The French Exit: A Push For A Complete Afghanistan Withdrawal?

France has had a fluctuating military presence in Afghanistan since the 2001 US-led invasion. In 2012, French President François Hollande declared victory and implemented his campaign pledge to withdraw French combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2012. However, France continued to carry out evacuations and provide protection and support for its citizens and personnel in the country. In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France would stand with Afghans in a spirit of comradeship and help those who wished to leave the country. France urged its citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately due to growing security risks and coordinated evacuation flights. France has emphasized its commitment to combating Islamist terrorism and supporting human rights and women's rights in Afghanistan.

France's role in the War in Afghanistan

France was involved in the War in Afghanistan from late 2001 until fully withdrawing by 2014. They operated within two distinct frameworks: the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), carried out by NATO on a United Nations mandate, and "Operation Enduring Freedom", under US command, as part of the War on Terror.

In October 2001, French President Jacques Chirac decided that France would take part in the international effort out of solidarity with the United States, who had just experienced the 9/11 attacks. France was not bound by Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which states that an attack against any member is regarded as a direct attack on all parties, but it nonetheless pledged armed forces to support its allies.

French forces contributed to several national operations:

• Opération Pamir with the ISAF
• Opération Héraklès for naval and air components
• Opération Épidote for training the Afghan Army
• Opération Arès for special operations within "Operation Enduring Freedom"

France's role in the war evolved with the election of Nicolas Sarkozy to the presidency. Sarkozy decided to increase France's contribution, with the strategic objective of improving relations with the United States. France took responsibility for the Kapisa and Surobi regions, two small but strategically important mountainous areas near Kabul and the Salang highway. The French deployed a brigade in the region under the command of Regional Command-East.

In January 2012, after an Afghan soldier killed four French soldiers in eastern Afghanistan, Sarkozy threatened to suspend French operations in Afghanistan. Newly elected president François Hollande announced in June 2012 that he would be withdrawing 2,000 of France's 3,400 troops in Afghanistan, leaving 1,400 for training and logistics. In November 2012, France's combat troops were withdrawn, leaving only the logistical contingent in the country.

France's official mission statement in Afghanistan was to secure zones under their responsibility to allow the Afghan state to rebuild, enable development operations, and facilitate the deployment of services provided by the Afghan state, as well as to support the rise in power of the Afghan Army. French forces also supported anti-drug operations, though the destruction of opium fields and capture of dealers was not part of their mission. When prisoners were captured during combat, they were surrendered to Afghan authorities.

France's participation in the war was not without controversy. In 2011, Sarkozy began an initial drawdown of French troops, and Hollande's decision to withdraw combat troops in 2012 was criticized by NATO partners as sending the wrong signal. France tried to paint the withdrawal as a logical step after the Kapisa and Surobi regions were transferred to Afghan forces.

In total, France's operations in Afghanistan cost 870 million Euros, and 86-90 French servicemen were killed.

France's relationship with the US

France and the United States have a long history of cooperation, with the two countries establishing diplomatic relations in 1778 following the United States' declaration of independence from Great Britain. France provided key assistance to the US as an ally during its war of independence. The two countries are among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (P5) and share common values and parallel policies on most political, economic, and security issues.

The US and France work closely on many issues, including combating terrorism, stemming the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and addressing regional problems in Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Central Asia. France is a major contributor to the Defeat-ISIL Coalition and supports US engagement in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. It is also one of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) top five troop contributors and leading contributors to the NATO Response Force.

However, there have been tensions in the relationship, particularly during the Trump administration, when former President Donald Trump took a hostile approach towards Europe, including threats to pull out of NATO. During this time, French President Emmanuel Macron consistently pushed for greater European strategic autonomy, arguing that France could not depend on the United States.

The chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 renewed anxiety about a lack of consideration for French interests in US decision-making. These concerns escalated when France recalled its ambassador to the US for the first time in history after the Biden administration announced the new Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) security partnership, which replaced a previously agreed submarine deal between Paris and Canberra. This was seen as a "stab in the back" by France, and the Biden administration was criticised for not consulting its ally beforehand.

Despite these tensions, the US and France have a strong economic relationship. France is the United States' third-largest trading partner in Europe, with trade and investment between the two countries totalling more than $138 billion in 2019. The US and France also have strong cultural and scientific ties, with France being the fourth most popular destination for American university students and the US being France's number one scientific partner.

France's relationship with Afghanistan

France and Afghanistan have had a complex relationship over the past century, with both nations being members of the United Nations. Here is an overview of their diplomatic and military ties:

Historical Context

Diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and France were established in 1922, with France opening a diplomatic legation in Kabul the following year. In 1928, Afghan King Amanullah Khan made an official visit to France, marking a significant early engagement between the two countries. However, during World War II, France closed its diplomatic legation in Kabul, leading to a reciprocal closure by Afghanistan in 1944. After the war, both nations reopened their legations and upgraded them to embassies in 1949, signalling a resumption of diplomatic ties.

Military Cooperation

The relationship between France and Afghanistan took on a military dimension following the 9/11 attacks in 2001. France, in solidarity with the United States, pledged its support and joined the War in Afghanistan. French forces operated within two frameworks: the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and "Operation Enduring Freedom" under US command. France contributed to national operations such as Opération Pamir, Opération Héraklès, Opération Épidote, and Opération Arès.

The French military presence in Afghanistan grew significantly, with 4,000 personnel deployed by November 2009. However, the French campaign faced challenges, including the threat of improvised explosive devices and the dangerous environment posed by the "green zone" in the Tagab valley.

Withdrawal and Evacuation

In 2012, French President François Hollande announced the withdrawal of French combat troops from Afghanistan, a decision that was not well-received by NATO partners. By 2014, France had fully withdrawn its combat troops, leaving only a logistical contingent. This withdrawal reflected a shift in French strategic priorities and a recognition of the challenges faced in the region.

In 2021, as the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, France closed its embassy in Kabul and coordinated evacuation efforts for its citizens and Afghans who had worked with them. This evacuation reflected the urgency and chaos of the situation, with France working alongside other nations to assist those seeking to leave Afghanistan.

Current Relations

France continues to have a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan through its embassy, and it has expressed concerns about the situation in the country. In 2024, France condemned the Taliban's decision to resume stoning women to death and inflict corporal punishment. France's relationship with Afghanistan remains focused on addressing security and humanitarian issues, with an emphasis on protecting those who share France's values and combating terrorism.

France's views on the Taliban

France has had a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, dating back to the early 20th century. In this time, France has played a role in multiple military excursions and battles in Afghanistan, including the Soviet-Afghan War and the NATO-led War in Afghanistan.

In 2021, France closed its embassy in Kabul following the return of the Taliban to power. France, like other countries, has urged its citizens to leave Afghanistan due to growing security risks. France has also been involved in evacuating its citizens and Afghans who worked with the French government and other entities.

France has expressed concern about the Taliban's treatment of women, including the decision to bar women from working at national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and requiring them to wear head-to-toe coverings in public spaces. France has also condemned the Taliban's ideology, which is based on an extreme and puritanical interpretation of Islam.

In terms of military involvement, France participated in the War in Afghanistan from late 2001 until fully withdrawing by 2014. French forces operated within two distinct frameworks: the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and "Operation Enduring Freedom." French forces contributed to several national operations, including Opération Pamir, Opération Héraklès, Opération Épidote, and Opération Arès.

France's relationship with Afghanistan has been influenced by its recognition of the country's long history of war and instability. France has emphasized the importance of respecting human rights, particularly women's rights, and has committed to standing with the Afghan people in a spirit of comradeship.

France's withdrawal from Afghanistan

The decision to withdraw French troops was met with criticism from NATO, as it was two years ahead of the alliance's timetable. However, France had several reasons for its early exit. Firstly, the country had genuine concerns about the conduct of the war, particularly the corruption and incompetence of the Afghan government. French officials believed that NATO's strategy was not working and that the alliance was rewarding a corrupt government in Kabul that was obstructing efforts to improve governance in Afghanistan.

Additionally, France struggled to justify its military commitment to Afghanistan to the French public. The Afghanistan mission was never popular in France, and President Hollande's decision to withdraw combat troops was aligned with French public opinion.

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