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Operation Enduring Freedom Fast Facts

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Updated 2122 GMT (0522 HKT) September 26, 2019

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The U.S.-led war in Afghanistan started on October 7, 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks. Ten years later, look back at some of the moments and key development from the conflict, which has drawn praise and criticism since its beginning.
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10 years of war in Afghanistan – The U.S.-led war in Afghanistan started on October 7, 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks. Ten years later, look back at some of the moments and key development from the conflict, which has drawn praise and criticism since its beginning.
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President George W. Bush responds to media questions in the East Room of the White House on October 11, 2001. It was his first prime-time press conference addressing the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks.
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10 years of war in Afghanistan – President George W. Bush responds to media questions in the East Room of the White House on October 11, 2001. It was his first prime-time press conference addressing the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks.
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Northern Alliance soldiers maintain radio contact from a dug-in tank position in Oykhonum, Northern Afghanistan, on November 9, 2001. The opposition forces had been fighting the larger Taliban militias for several years before the U.S. airstrikes began.
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10 years of war in Afghanistan – Northern Alliance soldiers maintain radio contact from a dug-in tank position in Oykhonum, Northern Afghanistan, on November 9, 2001. The opposition forces had been fighting the larger Taliban militias for several years before the U.S. airstrikes began.
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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ed Dorman teaches an English class near the Bagram Air Base on April 20, 2002. As the base commander, Dorman decided to teach English to the local students to empower them to educate themselves.
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10 years of war in Afghanistan – U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ed Dorman teaches an English class near the Bagram Air Base on April 20, 2002. As the base commander, Dorman decided to teach English to the local students to empower them to educate themselves.
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Afghan protesters chant against the U.S. during an anti-America demonstration in Kabul on May 24, 2003.
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10 years of war in Afghanistan – Afghan protesters chant against the U.S. during an anti-America demonstration in Kabul on May 24, 2003.
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Afghan militiamen stand with a rocket launcher during a disarmament ceremony in Gardez on November 13, 2003. About 600 militiamen turned in their guns during the disarmament program.
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10 years of war in Afghanistan – Afghan militiamen stand with a rocket launcher during a disarmament ceremony in Gardez on November 13, 2003. About 600 militiamen turned in their guns during the disarmament program.
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Explosives that were hidden in a handcart lay on the ground in Kabul on July 3, 2004. In an effort to foil the country's first presidential election, the Taliban swapped broader offensives for homemade bombs and guerrilla warfare techniques.
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10 years of war in Afghanistan – Explosives that were hidden in a handcart lay on the ground in Kabul on July 3, 2004. In an effort to foil the country's first presidential election, the Taliban swapped broader offensives for homemade bombs and guerrilla warfare techniques.
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Election officials count ballots in Kabul, Afghanistan, on October 14, 2004. The country's first democratic election was held on October 9, and Hamid Karzai was sworn in as president in December.
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10 years of war in Afghanistan – Election officials count ballots in Kabul, Afghanistan, on October 14, 2004. The country's first democratic election was held on October 9, and Hamid Karzai was sworn in as president in December.
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