The Human Cost Of The Longest War: Reflecting On Afghanistan's Human Toll

The United States' occupation of Afghanistan lasted 20 years, from 2001 to 2021, and ended in a Taliban victory. The war was sparked by the September 11 attacks and was the longest in US military history. It resulted in the deaths of 176,000-212,000+ people, including 46,319 civilians. The US government spent $2.3 trillion on the war, which also led to the deaths of 2,324 US military personnel, 3,917 US contractors, and 1,144 allied troops. The conflict also caused the deaths of 70,000 Afghan military and police, and 53,000 opposition fighters.

The US War in Afghanistan was America's longest war, lasting 20 years

The first phase of the war began in December 2001 and lasted just two months, with US-led forces toppling the Taliban regime and driving them out of major population centers. However, the Taliban soon regrouped and launched a widespread insurgency against the new Afghan government and coalition forces. This marked the start of the second phase of the war, which lasted from 2002 to 2008 and was characterized by a US strategy of defeating the Taliban militarily and rebuilding core institutions of the Afghan state.

Despite initial successes, the US and its allies faced a resilient and adaptable enemy. The Taliban adopted new tactics, such as suicide bombings and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which inflicted heavy casualties on coalition forces. The insurgency also benefited from external support, particularly from Pakistan, which provided sanctuary and resources.

By 2008, the conflict had entered its third phase, with a shift towards classic counterinsurgency doctrine. US President Barack Obama temporarily increased troop levels and implemented a strategy of protecting the Afghan population and reintegrating insurgents. However, this approach failed to achieve its desired aims, as insurgent attacks and civilian casualties remained high. The Afghan security forces, which were intended to take over security responsibilities, often appeared ill-prepared to counter the Taliban threat.

The war took a devastating toll on Afghanistan, with thousands of civilians killed and millions displaced. The country's infrastructure, economy, and public services were left in ruins, and the war also exacerbated existing issues such as poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to healthcare and education. The conflict also had a significant impact on US service members, with thousands of casualties and mental health issues.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan began in May 2021 and was completed on August 30, 2021, marking the end of America's longest war. The Taliban swiftly recaptured the country, leading to a mass evacuation of foreign nationals and their Afghan allies. The war's legacy continues to be felt by both Afghans and Americans, with ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and reflect on the lessons learned from the conflict.

The conflict began in 2001 as a response to the September 11 attacks

The conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001 as a direct response to the September 11 attacks. The US-led invasion of Afghanistan was part of the "war on terror" declared by President George W. Bush, with the stated goal of dismantling al-Qaeda and denying Islamist militants a safe base of operations in Afghanistan.

The Taliban regime, which had seized power in 1996, was accused of harbouring Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda and the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks. The Taliban refused to extradite bin Laden to the US and ignored demands to shut down terrorist bases or extradite other suspected terrorists.

In response, the US launched Operation Enduring Freedom on October 7, 2001, alongside the UK. The invasion was joined by a large multinational force, including Afghanistan's local Northern Alliance. The invasion made rapid progress, with the coalition capturing Kabul on November 13 and toppling the Taliban by December 17. However, most members of al-Qaeda and the Taliban were not captured, and bin Laden escaped into neighbouring Pakistan.

The invasion was a "striking military success", with the US achieving its war aims while committing a relatively small force. However, the conflict in Afghanistan would continue for another two decades, becoming the longest war in US military history.

The war ended with the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021

The War in Afghanistan ended with the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. The war began in 2001 as a direct response to the September 11 attacks. It was the longest war in the military history of the United States, surpassing the length of the Vietnam War (1955-1975) by approximately six months.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan was a swift and decisive military offensive that began on May 1, 2021, coinciding with the withdrawal of the United States' 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. The offensive resulted in the fall of the Kabul-based Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the reinstatement of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The Taliban's victory had widespread domestic and international ramifications, particularly regarding human rights and the proliferation of terrorism. The Taliban's effective use of online social media, its strategic choice to attack northern provinces, and the freedom of movement on Afghan highways all contributed to their success. Additionally, the Taliban enjoyed substantial support from various armed militant groups, including al-Qaeda and its associates.

The Taliban's offensive resulted in significant territorial gains, with the number of districts under their control increasing from 73 to 223 in the first three months. On August 6, 2021, the Taliban launched an assault on the provincial capitals, with most towns surrendering without a fight. This culminated in the fall of major cities such as Herat, Kandahar, and Lashkargah on August 13.

On August 15, 2021, President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and the Taliban captured the Afghan capital of Kabul with only sporadic resistance. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's government fell, marking the de facto takeover of the country by the Taliban. The speed of the Taliban's victory took many by surprise, including the governments of the United States and its allies.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan had far-reaching consequences. It accelerated the country's human rights crisis and humanitarian catastrophe, with the Taliban rolling back women's rights advances and media freedom. The economic downturn drove millions of Afghans into poverty and hunger, as foreign aid slowed.

The Taliban imposed severe restrictions on women's rights and freedoms, with teenage girls being barred from school and women required to cover themselves completely in public. The Taliban also imposed wide-ranging restrictions on the media, with nearly 70% of Afghan media outlets closing down.

The chaotic evacuation of thousands of Afghans left many at risk of Taliban retaliation. A freeze on Afghanistan's currency reserves and the loss of foreign aid further exacerbated the economic crisis. The collapse of the country's health services left many Afghans without access to adequate physical and mental healthcare.

The Taliban's victory in Afghanistan marked a turning point in the country's history, with the group imposing its strict interpretation of Islamic law and reshaping the nation's social, political, and economic landscape.

The war killed an estimated 176,000-212,000+ people, including 46,319 civilians

The War in Afghanistan was a two-decade-long conflict that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 176,000-212,000+ people, including 46,319 civilians. The war was triggered by the September 11 attacks and was fought between the Taliban, a fundamentalist Deobandi Islamic group that ruled Afghanistan and provided sanctuary for al-Qaeda, and an international military coalition led by the United States. The conflict officially ended with the 2021 Taliban offensive, which overthrew the Islamic Republic and re-established the Islamic Emirate.

The human cost of the war was staggering. In addition to the deaths of thousands of civilians, the war also resulted in the deaths of 70,000 Afghan military and police personnel, 2,324 U.S. military personnel, 3,917 U.S. contractors, and 1,144 allied troops. The war also caused the displacement of millions of Afghans, with 2.6 million remaining as refugees and another 4 million internally displaced by the time the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The war had far-reaching consequences, including the destruction of Afghanistan's economy, public health, security, and infrastructure. The conflict exacerbated pre-existing issues such as poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, lack of access to healthcare, and environmental degradation. The war also had a significant psychological impact, with two-thirds of Afghans suffering from mental health problems.

The high number of civilian casualties in the war was attributed to various factors, including airstrikes, the use of militias, and the presence of unexploded ordnance and landmines. The rules of engagement for airstrikes were relaxed in 2017, resulting in a dramatic increase in civilian deaths. The arming and funding of Afghan militias by the CIA also led to serious human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings of civilians.

The war in Afghanistan had a profound impact on the country and the world, shaping global politics and security in the decades that followed. The conflict also highlighted the complexities and challenges of counterinsurgency and nation-building efforts in a post-conflict environment.

The US spent $2.3 trillion on the war

The war in Afghanistan was the longest war in US history, surpassing the Vietnam War by six months. It was triggered by the September 11 attacks and was aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda and toppling the Taliban regime that provided sanctuary for them. The US-led coalition forces succeeded in overthrowing the Taliban in a matter of weeks, but the Taliban leaders fled to Pakistan and regrouped.

The US spent a significant amount of money on training the Afghan military and security forces. However, despite this investment, the Afghan forces were unable to withstand the Taliban offensive in 2021 and quickly surrendered. The fall of the Afghan military and government happened within nine days of the Taliban seizing their first provincial capital, Zaranj, although the Taliban had been making steady advances for a few months prior to this.

The human cost of the war was also high, with more than 2,400 US service members killed and over 38,000 Afghan civilians losing their lives. In addition, the war had a devastating impact on Afghanistan's economy and infrastructure, leaving the country in a state of poverty and food insecurity.

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