Canada's Enduring Presence: Assessing The Afghan Mission

Canada's role in the Afghanistan War began in late 2001, shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Canadian troops were involved in the conflict from 2001 to 2014, with the last soldiers leaving Afghanistan in March 2014. Canada joined an international coalition led by the United States to overthrow the Taliban government, which had provided safe haven to the al-Qaeda terrorist network. While the Taliban were removed from power, Canada and its allies failed to destroy either group or stabilize Afghanistan. More than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in the 12-year campaign, with 158 Canadian soldiers and 7 civilians losing their lives.

Canada's role in the Afghanistan War

Canada's initial involvement included efforts to provide security to Afghanistan's new government and aid in reconstructing the country, which had been torn apart by war. Canadian soldiers began to deploy to Afghanistan in December 2001, with the main battle group arriving in February 2002. They protected Kandahar Airfield and supported American operations.

In 2003, Canadians joined the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. They provided assistance in improving civilian infrastructure, such as well-digging and repairing local buildings. In 2005, they returned to Kandahar province, and their commitment was broadened to include a battle group.

Canada's role in the conflict grew in 2006 when Canadian troops relieved US forces in Kandahar, taking command of the multinational brigade in the region during a major Taliban offensive. Canadian soldiers fought alongside NATO and Afghan partners to secure key areas from the Taliban. They were engaged in large-scale battles and daily firefights, braved roads seeded with improvised bombs, protected development projects, and tried to win the trust of the local population.

In 2008, the mission was expanded to include an air wing. By this time, the situation in much of the country had devolved into a full-blown counter-insurgency struggle. The Canadians were tasked with providing security across Kandahar province and rooting out Taliban insurgents in the city and surrounding rural districts. They also took over a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar, supporting local government leaders and attempting to win the "hearts and minds" of Afghan civilians.

In July 2011, Canada ended its combat commitment in Kandahar but continued training Afghan national security forces in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif. In 2014, Canadian forces left Afghanistan, ending their participation in the mission.

Canada's military role in Afghanistan lasted from 2001 to 2014, with over 40,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces serving in the country. A total of 158 Canadian soldiers and 7 civilians died during the war, and thousands more suffered physical or psychological injuries. The financial cost of Canada's contribution to the war was estimated to be as high as $18.5 billion.

Canada's involvement in the US-led coalition

Canada's initial contribution to the US-led coalition included sending a naval component to monitor the Arabian Sea and the region for terrorist activity. Canadian soldiers were also deployed to Afghanistan, with the first contingents of regular Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) troops arriving in January-February 2002. They were based in Kandahar and joined forces with the US and UK in their efforts to topple the Taliban regime, eliminate terrorist operations, and establish peace in the country.

In 2003, Canada joined the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. Canadian forces provided security, helped operate the airport, and assisted in rebuilding the Afghan National Army.

In 2005, Canadian forces returned to Kandahar, taking command of the region from US forces. This marked the beginning of a more dangerous phase as the Taliban remained a strong presence in the region. Canadian troops engaged in large-scale battles and daily firefights, facing threats such as roadside bombs, ambushes, and mortar attacks.

Canada's combat role in Afghanistan ended in 2011, and the focus shifted to training the Afghan National Army and police forces. The last Canadian forces left Afghanistan in 2014, concluding their 13-year participation in the mission.

Throughout its involvement, Canada contributed to various aspects of the coalition efforts, including military operations, security, reconstruction, and training. Canada's main contribution was the maintenance of an Army battle group of approximately 2,000 infantry soldiers, along with armoured vehicles, tanks, artillery, and other support units. Canadian forces also provided tactical and transport helicopters, long-range transport aircraft, and unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles.

Canada's participation in the US-led coalition in Afghanistan resulted in significant contributions to the mission but also came at a great cost. More than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in Afghanistan, and 158 Canadian soldiers lost their lives during the mission.

The Canadian military's role post-2011

The Canadian Armed Forces' role in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2014 was primarily focused on training and advisory tasks. After ending combat operations in July 2011, Canada continued its mission with approximately 950 specialised personnel posted to the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. These Canadian troops were responsible for training the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police, contributing to the broader goal of establishing a sustainable Afghan government. This training mission took place mainly in Kabul, with some activities also occurring in Mazar-i-Sharif.

In addition to training, Canadian forces provided force protection and quick reaction force elements to the NATO mission. They also continued to play a role in the broader stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. For instance, Canada ran polio vaccination and other health programmes, and supported infrastructure development, such as the rebuilding of dams, roads, and schools.

Canada's military involvement in Afghanistan formally concluded in March 2014, when the last 84 soldiers left the country, bringing an end to a 12-year military presence. However, in August 2021, Canadian Special Operations Forces were briefly redeployed to Afghanistan during the Taliban offensive to facilitate evacuations from Kabul.

The cost of the war

The war in Afghanistan was Canada's longest war and its first significant combat engagement since the Korean War. It also proved to be a costly endeavour, with the financial cost of Canada's contribution estimated to be as high as $18.5 billion by 2011. This figure includes the long-term costs relating to injured soldiers and estimated lost productivity caused by personnel afflicted with operational stress injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The human cost of the war was also high. Between 2001 and 2014, 159 Canadian soldiers died while on missions in Afghanistan, with a further 22 dying in non-combat circumstances. In addition, more than 2,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces were wounded or injured during the war. The Canadian Armed Forces had the highest per-capita casualty rate among coalition members.

The war also took a toll on Canadian civilians, with seven losing their lives during the conflict. These included a diplomat, four aid workers, a government contractor, and a journalist.

The financial and human costs of the war led to growing public opposition to Canada's involvement in Afghanistan over time. By 2007, more than half of Canadians surveyed believed the military campaign would fail, and support for the war had begun to wane in the fall of 2006 as casualties mounted.

The impact on the Canadian public

The war in Afghanistan was Canada's longest war and its first significant combat engagement since the Korean War. It also had a significant impact on the Canadian public.

Public Support for the War

Public support for the war was initially high, with 74% of Canadians supporting the US-led war in Afghanistan at the end of 2001. However, this support began to wane in the fall of 2006 as Canadian casualties mounted in Kandahar. By 2007, more than half of Canadians surveyed believed the military campaign would fail. Successive surveys showed that opposition to the war among the general public grew over time.

Impact on the Canadian Public

The war had a profound impact on the Canadian public, with more than 40,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces serving in the 12-year campaign. The war also resulted in the deaths of 158 Canadian soldiers and 7 civilians, with thousands of veterans suffering physical and psychological wounds, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The financial cost of the war was also significant, with Canada spending an estimated $18 billion on military operations and reconstruction efforts.

The war also sparked political debates and controversies, such as the Afghan detainee scandal, which dominated political discussions in 2007 and resurfaced in 2009.

Reflection and Legacy

The end of Canada's combat contribution in 2011 and the withdrawal of Canadian forces in 2014 brought about personal and national reflection on the accomplishments and losses of the war. Debates continue over whether Canada succeeded in its mission to secure and stabilize Afghanistan, with some arguing that the efforts of Canadian troops helped keep the Taliban insurgency at bay, while others maintain that the underlying conditions of the conflict remained unchanged.

The war in Afghanistan had a lasting impact on the Canadian public, with many reflecting on the sacrifices made, the lives lost, and the challenges of rebuilding a nation ravaged by conflict.

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