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


The United States launched an invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks from October 7, 2001, to August 31, 2021, as a part of the war on terror. Participants in the initial American operation, Operation Enduring Freedom, included a NATO coalition whose initial goals were to train the Afghan National Security Forces and assist Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions after the fall of the Taliban regime in December 2001. However, coalition forces were gradually involved in the broader war as well, as Taliban resistance continued until 2021, when they 2021 [Taliban offensive|regained control] of the country and formed a new government. This is a list of known code names and related information for military operations associated with the war, including operations to airlift citizens of coalition countries and at-risk Afghan civilians from Afghanistan as the war drew to a close.

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 cruise missiles at these camps with limited effect on their overall operations. A follow-on plan, Operation Infinite Resolve, was planned but not implemented. The UN Security Council issued UN [Security Council Resolution 1267|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 2004 [Osama bin Laden video|taped statement] released in 2004, bin Laden publicly acknowledged his and al-Qaeda's direct involvement in the attacks. On May 21, 2006, an audiotape attributed to bin Laden was released on a website known to be used by al-Qaeda affiliates. In it, bin Laden claimed personal responsibility for selecting and directing the 19 hijackers. who carried out the 9/11 attacks, reaffirming Bin Laden's central role in the plot.

2001: War begins

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. In December, the Taliban government fell and a transitional government was established.

Coalition operations

Coalition operations

Coalition operations

Battles

2004 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 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.

Coalition Operations

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.

Coalition operations

Significant military operations in 2008 included the Helmand province campaign, Operation Karez, and Operation Eagle's Summit, among others.

Coalition operations

Coalition operations

Coalition operations

Coalition operations

Coalition Operations

Coalition opearations

insurgent attacks

2014 operations

Coalition opearations

insurgent attacks

Coalition opearations

insurgent attacks

Coalition opearations

insurgent attacks

Coalition opearations

insurgent attacks

Coalition operations

insurgent attacks

2019 operations

Coalition opearations

insurgent attacks

Battles

2020 operations

Coalition opearations

insurgent attacks

2021 operations

Coalition opearations

Battles

List of battles and operations

The following table lists known military operations of the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021).
Operation nameFrom dateTo dateLocationPurpose/result
Battle of AlasayAlasayBattle: A coalition victory enabled the construction of two bases for the Afghan National Army in the valley near the village, which had been guerrilla control since 2006
Battle of ChoraChoraBattle: This battle, which involved a significant number of Dutch forces, resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people
Battle of DahanehDahaneh in the Helmand Province
Battle of Firebase AnacondaUruzgan provinceBattle: A group of roughly 75 Taliban militants mounted a frontal assault on a United States-led coalition base
Battle of GarmsirGarmsir in the Helmand ProvinceCounterinsurgency: 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 QalaMusa QalaBattle: A British-led operation involving the Afghan National Army that resulted in a coalition victory and a Taliban retreat into the nearby mountains
Battle of NawzadNawzad District in the Northern Helmand Province
Battle of PanjwaiiPanjwayi DistrictBattle: Decisive Canadian victory, Panjwayi cleared of Taliban
Battle of Qala-i-JangiQala-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 GharThe peak of Takur GharBattle: A helicopter caring a SEAL team went down and began receiving fire from hostile forces
Battle of Tora BoraPachir Wa Agam District, Nangarhar provinceBattle: Attempt and failure to kill or capture Osama bin Laden
Operation AcciusThroughout AfghanistanContingency: The Canadian military's contribution to the civilian-led United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
Operation AchillesThe Sangin and Kajaki districts of HelmandCounterinsurgency: An attempt to stabilize the security situation in the province
Operation Allies RefugeThroughout AfghanistanEvacuation: To evacuate US nationals, embassy staff, and allied Afghan nationals from the country during and after the 2021 Taliban offensive
Operation AnacondaShah-i-Kot Valley and Paktika ProvinceCounterinsurgency: Attempt to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces
Operation ApolloThroughout AfghanistanContingency: The codename for an operation conducted by Canadian Forces in support of the United States in its military operations in Afghanistan
Operation ArcherThroughout AfghanistanContingency: The Canadian Forces contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
Operation ArgusThroughout AfghanistanContingency and Security: Canadian Forces team of strategic military planners to support the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Operation Asbury ParkOruzgan Province and Zabul ProvinceCounterinsurgency: Was characterized by atypical fighting on the side of the tactics of the Taliban and other guerrillas encountered
Operation Asbury Park IIThe Dey Chopan DistrictCounterinsurgency: Army infantrymen, Afghan National Army troops, and attached Marines again sparred with ACM forces in the region, inflicting significant losses against the enemy
Operation AthenaKabul and KandaharSecurity: The Canadian Forces contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan
Operation AvalancheSoutheast AfghanistanCounterinsurgency: To search out al-Qaeda members while conducting assessments to establish conditions for the provision of humanitarian aid
Operation Baawar The Horn of Panjwayi in Kandahar ProvinceTo take a Taliban stronghold and build roads in the district
Operation Bulldog BiteKunar ProvinceCounterinsurgency: Destroyed two Taliban camps in the Watapur District
Operation BuzzardKhowst regionCounterinsurgency: Forced al-Qaeda and the Taliban to abandon a large-scale presence in much of the region
Operation CelticsCounterinsurgency and Humanitarian: To hunt down enemy fighters and provide humanitarian support
Operation Cobra's AngerA valley in the Nawzad District
Operation CondorThe mountains of Paktia provinceCounterinsurgency: British forces engaged in combat with al-Qaeda and Taliban forces
Operation CounterstrikeKandahar Airfield
Operation Crescent WindThroughout AfghanistanThe codename for an American and British bombing campaign
Operation Devi ShaktiThroughout AfghanistanEvacuation: An operation of the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from the country after the fall of Kabul
Operation Diablo DragnetKandahar Airfield
Operation Diablo Reach BackKandahar ProvinceCombined Task Force Bayonet forces engaged Taliban forces
Operation DieselSangin, Helmand ProvinceA raid by British troops on a Taliban drug factory and arms stronghold
Operation Dragon StrikeKandahar ProvinceCounterinsurgency: To reclaim the province from the Taliban
Operation Dragon TreeKandaharCounterinsurgency: Searched for weapons caches
Operation Eagle's Summit Kandahar and Helmand ProvincesWith the objective of transporting a 220-tonne turbine to the Kajaki Dam in Helmand Province through Taliban-controlled territory. Cited by the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the United Nations as one of the largest logistical operations carried out by the British Army since World War II
Operation Falcon SummitThe Panjwayi and Zhari districts of KandaharCounterinsurgency: Had the intention of expelling Taliban fighters
Operation FlashmanPaktika ProvinceHumanitarian and Security: To bring stability to the area and establish voter registration sites
Operation Hamkari2010
Operation Hammer The Upper Grishk Valley in Helmand province
Operation Harekate Yolo Northwest AfghanistanCounterinsurgency: Targeted hostile forces in the northern provinces
Operation Haven DenialThe Paktika and Khost provincesCounterinsurgency: Targeted against Taliban remnants and al-Qaeda fighters
Operation HeadstrongKabulLaw enforcement: Involved the training of Afghan commandos by British special forces to seek out and destroy drug laboratories and to confiscate drug shipments
Operation HerrickThroughout AfghanistanContingency: The codename for all British combat operations in Afghanistan from 2002 until 2014
Operation HighroadThe second phase of the Australian Defence Force's operation in Afghanistan
Operation HooverKandahar Province district of ZhariCounterinsurgency: Was a Canadian-led offensive against the Taliban
Operation JacanaKhost province, Paktia ProvinceWith the aim of capturing or killing al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants
Operation JawsHelmand province
Operation KarezBadghis ProvinceCounterinsurgency: To eliminate Taliban presence in the region after insurgents regrouped following Operation Harekate Yolo
Operation Khanjar Helmand ProvinceCounterinsurgency: A major US Marine offensive to secure the province
Operation Lastay Kulang Helmand provinceA British-led NATO operation
Operation Lightning ResolveThroughout AfghanistanSecurity: Provide security in support of the first democratic elections ever in Afghanistan
Operation Lions PrideKorangal ValleyHumanitarian: To provide medical assistance to more than 3,100 Afghans
Operation MavericksThe mountains of Eastern AfghanistanCounterinsurgency: Detained suspected terrorists and confiscating several weapons and explosives caches
Operation MedusaKandahar ProvinceCounterinsurgency: A Canadian-led offensive by major elements of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Army
Operation MiracleThroughout AfghanistanEvacuation: An operation of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces to evacuate Afghan nationals from the country after the fall of Kabul
Operation Moshtarak Marjah in the Helmand Province "poppy-growing belt"Counterinsurgency: 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
Operation Mountain BlizzardThe south, southeast, and eastern portions of AfghanistanCounterinsurgency: 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 FuryPaktika, Khost, Ghazni, Paktia, and Logar ProvincesCounterinsurgency: A NATO-led operation as a follow-up operation to Operation Medusa, to clear Taliban rebels from the eastern provinces of Afghanistan
Operation Mountain LionNear the Pakistan borderCounterinsurgency: Searching along the border with Pakistan for al-Qaeda and former Taliban forces
Operation Mountain Reach IIKunar ProvinceUS 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
Operation Mountain ResolveNuristan and Kunar ProvincesCounterinsurgency: 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 StormThe south, southeast, and eastern portions of AfghanistanWith the aim of cornering al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants
Operation Mountain SweepMainly 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 ThrustKandahar, Helmand, Paktika, Zabul and Uruzgan ProvincesA major offensive, the primary objective of which was to quell the Taliban insurgency in southern Afghanistan
Operation Mountain ViperThe mountains of the Dey Chopan District, Zabul provinceSought to uncover Taliban rebels. Deaths included 124 militants, five Afghan Army personnel and one US soldier
Operation NeptuneNawa District
Operation New DawnHelmand ProvinceAn 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
Operation Northern Wind
Operation Oracle
Operation Oqab Kunduz ProvinceTo force the Taliban out of the province
Operation Palk MesherHelmand ProvinceTo disrupt and eliminate insurgents
Operation Panther's Claw Helmand Province350 British Troops attacked a Taliban Stronghold near Babaji
Operation PilThe Watapor Valley of the Kunar ProvinceTo improve security and assist in stabilizing the government in the region
Operation PittingThroughout AfghanistanEvacuation: To evacuate British nationals, embassy staff, and allied Afghan nationals from the country during and after the 2021 Taliban offensive
Operation PizmahZabul ProvinceTo reestablish a coalition presence in the districts of Dey Chopan, Argandab and Khaki-Afghan
Operation PtarmiganGardez and Khost regionsThe name given to the British share of military actions with US and coalition forces
Operation Red WingsKunar ProvinceCounterterrorism mission
Operation RhinoKandaharUS troops seized an airstrip from the Taliban that would eventually become Camp Rhino
Operation Shahi TandarKandahar ProvinceA series of raids and operations against Taliban insurgents
Operation SiliconUpper Helmand ProvinceA sub-operation of Operation Achilles, carried out by NATO and Afghan troops. Recaptured Grishk from the Taliban
Operation SilverCounterinsurgency: Conducted to keep up the pressure on the Taliban in the hopes of blunting an expected spring offensive
Operation Sleigh RideForward operating bases at Salerno, Ghazni, Orgun-E and SharanaChristmas-time morale boost for troops
Operation SlipperThe first phase of the Australian Defence Force's operation in Afghanistan
Operation SnipeThe remote Afghan mountainsA 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 Sond Chara Taliban strongholds near the town of Nad-e-Ali in Helmand ProvinceTo secure the area around the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah after an increase in insurgent attacks there, as well as to safeguard a planned voter registration program
Operation SparvieroCodename for the Italian Army's contributions to the ISAF
Operation ToralThroughout AfghanistanContingency: The codename for all British combat operations in Afghanistan from 2015 until the end of the war in 2021
Operation Torii
Operation Tor ShezadaThe operation was planned and executed by the International Security Assistance Force forces and Afghan army whose mission was to clear insurgents from Seyyedabad to the south of Nad-e Ali in Helmand province, in parallel to similar operations by the U.S. Marine Corps in Northern Marjah. Enabled by the UK Joint Aviation Group - UK Apache Attack Helicopters from 664 Squadron AAC alongside UK Chinook and Merlin heavy lift aircraft and USMC CH-53s, Osprey V-22s, Cobra Attack Helicopters and numerous other international Fixed Wing air assets.
Operation VeritasThroughout AfghanistanContingency: The codename for all British combat operations in Afghanistan from the start of the war in 2001 until 2002
Operation VigilanceWardak ProvinceCounterinsurgency and Humanitarian: Targeted three individuals that coalition forces were trying to kill or capture, and included humanitarian aid drops in several villages
Operation VolcanoNear the Kajaki hydroelectric damWas a British operation to clear a Taliban base, consisting of 25 compounds. Was part of Operation Achilles
Operation Warrior SweepThe Zormat Valley, Paktia province
Operation Wyconda PincerDistricts of Bala Buluk and Pusht-i-Rod, in Farah provinceItalian and Spanish Task-Force 45, killed 70 Taliban
Operation SolaceDistricts of Kabul, in Kabul provinceNoncombatant Evacuation Operation : Portuguese evacuate allied Afghan nationals from the country after the 2021 Taliban offensive