Operation Crescent Wind | |||||||
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Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) | |||||||
A Tomahawk cruise missile is launched from the USS Philippine Sea in a strike against al-Qaeda training camps and Taliban military installations in Afghanistan on 7 October 2001 | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States United Kingdom | Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Tommy Franks Charles F. Wald | Muhammad Omar | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Royal Air Force | |||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
3 killed (friendly fire) | |||||||
3,100–3,600 civilian deaths[1] |
Operation Crescent Wind was the codename for the American and British air campaign over Afghanistan in October and November 2001. The bombing campaign was aided by British special forces troops on the ground to provide targeting information for airstrikes. The campaign significantly weakened the Taliban, paving the way for offensives by the Northern Alliance to take place in November which quickly overran Taliban-controlled regions of Afghanistan.