The War in Afghanistan, which begins on October 7, 2001, is launched by the United States and the United Kingdom in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks.

It is the beginning of the War on Terror.

The stated purpose of the invasion is to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime, which has provided support and safe harbor to al-Qaeda.The U.S. and the UK lead the aerial bombing campaign, with ground forces supplied primarily by the Afghan Northern Alliance.

In 2002, American, British and Canadian infantry are committed, along with special forces from several allied nations.

Later, NATO troops are added.

The U.S. military calls the conflict Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).The initial attack removes the Taliban from power, but Taliban forces have since regained some strength.

The war has been less successful in achieving the goal of restricting al-Qaeda's movement.

Since 2006, Afghanistan has seen threats to its stability from increased Taliban-led insurgent activity, growing illegal drug production, and a fragile government with limited control outside of Kabul.

Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan, which is a joint U.S. and Afghan operation, with some involvement from other nations, is separate from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is an operation of NATO nations including the U.S.

The two operations run in parallel.