Australians in Afghanistan
Australians have learnt about the Anzacs and their story. We know where the Anzacs fought and the battles they were involved in as they attempted to take Gallipoli. We also know of Kokoda and the other battles to save Australia but very few of us would know what our troops have been doing in Afghanistan for the past fourteen years.
The Afghanistan war is the longest in Australian history and has involved our army, navy and air force. Over twenty-five thousand soldiers have served there, forty one have died, hundreds wounded and four awarded the Victoria Cross. Our contribution to the international force has gone through several stages, from initial combat operations, through to reconstruction efforts and onto a training role. The Lowy Institute estimates that it has cost Australia more than $9.5 billion.
So why is Australia there? The Afghan War is a part of the United States led global War on Terror, which began with the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001. Afghanistan had become a home for Islamic terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda who were responsible for the 9/11 attacks and many others throughout the world. The United States demanded the Taliban regime that was in control of Afghanistan, to give up Osama bin Laden and shut down all training camps and bases. The Taliban refused and so the United States and its NATO Coalition partners used this as the reason to overthrow the regime. The Australian Prime Minister at the time John Howard, invoked the ANZUS Treaty and committed our forces to assist the United States in its war in Afghanistan.
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From 2001 throughout 2002 the Australians were deployed to help remove the Taliban from power. By the end of 2002 this mission was achieved and our Government withdrew most of our soldiers from Afghanistan to follow the US over to Iraq. It was not until 2005 when we had to go back as everyone realised the quick withdrawal was a mistake as Islamic insurgent groups were creating problems for the new government. In 2006 reconstruction efforts aimed at rebuilding Afghanistan’s buildings and security forces commenced and Australia and the Netherlands were given responsibility for the poor Uruzgan Province in south-central Afghanistan. Australia's reconstruction commander at the time said, "...not much had been constructed in Uruzgan in the first place."
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During this time our soldiers were also in battles against the insurgent groups who were trying to disrupt the reconstruction process and take back control of the region. In 2009 the Dutch went home and Australia were left alone in the province rebuilding and training the Afghan National Security Force. Australian forces have at times been involved in heavy fighting, and significant battles have included Operation Anaconda in 2002 and Operation Perth in 2006, as well as actions in Chora in 2007, Kakarak in 2009, the Shah Wali Kot and Derapet in 2010, and Doan in 2011. Others are said yet to be publicly acknowledged due to operational security requirements. In 2013 most of our troops were also brought home but about 400 remain in the capital Kabul in a training and advisory role. The Australians are set to be all home by the end of 2016.
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So what was the outcome of the war? Prime Minister Tony Abbott said "...Australia's longest war is ending...not with victory, not with defeat, but with hope, an Afghanistan that is better for our presence here." So it was a draw? What did we do there and was it worth the lives that were lost? Army chaplain Rob Sutherland states "for Australia it was a moral victory in the window of opportunity we had...we may not be able to see from maps what we've done...but we know in the hearts and minds of our soldiers that we've done a good job." |
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To remove the Taliban was generally seen as something that had to happen, but from then on everything got confusing. Most media columnists write that from 2006 we were playing a political game where the goalposts kept changing. Our strategy at times was very different to the Europeans and Americans, so we had to do as they said as we were only a small force in the coalition. Afghanistan Ministers have said "...your troops are the best...whatever they have been doing here...they have always put the Afghan people first." Political correspondents write that they should to be saying this as Australia continues to pay $36M in funding to the Uruzgan Province and has left it with a significant increase in its infrastructure. Questions are asked however as to how long this peace will remain and if there will be more conflict.
The Afghanistan Wars effect in shaping modern Australia is yet to be seen. This will happen over time with government and independent reviews and as information is made available. Unlike other countries, Australia has not yet publicly reviewed its time in Afghanistan. Social commentators such as Robert Manne write that even with the Governments control over the information released, this war reflects Australia's current political trend. "...since the 9/11 attacks we have gone from being a relatively independent nation to reverting back to a having a dependent relationship with the US." It is said we are becoming a 'little America' and that now with the ISIS threat, this dependence won't seem to be changing.