Afghan National Security Forces

Afghan National Security Forces
Unit name	Afghan National Security Forces
Dates	2002–2021
Country	Afghanistan
Branch	Afghan National Army, Afghan Air Force, Afghan National Police, National Directorate of Security
Role	National defense and internal security
Garrison	Kabul
Battles	War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Afghan National Security Forces were the military and police forces of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from their formal establishment in 2002 until the collapse of the republic in 2021. They were a central pillar of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and later Resolute Support Mission strategy to enable the Afghan government to assume full security responsibility. The ANSF were composed of several major branches, including the Afghan National Army, the Afghan Air Force, and the Afghan National Police, operating under the authority of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Their primary mission was to combat the Taliban insurgency and provide security following the United States invasion of Afghanistan and the overthrow of the first Taliban government.

History

The ANSF were established following the Bonn Agreement in late 2001, which created the Afghan Interim Administration and outlined the need for new national security institutions. Initial training and formation were led by the United States Armed Forces and other members of the NATO alliance, beginning with the creation of the Afghan National Army in 2002. Key milestones included the formal transition of security leadership from ISAF to Afghan forces during the 2014 NATO Summit in Warsaw and the subsequent launch of the Resolute Support Mission. The forces were continually engaged in combat against a resilient Taliban and factions aligned with Islamic State – Khorasan Province.

Organization and structure

The ANSF were divided into distinct uniformed services and intelligence agencies, each with specific mandates. The main combat arm was the Afghan National Army, which included corps such as the 201st Corps in Kabul and the 205th Corps in Kandahar. The Afghan Air Force operated from bases like Kandahar Airfield and Hamid Karzai International Airport. Internal security and policing duties fell to the Afghan National Police, which included specialized units like the Afghan National Civil Order Police. The primary intelligence agency was the National Directorate of Security, which conducted counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence operations.

Personnel and training

At their peak, the ANSF numbered approximately 300,000 personnel. Recruitment aimed to create a force representative of Afghanistan's ethnic diversity, including Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks. Basic training was conducted at facilities like the Kabul Military Training Center and the Police Academy in Kabul. Officer education occurred at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan, modeled on the United States Military Academy. A significant portion of advanced training and advisory support was provided by Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan and contingents from nations like the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.

Equipment and capabilities

The ANSF were equipped primarily with Soviet-era and Western-provided matériel. The army utilized vehicles such as the Humvee and M1117 Armored Security Vehicle, while infantry carried M16 rifles and M4 carbines. The air force fleet included Mil Mi-17 helicopters, C-208 utility planes, and later, A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft. Major equipment was supplied through programs like the United States Foreign Military Sales and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. Logistical sustainment and maintenance capabilities, however, remained a persistent challenge throughout their existence.

Role in the War in Afghanistan

The ANSF bore the brunt of ground combat following the drawdown of international combat troops after 2014. They conducted major operations such as Operation Shahi Tandar and defended key population centers during annual Taliban spring offensive campaigns. The forces worked in tandem with remaining Resolute Support Mission advisors and were supported by United States Air Force and United States Army elements in roles such as close air support, medical evacuation, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Despite high casualty rates, they maintained control of all provincial capitals until the summer of 2021.

Dissolution and legacy

The ANSF effectively dissolved during the 2021 Taliban offensive, a rapid military campaign that culminated in the Fall of Kabul on August 15, 2021. The collapse followed the withdrawal of remaining U.S. forces under the Doha Agreement and was marked by the surrender or disintegration of numerous Afghan National Army units. Following the establishment of the new Taliban government, former ANSF personnel faced reprisals and persecution. The legacy of the two-decade, multibillion-dollar international effort to build the forces remains a subject of significant analysis and debate regarding nation-building and security sector reform.

Category:Military of Afghanistan Category:Disbanded armed forces