Today marks 23 years since the United States and coalition forces launched an invasion of Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, targeting al-Qaeda strongholds in a country then governed by the Taliban.
The operation, launched in response to the September 11 attacks, aimed to dismantle al-Qaeda and oust the Taliban regime.
After nearly two years of military operations, the U.S. declared its primary mission complete, setting the stage for a Western-backed republican government. For two decades, Afghanistan saw progress in areas such as education, women’s rights, and democratic governance, all closely tied to the U.S. presence. However, these gains quickly unraveled when U.S. forces withdrew in 2021, raising questions about the sustainability of the country’s advances during the occupation.
The U.S. and the U.K. launched their campaign under the Global War on Terror, initially focusing on airstrikes against Taliban positions in Kabul, Kandahar, Balkh, and Jalalabad. The attacks followed the Taliban’s refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks. The Taliban’s fall from Kabul paved the way for an interim government, but bin Laden eluded capture, retreating to the caves of Tora Bora before eventually escaping to Pakistan, where U.S. forces killed him in 2011.
Throughout the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, American-backed Afghan security forces frequently clashed with the Taliban. In 2016, the Taliban captured Kunduz province, a sign of their growing strength. Eventually, the U.S. and Taliban reached a peace agreement in Doha on February 29, 2020, under then-President Donald Trump, which led to a gradual reduction of U.S. troops, who had already dwindled to 8,600 by the time of the deal. As American forces withdrew, the Taliban swiftly regained control, culminating in their takeover of Kabul and the fleeing of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in August 2021.
The Taliban’s return to power has drastically altered life for many Afghans, particularly women and girls. The Taliban have barred girls from attending secondary school, sparking protests and international condemnation. “My dreams have been shattered into pieces,” says Sadaf, one of 1.5 million Afghan girls now barred from formal education.
While the U.S. presence is credited with achievements in women’s rights, democratic governance, and freedom of speech, these advancements have largely dissipated under Taliban rule. The country, now in its second Taliban era, faces restrictions on women’s freedoms and has seen a resurgence of jihadist schools.
At the height of the war, the U.S. had 90,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan. By the time the last troops left in August 2021, the U.S. had suffered 2,448 fatalities and over 21,000 injuries. The United Kingdom lost 457 soldiers during the conflict, which stands as America’s longest war.
Amidst ongoing challenges, reports indicate that al-Qaeda is once again gaining a foothold in Afghanistan. U.S. military officials and the United Nations have highlighted concerns about new al-Qaeda bases emerging under Taliban protection, casting a shadow over the future stability of Afghanistan and the region.
