On December 28, 2014, the United States formally ended its combat mission in Afghanistan at a ceremony in Kabul. The event marked the close of Operation Enduring Freedom, which had begun after the September 11, 2001 attacks. U.S. and NATO officials declared that Afghan security forces would take the lead in combat operations, while remaining international troops shifted to training and support roles. The conflict had become America’s longest war, with significant casualties and financial costs. The ceremony symbolized a transition rather than a complete withdrawal, since thousands of U.S. troops remained in advisory and counterterrorism roles. The long-term stability of Afghanistan and the outcomes of the intervention continued to be debated inside the United States.
