Global InformationInternational Security Assistance Force information
| International Security Assistance Force | |
|---|---|
 Official logo of the ISAF | |
| Dates of operation | 20 December 2001 – 28 December 2014 |
| Country | See list |
| Allegiance |  NATO |
| Size | 130,000 (at the peak of deployment in 2012)[1] |
| Allies |  Afghanistan |
| Opponents |  Taliban Al-Qaeda |
| Battles and wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Flags |   |
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was a multinational military mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. It was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386 pursuant to the Bonn Agreement, which outlined the establishment of a permanent Afghan government following the U.S. invasion in October 2001.[2][3] ISAF's primary goal was to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and assist Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions; it gradually took part in the broader war in Afghanistan against the Taliban insurgency.
ISAF's initial mandate was to secure the Afghan capital of Kabul and its surrounding area against opposition forces to facilitate the formation of the Afghan Transitional Administration headed by Hamid Karzai.[4] In 2003, NATO took command of the mission at the request of the UN and Afghan government, marking its first deployment outside Europe and North America. Shortly thereafter, the UN Security Council expanded ISAF's mission to provide and maintain security beyond the capital region.[5] ISAF incrementally broadened its operations in four stages, and by 2006 took responsibility for the entire country; ISAF subsequently engaged in more intensive combat in southern and eastern Afghanistan.[6]
At its peak between 2010 and 2012, ISAF had 400 military bases throughout Afghanistan (compared to 300 for the ANSF)[7] and roughly 130,000 troops. A total of 42 countries contributed troops to ISAF, including all 30 members of NATO. Personnel contributions varied greatly throughout the course of the mission: Initially, Canada was the largest contributor, though by 2010 the United States accounted for the majority of troops, followed by the United Kingdom, Turkey, Germany, France, and Italy; nations such as Georgia, Denmark, Norway, and Estonia were among the largest contributors per capita.[8] The intensity of the combat faced by participating countries varied greatly, with the U.S. sustaining the most casualties overall, while the British, Danish, Estonian, and Georgian forces suffered the most deaths for their size. The Canadian Armed Forces had the highest per-capita casualty rate among coalition members.
Pursuant to its ultimate aim of transitioning security responsibilities to Afghan forces, ISAF ceased combat operations and was disbanded in December 2014. A number of troops remained to serve a supporting and advisory role as part of its successor organization, the Resolute Support Mission.
- ^ "NATO sets "irreversible" but risky course to end Afghan war". Reuters. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386. S/RES/1386(2001) 31 May 2001. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
- ^ United Nations Security Council Document 1154. Annex I – International Security Force S/2001/1154 page 9. (2001) Retrieved 26 August 2008.
- ^ Official Documents System of the United Nations Archived 9 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "UNSC Resolution 1510, October 13, 2003" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
- ^ NATO. "ISAF's mission in Afghanistan (2001–2014) (Archived)". NATO. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ Turse, Nick (11 February 2010). "The 700 Military Bases of Afghanistan". Foreign Police in Focus (FPIF). Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ ChartsBin. "Countries Currently Contributing Troops to ISAF". ChartsBin. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.