View source for Operation Enduring Freedom

{{Expert-subject|Military history|date=December 2009}}
{{Update|date=July 2010}}
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Operation Enduring Freedom
|campaign=Operation Enduring Freedom
|partof=the [[War on Terror]]
|image=[[File:US Marines in Operation Enduring Freedom.jpg|300px]]
|caption=[[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marines]] during Operation El Dorado.
|date=October 7, 2001–present
|place=[[Afghanistan]], [[Philippines]], [[Africa]]
|casus=[[September 11, 2001 attacks]].
|result=Conflicts ongoing; Taliban regime overthrown but ISAF and Afghan forces continue to take casualties.
|combatant1=
'''In Afghanistan:'''
*{{flagicon image|ISAF-Logo.svg}} [[International Security Assistance Force|NATO - ISAF]]
**{{flagicon|US}} [[United States]]
**{{flagicon|UK}} [[United Kingdom]]
**{{flagcountry|Germany}}
**{{flagcountry|France}}
**{{flagcountry|Italy}}
**{{flagcountry|Canada}}
**{{flagcountry|Australia}}
**{{flagcountry|Spain}}
**{{flagcountry|Poland}}
**{{flagcountry|Persia}}
**38 other countries
*{{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Afghanistan]]
*[[Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan: Allies|Operation Enduring Freedom Allies]]
**approximately 50 countries
*''Former:''
**{{flagicon|Afghanistan|1992}} [[Afghan Northern Alliance|Northern Alliance]]
'''In the Philippines:''' ''(expected to be completed in 2010)''
*{{flag|Philippines}}
*{{flag|United States}}
'''In Somalia/Horn of Africa:'''
*[[NATO]]
*{{flag|United States}}
*{{flag|Ethiopia}}
*{{flag|Somalia}}
*{{flag|Australia}}
*{{flag|Djibouti}}
*{{flag|Republic of Korea}}
*{{flag|New Zealand}}
*{{flag|Pakistan}}
*{{flag|Russia}}
*{{flag|Uganda}}
*{{UKR}}
'''In Georgia:''' ''(completed)''
*{{USA}}
*{{flag|Georgia}}
'''In Kyrgyzstan:''' ''(completed)''
*{{USA}}
*{{RUS}}
*{{flag|Republic of Korea}}
*{{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}
'''Supporters:'''
*{{JPN}} [http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20071019-73.html]
*{{RUS}}[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/crs/RL31152.pdf]
*{{PRC}}[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/crs/RL31152.pdf]
*{{IND}}[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/crs/RL31152.pdf]
*{{flag|Uzbekistan}}[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/crs/RL31152.pdf]
*{{flag|Thailand}}[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/crs/RL31152.pdf]
*[[Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan: Allies|''Other nations'']]
|combatant2=
'''In Afghanistan:'''
*{{flagicon|Afghanistan|Taliban}} [[Taliban]]
*[[File:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|24px]] [[al-Qaeda]]
'''In the Philippines:'''
*[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|24px]] [[Moro Islamic Liberation Front]]
*[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|24px]] [[Abu Sayyaf]]
*[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|24px]] [[Jemaah Islamiyah]]
'''In Somalia:'''
*[[File:Shabab.png|24px]] [[Al-Shabaab]]
*[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|24px]]  [[Hizbul Islam]]
*{{flag|Somalia}} [[Piracy in Somalia|Pirates]]
'''In Sahara:'''
*[[File:Flag of al-Qaeda in Iraq.svg|24px]] [[Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb]]
|commander1={{Flagicon|United States}} GEN [[Tommy Franks]] {{Small|(CENTCOM commander 2001–2003)}},<br/>{{flagicon|United States}} GEN [[John Abizaid]] {{Small|(CENTCOM commander 2003–2007)}},<br/>{{flagicon|United States}} ADM [[William J. Fallon]] {{Small|(CENTCOM commander 2007–2008)}},<br/>{{flagicon|United States}} LTG [[Martin Dempsey]] ,<br/>{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Air Chief Marshal]] Sir [[Graham Stirrup]], <br/> {{Flagicon|United States}} GEN [[David Petraeus]] {{small|(CENTCOM commander)}}.
|commander2={{flagicon|Afghanistan|Taliban}} [[Mohammed Omar]],<br/> [[File:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|24px]] [[Osama bin Laden]],<br/> [[File:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|24px]] [[Ayman al-Zawahiri]],<br/>[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Khadaffy Janjalani]]†,<br/>[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Riduan Isamuddin]]{{POW}}
|strength1=
|strength2=
|casualties1='''Afghan forces:''' <br/> 6,500+ killed <br/> '''Ethiopian army:'''<br/>3,773 killed<br/> '''U.S.:''' <br/> 1,216 killed<ref>http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/index.aspx</ref>, 7,150 wounded<ref>http://www.defenselink.mil/news/casualty.pdf</ref> <br/> '''Somali [[Transitional Federal Government|TFG]], Somali [[Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism|ARPCT]]:'''<br/>~1,120 killed <br/> '''Philippine military:''' <br/> 445+ killed, 1 POW<br/> '''Other Coalition forces:''' <br/> 439 killed <br/> '''UK:''' <br/> 327 killed, 4,091 wounded<ref>http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/1B6CC09F-CA8D-4FAF-A1F1-7722F08E7DE6/0/opherrickcasualtytablesto30july2010.pdf</ref><br/>
|casualties2= Afghanistan-[[List of Taliban fatality reports in Afghanistan]]

Horn Of Africa- at least 34 total total killed

Trans Sahara- at least 100+ killed, 263 non-combat fatalities

Philippines- at least 100+ killed
}}
"'''Operation Enduring Freedom'''" (OEF) is the official name used by the U.S. Government for the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]], together with three smaller military actions, under the umbrella of the [[War on Terror|Global War on Terror]] (GWOT).

The operation was originally called "Operation Infinite Justice" (often misquoted as "Operation Ultimate Justice"<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/waronterror/story/0,,559312,00.html |title=Attack and Aftermath: a glossary of terms, in |publisher=Guardian Unlimited |date=2001-09-27 | location=London | first=Derek | last=Brown | accessdate=May 20, 2010}}</ref>), but as similar phrases have been used by adherents of several religions as an exclusive description of God, it is believed to have been changed to avoid offense to [[Muslim]]s.<ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1563722.stm |title=Infinite Justice, out - Enduring Freedom, in |publisher=BBC News |date=2001-09-25}}</ref> U.S. President George W. Bush's remark that "this [[crusade]], this war on terrorism, is going to take a while", which prompted widespread criticism from the Islamic world, may also have contributed to the renaming of the operation.<ref name="BBC News"/>

The Operation comprises several subordinate operations:{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}
#[[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan]] (OEF-A)
#[[Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines]] (OEF-P) (formerly Operation Freedom Eagle)
#[[Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa]] (OEF-HOA)
#[[Operation Enduring Freedom - Trans Sahara]] (OEF-TS)
#[[Operation Enduring Freedom - Kyrgyzstan]] (completed in 2004)
#[[Operation Enduring Freedom - Pankisi Gorge]] (completed in 2004)<ref name=EUCOM>{{cite web  	
|title=EUCOM: Operations and Initiatives 	
|url=http://www.eucom.mil/english/Operations/main.asp 	
|publisher=[[EUCOM]] 	
|accessdate=2007-02-06 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070109185740/http://www.eucom.mil/english/Operations/main.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-01-09}}</ref> 

The term "OEF" typically refers to the war in Afghanistan. Other operations, such as the [[Georgia Train and Equip Program]], are only loosely or nominally connected to OEF, such as through government funding vehicles.<ref name=HELPING-GEORGIA>{{cite web |title=Helping Georgia? |url=http://www.bu.edu/iscip/vol12/areshidze.html |publisher=[[Boston University]] Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology and Policy |date=[[March 2002|March]]–April 2002 |accessdate=2007-02-14}}</ref> All the operations, however, have a focus on [[counterterrorism]] activities.

Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan, which is a joint U.S., UK and Afghan operation, is separate from the [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF), which is an operation of NATO nations including the USA and UK. The two operations run in parallel, and although it has been intended that they merge for some time, this has not yet happened.

==Overview==

On October 7, 2001, early combat operations including a mix of strikes from land-based [[B-1 Lancer]], [[B-2 Spirit]] and [[B-52 Stratofortress]] bombers; carrier-based [[F-14 Tomcat]] and [[F/A-18 Hornet]] fighters; and [[BGM-109 Tomahawk|Tomahawk cruise missile]]s launched from both U.S. and [[United Kingdom|British]] ships and submarines signaled the start of Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (OEF-A).

The initial military objectives of OEF-A, as articulated by Former President [[George W. Bush]] in his Sept. 20th Address to a Joint Session of Congress and his Oct. 7th address to the country, included the destruction of terrorist training camps and [[infrastructure]] within [[Afghanistan]], the capture of [[al-Qaeda]] leaders, and the cessation of terrorist activities in Afghanistan."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2001/09/mil-010920-usia01.htm |title=Text: Bush Announces Start of a "War on Terror" |publisher=globalsecurity.org |date=2001-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2001/10/mil-011007-usia01.htm |title=Text: President Bush Announces Military Strikes in Afghanistan |publisher=globalsecurity.org |date=2001-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/enduring-freedom.htm |title=Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan |publisher=globalsecurity.org }}</ref>

In January 2002, over 1,200 soldiers from the [[United States Special Operations Command|United States Special Operation Command Pacific]] (SOCPAC) deployed to [[Philippines]] to support the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] (AFP) in their push to uproot terrorist forces on the island of [[Basilan]]. Of those groups included are [[Abu Sayyaf|Abu Sayyaf Group]] (ASG), [[al-Qaeda]] and [[Jemaah Islamiyah]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://131.84.1.218/speeches/sst2003/030210pasoc.shtml |title=PASOC 2003 Conference - Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort |first=ADM Tom |last=Fargo |publisher=U.S. Pacific Command |work=Speeches and Transcripts |date=2003-02-10}}</ref> The operation consisted of training the AFP in counter-terrorist operations as well as supporting the local people with humanitarian aid in [[Operation Smiles]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://131.84.1.218/piupdates/smiles.pdf |title=Operation Smiles |format=PDF |publisher=U.S. Pacific Command}}</ref>.

In October 2002, the [[Combined Task Force 150]] and United States military Special Forces established themselves in [[Djibouti]] at [[Camp Lemonnier]]. The stated goals of the operation were to provide humanitarian aid and patrol the [[Horn of Africa]] to reduce the abilities of terrorist organizations in the region. Similar to OEF-P, the goal of humanitarian aid was highlighted in order to prevent terrorist organizations from being able to take hold amongst the population as well as reemerge after being removed.

The military aspect involves coalition forces searching and boarding ships entering the region for illegal cargo as well as providing training and equipment to the armed forces in the region. The humanitarian aspect involves building schools, clinics and water wells to enforce the confidence of the local people.

Since 2001, the cumulative expenditure by the U.S. government on Operation Enduring Freedom has exceeded $150 Billion. [http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33110.pdf]

The operation continues, with military direction mostly coming from [[United States Central Command]].

==Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (OEF-A)==
===The Taliban===
Seizing upon a [[power vacuum]] after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan after their [[Soviet invasion of Afghanistan|invasion]], the [[Taliban]] assumed the role of government from 1996-2001. Their extreme interpretation of Islamic law prompted them to ban music, television, sports, and dancing, and enforce harsh judicial penalties (See [[Human rights in Afghanistan]]). Amputation was an accepted form of punishment for stealing [http://www.rawa.org/execute4.htm][http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/0498/9804047.html], and public executions could often be seen at the Kabul football stadium.[http://www.rawa.org/murder-w.htm][http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/s/w_asia/70585.stm] Women's rights groups around the world were frequently critical as the Taliban banned women from appearing in public or holding many jobs outside the home. They drew further criticism when they destroyed the [[Buddhas of Bamyan]], historical statues nearly 1500 years old, because the buddhas were considered idols.

In 1996, Saudi [[dissident]] [[Osama bin Laden]] moved to Afghanistan upon the invitation of the [[Afghan Northern Alliance|Northern Alliance]] leader Abdur Rabb ur Rasool Sayyaf. When the Taliban came to power, bin Laden was able to forge an alliance between the Taliban and his [[al-Qaeda]] organization.  It is understood that al-Qaeda-trained fighters known as the [[055 Brigade]] were integrated with the Taliban army between 1997 and 2001.  It has been suggested that the Taliban and bin Laden had very close connections.[http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report_Ch5.pdf]

===U.S.-led coalition action===
{{Main|War in Afghanistan (2001–present)}}

On September 20, 2001, the U.S. stated that Osama bin Laden was behind the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001. The U.S. made a five point ultimatum to the Taliban: [http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/20/gen.bush.transcript/]. 
#Deliver to the U.S. all of the leaders of al-Qaeda
#Release all imprisoned foreign nationals
#Close immediately every terrorist training camp
#Hand over every terrorist and their supporters to appropriate authorities
#Give the United States full access to terrorist training camps for inspection

On September 21, 2001, the Taliban rejected this ultimatum, stating there was no evidence in their possession linking bin Laden to the September 11 attacks<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/09/11/world/main310852.shtml CBCnews.com]</ref>. 

On September 22, 2001 the [[United Arab Emirates]] and later [[Saudi Arabia]] withdrew their recognition of the Taliban as the legal government of Afghanistan, leaving neighboring [[Pakistan]] as the only remaining country with diplomatic ties.

On October 4, 2001, it is believed that the Taliban covertly offered to turn bin Laden over to Pakistan for trial in an international tribunal that operated according to Islamic shar'ia law<ref>[http://www.j-n-v.org/AW_briefings/ARROW_briefing005.htm j-n-v.org]</ref>.
On October 7, 2001, the Taliban proposed to try bin Laden in Afghanistan in an Islamic court<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/10/07/ret.us.taliban/ CNN archives]</ref>. This proposition was immediately rejected by the U.S.  Shortly afterward, the same day, United States and British forces initiated military action against the Taliban, bombing Taliban forces and al-Qaeda terrorist training camps<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/10/07/gen.america.under.attack/ CNN archives]</ref>.

On October 14, 2001, the Taliban proposed to hand bin Laden over to a third country for trial, but only if they were given evidence of bin Laden's involvement in the events of September 11, 2001<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/waronterror/story/0,1361,573975,00.html The Guardian (UK)]</ref>.  The U.S. rejected this proposal and continued with military operations.

The [[UN Security Council]], on January 16, 2002, unanimously established an arms embargo and the freezing of identifiable assets belonging to bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and the remaining Taliban.

===Combat operations start===
[[File:Kelliea1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Air Force Airman 1st Class Kelliea Guthrie and Senior Airman Greg Ellis guard a [[C-130 Hercules]] aircraft during cargo operations at [[Fayzabad, Badakhshan|Feyzabad]] Airfield, [[Afghanistan]].]]

[[File:Fleet 5 nations.jpg|thumb|right|300px|5-country multinational fleet, during "Operation Enduring Freedom" in the Oman Sea. In four descending columns, from left to right: [[Maestrale class frigate|MM ''Maestrale'']] (F 570), [[FS De Grasse|''De Grasse'']] (D 612); [[USS John C. Stennis|USS ''John C. Stennis'']] (CVN 74), [[FS Charles de Gaulle|''Charles De Gaulle'']] (R 91), [[Surcouf (F711)|''Surcouf'']] (F 711); [[USS Port Royal (CG-73)|USS ''Port Royal'']] (CG-73), [[HMS Ocean (L12)|HMS ''Ocean'']] (L 12), [[USS John F. Kennedy|USS ''John F. Kennedy'']] (CV 67), [[Hr. Ms. Van Amstel|HNLMS ''Van Amstel'']] (F 831); and [[Durand De la Penne class destroyer|MM ''Durand de la Penne'']] (D 560).]]

On Sunday October 7, 2001, [[United States|American]] and [[United Kingdom|British]] forces began an [[strategic bombing|aerial bombing]] campaign targeting Taliban forces and al-Qaeda.

The Northern Alliance, fighting against a Taliban weakened by U.S. bombing and massive defections, captured [[Mazari Sharif]] on November 9. It rapidly gained control of most of northern Afghanistan and took control of Kabul on November 13 after the Taliban unexpectedly fled the city. The Taliban were restricted to a smaller and smaller region, with [[Kunduz]], the last Taliban-held city in the north, captured on November 26. Most of the Taliban fled to Pakistan.

The war continued in the south of the country, where the Taliban retreated to [[Kandahar]]. After Kandahar fell in December, remnants of the Taliban and al-Qaeda continued to [[Taliban insurgency|mount resistance]]. Meanwhile, in November 2001 the U.S. military and its allied forces established their first ground base in Afghanistan to the south west of [[Kandahar]], known as [[Camp Rhino|FOB Rhino]].

The [[Battle of Tora Bora]], involving U.S., British and Northern Alliance forces took place in December 2001 to further destroy the Taliban and suspected al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. In early March 2002 the United States military, along with allied Afghan military forces, conducted a large operation to destroy al-Qaeda in an operation code-named [[Operation Anaconda]].

The operation was carried out by elements of the [[United States]] [[10th Mountain Division (United States)|10th Mountain Division]], [[101st Airborne Division]], the [[U.S. special forces]] groups TF 11, TF Bowie, and TF Dagger, [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Royal Marines]], the [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK)]], [[Hærens Jegerkommando]] and [[Marinejegerkommandoen]], [[Canada]]'s 3rd Battalion [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]], the [[Afghan National Army]], the German [[Kommando Spezialkräfte|KSK]], and elements of the [[Australian Special Air Service Regiment]] and of the [[Special Air Service of New Zealand|New Zealand Special Air Service]]. 

After managing to evade U.S. forces throughout the summer of 2002, the remnants of the Taliban gradually began to regain their confidence. A Canadian and U.S. led operation (supported by British and Dutch forces), [[Operation Mountain Thrust]] was launched in May 2006 to counter renewed Taliban insurgency.

Since January 2006, the [[NATO]] [[International Security Assistance Force]] undertook combat duties from Operation Enduring Freedom in southern Afghanistan, the NATO force chiefly made up of British, Canadian and [[Netherlands|Dutch]] forces (and some smaller contributions from [[Denmark]], [[Romania]] and [[Estonia]] and air support from [[Norway]] as well as air and artillery support from the U.S.) (''see the article [[Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2006]]''). The United States military also conducts military operations separate from NATO as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in other parts of Afghanistan, in areas such as Kandahar, Bagram, and Kabul (including [[Camp Eggers]] and [[Camp Phoenix]].)

===International support===
{{Main|Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan: Allies}}
The United States was supported by [[Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan: Allies|several nations]] during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan in 2001-2003 and in subsequent coalition operations directly or indirectly in support of OEF. ''See the article [[Afghanistan War order of battle]] for the current disposition of coalition forces in Afghanistan. For coalition forces involved in NATO combat operations in southern Afghanistan in 2006, see the article [[Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2006]]. For coalition forces involved in NATO operations in 2007, see the article [[Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007]]. And the article [[International Security Assistance Force]] for coalition forces in Afghanistan as part of ISAF.''

===Result===
The U.S.-led Coalition is credited with removing the [[Taliban]] from power and seriously crippling [[al-Qaeda]] and associated militants in both [[Afghanistan]] and neighboring [[Pakistan]].

On October 9, 2004, [[Afghanistan]] elected [[Hamid Karzai]] President in its first direct elections. The following year, Afghans conducted the [[Afghan parliamentary election, 2005]] on September 18, 2005. Since the invasion, hundreds of schools and [[mosques]] have been constructed, millions of dollars in aid have been distributed, and the occurrence of violence has been greatly reduced. 

While military forces interdict [[Insurgency|insurgents]] and assure security, [[Provincial reconstruction team]]s are tasked with infrastructure building, like constructing roads and bridges, assisting during floods, and providing food and water to [[Afghan refugees|refugees]]. Many warlords have participated in an allegiance program, recognizing the legitimacy of the Government of Afghanistan, and surrendering their soldiers and weapons, though some of their subsequent actions have led to serious questions about their true loyalties. 

The newly activated [[Afghan National Army]], [[Afghan National Police]], and [[Afghan Border Police]] are being trained to assume the task of securing their nation. However, the Taliban still wields strong influence in many regions, and Karzai's government is believed to hold little real power outside the capital city of [[Kabul]].

===Criticism===
{{Main|Criticism of the War on Terror}}
AFP, reporting on a news story in the Sunday, April 3, 2004,  [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/78653/1/.html issue of ''The New Yorker''], wrote that retired Army Colonel [[Hy Rothstein]], "who served in the [[United States Army Special Forces|Army Special Forces]] for more than 20 years, ... commissioned by [[The Pentagon]] to examine the war in Afghanistan concluded the conflict created conditions that have given 'warlordism, banditry and opium production a new lease on life' ...." 

The conduct of U.S. forces was criticised in a report entitled [[Enduring Freedom - Abuses by U.S. Forces in Afghanistan]] by U.S.-based human rights group, [[Human Rights Watch]] in 2004.

For more criticism of OEF in Afghanistan, see PDA monograph (http://www.comw.org/pda/0201strangevic.html).

For one U.S. Army response, see [http://www.army.mil/professionalwriting/volumes/volume4/december_2006/12_06_2.html The Human Terrain System: A CORDS for the 21st Century].

==Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines (OEF-P)==
{{Main|Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines}}
===Abu Sayyaf Group===
{{Main|Abu Sayyaf}}
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) Al Harakat Al Islamiyya, is deemed a "foreign terrorist organization" by the [[United States]] government.  Specifically, it is an [[Islamist]] separatist group based in and around the southern islands of the [[Republic of the Philippines]], primarily [[Jolo]], [[Basilan]], and [[Mindanao]].

Since inception in the early 1990s, the group has carried out [[bombing]]s, [[assassination]]s, [[kidnapping]]s, and [[extortion]] in their fight for an independent Islamic state in western [[Mindanao]] and the [[Sulu Archipelago]].  Its claimed overarching goal is to create a Pan-Islamic superstate across the ''Malay'' portions of [[Southeast Asia]], spanning, from east to west, the large island of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago (Basilan and Jolo islands), the large island of [[Borneo]] ([[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]]), the [[South China Sea]], and the [[Malay Peninsula]] ([[Peninsular Malaysia]], [[Thailand]] and [[Myanmar]]).

===Jemaah Islamiyah===
{{Main|Jemaah Islamiyah}}
Jemaah Islamiyah is a [[militant Islam]]ic [[terrorism|terrorist]] organization dedicated to the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic [[theocracy]] in [[Southeast Asia]], in particular [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], [[Brunei]], [[Malaysia]], the south of [[Thailand]] and the [[Philippines]].

Financial links between Jemaah Islamiyah and other terrorist groups, such as [[Abu Sayyaf]] and [[al-Qaeda]], have been found to exist. [http://www.nbr.org/publications/analysis/pdf/vol14no5.pdf] Jemaah Islamiyah means "Islamic Group" or "Islamic Community" and is often abbreviated JI.

Jemaah Islamiyah is thought to have killed hundreds of [[civilian]]s. Also, it is suspected of carrying out the [[2002 Bali terrorist bombing|Bali car bombing]] on October 12, 2002, in which suicide bombers attacked a nightclub killing 202 people and wounding many more. Most of the casualties were Australian tourists. After this attack, the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] designated Jemaah Islamiyah as a [[U.S. State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations|Foreign Terrorist Organization]]. Jemaah Islamiyah is also suspected of carrying out the [[Zamboanga bombings]], the [[Metro Manila]] bombings, the [[2004 Australian embassy bombing]] and the [[2005 Bali bombings|2005 Bali terrorist bombing]].

===U.S. action===
In January 2002, 1,200 members of [[United States Special Operations Command|United States Special Operations Command, Pacific]] (SOCPAC) were deployed to the Philippines to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in uprooting al-Qaeda, Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf. The members of SOCPAC were assigned to assist in military operations against the terrorist forces as well as humanitarian operations for the island of Basilan, where most of the conflict was expected to take place.

The United States Special Forces (SF) unit trained and equipped special forces and scout rangers of the AFP, creating the Light Reaction Company (LRC). The LRC and elements of SOCPAC deployed to Basilan on completion of their training. The stated goals of the deployment were denying the ASG sanctuary, surveiling, controlling, and denying ASG routes, surveiling supporting villages and key personnel, conducting local training to overcome AFP weaknesses and sustain AFP strengths, supporting operations by the AFP "strike force" (LRC) in the area of responsibility (AOR), conducting and supporting civil affairs operations in the AOR.[http://www.army.mil/professionalwriting/volumes/volume2/june_2004/6_04_3.html]

===Result===
The desired result was for the AFP to gain sufficient capability to locate and destroy the ASG, to recover hostages and to enhance the legitimacy of the Philippine government. Much of the operation was a success: the ASG was driven from Basilan and one U.S. hostage was recovered. [http://www.army.mil/professionalwriting/volumes/volume2/june_2004/6_04_3.html] The Abu Sayyaf Group's ranks, which once counted more than 800 members, was reduced to less than 100. The humanitarian portion of the operation, Operation Smiles, created 14 schools, 7 clinics, 3 hospitals and provided medical care to over 18,000 residents of Basilan. Humanitarian groups were able to continue their work without fear of further kidnappings and terrorists attacks by the Abu Sayyaf Group. [http://131.84.1.218/piupdates/smiles.pdf] [http://www.ict.org.il/organizations/orgdet.cfm?orgid=3]

==Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa (OEF-HOA)==
{{Main|Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa}}
Unlike other operations contained in Operation Enduring Freedom, OEF-HOA does not have a specific terrorist organization as a target. OEF-HOA instead focuses its efforts to disrupt and detect terrorist activities in the region and to work with host nations to deny the reemergence of terrorist cells and activities. In October 2002, the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa ([[CJTF-HOA]]) was established in [[Djibouti]] at [[Camp Lemonnier]] containing approximately 2,000 personnel including U.S. military and Special Operations Forces (SOF), and coalition force members, [[Combined Task Force 150]] (CTF-150). The coalition force consists of ships from [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Netherlands]], [[Italy]], [[Pakistan]], [[New Zealand]], [[Spain]], [[Turkey]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. The primary goal of the coalition forces is to monitor, inspect, board and stop suspected shipments from entering the Horn of Africa region.

CJTF-HOA has devoted the majority of its efforts to train selected armed forces units of the countries of Djibouti, [[Kenya]] and [[Ethiopia]] in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency tactics. Humanitarian efforts conducted by CJTF-HOA include the rebuilding of schools and medical clinics, as well as providing medical services to those countries whose forces are being trained. The program expands as part of the Trans-Saharan Counter Terrorism Initiative as CJTF personnel also assist in training the forces of [[Chad]], [[Niger]], [[Mauritania]] and [[Mali]]. [http://www.senate.gov/member/al/shelby/general/legislation/Terrorism.pdf]

===U.S. action===
Anti-piracy operations were undertaken by the coalition throughout 2006 with a [[March 18, 2006 incident off Somalia|battle]] fought in March of that year when U.S. vessels were attacked by pirates. In January 2007, during the [[War in Somalia (2006–present)|war in Somalia]], an [[AC-130]] airstrike was conducted against [[al-Qaeda]] members embedded with forces of the [[Islamic Courts Union]] (ICU) operating in southern Somalia near [[Battle of Ras Kamboni|Ras Kamboni]]. U.S. naval forces, including the [[aircraft carrier]] [[USS Dwight D. Eisenhower|USS ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'']], were positioned off the coast of Somalia to provide support and to prevent any al-Qaeda forces escaping by sea. Actions against pirates also occurred in June and October 2007 with varying amounts of success.

==Military decorations==
Since 2002, the [[United States military]] has created military awards and decorations related to Operation Enduring Freedom:

*[[Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal]]
*[[Afghanistan Campaign Medal]]

[[NATO]] also created a military decoration related to Operation Enduring Freedom:

*Non-Article 5 [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] [[NATO Medal]]

==See also==
{{Portal|United States Marine Corps}}

*[[Coalition casualties in Afghanistan]]
*[[International Security Assistance Force]]
*[[War on Terror]]
*[[Afghanistan War order of battle]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
[[Portal:United States Army]]

==Further reading==
* Maloney, Sean M. ''Enduring the Freedom: A Rogue Historian in Afghanistan.'' Washington, D.C. : Potomac Books, Incorporated, 2005. ISBN 1574889532.
*{{cite book| url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/enduring_voices/index.html | title = Enduring Voices: Oral Histories of the U.S. Army Experience in Afghanistan, 2003-2005| editor = Christopher N. Koontz| id = CMH Pub 70-112-1| year = 2008| publisher = [[United States Army Center of Military History]]| location = Washington, D.C.}} full text available online

==External links==
*[http://corpidelite.altervista.org/EnduringFreedom.html Special Operations Forces in Operation "Enduring Freedom"]
*[http://www.enduringfreedomfoundation.org The Enduring Freedom Foundation]
*[http://www.democracynow.org/2009/8/25/the_safe_haven_myth_harvard_prof Stephen Walt Takes on Obama’s Justification for Escalating the Afghanistan War] - video report by ''[[Democracy Now!]]''

{{War on Terrorism|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:War on Terror]]
[[Category:Military operations involving the United States|Enduring Freedom]]
[[Category:Counter-terrorism policy of the United States]]
[[Category:Code names|Enduring Freedom, Operation]]
[[ar:عملية الحرية الدائمة]]
[[cs:Operace Trvalá svoboda]]
[[de:Operation Enduring Freedom]]
[[fa:عملیات دوام‌دار آزادی]]
[[fr:Operation Enduring Freedom]]
[[ko:항구적 자유 작전]]
[[it:Operazione Enduring Freedom]]
[[hu:Enduring Freedom hadművelet]]
[[ja:不朽の自由作戦]]
[[no:Operasjon Enduring Freedom]]
[[ps:په ٢٠٠١ کال کې په افغانستان کې جګړه]]
[[pl:Inwazja na Afganistan (2001-2002)]]
[[pt:Operação Enduring Freedom]]
[[ru:Операция «Несокрушимая свобода»]]
[[fi:Enduring Freedom]]
[[zh:持久自由军事行动]]
[[Category:2Fix]]