US military attack on Afghanistan to overthrow Taliban and capture al-Qaeda members (October 7)
The US military attack on Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban and capture al-Qaeda members took place on October 7, 2001.
On this day, the United States, supported by its allies, launched a large-scale military operation against Afghanistan.
This action followed the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and aimed to remove the Taliban government and apprehend members of the al-Qaeda network.
The operation began with aerial bombings and missile strikes targeting Taliban and al-Qaeda positions in various Afghan cities.
American and British forces played a central role in the initial attacks, with other countries also participating.
In the first weeks, hundreds of Taliban military and infrastructure targets were struck, with early estimates indicating hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters killed, as well as civilian casualties.
The offensive quickly led to coalition advances and the fall of key Afghan cities.
Following the attack, the Taliban government collapsed within weeks, and many al-Qaeda leaders and members went into hiding.
This event marked the beginning of a prolonged foreign military presence in Afghanistan and had significant effects on the country’s political, security, and social landscape.
The October 7, 2001 attack is considered a turning point in Afghanistan’s modern history and in international relations.
This observance was added to the Gregorian calendar after the event in 2001, due to its historical significance and lasting impact, to mark the beginning of US and allied military operations in Afghanistan.