The U.S. and its allies launch Operation Enduring Freedom in response to the September 11 attacks, targeting the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
Taliban’s Offer Rejected
October 14, 2001
The Taliban offers to discuss handing over Osama bin Laden to a third country for trial if the U.S. provides evidence of his involvement in the 9/11 attacks, but the White House rejects the offer.
First Ground Action
October 19, 2001
The Pentagon reports the first acknowledged ground action of Operation Enduring Freedom, with U.S. forces searching a compound used by Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar.
Fall of Kabul
November 13, 2001
U.S. airstrikes and ground attacks by the anti-Taliban Afghan Northern Alliance led to the fall of Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan.
Bonn Conference
December 2-5, 2001
The United Nations hosts the Bonn Conference in Germany, resulting in the Bonn Agreement, which creates an Afghan Interim Authority and outlines a process for creating a new constitution and government.
Fall of Kandahar
December 7, 2001
The Taliban loses its last major stronghold as the city of Kandahar falls to opposition forces.
International Security Assistance Force
December 20, 2001
The United Nations authorizes the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to provide security support to Afghanistan.
Hamid Karzai Sworn In
December 22, 2001
Hamid Karzai is sworn in as the head of an interim power-sharing government in Afghanistan.
Afghan National Army Plans
March 25, 2002
U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld announces plans for U.S. and coalition forces to help train and create an Afghan national army.
Karzai’s Presidential Term
June 13, 2002
Hamid Karzai is elected to a two-year presidential term by Afghanistan's grand council, a gathering of tribal leaders.
NATO Assumes Responsibility
August 9, 2003
NATO assumes responsibility for the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s First Democratic Election
October 9, 2004
Afghanistan holds its first direct democratic election.
Karzai Inaugurated
December 7, 2004
Hamid Karzai is sworn in as the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan.
Bagram Air Base Attack
February 27, 2007
A suicide bomber targets a checkpoint at Bagram Air Base, killing over 20 people. The Taliban claims the attack was aimed at U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney.
Bush Calls for More Troops
February 15, 2007
President George W. Bush calls on NATO to increase troop numbers in Afghanistan, where there are already around 50,000 U.S. and NATO troops.
Mullah Dadullah Killed
May 11, 2007
The Taliban's top military commander, Mullah Dadullah, is killed in a U.S.-led coalition operation in Afghanistan.
Obama Approves Troop Increase
February 17, 2009
President Barack Obama approves a troop increase of 17,000 for Afghanistan, where there are currently around 38,000 U.S. troops.
Afghanistan’s Second Election
August 20, 2009
Afghanistan holds its second democratic election.
Karzai’s Second Term
November 19, 2009
Hamid Karzai is sworn in for a second term as president of Afghanistan.
Obama Announces Additional Troops
December 1, 2009
President Obama announces the deployment of 30,000 additional U.S. troops in 2010, bringing the total to nearly 100,000 U.S. troops and 40,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan.
International Conference on Afghanistan
January 2010
Representatives from over 60 nations meet in London to pledge support for the development of the Afghan National Security Forces.
Osama bin Laden Killed
May 2, 2011
U.S. forces, including Navy SEALs, raid a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and kill Osama bin Laden during a firefight.
Obama Announces Troop Withdrawal
June 22, 2011
President Obama announces that all 33,000 additional U.S. forces deployed to Afghanistan in December 2009 will return home within the next 15 months.
First Batch of U.S. Soldiers Leave
July 13, 2011
The first batch of departing U.S. soldiers leaves Afghanistan, with about 650 troops departing from the northeastern province of Parwan.
Helicopter Shot Down
August 6, 2011
Insurgents shoot down a helicopter in central Afghanistan, killing 30 U.S. coalition members, seven Afghan troops, and a civilian interpreter.
Mullah Mohibullah Killed
August 10, 2011
NATO announces that Coalition forces in Afghanistan have killed Mullah Mohibullah, the Taliban leader and insurgent responsible for downing the helicopter that killed 38 U.S. and Afghan personnel.
Attack on Combat Outpost Sayed Abad
September 10, 2011
A Taliban suicide bomber detonates a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device at the entrance of Combat Outpost Sayed Abad, an ISAF base in Afghanistan’s Wardak province, killing two Afghan civilians and injuring 77 U.S. troops and 25 Afghan workers.
Attack Near US Embassy and ISAF Headquarters
September 13, 2011
Taliban militants open fire near the US Embassy and NATO’s ISAF headquarters after they storm into a nearby abandoned building.
US Combat Mission Transition
February 1, 2012
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announces that the US hopes to end its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2013, transitioning primarily to a training role.
US-Afghanistan Night Raid Deal
April 8, 2012
The US and Afghanistan sign a landmark deal that gives Afghan authorities an effective veto over special operations night raids. The deal prevents NATO’s ISAF from conducting raids without the permission of Afghan officials.
Suicide Bombing at Joint US-Afghan Military Base
September 1, 2012
Two suicide bombers strike a joint US-Afghan military base, killing 13 people and injuring 78 others.
Attack on Camp Bastion
September 14, 2012
Fifteen insurgents wearing US Army uniforms attack Camp Bastion, a US and British military complex.
End of US Forces Surge
September 20, 2012
US military officials report that the surge of US forces in Afghanistan has ended and the last several hundred surge troops have left the country.
Afghan National Security Forces Take Over Combat Operations
June 18, 2013
Afghan National Security Forces formally take over combat operations in Afghanistan.
US-Afghanistan Joint Security Agreement
September 30, 2014
The United States and Afghanistan sign a joint security agreement that will allow US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond the previous December deadline to withdraw.
End of US and NATO Combat Mission
December 28, 2014
The United States and NATO end their combat mission with Afghanistan.
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel Begins
January 1, 2015
After more than 13 years of combat operations in Afghanistan, the US begins Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS).
MOAB Dropped on ISIS Targets
April 13, 2017
The US military drops America’s most powerful non-nuclear bomb on ISIS targets in Afghanistan, the first time this type of weapon has been used in battle, according to US officials.
Kabul Ambulance Bombing
January 27, 2018
An ambulance packed with explosives blows up on a crowded street in Kabul, killing at least 103 people. The Taliban claim responsibility.
Moscow Peace Talks
November 9, 2018
In Moscow, Taliban representatives participate in talks with diplomats from Russia, Pakistan, India, and other countries, as well as officials from the Afghan government.
US-Taliban Agreement Framework
January 28, 2019
Officials from the United States and the Taliban announce they have agreed to a framework that could end the war in Afghanistan.
Moscow Talks Between Taliban and Afghan Government
February 5-6, 2019
Talks are held in Moscow between Taliban leaders and politicians from the government of Afghanistan.
Peace Talks End Without Agreement
March 12, 2019
Peace talks between representatives from the United States and the Taliban ended without a finalized agreement.
US-Taliban Historic Agreement
February 29, 2020
The United States and the Taliban sign a historic agreement which sets into motion the potential of a full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
US Proposal for Interim Power-Sharing Agreement
March 8, 2021
In a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to President Ghani, the Biden administration proposes to the Afghan government that they enter an interim power-sharing agreement with the Taliban.
Biden Announces Troop Withdrawal
April 14, 2021
US President Joe Biden formally announces his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan before September 11, 2021.
Taliban Seizes Control of Afghanistan
August 15, 2021
The Taliban seizes control of every major city across Afghanistan, in just two weeks, and takes control of the presidential palace in Kabul.
Kabul Airport Bombing
August 26, 2021
Thirteen US service members and at least 60 Afghans are killed in two bombing attacks outside Kabul’s airport. ISIS in Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, claims responsibility.
Last US Military Planes Leave Afghanistan
August 30, 2021
The last US military planes leave Afghanistan. The US departure marks the end of the United States’ longest war.