Afghanistan
After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the United States military deployed forces to Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, to combat terrorism. On September 20, 2001, the U.S. declared that Osama bin Laden was responsible for the attacks. The Taliban was issued a five-point ultimatum, which included delivering all al-Qaeda leaders to the U.S., releasing all imprisoned foreign nationals, shutting down terrorist training camps, handing over terrorists and their supporters to appropriate authorities, and granting the us full access to inspect terrorist training camps. The Taliban rejected the ultimatum on september twenty first two thousand one they proposed to turn over bin laden to a tribunal for trial under sharia law if the u s could provide evidence of his involvement. The U.S. rejected this proposal the following day and began its mission in Afghanistan with British forces against the Taliban. Operation Enduring Freedom marked the beginning of the global war on terror, and U.S. forces have been actively countering terrorist efforts across various countries from the Horn of Africa to the Philippines. On December 31, 2014, Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan concluded, and it was succeeded by Operation Freedom’s Sentinel on January 1, 2015. Effective, January 1, 2015, Secretary of Defense Hagel announced that the U.S. mission in Afghanistan would focus on training, advising, and assisting Afghan security forces, designating it as Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. These security forces comprise more than 40 countries, including all NATO countries, with more than 13,000 troops in the country with no plans for withdrawal.
