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War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)

Contemporary

The War in Afghanistan began in October 2001 when a United States-led coalition invaded the country to remove the Taliban government, which had harbored the al-Qaeda leadership responsible for the September 11 attacks that year. Coalition and allied Afghan forces toppled the Taliban government within weeks, but a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission that followed became bogged down in a long and costly counterinsurgency against a resurgent Taliban that lasted for the next two decades. The United States and the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement in February 2020, setting a timetable for the full withdrawal of foreign forces, and the final American and NATO withdrawal was completed in August 2021, accompanied by the rapid collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government and the Taliban's return to power in Kabul that same month. The war stands as the longest continuous armed conflict in United States military history and ended without the durable, internationally recognized non-Taliban Afghan state its intervention had originally sought to build.

Facts
Start Year
2001 2
End Year
2021 2
Combatants
United States and NATO forces against the Taliban and al-Qaeda 2
Outcome
The war ended with the Taliban retaking Kabul and the presidential palace, and the last United States forces departing on 30 August 2021, leaving the country under Taliban rule. 2
Classification
Conflict Type
Insurgency or Counterinsurgency 1
Connections

Associated With

Counterinsurgency doctrine (the 2006 FM 3-24 revision) became the organizing US and NATO strategy for the middle years of the Afghanistan campaign

M4 Carbine, Weapons Systems

The M4 carbine served as the standard American infantry weapon of the War in Afghanistan

M777 Howitzer, Weapons Systems

The lightweight M777 howitzer provided artillery support for Coalition forces during the War in Afghanistan

The MQ-1 Predator became the defining armed drone of the 2001-2021 Afghanistan campaign, used for both surveillance and strike missions

MQ-1 Predator, Weapons Systems

The MQ-1 Predator drone became a central American surveillance and strike platform of the War in Afghanistan

Source Wikipedia: General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper

Operation Neptune Spear, the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, grew out of the same War on Terror campaign as the War in Afghanistan

Source Wikipedia: Operation Neptune Spear

Uses

Source Wikipedia: 7.62x51mm NATO
Source Wikipedia: 9K32 Strela-2
Source Wikipedia: Accuracy International AWM
Source Wikipedia: AeroVironment Switchblade
Source Wikipedia: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon
Source Wikipedia: AGM-176 Griffin
Source Wikipedia: AH-64 Apache
Source Wikipedia: AK-103
Source Wikipedia: AKS-74U
AR-M1, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: AR-M1
Source Wikipedia: Automatkarbin 5
Source Wikipedia: Beretta M9
Source Wikipedia: BLU-82
Source Wikipedia: C14 Timberwolf
Source Wikipedia: CAESAR self-propelled howitzer
Source Wikipedia: Colt Automatic Rifle
Source Wikipedia: F-22 Raptor
Source Wikipedia: FIM-92 Stinger
Source Wikipedia: FN Five-seven
Source Wikipedia: FN MAG
Source Wikipedia: FR F2 sniper rifle
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch HK416
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch MP5
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch GMG
Source Wikipedia: HIMARS
Source Wikipedia: IWI Negev
Source Wikipedia: Ksp 58
Source Wikipedia: L129A1
Source Wikipedia: Lebel Model 1886 Rifle
Source Lee-Enfield (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System
Source Wikipedia: M119 howitzer
Source Wikipedia: M134 Minigun
Source Wikipedia: M141 Bunker Defeat Munition
Source Wikipedia: M2 Browning
Source Wikipedia: M203 grenade launcher
Source Wikipedia: M224 mortar
Source Wikipedia: M24 Sniper Weapon System
Source Wikipedia: M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Source Wikipedia: M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System
Source Wikipedia: M40 rifle
Source Wikipedia: M79 grenade launcher
Source Makarov pistol, Wikipedia
Source Wikipedia: McMillan TAC-50
Source Wikipedia: MEU(SOC) pistol
Source Wikipedia: Milkor MGL
Source Wikipedia: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
Source Wikipedia: M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Source Wikipedia: Mossberg 500
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch MP5
Source Wikipedia: Panzerfaust 3
Source Wikipedia: PSL (rifle)
Source Wikipedia: Pușcă Automată model 1986
Source Remington Model 870 (Wikipedia)
RK 62, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: RK 62
Source Wikipedia: RPG-18
RPG-2, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: RPG-2
Source Wikipedia: RPG-29
Source Wikipedia: RPG-76 Komar
Source Wikipedia: RPO-A Shmel
Source Wikipedia: Saxon (vehicle)
Source Wikipedia: SIG SG 550
SR-25, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: SR-25
Source Wikipedia: FIM-92 Stinger
Source Wikipedia: Type 56 assault rifle
Source Wikipedia: Type 81 assault rifle
Source Wikipedia: UKM-2000
Source Wikipedia: Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
Source Wikipedia: vz. 58
Source Wikipedia: WKW Tor
Source Wikipedia: XM25 CDTE
Sources
1. Wikipedia: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
WikipediaConflict-type attribute (war-in-afghanistan-2001-2021)
Quote, Conflict-type attribute (war-in-afghanistan-2001-2021)
In 2004, the U.S.-backed Islamic Republic was established, but by then, the Taliban, led by founder Mullah Omar, had reorganized and begun an insurgency against the Afghan government and coalition forces.
View the Source
2. U.S. War in Afghanistan (Council on Foreign Relations Timeline)
  • October 7, 2001 entry
    The U.S. military, with British support, begins a bombing campaign against Taliban forces, officially launching Operation Enduring Freedom.
  • August 30, 2021 entry
    The last U.S. military forces depart Afghanistan, leaving it under Taliban rule.
  • Introduction
    The Taliban surged back to power two decades after U.S.-led forces toppled their regime in what led to the United States' longest war.
  • August 15, 2021 entry
    Taliban fighters overrun the capital, Kabul, and take over the presidential palace
View the Source
Wikipedia: General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
WikipediaAssociated With: MQ-9 Reaper, U.S. Air Force section
Quote, Associated With: MQ-9 Reaper, U.S. Air Force section
The pilots first conducted combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan that summer.
View the Source
Wikipedia: HIMARS
WikipediaUses: HIMARS, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Lee-Enfield (Wikipedia)
Uses: Lee-Enfield Rifle, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
  • Uses: M249 SAW, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'
  • Uses: Mk 48 machine gun, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'
View the Source
Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch MP5
  • Uses: MP5 Submachine Gun, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'
  • Uses: Heckler & Koch MP5, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'
View the Source
Wikipedia: Beretta M9
WikipediaUses: Beretta M9 Pistol, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: M119 howitzer
Uses: M119 Howitzer, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: FN MAG
Uses: FN MAG, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: vz. 58
Uses: Vz. 58, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: RPG-2
Uses: RPG-2, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: AK-103
Uses: AK-103, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: SR-25
Uses: SR-25, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: Panzerfaust 3
Uses: Panzerfaust 3, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: M134 Minigun
Uses: M134 Minigun, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: Saxon (vehicle)
Uses: Saxon (vehicle), infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: Mossberg 500
Uses: Mossberg 500, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: RPG-76 Komar
Uses: RPG-76 Komar, infobox wars field: 'War in Afghanistan (2001?2021)'View the Source
Wikipedia: FIM-92 Stinger
  • Uses: Stinger Missile, Infobox, wars field
    Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
  • Uses: FIM-92 Stinger, Infobox, wars field
    Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: M2 Browning
WikipediaUses: M2 Browning Machine Gun, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M2 Browning Machine Gun, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Lebel Model 1886 Rifle
WikipediaUses: Lebel Model 1886 Rifle, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Lebel Model 1886 Rifle, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Remington Model 870 (Wikipedia)
Uses: Remington 870, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Remington 870, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: SIG SG 550
WikipediaUses: SIG SG 550, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: SIG SG 550, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Accuracy International AWM
WikipediaUses: Accuracy International AWM, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Accuracy International AWM, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: BLU-82
Uses: BLU-82, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: BLU-82, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Makarov pistol, Wikipedia
Uses: Makarov PM Pistol, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Makarov PM Pistol, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: 9K32 Strela-2
WikipediaUses: 9K32 Strela-2, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: 9K32 Strela-2, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: CAESAR self-propelled howitzer
Uses: CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzer, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzer, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: AeroVironment Switchblade
Uses: AeroVironment Switchblade, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: AeroVironment Switchblade, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Type 56 assault rifle
Uses: Type 56 Assault Rifle, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Type 56 Assault Rifle, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: IWI Negev
Uses: IWI Negev, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: IWI Negev, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: M79 grenade launcher
Uses: M79 Grenade Launcher, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M79 Grenade Launcher, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Milkor MGL
Uses: Milkor MGL, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Milkor MGL, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: M224 mortar
Uses: M224 Mortar, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M224 Mortar, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: M203 grenade launcher
Uses: M203 Grenade Launcher, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M203 Grenade Launcher, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: AKS-74U
Uses: AKS-74U, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: AKS-74U, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch HK416
Uses: Heckler & Koch HK416, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Heckler & Koch HK416, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: M40 rifle
Uses: M40 rifle, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M40 rifle, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon
Uses: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: RPG-29
Uses: RPG-29, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: RPG-29, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: RK 62
Uses: RK 62, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: RK 62, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System
Uses: M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: M24 Sniper Weapon System
Uses: M24 Sniper Weapon System, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M24 Sniper Weapon System, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: McMillan TAC-50
Uses: McMillan TAC-50, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: McMillan TAC-50, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: FN Five-seven
Uses: FN Five-seven, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: FN Five-seven, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: RPG-18
Uses: RPG-18, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: RPG-18, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: AR-M1
Uses: AR-M1, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: AR-M1, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Automatkarbin 5
Uses: Automatkarbin 5, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Automatkarbin 5, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: 7.62x51mm NATO
Uses: 7.62x51mm NATO, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: 7.62x51mm NATO, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System
Uses: M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
Uses: Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: PSL (rifle)
Uses: PSL (rifle), Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: PSL (rifle), Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: RPO-A Shmel
Uses: RPO-A Shmel, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: RPO-A Shmel, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: AGM-176 Griffin
Uses: AGM-176 Griffin, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: AGM-176 Griffin, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch GMG
Uses: Heckler and Koch GMG, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Heckler and Koch GMG, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Colt Automatic Rifle
Uses: Colt Automatic Rifle, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Colt Automatic Rifle, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: M141 Bunker Defeat Munition
Uses: M141 Bunker Defeat Munition, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: M141 Bunker Defeat Munition, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: Pușcă Automată model 1986
Uses: Pușcă Automată model 1986, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Pușcă Automată model 1986, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: C14 Timberwolf
Uses: C14 Timberwolf, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: C14 Timberwolf, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Type 81 assault rifle
Uses: Type 81 assault rifle, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Type 81 assault rifle, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: L129A1
Uses: L129A1, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: L129A1, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: MEU(SOC) pistol
Uses: MEU(SOC) pistol, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: MEU(SOC) pistol, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: UKM-2000
Uses: UKM-2000, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: UKM-2000, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: FR F2 sniper rifle
Uses: FR F2 sniper rifle, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: FR F2 sniper rifle, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: WKW Tor
Uses: WKW Tor, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: WKW Tor, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Ksp 58
Uses: Ksp 58, Infobox, wars field
Quote, Uses: Ksp 58, Infobox, wars field
Infobox wars field lists: War in Afghanistan
View the Source
Wikipedia: AH-64 Apache
WikipediaUses: AH-64 Apache, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Uses: AH-64 Apache, Wikipedia article text
Apaches served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan during the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) from 2001.
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Wikipedia: F-22 Raptor
WikipediaUses: F-22 Raptor, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Uses: F-22 Raptor, Wikipedia article text
The F-22 has carried out and supported airstrikes in the war in Afghanistan in 2017, 2025 strikes on Iran, 2026 strikes on Venezuela, and the 2026 Iran war.
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Wikipedia: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
Uses: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Uses: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle, Wikipedia article text
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) also used the Mk 12 Mod 1 towards the end of the war in Iraq and extensively during the war in Afghanistan.
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Wikipedia: XM25 CDTE
Uses: XM25 CDTE, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Uses: XM25 CDTE, Wikipedia article text
It was fielded to soldiers serving in the War in Afghanistan in 2010, after which malfunctions and 2013 program budget cuts delayed official entry into service, planned for early 2017.
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