It’s easy to assume that the war in Afghanistan was solely an American endeavor, but nothing could be further from the truth. Thousands of individuals from around the globe risked everything to serve in this conflict, and their stories deserve to be told. From blast walls to rocket attacks, Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and even the mundane long queues in the canteen—every veteran of Afghanistan’s 20-year conflict carries unique, vivid memories of their time there. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the U.S. led the charge, the sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians from dozens of nations often go unrecognized.
The journey began with a descent into the unknown—Kandahar, Kabul, or Camp Bastion. Whether it was a slow, lights-out approach in an RAF jet or a rapid, corkscrew landing in a C-130, the goal was the same: evade Taliban surface-to-air missiles. This was no ordinary deployment; it was a response to NATO’s Article 5, invoked for the first time in its 77-year history. This article declares an attack on one member as an attack on all, and it was triggered by the devastating 9/11 attacks, orchestrated by al-Qaeda from their sanctuary in Afghanistan.
The U.S., reeling from the loss of nearly 3,000 lives in New York and Washington, swiftly joined forces with the CIA and Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance to oust the Taliban. But the real challenge was hunting down al-Qaeda’s remnants. Britain’s Royal Marines and UK Special Forces pursued them across treacherous mountains, yet many terrorists escaped to regroup in Pakistan. It took a decade for the U.S. Navy’s Seal Team Six to locate and eliminate al-Qaeda’s leader, Osama Bin Laden, in a villa in Abbottabad.
The early years of “Operation Enduring Freedom” were relatively quiet, earning it the nickname “Op Forgotten” among U.S. troops by 2003 as focus shifted to Iraq. Yet, the danger persisted. From a rain-soaked Kandahar airbase, we watched Romanian troops patrol nervously in aging Soviet-era vehicles, ever wary of ambushes. Flying into a remote U.S. firebase in Paktika province, my BBC crew and I were greeted with a chilling welcome: “You’ve come to the worst place in the world.” True to those words, the Taliban launched Chinese-made rockets at the base after dark, planted by farmers who were either bribed or coerced.
Everything changed in 2006 when the UK deployed in force to Helmand province, a previously peaceful region. The Taliban’s response was clear: “If you come, we will fight you.” Yet, the UK government seemed unprepared for the ferocity of the battles that ensued. British paratroopers found themselves calling in “danger close” mortar and artillery fire to prevent their bases from being overrun. And this is the part most people miss: for the next eight years, until combat operations ended in 2014, it wasn’t just Americans risking life and limb. Brits, Canadians, Danes, Estonians, and countless Afghans fought and sacrificed in the brutal battles of Kandahar and Helmand.
While open combat was terrifying, the greatest fear for many soldiers was the invisible threat of IEDs. Expertly concealed by the Taliban, who knew the terrain intimately, these devices often targeted irrigation ditches and canals—areas troops were forced to cross. In an instant, a blinding flash and a puff of smoke could end a life or forever alter it, leaving survivors facing amputations and lifelong complications. The fear was so pervasive that soldiers leaving their FOBs on patrol often prayed for a below-the-knee amputation if they were hit, rather than one above the knee.
The resilience of those who survived, rebuilding their lives despite unimaginable loss, is both humbling and inspiring. These individuals, from diverse nations, answered America’s call after 9/11, yet their contributions are often overshadowed. It’s no wonder there’s been widespread outrage at suggestions that some nations ‘dodged the fighting.’ Did the global effort in Afghanistan receive the recognition it deserved? And how can we ensure the sacrifices of all who served are never forgotten? Let’s discuss in the comments.
