Operation Freedom's Sentinel

This quarter, the Biden Administration conducted a review of U.S. policy to better understand the status of operations, force levels, the peace process, and the political and security situation in Afghanistan.1 A DoD spokesperson told reporters that this review aimed to inform the new administrations understanding of the commitments made in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement, including the May 1, 2021, withdrawal deadline for international forces.2 Although the insurgents have refrained from attacking U.S. and coalition forces since that agreement was signed, the Taliban threatened to resume hostilities against coalition troops if they did not complete their withdrawal by May 1.3 On April 14, shortly after the quarter ended, President Biden announced that U.S. forces would begin their final withdrawal on May 1 and plan to complete the withdrawal by September 11, 2021.4 Taliban attacks against Afghan government forces increased this quarter. U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) reported a historic increase in enemy-initiated attacks since the signing of the U.S.-Taliban agreement, with nearly 37 percent more enemy-initiated attacks this quarter than during the same period in 2020.5 According to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Taliban very likely prepared for large-scale offensives against provincial centers, complex attacks against the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) installations, and degrading ANDSF capabilities.6 Taliban fighters also concentrated on controlling highways to limit the ANDSFs ability to resupply its forces and to isolate Afghan government forces at outposts and checkpoints.7