List of military operations in the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

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The United States was engaged in a war in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 attacks from October 7, 2001 to August 30, 2021 as a part of the war on terror. This is a list of known codenames and related information for military operations associated with the war.

Background[]

Main articles: September 11 attacks and 9/11 Commission

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.[citation needed] 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. In an audiotape posted on a website that the US claims is "frequently used by al-Qaeda,"[citation needed] on May 21, 2006, bin Laden said that he had personally directed the 19 hijackers.

2001: War begins[]

A Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit leads a column to a security position after seizing a Taliban forward-operating base in November 2001.
Main articles: 2001 in Afghanistan, United States invasion of Afghanistan, and Taliban insurgency

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.

Coalition operations[]

Battles[]

2002 operations[]

Coalition operations[]

Insurgent attacks[]

2003 operations[]

2004 operations[]

See also: 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[]

  • 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[]

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 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.

Battles[]

  • Battle of Lashkagar
  • Battle of Panjwaii
  • Siege of Sangin
  • Battle of Now Zad
  • Operation Cobra Strike

2007 operations[]

Main article: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007

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.

Insurgent attacks[]

  • Operation Kamin
  • Operation Nasrat
  • Bagram Air Base
  • Baghlan

Battles[]

2008 operations[]

Main article: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2008

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.[9]
  • Operation Sur Kor (Red House) during April in Zari District.[10]
  • Operation Oqab Sterga (Eagle's Eye) during May around Gereshk.[11]
  • Operation Janub Zilzila (Southern Edge) during June in Mizan District, Zabul Province.[12]

Insurgent attacks[]

Battles[]

  • Battle of Arghandab
  • Battle of Garmsir
  • Gora Prai airstrike
  • Battle of Shewan
  • Battle of Shok Valley
  • Battle of Wanat

2009 operations[]

Main article: Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2009
A June 2009 grenade attack, following a collision between a MRAP and a humvee, wounding three American soldiers.[13]

Coalition operations[]

  • Counterinsurgency in Northern Afghanistan
  • German combat operations in Kunduz province in 2009 (Kunduz Province Campaign)
  • Operation Aabi Toorah (Blue Sword) 2C[14]
  • Operation Tor Tapus 2[14]
  • Operation Cobra's Anger
  • Operation Diesel
  • Operation Khanjar (Strike of the Sword)
  • Operation Oqab (Eagle)
  • Operation Panchai Palang (Panther's Claw)
  • Operation Sarack (May)[15]
  • Operation Shahi Tandar

Insurgent attacks[]

Battles[]

  • Battle of Dahaneh
  • Battle of Alasay (Operation Dinner Out)
  • Battle of COP Keating
  • Battle of Ganjgal

2010 operations[]

Coalition operations[]

  • Operation Dragon Strike
  • Operation Moshtarak (Battle of Marja)
  • Operation Tor Shezada
  • Operation Hamkari
  • Operation Mountain Reach II (Battle of Daridam)

List of battles and operations[]

The following table lists known military operations of the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Operation name From date To date Location Purpose/result
Battle of Chora 15 June 2007 19 June 2007 Chora Battle: This battle 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 12 August 2009 15 August 2009 Dahaneh in the Helmand Province
Battle of Firebase Anaconda 8 August 2007 8 August 2007 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 US 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 7 December 2007 12 December 2007 Musa Qala Result: Coalition victory; Taliban retreat
Battle of Now Zad 2006 2014 Nowzad in the Northern Helmand Province
Battle of Panjwaii July 2006 October 2006 Panjwaii district Battle: Decisive Canadian victory, Panjwaii cleared of Taliban
Battle of Qala-i-Jangi 25 November 2001 1 December 2001 Qala-i-Jangi District Battle: It began with the uprising of Taliban prisoners held at , and escalated into one of the bloodiest engagements of the war in Afghanistan
Battle of Takur Ghar 3 March 2002 4 March 2002 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 6 December 2001 17 December 2001 Pachir Wa Agam District, Nangarhar province Battle: Attempt and Failure to kill or capture Osama bin Laden
Operation Accius 28 November 2002 1 June 2004 throughout Afghanistan Contingency: The Canadian military's contribution to the civilian-led United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan(UNAMA)
Operation Achilles 6 May 2007 30 May 2007 the Sangin and Kajaki districts of Helmand Counter Insurgency: An attempt to stabilize the security situation in the province
Operation Anaconda 1 March 2002 18 March 2002 Shah-i-Kot Valley and Paktika Province Counter Insurgency: Attempt to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces
Operation Apollo October 2001 October 2003 Throughout Afghanistan Contingency: The codename for an operation conducted by Canadian Forces in support of the United States in its military operations in Afghanistan
Operation Archer July 2005 31 August 2006 throughout Afghanistan Contingency: The Canadian Forces contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
Operation Argus September 2005 October 2008 throughout Afghanistan Contingency and Security: Canadian Forces team of strategic military planners to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Operation Asbury Park 2 June 2004 17 June 2004 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, inflicting significant losses against the enemy
Operation Athena October 2003 18 October 2005 Kabul and Kandahar Security: The Canadian Forces contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan
Operation Avalanche December 2003 December 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 December 2010 Horn of Panjwai (HoP) To build and hold in the HoP
Operation Buzzard 29 May 2002 9 July 2002 Khowst region Counter Insurgency: The operation reflects the success that coalition forces have enjoyed in forcing al-Qaeda and Taliban to abandon a large-scale presence in much of the region
Operation Celtics May 2005 May 2005 Counter Insurgency and Humanitarian: to hunt down enemy fighters and provide humanitarian support
Operation Cobra's Anger 4 December 2009 7 December 2009
Operation Condor 17 May 2002 22 May 2002 the mountains of Paktia province Counter Insurgency: Engaged in combat with al-Qaeda and Taliban forces
Operation Counterstrike 5 January 2006 5 January 2006 Kandahar Airfield
Operation Diablo Dragnet 19 July 2007 19 July 2007 Kandahar Airfield Humanitarian: Linked People to Government
Operation Diablo Reach Back 7 June 2005 27 June 2005 Kandahar Province Combined Task Force Bayonet forces engaged Taliban forces in some of the fiercest fighting seen this year
Operation Dragon Tree August 2004 August 2004 Kandahar Counter Insurgency: Searched for weapons caches
Operation Falcon Summit 15 December 2006 5 January 2007 the Panjawi and Zhari districts of Kandahar Counter Insurgency: Had the intention of expelling Taliban fighters
Operation Flashman 16 July 2004 16 July 2004 Paktika Province Humanitarian and Security: Bring stability to the area as well as establishing voter registration sites
Operation Hamkari
Operation Hammer (Chakush) 24 July 2007 27 July 2007 the Upper in Helmand province Counter Insurgency: The operation is continuing the momentum towards expelling Taliban forces
Operation Harekate Yolo 1 October 2007 8 November 2007 North-west Afghanistan Counter Insurgency: Targeted hostile forces in the northern provinces
Operation Haven Denial 2 July 2003 6 July 2003 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 20 June 2002 12 December 2014 Throughout Afghanistan Contingency: The codename for all British combat operations in Afghanistan
Operation Highroad 1 January 2015 18 June 2021 The second phase of the Australian Defence Force's operation in Afghanistan
Operation Hoover 24 May 2007 25 May 2007 Kandahar Province district of Zhari Counter Insurgency: Was a Canadian-led offensive against the Taliban
Operation Jacana April 2002 July 2002 Khost province, Paktia Province
Operation Jaws January 2012 August 2012 Helmand province
Operation Khanjar 2 July 2009 20 August 2009 Helmand Province Counter Insurgency: A major US Marine offensive to secure the province
Operation Lastay Kulang (Pickaxe Handle) 30 May 2007 14 June 2007 Helmand province A British-led NATO operation
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 21 April 2006 21 April 2006 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 2 September 2006 17 September 2006 Kandahar Province Counter Insurgency: Was a Canadian-led offensive by major elements of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Army.
Operation Moshtarak 13 February 2010 7 December 2010 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 involved US Marine units and Afghan troops along with the US Special Forces and other ISAF members.[16]
Operation Mountain Blizzard January 2004 12 March 2004 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[citation needed]
Operation Mountain Fury 16 September 2006 15 January 2007 Paktika, Khost, Ghazni, Paktia, Logar Counter Insurgency: 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 11 April 2006 2006 near the Pakistan border Counter Insurgency: Searching along the border with Pakistan for al-Qaeda and former Taliban forces
Operation Mountain Reach II May 2010 May 2010 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; three US soldiers wounded[citation needed]
Operation Mountain Resolve 7 November 2003 2003 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 commander Ghulam Sakhee
Operation Mountain Storm 5 March 2004 July 2004 the south, southeast, and eastern portions of Afghanistan With the aim of cornering al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants
Operation Mountain Sweep 18 August 2002 28 August 2002 mainly around and , south of Khowst and Gardez Was designed to search out al-Qaeda and Taliban forces and information about the terrorist organizations
Operation Mountain Thrust May 2006 31 July 2006 Kandahar, Helmand, Paktika, Zabul and Uruzgan A major offensive. Its primary objective was to quell the Taliban insurgency in the south of the country.
Operation Mountain Viper 30 August 2003 September 2003 the mountains of 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 9 August 2005 2005 Nawa District
Operation New Dawn 12 June 2010 Helmand Province An extension of Operation Moshtarak, a joint ISAF / ANA operation, led by the United States Marines, to disrupt insurgents and deny them freedom of movement in areas between Marjah and Nawa.[17][18]
Operation Northern Wind
Operation Oracle
Operation Palk Mesher August 2007 August 2007 Helmand Province To disrupt and eliminate insurgents
Operation Panther's Claw 19 June 2009 20 August 2009 Helmand Province 350 British Troops attacked a Taliban Stronghold near Babaji
Operation Pil 16 October 2005 23 October 2005 the Watapor Valley of the Kunar Province to improve security and assist in stabilizing the government in the troubled region
Operation Pizmah 2005 15 December 2005 Zabul Province To reestablish a coalition presence in the districts of Dey Chopan, Argandab and Khaki-Afghan
Operation Ptarmigan 15 April 2002 Gardez and Khost regions The name given to the British share of military actions with US and coalition forces
Operation Red Wings 28 June 2005 28 June 2005 Kunar province Counterterrorism mission
Operation School House Kabul The program, started by US and coalition personnel from the Kabul Compound, received donated school supplies from the US and distributed them to needy schools
Operation Silicon 30 April 2007 Upper Helmand Province A sub-operation of Operation Achilles, carried out by NATO (mostly British) and Afghan troops. Recaptured Gereshk from the Taliban.[citation needed]
Operation Silver 2007 2007 Counter Insurgency: Conducted to keep up the pressure on the Taliban in the hopes of blunting an expected spring offensive
Operation Sleigh Ride December 2005 December 2005 Forward operating bases at Salerno, Ghazni, and Sharana Christmas-time morale boost for troops
Operation Slipper 22 October 2001 31 December 2014 The first phase of the Australian Defence Force's operation in Afghanistan
Operation Snipe 2 May 2002 13 May 2002 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-Qaeda and Taliban forces
Operation Sparviero Codename for the Italian Army's contributions to the ISAF
Operation Torii
Operation Tor Shezada 30 July 2010 2014
Operation Veritas 7 October 2001 31 July 2002 Throughout Afghanistan The codename used for British military operations against the Taliban government of Afghanistan
Operation Vigilance 15 April 2005 April 2005 Wardak Province Counter insurgency and Humanitarian: Targeted three individuals that coalition forces were trying to kill or capture, and included humanitarian aid drops in several villages
Operation Volcano February 2007 February 2007 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 20 July 2003 September 2003 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.

See also[]

References[]

Citations[]

  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. ^ Jump up to: 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. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "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[]

  • Bishop, P (2009). Ground Truth. UK: HarperPress. ISBN 978-0-00-729665-1.
  • Hughes, K (2018). Painting The Sand. UK: Simon & Schuster UK. ISBN 978-1-4711-5672-4.
  • Southby-Tailyour, E (2010). 3 Commando Brigade - Helmand Assault. UK: Ebury Press. ISBN 978-0-09193-776-8.

Further reading[]

External links[]

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