The Modern United States ~ Lesson 11 Invasion of Afghanistan
When Bush asked that bin Laden and al-Qaeda leaders be turned over and training camps be dismantled, the Taliban rejected Bush's demands. On October 7, 2001, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. and British forces began bombing major Afghan cities. Kabul, the Afghan capital, fell by mid-November. By December, air attack and ground forces broke the Taliban regime and separated al-Qaeda.
After the Taliban was driven from power, the U.S. and her allies built military bases near major cities across the country. Most of the Taliban and Osama bin Laden escaped into Pakistan.
The United Nations Security Council established the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Their purpose was to train the Afghan National Security Forces. In 2003, NATO took over leadership of ISAF. NATO sent troops from 43 countries to Afghanistan. Some American troops operated under NATO while others remained under American command.
After Taliban leader Mullah Omar reorganized the group in 2003, the Taliban began a new wave of warfare through raids, ambushes, and suicide attacks.
On May 2, 2011, U.S. Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. About three weeks later, NATO leaders planned an exit strategy for withdrawing forces. Peace talks began between the Afghan government and the Taliban. In 2014, withdrawal continued; however, the Taliban has not stopped their bombing and shooting attacks in Afghanistan.