The U.S.-led war in Afghanistan began October 7 , 2001 , with an air campaign . It was initially planned as a limited military operation to capture or kill Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda terrorist network by the end of 2002. While NATO has insisted that the transition of security for the country to Afghan forces is conditions-based rather than calendar-driven , the clock is ticking on the withdrawal deadline . Of those killed , 1,780 are American , 382 are British and 157 are Canadian , according to the count . The U.S. and most NATO nations have announced plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by 2014 .
The U.S.-led war in Afghanistan began October 7 , 2001 , with an air campaign . It was initially planned as a limited military operation to capture or kill Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda terrorist network by the end of 2002. Of those killed , 1,780 are American , 382 are British and 157 are Canadian , according to the count . The U.S. and most NATO nations have announced plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by 2014 .