Australia marks 25 years of military involvement in Afghanistan

Australia commemorated the 25th anniversary of its military involvement in Afghanistan on October 11, 2026. A national service was held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, attended by approximately 1,400 veterans, officials, and families.

Between 2001 and 2021, more than 35,000 Australian Defence Force personnel served in Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operations. Concerns have been raised regarding the Australian Army National Memorial on ANZAC Parade, which currently only honors conflicts up to the Vietnam War. Reports indicate a government intention to demolish the existing seven pillars of the memorial to build a new structure honoring all conflicts, including future ones. Critics have noted a lack of public consultation regarding this decision and the potential impact on veterans and families of those lost in recent conflicts.