Aerial view of a small brick house in a clearing of bare earth on a hillside surrounded by small mud-brick outhouses and long low walls with very few green shrubs.

War in Afghanistan and later conflicts 2001–2021

More than 35,000 ADF members served in Afghanistan and the wider Middle East Area of Operations. Operation Slipper was established on 11 October 2001, 25 years ago.

Learn about Afghanistan

AFGHAN25 national service

To mark the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan, DVA is holding a national commemorative service in Canberra on 11 October 2026.

Register to attend