Lingering Presence: Examining The Continued Deployment Of Ground Troops In Afghanistan

The U.S. war in Afghanistan was America's longest war, lasting two decades. It began in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, when U.S. and allied forces invaded the country and quickly ousted the Taliban regime following its refusal to hand over terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

The U.S.-led coalition formally ended its combat mission in 2014, putting the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) in charge of the country's security. However, the Taliban continued to wage an insurgency against the Western-backed government in Kabul, Afghan national security forces, and international coalition troops.

In February 2020, the U.S. government and the Taliban signed a peace deal, the Doha Agreement, that set a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Under the agreement, the U.S. pledged to withdraw all troops within fourteen months, and in return, the Taliban pledged to prevent territory under its control from being used by terrorist groups and to enter negotiations with the Afghan government.

In April 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that U.S. military forces would leave Afghanistan by September 2021. The last U.S. troops left Afghanistan on August 31, 2021, marking the end of America's longest war.

The US-led coalition formally ended its combat mission in 2014

The US-led coalition formally ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, marking the end of the longest war in American history. The coalition forces, known as the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), lowered its green and white flag at its Kabul headquarters, bringing an end to the 13-year combat mission. The ISAF was established in 2001 to assist the Afghan government in maintaining security and creating the conditions for self-sustaining peace.

The end of the combat mission did not mean the complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. About 13,000 foreign troops, mostly Americans, remained in the country under a new, two-year mission named "Resolute Support". The new mission focused on training and counterterrorism, with troops from 28 NATO allies and 14 partner nations. The US troops were still authorised to conduct airstrikes and provide other limited combat support to Afghan forces.

The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) assumed full responsibility for security across the country. However, the forces faced significant challenges in holding territory and defending population centres. The Taliban continued to attack rural districts and carry out suicide attacks in major cities, with the ANDSF suffering heavy casualties.

The end of the US-led coalition's combat mission in 2014 was part of a gradual transition process that began in 2011, with the goal of transferring security responsibilities to the Afghan forces. This transition process was completed on schedule in December 2014, when ISAF's mission ended and Afghan forces took full control of the country's security.

The Taliban briefly seized the capital of Farah Province in May 2018

In May 2018, the Taliban briefly seized the capital of Farah Province, Farah City, in western Afghanistan. The city is located on the Farah River, close to the border with Iran, and has a population of about 54,000 people.

On the evening of May 14, 2018, Taliban fighters stormed the city from multiple directions as part of their annual spring offensive. By the following day, they had captured the city, with only the provincial governor's compound remaining under the control of Afghan forces. However, on May 16, Afghan Armed Forces, backed by the US Air Force, recaptured the city, and the Taliban withdrew after achieving their objectives and capturing weapon and equipment stockpiles.

The battle left at least 25 members of the Afghan security forces and five civilians dead, and at least 300 Taliban fighters were also killed. The National Directorate of Security headquarters was razed during the fighting.

The US-Taliban Doha Agreement was signed in February 2020

The US-Taliban Doha Agreement was signed on 29 February 2020, between the Trump administration and the Taliban in Doha, Qatar. The agreement set a timeline for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan by May 2021. It also included a pledge from the Taliban to prevent territory under its control from being used by terrorist groups and to enter negotiations with the Afghan government.

The agreement was the result of more than a year of direct negotiations and aimed to promote peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Kabul. However, it did not include the American-backed Afghanistan government, and no official ceasefire was put in place.

The Doha Agreement was significant as it set in motion the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the eventual collapse of the Afghan government. Senior Pentagon officials, including Gen. Frank McKenzie, have stated that the agreement had a pernicious effect on the Afghan government and its military, as it signalled a date-certain for the US withdrawal and the end of assistance.

Following the agreement, the Biden administration faced criticism for its handling of the troop withdrawal, which was accelerated in April 2021. The withdrawal was completed by August 31, 2021, marking the end of America's longest war.

The collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's rapid takeover took many by surprise, despite earlier intelligence assessments. The Taliban's resurgence and the withdrawal of international troops led to a worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with basic rights and freedoms being rolled back.

The Biden administration authorised the deployment of an additional 5,000 troops in August 2021

On August 14, 2021, President Joe Biden authorised the deployment of an additional 5,000 troops to Afghanistan, bringing the total number of US troops in the country to around 5,000. This deployment was in response to the Taliban's rapid advance across the country, which saw the group take control of multiple cities and threaten the safety of US personnel.

The deployment was authorised to ensure an "orderly and safe drawdown" of US and other allied personnel, as well as the evacuation of Afghans who had helped US troops and those at risk from the Taliban advance. The troops were also tasked with maintaining the capability to address future terrorist threats from Afghanistan.

The decision to deploy additional troops came as the US was in the process of withdrawing its military forces from Afghanistan, with a deadline of August 31, 2021, for the complete withdrawal of combat forces. However, the rapid advance of the Taliban and the deteriorating security situation in the country led to concerns that this deadline would not be met.

The deployment of 5,000 troops included 3,000 troops ordered to help with the evacuation of the US Embassy, 1,000 existing troops providing security, and an additional 1,000 troops to assist with the withdrawal of staff from the embassy in Kabul. This deployment came on top of the around 1,000 troops already in the country.

The authorisation of additional troops by the Biden administration reflected the dire security situation in Afghanistan, with the Taliban making significant gains and threatening to overthrow the Afghan government. The US had previously set an August 31 deadline for the complete withdrawal of combat forces before the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The deployment of additional troops was intended to provide security and facilitate the evacuation of US and allied personnel, as well as vulnerable Afghans. It represented a recalibration of the US response to the Taliban advance and the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

The last US troops left Afghanistan on 31 August 2021

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan was a gradual process that began in April 2021, when President Joe Biden announced that the US would withdraw its troops by 11 September 2021. This was a symbolic date, marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which had initially spurred America's entry into the war.

The US withdrawal was completed ahead of schedule, with the last combat forces exiting Bagram Air Base in early July 2021. By early August 2021, there were about 650 US troops remaining in Afghanistan, tasked with protecting the US Embassy in Kabul and Hamid Karzai International Airport.

The rapid withdrawal of US and NATO troops, coupled with the Taliban's offensive across the country, led to the collapse of the Afghan government and the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) in August 2021. This triggered a mass evacuation effort, with more than 120,000 people airlifted out of Kabul airport.

Despite the completion of the military withdrawal, the US remains committed to getting out any remaining Americans and vulnerable Afghans who wish to leave the country.

Frequently asked questions