Afghan Partners: Collaborating With Afghanistan's Elite Forces

Afghan special operators have been partnering with US forces more often, but they are still reliant on American support. In 2019, 43% of Afghan Special Security Forces' operations were conducted independently, compared to 55% in 2018. Afghan special operations forces and commandos are conducting more partnered missions with their American allies, which raises questions about their ability to operate independently if US troops withdraw. US Army Special Forces units continued to quietly operate in Afghanistan when conventional troops withdrew around 2015. These soldiers have worked closely with Afghan commandos and government partners to maintain stability in the country. Additionally, US special operations vets have carried out missions to save at-risk Afghan elite forces and their families.

US special operations vets carried out a mission to save Afghan allies

In August 2021, an all-volunteer group of American veterans of the Afghan war launched a mission called "Pineapple Express" to rescue at-risk Afghan elite forces and their families. The group worked in tandem with the U.S. military and embassy to move people inside the U.S.-controlled Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. This operation was particularly dangerous due to the presence of Taliban checkpoints and the risk of attacks.

The "Pineapple Express" mission was underway on Thursday when a suicide bombing occurred in Kabul, killing at least 13 U.S. service members and wounding 15 others. Despite the attack, the group was able to bring as many as 500 Afghan special operators, assets, enablers, and their families into the airport overnight. This added to more than 130 others rescued over the previous 10 days by Task Force Pineapple, an ad hoc group of current and former U.S. special operators, aid workers, intelligence officers, and others.

Task Force Pineapple's mission began as an effort to rescue a former Afghan commando who was being hunted by the Taliban due to his work with U.S. Special Forces and the elite SEAL Team Six. This commando had narrowly escaped a tiny outpost in northern Afghanistan that was later overrun while awaiting his U.S. special immigrant visa. With the help of a U.S. Embassy officer, the group was able to get him and his family into the airport and to safety.

The volunteers expressed deep frustration with the U.S. government for not doing more to help evacuate at-risk Afghans. They felt a sense of duty and commitment to their Afghan allies, and many were inspired by those who fought side-by-side with them during the war. The rescue efforts involved covert movements, with small groups of Afghans moving through the streets of Kabul at night, guided by former U.S. special operations forces and CIA operatives.

The evacuation efforts were challenging and dangerous, with Taliban checkpoints and attacks posing significant risks. However, the volunteers persevered and were able to rescue hundreds of Afghans, including elite forces, assets, interpreters, families with children, orphans, and pregnant women.

US Army Special Forces units operated in Afghanistan when conventional troops withdrew

US Army Special Forces units, also known as Green Berets, continued to operate in Afghanistan even after conventional troops withdrew around 2015. These soldiers worked closely with Afghan commandos and government partners to maintain the fragile stability in the country.

The US Army Special Forces played a crucial role in preserving stability in Afghanistan, and their departure is expected to create a void in the security and functionality of the country. The media, military, and policymakers share the responsibility of building public awareness about ongoing operations in Afghanistan and their implications.

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan, known as Operation Enduring Freedom, began in October 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Various nations participated in this operation, providing troops, logistical support, and other forms of assistance. The initial combat operations were followed by a prolonged military presence aimed at countering the Taliban insurgency and supporting the Afghan government.

The US-led coalition forces worked closely with the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to battle the Taliban. However, despite international efforts, the Taliban remained a formidable force and continued to pose a significant challenge to the Afghan government and its allies.

In 2014, the Obama administration announced the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, marking the end of Operation Enduring Freedom. However, a significant number of US troops remained in the country to support NATO's subsequent Resolute Support Mission (RSM).

Under the Trump administration, the US strategy in Afghanistan involved increasing special operations forces, countering terrorist elements in Pakistan, and providing additional air power and artillery. The US-Taliban deal, signed in February 2020, stipulated fighting restrictions and provided for the withdrawal of all NATO forces in exchange for the Taliban's counter-terrorism commitments.

The Biden administration's decision to withdraw all US troops by September 2021, without leaving a residual force, triggered the collapse of the Afghan National Security Forces and ultimately led to the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021. The US military completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, marking the end of a two-decade-long war.

A new network of Special Operations forces will serve as the backbone of a smaller US military mission in Afghanistan

In March 2020, a new network of Special Operations forces was announced to serve as the backbone of a smaller US military mission in Afghanistan. The network was established as the US prepared to reduce its troops in the country while negotiating a withdrawal deal with the Taliban. The force was designed to be adaptable to changing conditions and policies on the ground.

The network, which was not previously disclosed to the public, was detailed to the Washington Post as military officials sought to reassure US and Afghan citizens that the US could still provide security in the coming months. The initial version of the network was expected to withstand any cuts as the US military planned to reduce its troops from 12,000 to 8,600 over 135 days as part of the deal with the Taliban. The deal also stipulated that the US would withdraw all its service members within 14 months if the Taliban met certain requirements, including beginning peace negotiations with the Afghan government and ensuring that Afghan soil was not used as a base for terrorist attacks against the US or its allies.

The network was designed to hunt Islamic State fighters and provide firepower against the Taliban if the peace agreement with the group fell apart. It included "regional targeting teams" comprising Special Operations troops in locations where the US planned to maintain a presence. At the center of the network was the Combined Situational Awareness Room (CSAR) on a base in Kabul, which gathered information about Taliban and Islamic State attacks and passed it on for possible action. The CSAR was primarily made up of members of Afghanistan's security forces, who worked in coordination with US forces.

The network first provided major assistance in June 2020 when it helped Afghan forces stave off Taliban attacks after Ramadan. In the following months, the US military increased airstrikes, with 918 airstrikes in September 2020, the highest number that year. These strikes occurred as the network assisted Afghan forces in retaking territories in northern Afghanistan. The majority of the operations consisted of Afghan forces advancing down a road while airstrikes killed Taliban fighters ahead of them.

The establishment of this network highlighted the continued partnership between US and Afghan forces, even as the US worked towards withdrawing its troops from the country. It demonstrated the US commitment to providing security and support to Afghanistan during the transition period and beyond.

US and coalition forces should communicate how mentorship and support will be withdrawn

• Transparency and Clarity: US and coalition forces should provide clear and transparent information about the withdrawal process, including timelines, expected outcomes, and the impact on Afghan partners. This communication should address the concerns of Afghan special operations forces and commandos, who have relied heavily on American support during partnered missions.
• Gradual Transition: A gradual and well-planned transition is crucial. The withdrawal of mentorship and support should be done in a phased manner, allowing Afghan forces to gradually take on more responsibilities and become self-reliant. This includes ensuring that the Afghan forces have the necessary training, resources, and infrastructure to effectively carry out counterterrorism missions and maintain pressure on militant groups.
• Continued Support: While the nature of support may change, the US and coalition forces should emphasize their commitment to continued support for the Afghan government, peace process, and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). This could include "over-the-horizon" support, diplomatic assistance, humanitarian aid, and development initiatives.
• Addressing Concerns: US and coalition forces should address the concerns of Afghan partners, particularly regarding the potential for civil war, the rise of the Taliban, and the imposition of strict Sharia law. They should also provide reassurance and share plans for mitigating these risks, including any ongoing or future peace talks or negotiations.
• Inclusion and Collaboration: The withdrawal process should be collaborative and inclusive. US and coalition forces should seek input and feedback from Afghan partners, incorporating their perspectives into the planning process. This collaborative approach can help ensure a smooth transition and maintain trust between the parties.
• Accountability and Evaluation: US and coalition forces should establish mechanisms for evaluating the impact of the withdrawal and holding themselves accountable for any negative consequences. This includes regularly assessing the capabilities and morale of the ANSF, as well as the security situation on the ground, to make data-driven decisions and adjust their strategies accordingly.
• Long-Term Relationship: Emphasize the long-term nature of the relationship between the US, coalition forces, and Afghanistan. Highlight the commitment to building a new relationship based on support and partnership, even after the withdrawal of mentorship and direct support.

Overall, effective communication about the withdrawal of mentorship and support requires transparency, collaboration, and a clear understanding of the challenges faced by Afghan forces. By addressing these points, US and coalition forces can provide much-needed clarity and reassurance during this transition.

The US military boosted airstrikes in Afghanistan

The US military conducted dozens of airstrikes, using both conventional warplanes and armed drones. The strikes were launched from bases outside Afghanistan, as the US had pulled its combat planes out of the country. The Pentagon stated that the airstrikes were in direct support of Afghan forces under attack by the Taliban and to strike military equipment captured by the Taliban.

The airstrikes focused on several regions, particularly around Kandahar, a provincial centre that officials worried could fall to the Taliban. The Taliban had made significant battlefield gains and controlled more than 200 of the 419 district centres, putting pressure on up to half of the 34 provincial capitals.

The head of US Central Command, General Frank McKenzie, stated that the US was prepared to continue the heightened level of airstrikes in the coming weeks if needed. He also noted that the US was providing other forms of support to Afghan forces, including intelligence sharing, logistics, and security consultations.

The increased airstrikes came amid efforts to evacuate US citizens and Afghan allies from Afghanistan. The situation was further complicated by attacks on Kabul airport, which resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members and scores of Afghans.

The US military's role in Afghanistan transitioned to military training and special operations-driven counterterrorism after Afghan forces took the lead in security responsibility in 2021.

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