**Global Military Coalition: Uniting Forces In Afghanistan**

The War in Afghanistan was an armed conflict from 2001 to 2021, triggered by the September 11 attacks. It began when an international military coalition led by the United States launched an invasion of Afghanistan, declaring Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the earlier-declared war on terror. The Taliban and its allies were expelled from major population centres by US-led forces, supporting the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance.

The conflict officially ended with the 2021 Taliban offensive, which overthrew the Islamic Republic and re-established the Islamic Emirate. It was the longest war in US military history, surpassing the length of the Vietnam War by approximately six months.

NATO Allies and partner countries deployed military forces to Afghanistan under a United Nations Security Council mandate

In the early days of the conflict, the US and UK were supported by Australia, Canada, France, and Germany. In the years that followed, dozens of countries would commit military forces to the conflict, including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

In February 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement on the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan by May 2021. In April 2021, NATO Foreign and Defence ministers decided to withdraw all Allied troops from Afghanistan within a few months. In August 2021, more than 120,000 people were evacuated from Kabul airport as part of the coalition effort.

The US and UK were joined by Australia and Canada in pledging future support for Operation Enduring Freedom

Australia and Canada were among the first countries to openly support operations in Afghanistan at the war's beginning, along with the US and UK.

Australia deployed troops to Uruzgan province, while Australian Special Forces personnel also operated in the country. At their peak, Australian troops in Afghanistan numbered 1,550.

Canada had 2,100 personnel in the CENTCOM region, including 1,100 land, 225 air, and 700 naval personnel. Ground troops included elements of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment and Royal Canadian Regiment, and JTF2 special forces. Canadian forces supported Operation Enduring Freedom and ISAF (NATO's International Security Assistance Force).

In addition to the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, several other countries provided military support for Operation Enduring Freedom. These included Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.

The US-led coalition remained in Afghanistan, forming a security mission (ISAF) to prevent the Taliban from returning to power

The US-led coalition in Afghanistan, known as the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), was a multinational military mission established by the United Nations in 2001. Its primary objective was to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and assist in rebuilding key government institutions. ISAF was mandated 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 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 the Afghan government, marking its first deployment outside Europe and North America. The UN Security Council then expanded ISAF's mission to provide and maintain security beyond the capital region.

ISAF incrementally broadened its operations in four stages, and by 2006, it took responsibility for the entire country. ISAF subsequently engaged in more intensive combat in southern and eastern Afghanistan. At its peak between 2010 and 2012, ISAF had 400 military bases throughout Afghanistan and roughly 130,000 troops from 51 NATO and partner nations. A total of 42 countries contributed troops to ISAF, including all 30 members of NATO.

ISAF's role progressively changed from leading operations to enabling the Afghan security forces to conduct independent operations themselves. This shift in focus marked a transition from a combat-centric role to training, advising, and assisting the Afghan security forces to prepare them to assume their security responsibilities by the end of 2014.

In 2011, a gradual transition to full Afghan security responsibility was launched, with the aim of having the Afghan forces fully responsible for security across the country by the end of 2014. This transition process was completed, and Afghan forces assumed full security responsibility at the end of 2014, when the ISAF mission was terminated. A new, smaller non-combat mission, "Resolute Support," was launched on January 1, 2015, to provide further training, advice, and assistance to the Afghan security forces and institutions.

The US-led coalition was aided by the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance

The Northern Alliance fought a defensive war against the Taliban regime and received support from India, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United States, and Uzbekistan. By 2001, the Northern Alliance controlled less than 10% of the country, cornered in the north-east and based in Badakhshan province. The US invaded Afghanistan, providing support to Northern Alliance troops on the ground in a two-month war against the Taliban, which they won in December 2001.

The Northern Alliance was crucial in toppling the Taliban regime. In October 2001, US defense intelligence planners assessed whether a coalition of anti-Taliban rebel groups known as the Northern Alliance could overthrow the Taliban regime. A month later, with US backing, Taliban fighters fled the Afghan capital of Kabul, and Northern Alliance forces entered the city, greeted by joyful residents celebrating the toppling of the brutal Taliban regime.

The Northern Alliance was led by Ahmad Shah Massoud, a famed mujahideen leader who had unsuccessfully sought greater US backing for his efforts. Massoud was assassinated by al-Qaeda hitmen on September 9, 2001, just two days before the 9/11 attacks. Massoud was succeeded by other commanders, including Tajik leader Mohammed Fahim and Abdul Rashid Dostum, an Uzbek.

The Northern Alliance was instrumental in the US-led coalition's efforts to oust the Taliban from power and played a crucial role in establishing the post-Taliban interim government of Hamid Karzai in late 2001.

The Taliban received support from Pakistan

Pakistan's support for the Taliban is driven by several factors. Firstly, Pakistan was created in 1947 as a Muslim nation, and Islam was the glue that united its disparate communities. Pakistan established madrassas in its western territories to emphasise and teach a strict brand of Islam in the hopes that Islamic nationalism would suppress Pashtun nationalism. Taliban leaders, who also espouse Islamic nationalism, were trained in these madrassas.

Secondly, Pakistani officials worry about the border with Afghanistan and believe that a Taliban government could ease their concerns. Afghanistan has rejected the Durand Line, which separates Pakistani Pashtun-dominated territories from Afghanistan. Pakistan's government believes that the Taliban's ideology emphasises Islam over Pashtun identity.

Thirdly, Pakistan wants a Pakistan-friendly government in Afghanistan to counter India's influence in the region. A Taliban government could provide a haven for anti-India jihadi groups.

Pakistan's support for the Taliban has had consequences for its relationship with the group. The Taliban has defied Pakistan by challenging the status of the Afghan-Pakistan border and providing a haven for the anti-Pakistan insurgent group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP has killed thousands of Pakistanis and seeks to establish a Taliban-style, Sharia-compliant state in Pakistan. Pakistan has responded with airstrikes in Afghanistan, which have killed civilians and drawn criticism from the Taliban and the international community.

Despite these tensions, Pakistan remains a major source of financial and logistical support for the Taliban. The Taliban own real estate in Pakistan and receive large donations from private individuals in the country.

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