Afghanistan's Two Decades of Conflict Following 9/11

Why it matters locally: Many New Mexicans, particularly those with family members who served in the U.S. armed forces, were directly affected by the deployments and consequences of the conflict in Afghanistan.

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After the September 11, 2001, attacks, Afghanistan became a focal point for the United States. Individuals responsible for planning these attacks found refuge within the country. This prompted a U.S. military response. The subsequent two decades saw sustained conflict in Afghanistan. Residents commonly referred to this period as "The American War." During these 20 years, hundreds of thousands of people died. A majority of these fatalities occurred among the civilian population. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen and videographer Eric O'Connor interviewed three men who participated in this conflict.