Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2008

United States and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban through 2008.

On April 27, President Karzai escaped another attempt on his life: gunmen opened fire during a military parade celebrating the nation's victory and liberation from the eight-year occupation of the Soviet Union. The firefight lasted about a quarter of an hour, with 3 dead and over 10 wounded.^[1]

As of September 11, 2008 has been the deadliest year for US forces since the start of the war with 113 deaths.^[2] Early September also marked the first time the war spilled over on to Pakistani territory.^[3] The year was also the deadliest for several European countries in Afghanistan.

There were two "coalitions" in Afghanistan in 2008, one with a strict basis in international law.

The "NATO-led coalition", identified by the press, referred to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) organised by NATO, with a specific United Nations Security Council mandate within Afghanistan, including most of the US forces in Afghanistan, NATO contingents and some non-NATO forces.

The "US-led coalition", identified by the press, referred to Operation Enduring Freedom forces, mostly special forces and air forces, within a strictly U.S. Department of Defense chain of command. The United States claimed the right to conduct these operations by asserting Article 51, self defence, of the United Nations Charter.