Afghanistan War and postwar conflicts 2001 to 2021

On 11 October 2026, DVA will hold a national commemoration to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan 2001–2021. The service will be held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and broadcast nationally. Register your interest in attending.

Afghanistan War 2001 to 2014

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US in 2001, the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1368 was passed on 12 September 2001. The resolution condemned the attacks and expressed a determination to combat subsequent threats to international peace and security. It also authorised a US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

On 12 September, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) passed the first of multiple resolutions and invoked Article 5 of the NATO Agreement. This allowed NATO member countries to contribute to the US-led coalition in Afghanistan.

Australia was one of several non-NATO members to join the coalition after the Australian Government invoked Article IV of the Australia, New Zealand and United States (ANZUS) Treaty on 14 September 2001.

On 20 September, US president George W Bush declared the ‘War on Terror’, and the US established the International Coalition against Terrorism (ICAT).

The coalition included diplomatic, intelligence, law-enforcement and financial measures, as well as the military campaign. It aimed to attack al-Qaeda, the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks, and the Taliban, which controlled most of Afghanistan and hosted al-Qaeda and its training camps. At the time, the aim was to oust the Taliban and prevent Afghanistan from being a haven for terrorist groups.

Australian operations under the ICAT included areas in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Invasion of Afghanistan

The US invasion of Afghanistan began on 7 October 2001, marking the start of the Afghanistan War. The first highly successful military advance pushed the Taliban out of Kabul, Kunduz and Kandahar by the beginning of December 2001. While this campaign was underway, several other countries began to contribute their own operations to the war effort.

In December 2001, the UN Security Council authorised the formation of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), a multinational force to assist with reconstruction in Afghanistan and prevent the continued insurgency of terrorist organisations. ISAF was part of the UN’s remit until August 2003, when NATO took control of operations.

First Australian contingent

On 4 October 2001, the Australian Government directed the Chief of the Defence Force to plan for the deployment of various forces.

On 11 October, the ADF established Operation Slipper as Australia’s contribution to the ICAT.

Prime Minister John Howard announced the ADF’s contributions on 17 October, including deployments to:

• Afghanistan
• countries in the broader Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO), such as Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan
• Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean
• Persian Gulf
• Indian Ocean
• headquarters and logistic support service in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf (Gulf states), particularly the United Arab Emirates.

The first Special Forces Task Group was officially farewelled from Perth on 22 October 2001.

Continued service

Initially, Australia deployed Special Air Services Regiment (SAS) units to participate in counterterrorism operations and help local Afghan forces. Over time, the Australian contingent expanded to include infantry units, engineers, aviation assets and other support personnel from all 3 branches of the ADF.

In 2010, the ADF established the Mentoring Task Force (MTF), which conducted mentoring and combat tasks with the Afghan National Army in Uruzgan Province until late 2012.

Many Australian forces were stationed in Uruzgan Province at the Multi National Base Tarin Kot (also spelt ‘Tarin Kowt’). They worked alongside other ISAF and Afghan forces to disrupt Taliban operations, build the capacity of local security forces and support development projects.

The Australian contingent aimed to enhance security, governance and development in Uruzgan to create conditions for regional stability.

Some ADF personnel were seconded to (joined) other coalition forces' operations throughout the war. Some served on exchange with coalition forces or with UN missions, such as:

• Operation Ariki (New Zealand) 2001 to 2014
• Operation Athena (Canada)
• Operation Herrick (United Kingdom)
• Operation Enduring Freedom (US) 2001 to 2014.

Australians also contributed to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). UNAMA was a political mission established by the UN Security Council in March 2002 to promote reconciliation and the establishment of harmonious relations in Afghanistan. ADF personnel contributed to 2 operations under UNAMA:

• Operation Palate from 18 April 2003 to 5 July 2004
• Operation Palate II from 27 June 2005.

End of the war

From 2013, Australian forces in Afghanistan were progressively reduced.

The ISAF formally concluded in December 2014, ending the Afghanistan War. Australia ended its military contribution to the war under Operation Slipper on 31 December 2014.

Australia’s involvement in the Afghanistan War and postwar conflicts extended beyond ADF deployments. The whole-of-government effort, along with non-government organisations (NGOs) and civilians, to support the people of Afghanistan included:

• Australian Government bodies, such as the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Department of Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
• NGO representatives who supported ADF personnel, such as Salvation Army Red Shield Defence Services, Red Cross and Everyman’s Welfare Service.

Notably, Afghan nationals worked alongside and supported Australia’s operations in Afghanistan.

Australian service from 2015 to 2021

Although US and NATO combat missions formally ended in December 2014 and brought an end to the war, conflict in Afghanistan continued.

At the request of the Afghan Government, the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) was launched on 1 January 2015. The mission aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2189.

Australians have continued to serve in support of the people of Afghanistan, including in advisory, assistance and training roles.

Under the RSM, ADF personnel worked alongside the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces as they built their own defence, security and counterterrorism forces.

Australian operations after 2015 included:

• Operation Highroad from 1 January 2015
• Operation Manitou from 30 June 2014 (naval and air maritime operations in the Persian Gulf)
• Operation Accordion from 1 July 2014 (headquarters and logistic support in Gulf state bases)
• Operation Augury from 4 July 2014.

Peace talks between the Taliban and the US began in early 2020.

On 15 April 2021, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison announced that the ADF would begin withdrawing Operation Highroad personnel. Over the following months, Australians deployed under the operation were withdrawn from Afghanistan and the MEAO.

Between 18 and 26 August 2021, ADF personnel under Operation Accordion took part in the US-led non-combatant evacuation mission – the ‘Kabul Airlift’.

Over 8 days, Australia safely evacuated around 4,100 Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals on 32 flights from Kabul. ADF personnel and government officials worked together on the ground in Afghanistan, in Canberra and in the United Arab Emirates to complete the operation.

The fall of Kabul in August 2021 was a distressing time for many people in Afghanistan and here in Australia, including veterans and Afghan Australian communities.

RSM formally ceased in September 2021, after the withdrawal of the last NATO personnel. Most of Australia’s involvement concluded with the Kabul Airlift, although some personnel remain in Afghanistan at the time of publication.

After the fall of Kabul, Australia supported expanded humanitarian visas and has continued to support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. It also supports Australian citizens, permanent residents and those eligible to travel who are seeking to leave Afghanistan. Learn more about Australia's foreign policy for Afghanistan.

Impact of war on Afghanistan

The war and postwar conflicts greatly impacted the people of Afghanistan.

On 15 August 2021, the Taliban declared an ‘interim government’ in Afghanistan. The Afghan people continue to live under the control of the Taliban at the time of publication.

Some 176,000 people died in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021, including some 168,000 Afghan people. An estimated 5.9 million Afghan people were displaced during this period.

Australia closed its embassy in Kabul on 28 May 2021. The Afghan embassy in Canberra officially suspended operations and closed on 30 June 2026, ending 57 years of diplomatic relations.

Australia continues to provide support to the people of Afghanistan, but this engagement does not confer legitimacy on the Taliban.

Experiences of some Australians

I joined when I was 19 years old and trying to work out what I wanted to do in the world. I saw the military as a great option for providing service to the nation and something a lot bigger than myself as an individual. A big highlight was my deployment to Afghanistan, working in a patrol base and working very closely with the Afghan National Army and helping those guys to form their teams and learn from a world-class army on how to conduct operations to provide security and protection within their own valleys and regions. I found that an absolutely fascinating experience and learnt a lot from those gentlemen.

[Afghanistan veteran Jason Johnson, 'Thank You For Your Service' photographic exhibition at Sydney Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, 2019.]

Throughout the war and subsequent conflicts, Australian personnel faced significant challenges, including:

• combat operations against Taliban insurgents
• improvised explosive device (IED) attacks
• insider attacks, known as ‘green on blue’ attacks.

Afghanistan veteran Chris May spoke about his experiences. He returned from Afghanistan wounded after an IED explosion on his second deployment.

Afghanistan veteran Phillip Thompson was named Young Queenslander of the Year in 2017. He overcame severe injuries from an IED to become a champion for veterans' employment, health and wellbeing. On receiving the award, Phillip said:

I want to show the world and other young veterans that we're not defined by our injuries. We're defined by our actions.

The Australian War Memorial has held many exhibitions relating to service in Afghanistan, including:

• Framing Conflict: Iraq and Afghanistan in 2010
• Afghanistan: the Australian story in 2013
• Shaun Gladwell: Afghanistan in 2014
• Ben Quilty: After Afghanistan from 2014 to 2015
• a permanent War in Afghanistan exhibit in the Anzac Hall since 2026.

In 2010, Australian service personnel Tim Aplin, Ben Chuck and Scott Palmer were killed while serving in Afghanistan. In 2021, Scott's father, Ray Palmer – also a veteran – reflected on the sacrifices of Scott and all those who have died in the service of Australia.

Impacts on service

The war and conflict in Afghanistan and across the region impacted not just the ADF but also broader Australian society. It has led to discussions and assessments of the country's foreign policy, defence strategy and lessons learned from the war and subsequent conflicts.

Like many other wars and conflicts, the impact of service on those who served is varied and deeply personal. The impact of service may not always be realised initially and may evolve over time.

Most veterans of Afghanistan operations served with professionalism, commitment and integrity aligned to the values of the ADF.

After rumours and allegations emerged relating to possible breaches of the Law of Armed Conflict, the Department of Defence commissioned an inquiry in 2016.

The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry Report (the ‘Brereton Report’) was released in 2020. The report identified 23 incidents involving Australian Special Forces personnel who acted contrary to ADF values between 2005 and 2016.

At the time of publication, some accusations were being investigated by the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI).

Commemoration

More than 35,000 Australians have served in Afghanistan since 2001, with some ADF personnel continuing to serve in the area. We remember the service and sacrifices of all veterans of Afghanistan and the support of their families.

In recognition of their service in military operations in Afghanistan and other prescribed areas, veterans may be eligible for medals or clasps.

Four Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) for their actions in the Afghanistan War:

• Mark Donaldson
• Ben Roberts-Smith
• Daniel Keighran
• Cameron Baird.

The names of 47 Australians are inscribed on the Australian War Memorial's Roll of Honour. This number is not a true representation of the cost of the war. Many Australians lost their lives during or as a result of their service in Afghanistan. We acknowledge the physical and mental impacts that service has had and continues to have on many Australian veterans and their families.

Memorials continue to be built around the country to honour those who served in Afghanistan and the MEAO. One example is Brisbane's 42 for 42 Afghanistan War Memorial Garden. It was designed to honour the veterans who died in Afghanistan.

On 25 April each year, we observe Anzac Day. A day when Australians come together to honour those who served in all wars, conflicts and peace operations, and all who serve in the ADF.

On 11 November, we observe Remembrance Day to honour Australians who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.