Operation Enduring Freedom

Definition

Operation Enduring Freedom was the official name for the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001, following the September 11th terrorist attacks. It was a global effort to combat terrorism and dismantle al-Qaeda's network, with a specific focus on removing the Taliban regime from power and denying safe haven to terrorist groups.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Operation Enduring Freedom was launched on October 7, 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks and the Taliban's refusal to hand over al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
2. The primary objectives of Operation Enduring Freedom were to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations, and to attack the military capability of the Taliban regime.
3. The operation involved a U.S.-led coalition of military forces, including troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other NATO allies.
4. In addition to military operations, the mission also included humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts to help the people of Afghanistan.
5. Operation Enduring Freedom officially ended in December 2014, with the transition to the follow-on mission, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, which continued the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.

Review Questions

• Explain the key objectives and rationale behind the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  • The primary objectives of Operation Enduring Freedom were to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations and to attack the military capability of the Taliban regime, which had refused to hand over al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The operation was launched as part of the broader U.S.-led War on Terror, with the goal of dismantling al-Qaeda's network and denying safe haven to terrorist groups.
• Describe the international coalition and military operations that were part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  • Operation Enduring Freedom involved a U.S.-led coalition of military forces, including troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other NATO allies. The coalition conducted a range of military operations, including air strikes, ground offensives, and special forces raids, to target the Taliban's infrastructure, disrupt their operations, and eliminate al-Qaeda's presence in Afghanistan. In addition to the military component, the mission also included humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts to help the people of Afghanistan.
• Analyze the long-term impact and legacy of Operation Enduring Freedom in the context of the War on Terror.
  • Operation Enduring Freedom, while successful in removing the Taliban from power and disrupting al-Qaeda's operations in Afghanistan, did not definitively end the War on Terror. The Taliban regrouped and continued to pose a threat, while al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups adapted and spread to new regions. The long-term impact of the operation is still debated, with some arguing that it set the stage for a protracted conflict and nation-building challenges, while others contend that it was a necessary and justified response to the 9/11 attacks. The legacy of Operation Enduring Freedom continues to shape U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing efforts to combat global terrorism.

Related terms

War on Terror: The War on Terror is a global military campaign launched by the United States government in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It aims to disrupt and defeat terrorist organizations and ideologies.

Taliban: The Taliban is an Islamist fundamentalist group that ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, providing safe haven for the al-Qaeda terrorist organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

al-Qaeda: al-Qaeda is a militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin Laden, responsible for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and other acts of terrorism worldwide.