# United States war in Afghanistan

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/united-states-war-in-afghanistan
> Updated: 2026-10-04T03:00:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The United States-led war in Afghanistan, known as Operation Enduring Freedom, began on October 7, 2001. The military action was initiated following the September 11 terrorist attacks after the United States linked al-Qaeda to the attacks and the Taliban regime provided them protection. The invasion was supported by NATO invoking Article 5 of its treaty for the first time.

Initial operations involved airstrikes against al-Qaeda training camps and Taliban facilities, followed by ground actions and the fall of Kabul. What was originally intended as a rapid campaign became the longest war in American history. The conflict eventually concluded following an announcement by President Joe Biden in April 2021 regarding the necessity of bringing troops home. Over the course of the nearly 20-year war, more than 46,000 civilians were killed.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-04: United States invasion of Afghanistan marks 25-year milestone

Marking 25 years since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan, the conflict began following the 9/11 attacks and lasted nearly two decades until the final troop withdrawal in 2021.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-invasion-of-afghanistan-marks-25-year-milestone

### 2026-09-25: United States war in Afghanistan timeline and facts

The US-led war in Afghanistan began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks, involving airstrikes against the Taliban and al Qaeda and receiving military support from multiple international allies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-war-in-afghanistan-timeline-and-facts

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Cite as: United States war in Afghanistan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/united-states-war-in-afghanistan