Chopan regionCounter 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 Avalanche12/200312/2003the entire eastern, southeastern and southern portionCounter Insurgency: To search out Al-Qaeda members and illegal weapons while conducting a village assessment
Operation Baawar12/2010ongoing (as of 02/2011)Horn of Panjwai (HoP)To build and hold in the HoP
Operation Buzzard2002-05-292002-07-09Khowst regionCounter 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 Celtics05/200505/2005Counter Insurgency and Humanitarian: to hunt down enemy fighters and provide humanitarian support
Operation Condor2002-05-172002-05-22the mountains of Paktia provinceCounter Insurgency: Engaged in combat with Al Qaida and Taliban forces
Operation Counterstrike2006-01-052006-01-05Kandahar Airfield
Operation Diablo Dragnet2007-07-192007-07-19Kandahar AirfieldHumanitarian: Linked People to Government
Operation Diablo Reach Back2005-06-072005-06-27Kandahar ProvinceCombined Task Force Bayonet forces engaged Taliban forces in some of the fiercest fighting seen this year
Operation Dragon Tree08/200408/2004KandaharCounter Insurgency: Searched for weapons caches
Operation Falcon Summit2006-12-152007-01-05the Panjawi and Zhari districts of KandaharCounter Insurgency: Had the intention of expelling Taliban fighters
Operation Fingal1/1/2002at least 2002-06-20KabulSecurity: An international security assistance force
Operation Flashman2004-07-162004-07-16Paktika ProvinceHumanitarian and Security: Bring stability to the area as well as establishing voter registration sites
Operation Hammer (Chakush)2007-07-242007-07-27the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand provinceCounter Insurgency: The operation is continuing the momentum towards expelling Taliban forces
Operation Harekate Yolo2007-10-012007-11-08North-west AfghanistanCounter Insurgency: Targeted hostile forces in the northern provinces
Operation Haven Denial2003-07-022003-07-06the Paktika and Khost provincesCounter Insurgency: Targeted against Taliban remnants and Al Qaeda fighters
Operation Headstrong20032004KabulLaw enforcement: Involved the training of Afghan commandos by British special forces to seek out and destroy drug laboratories and to confiscate drug shipments
Operation Herrick2002Presentthroughout AfghanistanContingency: The codename for all the British operations in Afghanistan
Operation Hoover2007-05-242007-05-25Kandahar Province district of ZhariCounter Insurgency: Was a Canadian-led offensive against the Taliban
Operation Jacana04/200207/2002Khost province, Paktia Province
Operation Khanjar2009-07-022009-08-20Helmand ProvinceCounter Insurgency: A major U.S. Marine offensive to secure the province
Operation Lightning Resolve20042007towns and villages throughout AfghanistanSecurity: Provide security in support of the first democratic elections ever in Afghanistan
Operation Lions Pride2006-04-212006-04-21Korengal ValleyHumanitarian: To provide medical assistance to more than 3,100 Afghans
Operation Mavericks20042005The mountains of Eastern AfghanistanCounter Insurgency: Detained suspected terrorists and confiscating several weapons and explosives caches
Operation Medusa2006-09-022006-09-17Kandahar ProvinceCounter Insurgency: Was a Canadian-led offensive by major elements of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Army.
Operation Moshtarak2010-02-132010-12-07Marjah 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.
Operation Mountain Blizzard2004/01on or about 12 March 2004the south, southeast, and eastern portions, AfghanistanCounter 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 Fury2006-09-162007-01-15Paktika, Khost, Ghazni, Paktia, LogarCounter 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 Lion2006-04-112006near the Pakistan borderCounter Insurgency: Searching along the border with Pakistan for Al Qaeda and former Taliban forces
Operation Mountain Resolve2003-11-072008Nuristan and Kunar provincesCounter 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 Stormon or about 2004-03-122005the south, southeast, and eastern portions of AfghanistanWith the aim of cornering al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants
Operation Mountain Sweep2002-08-18at least 2002-08-28mainly around Dormat and Narizah, south of Khowst and GardezWas designed to search out al Qaeda and Taliban forces and information about the terrorist organizations
Operation Mountain Thrust2006/052006-07-31Kandahar, Helmand, Paktika, Zabul and UruzganA major offensive. Its primary objective was to quell the ongoing Taliban insurgency in the south of the country.
Operation Mountain Viper2003/082003/09the mountains of Daychopan district, Zabul provinceSought to uncover Taliban rebels. One-hundred-and-twenty-four militants, five Afghan Army personnel and one US soldier were killed in the operation.
Operation Neptune2005-08-092005Nawa 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 Mesher2007/08/??2007/08/??Helmand Provinceto disrupt and eliminate insurgents
Operation Panther's Claw6/19/098/20/09Helmand Province350 British Troops attacked a Taliban Stronghold near Babaji
Operation Pickaxe-Handle (Pashto)2007-05-302007-06-14Helmand provinceWas a British-led NATO operation
Operation Pil2005-10-162005-10-23the Watapor Valley of the Kunar Provinceto improve security and assist in stabilizing the government in the troubled region
Operation Pizmah2005/??/??2005-12-15Zabul ProvinceTo reestablish a coalition presence in the districts of Dey Chopan, Argandab and Khaki-Afghan
Operation Ptarmigan2002-04-15????/??/??Gardez and Khost regionsThe name given to the British share of military actions with U.S. and coalition forces
Operation Red Wings2005-06-282005-06-28Kunar provinceCounterterrorism mission
Operation School House????/??/??????/??/??KabulThe 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 Silicon2007-04-30????/??/??Upper Helmand ProvinceA sub-operation of Operation Achilles, carried out by NATO (mostly British) and Afghan troops. Recaptured Gereshk from the Taliban.[9]
Operation Silver2007/??/??2007/??/??Counter Insurgency: Was conducted to keep up the pressure on the Taliban in the hopes of blunting their expected spring offensive
Operation Sleigh Ride2005/12/??2005/12/??forward operating bases at Salerno, Ghazni, Orgun-E and SharanaChristmas-time Morale boost for the troops in Afghanistan
Operation Slipper2001/10/??PresentThe Australian Defence Force's contribution to operations in Afghanistan
Operation Snipe2002-05-022002-05-13the remote Afghan mountainsA 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 Shezada2010-07-30Present
Operation Veritas2001-10-072002-07-31Throughout AfghanistanThe codename used for British military operations against the Taliban government of Afghanistan
Operation Vigilance2005-04-152005/04/??Wardak ProvinceCounter insurgency and Humanitarian: Targated three individuals that coalition forces were trying to kill or captureand and included humanitarian aid drops in several villages
Operation Volcano2007-02-??2007-02-??near the Kajaki hydroelectric damWas a British operation to clear a Taliban base, consisting of 25 compounds. Was part of Operation Achilles
Operation Warrior Sweep2003-07-202003-07-??the Zormat Valley, Paktia province
Operation Wyconda Pincer????/??/??2006districts of Bala Buluk and Pusht-i-Rod, in Farah province.Italian and Spanish Task-Force 45, killed 70 Taliban.
Operation Cobra's Anger12/04/200912/07/2009Now Zad Valley
Operation New Dawn12 June 2010PresentHelmand ProvinceAn 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.[10][11]
Operation HamkariPresent

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2001-present war in Afghanistan.

References

  1. ↑ Osama bin Laden Wealthy Saudi exile is a terrorist mastermind
  2. ↑ Kitty Hawk
  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. ↑ Ed Darack, Victory Point website
  8. ↑ CBS, Grenade wounds 3 US troops, Afghan child
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ "1st Recon launches new operation near Marjah". Marine Corps Times. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  11. ↑ "ANA, ISAF Complete First Task in Operation New Dawn". ISAF. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.

Further reading

External links

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