Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
The War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) was a protracted armed conflict that began on October 7, 2001, with the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and its allies in response to the September 11 attacks. The war aimed to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime which provided sanctuary to the group. This timeline outlines key events during the conflict.
2001
- October 7: Operation Enduring Freedom begins with U.S. and British airstrikes targeting Taliban and al-Qaeda positions.
- November 9: Mazar-i-Sharif falls to the Northern Alliance, a coalition of anti-Taliban forces.
- November 13: Kabul falls to the Northern Alliance. The Taliban regime collapses.
- December: The Taliban surrender Kandahar, their last major stronghold.
- December: The Bonn Agreement establishes a transitional government in Afghanistan.
2002
- January: The first troops of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) arrive in Kabul.
- March: Operation Anaconda, a major U.S. offensive, targets al-Qaeda fighters in the Shah-i-Kot Valley.
2003
- August: NATO takes command of ISAF.
2004
- October 9: Hamid Karzai wins the first presidential election in Afghanistan.
2006
- May: Fighting intensifies in southern Afghanistan, marking a resurgence of the Taliban.
- October: NATO launches Operation Medusa to drive Taliban fighters out of Kandahar province.
2007
- February: A suicide bombing at Bagram Airfield during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney kills at least 23 people.
2008
- July: A major prison break occurs at Kandahar's Sarposa Prison, freeing hundreds of Taliban fighters.
2009
- February: President Barack Obama announces a surge of 17,000 troops to Afghanistan.
- August: The Afghan presidential election is marred by widespread fraud allegations.
- November: Barack Obama announces an additional surge of 30,000 troops.
2010
- February: NATO launches Operation Moshtarak, a major offensive in Helmand province.
2011
- May 2: Osama bin Laden is killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
2012
- February: U.S. troops accidentally burn copies of the Quran at Bagram Airfield, sparking widespread protests.
2013
- June: The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) formally take over security responsibility from ISAF.
2014
- December: ISAF officially ends its combat mission in Afghanistan, transitioning to a train, advise, and assist mission called Resolute Support. Ashraf Ghani is inaugurated as president.
2015
- September: The Taliban briefly capture Kunduz, a major city in northern Afghanistan.
2016
- June: The United States authorizes airstrikes against the Taliban in support of Afghan forces.
2017
- August: President Donald Trump announces a new strategy for Afghanistan, emphasizing a conditions-based approach and increased military presence.
2018
- September: The United States and the Taliban begin direct talks in Doha, Qatar.
2019
- July: A draft agreement is reached between the U.S. and the Taliban, but it is later called off by President Trump.
2020
- February 29: The United States and the Taliban sign the Doha Agreement, outlining a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in exchange for Taliban security guarantees.
2021
- April: President Joe Biden announces that all U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021.
- May-August: The Taliban launch a major offensive across Afghanistan, rapidly capturing territory.
- August 15: The Taliban enter Kabul, and President Ashraf Ghani flees the country. The Afghan government collapses.
- August 30: The last U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan, marking the end of the 20-year war.