The Enduring War: A Look At The Longest Armed Conflict In Afghanistan's History

The war in Afghanistan was the longest war in US history, lasting 20 years from 2001 to 2021. It was sparked by the 9/11 attacks, which were planned by al-Qaeda from Afghanistan. In response, an international coalition led by the US invaded Afghanistan to destroy al-Qaeda and overthrow the Taliban regime that was harbouring Osama bin Laden. The conflict resulted in thousands of coalition and Afghan casualties and cost the US over $2 trillion. Despite the enormous cost, the war ended in a crushing defeat for America, with the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan.

The US-led international coalition's invasion of Afghanistan in 2001

The invasion, dubbed "Operation Enduring Freedom" in US military parlance, was intended to target terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda organization, which was based in the country. The coalition also aimed to topple the Taliban-ruled Islamic Emirate, which had provided sanctuary for al-Qaeda and imposed its extremist version of Islam on the entire country.

In the weeks prior to the invasion, both the US and the UN Security Council demanded that the Taliban turn over Osama bin Laden for prosecution. After deeming the Taliban's counteroffers unsatisfactory, the invasion began on October 7, 2001, with an intense bombing campaign by American and British forces. Logistical support was provided by other nations, including France, Germany, Australia, and Canada, and later, troops were provided by the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance rebels.

The coalition began a ground invasion after the air campaign softened Taliban defenses, with Northern Alliance forces providing most of the troops and the US and other nations giving air and ground support. On November 12, a little over a month after the military action began, Taliban officials and their forces retreated from the capital of Kabul. By early December, Kandahar, the last Taliban stronghold, had fallen, and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar went into hiding rather than surrender.

Al-Qaeda fighters continued to hide out in Afghanistan's mountainous Tora Bora region, where they were engaged by anti-Taliban Afghan forces, backed by US Special Forces troops. Al-Qaeda soon initiated a truce, which is now believed to have been a ploy to allow Osama bin Laden and other key members to escape into neighboring Pakistan. By mid-December, the bunker and cave complex used by al-Qaeda at Tora Bora had been captured, but there was no sign of bin Laden.

With most of al-Qaeda driven out of Afghanistan, bin Laden gone, and the Taliban regime at an end, it might seem that the US had achieved most of their goals. However, troops remained in Afghanistan to support the new transitional government and prevent the Taliban from regaining power.

The Taliban's removal from power and the formation of a new government

The Taliban, a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group, returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, twenty years after their ouster by U.S.-led forces. The Taliban's return to power was marked by a crackdown on women's rights and a neglect of basic services.

The Taliban's Removal from Power

The Taliban were removed from power in 2001 by U.S.-led forces. The Taliban's removal from power was swift, taking just two months. The Taliban regime was ousted by the U.S. military, with British support, following the September 11 attacks. The Taliban had provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda, the perpetrators of the attacks.

The Formation of a New Government

Following the fall of the Taliban, the United Nations invited major Afghan factions to a conference in Bonn, Germany. The conference resulted in the formation of an interim government, led by Hamid Karzai. The Bonn Agreement, endorsed by the UN Security Council, also established an international peacekeeping force to maintain security in Kabul.

The US's shift in focus to Iraq in 2002

Despite these concerns, the US continued to push for military action, and in March 2003, US and coalition forces invaded Iraq. The invasion was justified as a necessary step to protect the US and its allies from future terrorist attacks. However, the focus on Iraq diverted resources away from Afghanistan, and the war in Afghanistan became a "political irrelevance" in America.

The shift in focus had significant consequences for Afghanistan. With fewer US troops and resources, the country struggled to maintain stability and counter the Taliban's resurgence. The Taliban had been largely defeated following the US-led invasion, but they quickly regrouped and began to regain control of the country.

The US eventually returned its focus to Afghanistan, launching a major military offensive in 2009. However, the war in Afghanistan continued for many years, and the Taliban remained a significant threat. In 2021, the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, marking the end of America's longest war.

The Taliban's resurgence and adoption of new tactics

The Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the group's ability to adapt militarily, exploit social resources, and capitalise on the weaknesses of the Afghan government and its international allies. Here is an analysis of the Taliban's resurgence and adoption of new tactics:

Social Resources and Networks

The Taliban drew strength from strong social networks and horizontal connections within the insurgency. The group's leadership and cadre were educated in Deobandi madrassas in Pakistan, fostering a shared religious ideology and worldview. This horizontal network provided a unifying force and enabled the mobilisation of fighters. Additionally, the Taliban exploited vertical ties by forming alliances with disgruntled communities, tribal groups, and warlords who felt marginalised or abused by the Afghan government and its international backers.

Military Adaptation

The Taliban demonstrated a capacity for military adaptation by adjusting their tactics, command structure, and use of technology. Initially, they relied on conventional infantry assaults, which resulted in heavy casualties. However, they shifted towards guerrilla warfare, avoiding direct confrontation with enemy forces and increasingly employing asymmetric tactics such as suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The Taliban also established provincial military commissions and district military commissioners to centralise their forces and improve coordination. They received military training and support from Pakistan, which contributed to the development of a more centralised command system.

Exploiting Weaknesses

The Taliban capitalised on the weaknesses of the Afghan government, which was plagued by corruption, factionalism, and inability to exert control. They also took advantage of the international community's shifting focus away from Afghanistan towards Iraq, which led to a reduction in resources and attention. Additionally, the Taliban benefited from the presence of foreign militant groups, such as al-Qaeda, which provided a source of ideological support and safe havens.

New Tactics and Strategies

The Taliban adopted new strategies to consolidate their power. They established shadow governments and justice systems in areas under their control, providing an alternative to the Afghan government's ineffective institutions. They also engaged in propaganda campaigns, utilising various media platforms to spread their narratives and gain support. The group's leadership played a crucial role in enabling military adaptation and ensuring unity within the movement.

The withdrawal of US and NATO troops in 2021

The US and NATO's withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021 marked the end of America's longest war. The decision to withdraw was made by President Biden, who announced that the remaining 3,500 troops would be withdrawn by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the 11th of September 2021. This came after former President Trump's plan to withdraw troops by the 1st of May 2021.

The withdrawal of troops was completed in August 2021, with the last US service member leaving Afghanistan on the 30th of August. The withdrawal came after a two-week evacuation process, during which more than 120,000 people were evacuated. The evacuation was carried out by troops from the US, the UK, Turkey and Norway, who also played a key role in securing Kabul's international airport.

The decision to withdraw troops was met with criticism from some, who believed that the withdrawal would cause a vacuum that the Taliban would fill. This fear was realised, as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

The withdrawal of troops also caused concern for the safety of Afghans who had worked with US and NATO forces, with Biden expanding refugee-status access for vulnerable Afghans. The US also deployed 6,000 troops to help with the evacuation of US and allied personnel.

The withdrawal of troops was defended by Biden, who argued that the counterterrorism mission was complete. However, Biden acknowledged that the withdrawal had been messy and blamed Afghan security forces for failing to counter the Taliban.

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