A Global Coalition: The Multinational Force In Afghanistan

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, several nations joined the US and UK in taking on Al-Qaeda and the Taliban during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The number of foreign troops in Afghanistan peaked at around 130,000-140,000 in 2011, with 36 countries contributing to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. As of 2021, most European troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan, with the US also planning to withdraw its remaining troops by September 2024.

Troop numbers from individual countries

In 2021, Germany was second with 1,300 troops, followed by Italy with 895, Georgia with 860, the UK with 750, Romania with 619, and Turkey with 600.

Other countries with over 100 troops in Afghanistan in 2021 included Poland, Mongolia, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, and Denmark.

In 2011, France had 4,000 troops in Afghanistan, Canada had 2,100, and Georgia had 1,900. Albania had deployed a total of 2,399 troops between 2003 and 2013, and Australia had up to 1,550 troops in the country.

Many countries have contributed smaller numbers of troops to the effort in Afghanistan, including medical personnel, special forces, and support staff. For example, Bulgaria deployed 608 troops, Armenia had 260 personnel, Azerbaijan sent over 184 soldiers, and Estonia contributed about 400 troops.

Troop withdrawal

In 2014, NATO ended its combat mission in Afghanistan, leaving a residual force of about 13,000 troops for training and counter-terrorism operations. This marked a shift in strategy, with NATO countries winding down combat operations and handing over control to local security forces.

In 2020, the Trump administration signed a deal with the Taliban, agreeing to withdraw all NATO forces from Afghanistan in exchange for the Taliban's counter-terrorism commitments. This deal triggered the collapse of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) as the US reduced air attacks on the Taliban, which gave the Taliban an advantage in their insurgency.

The Biden administration's decision in April 2021 to withdraw all US troops by September 2021, without leaving a residual force, further accelerated the withdrawal process. The US withdrawal was completed on August 30, 2021, marking the end of the 20-year war.

The troop withdrawal was not without controversy, as some critics argued that it was a strategic failure and that the Afghan withdrawal would undermine the fragile security situation in the region. There were also concerns about the fate of Afghan citizens who had supported US and NATO forces, as well as fears that Afghanistan would once again become a safe haven for terrorists.

The withdrawal of European troops from Afghanistan also received mixed responses, with some viewing it as an anticlimactic end to the "forever war." The European withdrawal was carried out quietly, with little ceremony, in contrast to the dramatic show of force during the initial invasion.

The US State Department's review of the Afghanistan withdrawal identified several shortcomings and recommended improvements in crisis response and preparedness. The report acknowledged that there was insufficient consideration of worst-case scenarios and the potential consequences for the Afghan government's viability and security.

NATO's Resolute Support Mission

The RSM was established at the invitation of the Afghan government and in accordance with the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2189 of 2014. The mission's purpose was to help Afghan security forces and institutions develop the capacity to defend Afghanistan and protect its citizens in the long term. It focused on training, advising, and assisting activities at the security-related ministries, the country's security institutions, and among the senior ranks of the army and police. The RSM worked closely with different elements of the Afghan army, police, and air force.

The number of troops and contributing nations fluctuated throughout the RSM's activity. In October 2019, the RSM had its largest size of troops, with 17,178 personnel. The US accounted for the largest contingent, while Italy, Germany, and Turkey served leading roles. The RSM gradually withdrew its forces, which numbered around 10,000 at the start of 2021. On 14 April 2021, NATO announced a drawdown of RSM troops by 1 May, and the mission was terminated in early September 2021.

The RSM operated with one central hub in Kabul/Bagram and four spokes in Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, and Laghman. The spokes were formed by Train Advise Assist Commands (TAACs), which directly supported four of the six Afghan National Army Corps. The TAACs provided training, advice, and assistance to the Afghan security forces and institutions.

The RSM was a temporary and transitional mission that played a crucial role in advising and training Afghan security forces. The decision to launch the RSM was jointly agreed upon between NATO Allies and partners with the Afghan government at the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago. This commitment was reaffirmed at the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales, highlighting the importance of continued international support for Afghanistan's stability.

Countries that supported Operation Enduring Freedom

Operation Enduring Freedom was the initial combat operation in Afghanistan, starting on 7 October 2001, in the wake of the 11 September attacks on the United States. The operation was supported by several countries, with troops deployed to Afghanistan by the Western military alliance, NATO.

The United States and the United Kingdom were the first to launch Operation Enduring Freedom, with the US deploying troops both in the OEF and ISAF. The UK also deployed sea, air, and land assets for the invasion, including aircraft carriers, submarines, and Royal Marines.

Albania, Armenia, and Australia were among the countries that deployed troops to Afghanistan, with Australia being one of only three countries to openly support operations in Afghanistan at the war's beginning. Albania deployed a total of 2399 troops, while Armenia tripled its contingent to 130 personnel. Australia had up to 1550 troops in Afghanistan, deployed to the Uruzgan province, with Special Forces personnel also operating in the country.

Several other European countries supported the operation, including Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden. These countries provided a range of support, from ground troops and special forces to logistical and medical assistance.

Outside of Europe, a number of countries also contributed to Operation Enduring Freedom. This included Bangladesh, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries offered varying levels of support, from the use of airspace and seaports to financial and logistical assistance.

Countries that supported NATO's International Security Assistance Force

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was a multinational military mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. It was established by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386 pursuant to the Bonn Agreement, which outlined the establishment of a permanent Afghan government following the US invasion in October 2001. ISAF's primary goal was to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and assist Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions.

ISAF's initial mandate was to secure the Afghan capital of Kabul and its surrounding area against opposition forces to facilitate the formation of the Afghan Transitional Administration headed by Hamid Karzai. In 2003, NATO took command of the mission at the request of the UN and Afghan government, marking its first deployment outside Europe and North America. Shortly thereafter, the UN Security Council expanded ISAF's mission to provide and maintain security beyond the capital region.

ISAF incrementally broadened its operations in four stages, and by 2006 took responsibility for the entire country. At its peak between 2010 and 2012, ISAF had 400 military bases throughout Afghanistan and roughly 130,000 troops. A total of 42 countries contributed troops to ISAF, including all 30 members of NATO. Personnel contributions varied greatly throughout the course of the mission. Initially, Canada was the largest contributor, though by 2010 the United States accounted for the majority of troops, followed by the United Kingdom, Turkey, Germany, France, and Italy. Nations such as Georgia, Denmark, Norway, and Estonia were among the largest contributors per capita.

ISAF's command originally rotated among different nations every six months. However, there was tremendous difficulty in securing new lead nations. To solve the problem, the command was turned over indefinitely to NATO on 11 August 2003. This marked NATO's first deployment outside Europe or North America.

Pursuant to its ultimate aim of transitioning security responsibilities to Afghan forces, ISAF ceased combat operations and was disbanded in December 2014. A number of troops remained to serve a supporting and advisory role as part of its successor organization, the Resolute Support Mission.

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