War In Afghanistan ( 2001 - Present)

A significant thing which has happened in Afghanistan and will be as significant part of Afghanistan’s history is the U.S’s and the international communities commitment to their nation which has resulted in the overthrow of the Taliban regime and humanitarian aid in an effort to stabilize their nation and find a suitable democratic leadership.

The War in Afghanistan began post 9/11, when terrorists hijacked and crashed planes into the twin towers in New York. The leader of Terrorist Organization Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban was harboring Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. The United States demanded that The Taliban give up Osama Bin Laden. When the Taliban refused to cease harboring Al Qaeda, The U.S government authorized military action to be taken. On October 7^th, 2001 the first military operations were launched. The first military forces on ground were the CIA’s Special Activities Division (SAD) along with U.S Special Forces. The USA’s initial goal was to use covert specialized units to gather information on Al Qaeda and Taliban, and to capture Osama Bin Laden covertly without the use of a large conventional force. The initial military action, also involved intense bombing of cities, and areas held by the Taliban, and the Assistance of the Northern Alliance, group which opposed the Taliban. By Nov 2001, larger forces had begun arriving. 1000 U.S Marines were joined in, and were joined by the 75^th Ranger Regiment and 10^th Mountain Division. 

In late 2001 during the very early stages of the war, The U.S came very close to capturing Osama; CIA had discovered a secret Al Qaeda base in a series of caves in the Tora Bora Mountains, close to the Pakistan border. The raid failed. Although many hostile Afghans were killed Osama Bin laden escaped, which later turned out that he had already crossed into Pakistan before the raid had even begun

Operation Enduring Freedom was now over. In 2002 Operation Anaconda was initiated, and by this point other nations such as Britain, Canada, and other members from the UN authorized International Security Assistance force were permitted  to assist the U.S in providing security within the nation, and fighting Taliban Insurgents. U.S lead coalition forces would soon number over 10,000 soldiers.

From years 2003 to 2005, although the invasion of Afghanistan had been successful and military presence established. Taliban insurgency began to emerge, and coalition forces had to combat this threat. IN order to counter this coalition forces began to prepare offensives to root out the enemy rebel forces.

In 2006 most of the U.S soldiers have been being replaced with NATO’s authorized International Security Assistance force, and other nations began to play a larger role in Afghanistan. The Coalition forces were sent to reinforce Southern Afghanistan as it has always been the most violent region within the country, and insurgency began to emerge within that specific region. 2006 was a very intense year for the Nato forces.

In 2007 the coalition forces continued to wage their offensive within the southern regions of Afghanistan. A study also showed that 100 to 300 of the insurgents were in fact foreign Islamic extremists who originated from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and as well from Chechnya in Russia, who were assisting the Taliban

2008, in the war in Afghanistan was considered a time for reassessment and commitment. Decisions were made by different nations whether to continue their commitment, expand or lessen it, or completely withdraw. By this point an Afghanistan government was being formed, and Coalition forces have been training Afghan national police and Military, in hopes that Afghanistan can become a self sufficient country under the right leadership, although to this day Afghanistan remains one of the most corrupt nations in the world.

In 2009, the U.S increased their troops in Afghanistan, while some nations are either withdrawing or lessening their commitment. Canada, made plans with withdraw all troops by 2011. Security and humanitarian aid continue.

In 2010 – Present, A peace initiative was being made by coalition forces.  Negotiations were made with Government of Afghanistan and with the Taliban Insurgents. Little progress is made, and security as well as offensives against the insurgents continues.

Sources

http://militaryreporter.net/tag/war-in-afghanistan-2001%E2%80%93present

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%93present)