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At approximately 16:30 GMT (12:30 EDT, 17:00 local time) on Sunday October 7, 2001, US and British forces struck at the Taliban forces and those of Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. The US government justifies these attacks as a response to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack. Strikes have been reported over the capital, Kabul (where electricity supplies were severed) at the airport and military nerve-centre of Kandahar (home of the Taliban's Supreme Leader), and also at the city of Jalalabad (military/terrorist training camps). Both US President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair have addressed their respective nations on the subject. Bush confirmed the attacks on national television at 1 PM EDT. He said that Taliban military and terrorists training grounds would be targeted, at the same time food will be dropped because the Afghani people are our "friends". A number of different technologies were employed in the strike. Air Force general Richard Myers, head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that approximately 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles, launched by British and US submarines and ships, 15 strike aircraft from carriers and 25 bombers, such as B1, B2 and B52's, were involved in the first wave. Two C17 transport jets were to deliver 37,500 daily rations by airdrop to the refugees inside Afgantistan on the first day of the attack. In his speech, Bush also credited the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is understood to be also directly involved in the strike. A pre-recorded video tape of Osama bin Laden had been released before the attack in which he condemned any attacks against Afghanistan. Al-Jazeera, the Afghani state television, claim that these tapes have been recently received. In this recording bin Laden claims the United States will collapse after it fails in Afghanistan, just as the Soviet Union did, and calls for a war of Muslims against the entire rest of the world. A recent briefing by Washington defense officials has indicated that the assaults will continue for the foreseeable future, with long-range bombing missions attacking Afghanistan from US soil. Timeline?The United States government had announced its intentions to engage in a protracted war against "terrorists" and states which aid "terrorists" in response to the attack. A likely target is the Taliban government in Afghanistan, if they do not turn over Osama bin Laden (prime suspect). There were some early indications that Iraq may have been involved, but nothing other than circumstantial evidence had been produced in the month following the attack. The United States has made it clear that this "war" will continue after dealing with whomever is responsible for the September 11 attack, but it is very unclear exactly what that means. Before October 7, there were reports that U.S. and British special-forces soldiers were covertly landed in Afghanistan at some time after September 11, presumably for reconnaisance purposes, and that several of these troops were captured by the Taliban. As of October 1, all such reports had been officially denied by the U.S., British, and Afghani governments. The FBI issues a national alert to law enforcement agencies to go on the highest alert for new terrorist attacks. The security perimeter around the White House is increased. Add other categories below...When any of the below get too big, make them into subpages Misinformation and rumors U.S. planned "terrorist" attack as pretext :These attacks are stated to be in response to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack. However, many members of the Islamic community believe that there was actually a conspiracy, and that the terrorist attacks were planned as an artificial pretext for the American military action. Most Islamic media are disseminating these theories. See also September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack/Misinformation and rumors. Nature of coalition The first wave of attacks was solely by American and British forces. As well as the United Kingdom other countries have pledged support, including Canada, France and Germany. Despite reluctance in the Arab states against retaliation against the al-Qaida network in Afghanistan, the Pakistani leader General Pervez Musharraf has offered support. Pakistan, as well as Iran, have agreed to open borders to receive the increased migration of refugees expected to travel across their borders. The campaign is viewed on all fronts as an American initiative. All the American news media call it "America Attacks" or some such; the U.S. government has stated repeatedly that it will do these attacks unilaterally if necessary; the BBC calls this a "confrontation between Afghanistan and the U.S."; the majority of the forces are American; the entire campaign is unequivocally led by the U.S.; the U.S. informed NATO of the attack but did not seek its assent. Casualties As of 0:00 GMT October 8, 2001 (8 PM EDT October 7, 2001), there are no confirmed casualties. Diplomatic efforts Humanitarian efforts The United Nations and non-governmental humanitarian organizations have begun gearing up for the massive humanitarian effort necessary in addition to the already major refugee and food efforts. A USAF C-17 Globemaster returns to base from a humanitarian drop: http://www.wikipedia.com/images/c17s.jpg [fill-sized image] Protests, demonstrations and rallies Protests against the war began following the attack across the world. On October 7, there was a peace rally of ten to twelve thousand people. They marched from Union Square to Times Square, cheering the police at the beginning of the march. The list of about twelve speakers was cut to three or four by the police, and they were herded at the end into a one-lane-wide "bullpen". The New York Times buried their coverage of the march on page B12. In various Islamic nations protests and rallies of various sizes against the attack on Afghanistan took place. Slogans and terms * US Government: Enduring Freedom * Yahoo: "Allied Strikes" * CNN: "America Strikes Back", "America's New War" * MSNBC: "America Strikes Back" * ABC: "America Strikes" (AMERICA STRIKES in white bold italic sans-serif above three horizontal red stripes which fade at edges on dark blue background) * NBC: "Taliban Attacked" ("Taliban ATTACKED" in yellow sans-serif) * New York Times: "America Attacks" 2001 Coalition Attack on Afghanistan -- Timeline? External news sites and referencesSee also September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack references. /Talk? |
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#REDIRECT 2001 U.S. Attack on Afghanistan |
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