The invasion of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attack was a significant military operation undertaken by the United States. The primary goal of the invasion was to dismantle the Taliban regime, which provided shelter and support to Al-Qaeda, the terrorist organization responsible for the attack.

The Taliban, a fundamentalist Islamic group, had ruled Afghanistan since the mid-1990s, imposing strict laws and harboring extremists. To understand the context of the invasion, it is crucial to recognize the connection between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, found a safe haven in Afghanistan where they planned and orchestrated various terrorist attacks, including the 9/11 tragedy.

The invasion, codenamed Operation Enduring Freedom, began on October 7, 2001. The US-led coalition initially focused on targeted airstrikes to weaken the Taliban and Al-Qaeda strongholds. Subsequently, ground troops were deployed to support local Afghan forces in their fight against insurgents.

One notable example illustrating the challenges faced by American forces was the Battle of Tora Bora. In late 2001, US Special Forces and Afghan militias engaged in a fierce combat with Al-Qaeda fighters hiding in the Tora Bora caves. Despite efforts to capture bin Laden, he managed to escape, fueling criticisms regarding the operation's outcome and the subsequent focus on the invasion of Iraq.