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 (ANSF) 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 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 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," on May 21, 2006, bin Laden said that he had personally directed the 19 hijackers.

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

 * Operation Crescent Wind
 * Operation Relentless Strike
 * Operation Rhino

Battles

 * Fall of Mazar-i-Sharif
 * Siege of Kunduz
 * Fall of Kabul (2001)
 * 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, and the Battle of Takur Ghar)
 * Operation Glock
 * Operation Polar Harpoon
 * Operation Jacana
 * Operation Ptarmigan
 * Operation Snipe
 * Operation Condor
 * Operation Buzzard
 * Operation Mountain Lion
 * Operation Mountain Sweep

Insurgent attacks

 * Kabul

2003 operations

 * Operation Mongoose
 * Operation Tsunami
 * Operation Eagle Fury
 * Operation Haven Denial
 * Operation Athena
 * Operation Warrior Sweep
 * Operation Mountain Resolve
 * Operation Mountain Viper
 * Operation Avalanche
 * Operation Headstrong

2004 operations

 * Operation Asbury Park
 * Operation Asbury Park II
 * Operation Flashman
 * Operation Headstrong
 * Operation Lightning Resolve
 * Operation Mountain Blizzard
 * Operation Mountain Storm

2005 operations

 * Operation Archer
 * Operation Argus
 * 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 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 Nawzad
 * Operation Cobra Strike

2007 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.

Insurgent attacks

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

Battles

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

2008 operations
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
 * Operation Sur Kor (Red House) during April in Zari District
 * Operation Karez during May in Badghis Province
 * Operation Oqab Sterga (Eagle's Eye) during May around Grishk
 * Operation Janub Zilzila (Southern Edge) during June in Mizan District, Zabul Province
 * Operation Eagle's Summit (Oqab Tsuka) during August and September in Kandahar and Helmand Provinces
 * Operation Sond Chara (Red Dagger) during December in Helmand Province

Insurgent attacks

 * Hotel Serena
 * Kandahar
 * 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

 * Counterinsurgency in Northern Afghanistan
 * Operation Aabi Toorah (Blue Sword) 2C
 * Operation Tor Tapus 2
 * Operation Cobra's Anger
 * Operation Diesel
 * Operation Khanjar (Strike of the Sword)
 * Operation Oqab (Eagle)
 * Operation Panchai Palang (Panther's Claw)
 * Operation Sarack (May)
 * Operation Shahi Tandar

Insurgent attacks

 * Kabul raid
 * Kandahar
 * 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 Tor Shezada
 * Operation Hamkari
 * Operation Mountain Reach II (Battle of Daridam)

Insurgent attacks

 * Logar
 * Kabul hotel
 * Nimruz
 * Zabul
 * Kabul (Sep)
 * Kabul & Mazar-e-Sharif

Battles

 * Battle of Do Ab
 * Battle of Barawala Kalay Valley

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