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. 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


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

 * Operation River City
 * Operation Crescent Wind
 * Operation Relentless Strike
 * Operation Rhino

Battles

 * Fall of Mazar-i-Sharif
 * Siege of Kunduz
 * Fall of Kabul
 * 2001 uprising in Herat
 * Battle of Tarin Kowt
 * Fall of Kandahar
 * Battle of Qala-i-Jangi
 * Battle of Tora Bora

Coalition operations

 * Operation Anaconda (includes Operation Harpoon, Battle of Takur Ghar)
 * Operation Glock
 * Operation Polar Harpoon
 * Operation Jacana (deployment of 45 Cdo RM)
 * Operation Ptarmigan
 * Operation Snipe
 * Operation Condor
 * Operation Buzzard
 * Operation Mountain Lion

Insurgent attacks

 * Kabul

2003 operations

 * Operation Mountain Viper
 * Operation Mountain Resolve
 * Operation Tsunami
 * Operation Eagle Fury

2004 operations

 * Operation Asbury Park

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

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

 * Battle of Lashkagar
 * Battle of Panjwaii
 * Siege of Sangin
 * Battle of Now Zad

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

 * Operation Kamin
 * Operation Nasrat
 * Bagram Air Base
 * Baghlan

Battles

 * Battle of Musa Qala
 * Battle of Chora
 * Battle of Firebase Anaconda

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

 * Hotel Serena
 * 1st Kandahar
 * 1st 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

Coalition operations

 * Operation Shahi Tandar
 * Operation Diesel
 * German combat operations in Kunduz province in 2009 (Kunduz Province Campaign)
 * Operation Panchai Palang (Panther's Claw)
 * Operation Oqab (Eagle)
 * Operation Khanjar (Strike of the Sword)
 * Operation Cobra's Anger
 * Counterinsurgency in Northern Afghanistan

Insurgent attacks

 * Kabul raid
 * 2nd Kandahar
 * 2nd 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

Coalition operations

 * Operation Dragon Strike
 * Operation Moshtarak (Battle of Marja)
 * Operation New Dawn
 * Operation Tor Shezada
 * Operation Hamkari

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.