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List of military operations

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This is a list of missions, operations, and projects. Missions in support of other missions are not listed independently.

World War I

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See also List of military engagements of World War I

World War II

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See List of World War II military operations

Cold War era

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Asia

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Europe

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  • Berlin Airlift of 1948:
    • Vittles United States— US part of the Berlin Airlift
    • Planefare United Kingdom— British part of the Berlin Airlift.
  • Gladio (?) — Stockpiles of weapons in Italy, Switzerland, Austria and other countries for resistance to Soviet occupiers.
  • Gold (1954) United StatesUnited Kingdom — covert American tunnel under the Berlin Wall
  • Neptune (1964) Soviet Union — Soviet-led counterintelligence operation.
  • Reforger United States — Annual American exercise to "return forces to Germany".
  • Retail (1946) United Kingdom — British clearance of naval mines laid in Albanian waters.
  • Silver (1949) United Kingdom — covert British communications tap in Austria
  • Danube (1968) Soviet Union — Warsaw Pact invasion to halt Czechoslovakia's "Prague Spring" reforms
  • Banner (1969–2007) United Kingdom Deployment of British troops to Northern Ireland to prevent sectarian killings and support the police during the 1969–1997 armed campaign of the Provisional IRA. Operation Banner resulted in over 700 British Armed Forces deaths and 303 police deaths at the hands of native Irish Republicans. 307 people were killed by the British troops, about 51% of whom were civilians and 42% of whom were members of republican paramilitaries.

South America

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  • Brother Sam (1964) United States — A US government contingency plan to support the military coup that overthrew the Brazilian constitutional president João Goulart, if the coup had faced armed resistance
  • The track down operation (1967) Bolivia United States — that captured and executed Che Guevara
  • Condor (1970s) — Brazil Argentina Chile Uruguay Paraguay Bolivia United States — A campaign run by then South American Military Dictatorships' intelligence services with United States' support, which goal was extrajudicial and secretly, find, capture and eliminate political dissidents who, had succeeded to escape political repression in their homelands but could be found in any of these other countries.

Central America and the Caribbean

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Southern Africa

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  • Hurricane (1972–1980) Rhodesia/Zimbabwe Rhodesia — Operations by Rhodesian security forces against ZIPRA and ZANU guerillas in Mashonaland.
  • Overload (1974) Rhodesia — Rhodesian security forces operation to establish protected villages.
  • Savannah (1975–76) South Africa — South African intervention in Angola in support of the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA).
  • Carlota (1977) Cuba — Cuban Deployment to counter South African attacks to Angola.
  • Dingo (1977) Rhodesia — Rhodesian attack on camps in Mozambique.
  • Tangent (1977–1980) Rhodesia/Zimbabwe Rhodesia — Operations by Rhodesian security forces against insurgents in Matabeleland.
  • Favour (1978–1980) Rhodesia/Zimbabwe Rhodesia — Training of former insurgents to serve as security force auxiliaries in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.
  • Reindeer (1978) South Africa — South African airborne attack on South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) base at Cassinga, Angola.
  • Rekstok (1979) South Africa — South African attack on SWAPO bases in Angola.
  • Saffraan (1979) South Africa — South African attack on SWAPO bases in Zambia.
  • Klipklop (1980) South Africa — South African disruption of SWAPO logistics in Angola.
  • Sceptic (1980) South Africa — South African attack on SWAPO bases in Angola.
  • Protea (1981) South Africa — South African attack on SWAPO bases near Ongiva and Xangongo, Angola.
  • Carnation (1981) South Africa — South African skirmishes with SWAPO forces along the Angolan border.
  • Meebos (1982) South Africa — South African destruction of SWAPO's "East Front" HQ at Mupa, Angola.
  • Askari (1983) South Africa — South African attack on SWAPO and People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) forces in Angola.
  • Phoenix (1983) South Africa — South African response to mass SWAPO infiltration of South-West Africa
  • Alpha Centauri (1986) South Africa — South African operation in support of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) in Angola.
  • Moduler (1987) South Africa — South African operation to reverse the FAPLA advance on Mavinga and Jamba.
  • Hooper (1988) South Africa — South African operation followup to Modular in pursuit of retreating FAPLA forces.
  • Packer (1988) South Africa — South African operation to push FAPLA and Cuban forces north of the Cuito River, following Hooper

Chad

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  • Bison (1969–1972) France — French intervention to counter FROLINAT insurgency.
  • Tacaud (1978–1980) France — Operation to avoid FROLINAT rebels taking Chad's capital.
  • Manta (1983–1984) France — Intervention in the Chadian-Libyan conflict.
  • Épervier (1986–2014) France — French military presence in Chad originally designed to counter Libyan expansion in Northern Chad, then continued to support Chad during the Sudanese backed Chadian Civil War and later focused on counterterrorism against jihadi threats in the Sahel region.

Congo/Zaire

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Central African Republic

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  • Barracuda (1979–1981) France — Occupation of Bangui, Central African Republic as a peace-keeping intervention after the overthrow of Emperor Bokassa.
  • Caban (1979) France — Capture of Bangui airport as a prelude to Operation Barracuda in order to overthrow Emperor Bokassa.

Falklands War (1982)

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Other

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Indochina War

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  • Adolphe (1953) France South Vietnam — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Atlante (1954) France South Vietnam — French operation to pacify the local populace between Da Nang and Nha Trang and re-establish the sovereignty of the Bảo Đại government.
  • Bretagne (1952–1953) France South Vietnam — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Brochet (1953) France South Vietnam — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Camargue (1953) France South Vietnam — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Castor (1953) France South Vietnam — French airborne operation to establish a fortified airhead in Điện Biên Province.
  • Ceinture (1947) France — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Condor (1954) France — French relief attempt of Dien Bien Phu.
  • Hirondelle (1953) France South Vietnam — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Léa (1947) France South Vietnam — French airborne attempt to capture the leaders of the Viet Minh.
  • Lorraine (1952) France South Vietnam — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Masterdom (1945–1946) United Kingdom France — French and British Armies operation against Viet Minh in Indochina after the Liberation from Japan.
  • Mouette (1953) France South Vietnam — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Papillon (1947) France South Vietnam — French operation against Viet Minh in Indochina.
  • Pollux (1953) France South Vietnam — French evacuation of troops stationed in Lai Châu Province.
  • Vulture (1954) United States France — Aborted American air support of French troops against the Viet Minh around Dien Bien Phu.

Korean War

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Vietnam War

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Post–Cold War

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Asia

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Sri Lankan Civil War

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Rwanda

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Congo/Zaire

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Horn of Africa

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  • Addition (2000) Canada United Nations — Canada's contribution to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).
  • Atalanta (2008–present) European Union — EU military presence off the coast of Somalia to act against piracy.
  • Deliverance (1993) Canada United Nations — Canadian mission to Somalia.
  • Eastern Exit (1991) United States — US evacuation of its embassy in Somalia.
  • Espresso (2002) South Africa United Nations — South African contribution to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).
  • Operation Gothic Serpent (1993) United States — United States special operation with the primary mission of capturing faction leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid in Somalia.
  • Iskoutir (1992–1999) France — French Army intervention for enforcement of ceasefire during and after the Djiboutian Civil War.
  • Restore Hope (1992) United States United Nations — American name for UNITAF, humanitarian intervention in Somalia.
    • Oryx (1992–1993) France — French Army contribution to Operation Restore Hope.
  • Solace (1992) Australia United Nations — Australian deployment in Somalia.

Mano River Region

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Central Africa

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Libya

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Sudan

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  • Azure (2005) Australia United Nations — Australian name for UN peace keeping mission in Sudan (UNMIS). [1]
  • Cordite (2004) South Africa — South African observer mission to the African Union mission in Darfur.
  • Nilo (2005) Italy United Nations — Italian name for UN peace keeping mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

Western Sahara

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Zimbabwe

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  • Liberation (2002) Zimbabwe — Seizure of Asian-owned assets in Zimbabwe.
  • Murambatsvina (2005) Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe government's attack on residential district loyal to opposition groups.

Other Africa

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  • Albatros (1993–94) Italy United Nations — Italian contribution to UN peace keeping mission in Mozambique (UNOMOZ).
  • Azalée (1995) France — French reaction to the mercenary led coup in Comoros.
  • Boleas (1998) South Africa Botswana — South African and Botswanan military intervention in Lesotho.
  • Corymbe (1990–present) France — French Navy prepositioning off Gulf of Guinea acting against piracy and serving as backup for a potential evacuation of EU citizens from Western Africa in case of conflict.
  • Tanker Two (2002) South AfricaSouth African Navy mission to shadow Greenpeace's MV Esperanza and prevent interception of the Pacific Teal, a plutonium transport.

East Timor

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Croatian War of Independence 1991–1995

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  • Operation Otkos 10 (end Oct-Nov 1991) Croatia — Croatian actions against Serbian forces on area from Mount Bilogora to Mount Papuk (on west of Slavonia).
  • Operation Orkan 91 (1991) Croatia — Follow-up Croatian offensive after Otkos 10.
  • Harmony (1992) Canada — Canada's contribution to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), which was created in February 1992 to ensure the protection and demilitarization of three UN Protected Areas in Croatia.
  • Operation Tigar (July 1992) Croatia — Croatian military actions in occupied Dubrovnik hinterland, held by Serbian and Montenegrin regulars.
  • Medački džep (September 1993) Croatia — Croatian offensive against Serbian forces with aim of relieving the city of Gospić from Serb shelling attacks.
  • Bljesak ("Flash") (March 1995) Croatia — Croatian offensive against Serbian forces, with aim of liberating occupied western Slavonia.
  • Oluja ("Storm") (August 1995) Croatia — Croatian major offensive against most areas under control of Serbian forces.

War in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1992–1995

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  • Operation Corridor '92 (24 June 1992 – 6 October 1992) Republika Srpska (1992–1995) — Bosnian Serb operation against Bosnian Croat forces in Bosnian Posavina.
  • Maritime Monitor (July 1992 – November 1992) NATO — in support of UN resolutions 713 and 757, operation which subsequently became:
  • Sky Monitor (October 1992 – April 1993) NATO — Monitoring by NAEW of unauthorized flights in the airspace of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Bosnian War.
  • Maritime Guard (November 1992 – June 1993) NATO — in support of UN Resolution 787.
  • Balbuzard (January 1993 – December 1995) France — French military action aiming to liberate hostages in Sarajevo and ensure the safety of already deployed French elements of UNPROFOR in case of a potential evacuation.
  • Deny Flight (April 1993 – December 1995) NATO — NATO operation preventing the violation of the Bosnia-Herzegovina airspace, declared No-Fly Zone.
  • Sharp Guard (June 1993 – October 1996) NATO — Co-ordinated WEU and NATO evolution of Operation Maritime Guard in continuing support of UN Resolution 787.
  • Neretva '93 (September 1993 – October 1993) Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina — Offensive of Bosnian Muslim forces against Bosnian Croats in northern and eastern Herzegovina.
  • Operation Tvigi '94 (24 January 1994) Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia — Bosnian Croat attack on village of Here.
  • Bøllebank ("Hooligan-bashing" in Danish) (29 April 1994) United Nations — UN-forces' use of tanks against Bosnian Serbian forces.
  • Operation Tiger (2 June 1994 – 21 August 1994) Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina — Offensive of pro-government Bosniak forces against forces of Fikret Abdić.
  • Amanda (25 October 1994) United Nations — Danish UN-forces' second engagement against Bosnian Serbian forces.
  • Operation Cincar (20 October 1994 – 3 November 1994) Croatia Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina — Joint Bosniak-Croat offensive to take control of Kupres from the VRS.
  • Operation Spider (4 November 1994 – Summer 1995) Republika Srpska (1992–1995) Republic of Serbian Krajina— Republika Srpska and Serbian Krajina offensive in northwestern Bosnia.
  • Operation Winter '94 (29 November 1995 – 24 December 1995) Croatia Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia — Croatian offensive in Livno area.
  • Operation Leap 1 (7 April 1995) Croatia Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia — Croatian offensive in Livno-Bosansko Grahovo area.
  • Operation Leap 2 (4 June 1995 – 10 June 1995) Croatia Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia — Croatian offensive in Livno-Bosansko Grahovo area.
  • Operation Krivaja '95 (6 July 1995 – 11 July 1995) Republika Srpska (1992–1995) — Bosnian Serb operation to take control of the Srebrenica enclave.
  • Operation Stupčanica '95 (25 July 1995 – 26 July 1995) Republika Srpska (1992–1995) — Bosnian Serb operation to take control of the Žepa enclave.
  • Operation Summer '95 (25 July 1995 – 29 July 1995) Croatia — Croatian offensive in western Bosnia.
  • Sword '95 (1995) Bosnia and Herzegovina — Bosnian Serbian offensive against Bosnian-Muslim forces in western Bosnia.
  • Operation Deliberate Force (August – September 1995) NATONATO air campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Operation Maestral (8 September 1995 – 15 September 1995) Croatia Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia — Major Croatian offensive in western Bosnia.
  • Operation Sana (13 September 1995 – 13 October 1995) Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina — Bosnian offensive in northwestern Bosnia.
  • Operation Una (18 September 1995 – 19 September 1995) Croatia — Croatian operation against Bosnian Serb Army.
  • Operation Southern Move (8 October 1995 – 11 October 1995) Croatia Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia — Croatian offensive in area around Mrkonjić Grad.


Bosnia and Herzegovina (Post Bosnian War)

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Kosovo War 1999

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  • Allied Force (1999) NATO — NATO's air campaign in Yugoslavia
  • Megaphone (2000) Canada — Canada's return of equipment used in Kosovo
  • Quadrant (1999–2002) Canada — Canada's mission in Kosovo
  • Joint Guardian (1999 – ) NATO — NATO operation which established KFOR

Republic of Macedonia

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  • Able Sentry (1993–1994) United StatesBerlin Brigade deployed as part of Multi-National United Nations Protection Forces (UNPROFOR) to the Republic of Macedonia to establish Camp Able Sentry and monitor sanctions imposed by NATO against Serbia/Kosovo. *This mission was later taken over by the (then) Germany-based, 3rd Infantry Div (Mech).
  • Echo (1998–2000) Canada — Canada sending air forces to Aviano, Italy to enforce a no-fly zone over Balkan region (UNSFOR and UNKFOR).
  • Essential Harvest (2001) NATO — month-long NATO mission of disarming ethnic Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia.
    • Forage (2001–2002) Canada — Canadian contribution to NATO's Essential Harvest.
  • Kinetic (1999–2000) Canada — Canada's contribution to NATO's mission KFOR to secure Kosovo and the Republic of Macedonia and to provide humanitarian needs to displaced persons.

Haiti

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  • Constable (1997) Canada — Canada's contribution to the United Nations Mission in Haiti
  • Uphold Democracy (1994–1995) United States Poland Argentina — U.S. led multinational intervention aimed at removing the military regime after the 1991 coup in Haiti. This operation was later replaced by UNMIH.
  • New Horizon (1995–1996) United States United Nations — U.S. mission in support (and under the command) of United Nations Mission in Haiti
  • Secure Tomorrow (2004) United States Canada France Chile — US led multinational force, authorized by the UN as the Multinational Interim Force (MIF) which was replaced by the MINUSTAH.
    • Carbet (2004) France — French codename for peace-keeping intervention in Haiti.
  • MINUSTAH (2004–present) United Nations — United Nations peace-keeping presence in Haiti.

Persian Gulf War

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  • Desert Shield (1990–1991) United States — American buildup prior to Gulf War
    • Busiris (1990–1991) France — Presence of French Army elements stationed in the UAE as deterrent against potential Iraqi Army action
    • Salamandre (1990–1991) France — Deployment of French Army in preparation of operations Busiris and Daguet.
  • Desert Storm (1991) — Gulf War
  • Ace Guard (1991) NATO — (NATO) Allied Command Europe Mobile Force for Turkey South Border Reinforcement (based at Diyarbakir AFB)

Iraq (post-Gulf War)

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  • Provide Comfort (1991–1996) United States United Kingdom France Australia Turkey Netherlands Italy — Security and humanitarian aid to Kurds in northern Iraq and No-Fly Zone North of 36°N over Iraq.
    • Airone (1991) Italy — Italian codename for Operation Provide Comfort.
    • Haven (1991) United Kingdom — Security and humanitarian aid to Kurds in Northern Iraq.
    • Libage (1991) France — French codename for Operation Provide Comfort in the Turkey-Iraq border area.
    • Ramure (1991) France — French codename for Operation Provide Comfort in the Iran-Iraq border area.
  • Record (1991–2001) Canada — Canadian mission to secure Iraqi-Kuwaiti border.
  • Southern Watch (1991–2003) France Saudi Arabia United Kingdom United States United Nations — No-Fly Zone South of 33°N over Iraq.
    • Alysse (1992–2003) France — French codename for contribution to Operation Southern Watch.
    • Bolton (1997–2001) United Kingdom — UK Royal Air Force Contribution to Southern Watch.
    • Resinate South (2001–2003) United Kingdom — UK Contribution to Southern Watch including Response Options.
  • Southern Breeze (1991) France Belgium Netherlands — Demining operations of Kuwaiti waters.
  • Desert Strike (1996) United States — retaliation attacks on Iraq.
  • Determination (1998) Canada — Canadian deployment in the Persian Gulf to force Iraq to comply with United Nations inspection agreements.
  • Northern Watch (1997–2003) Turkey United Kingdom United States United NationsNo-Fly Zone North of 36°N over Iraq.
    • Resinate North (2001–2003) United Kingdom — UK Contribution to Northern Watch including Response Options.
  • Desert Fox (1998) United Kingdom United States — Bombing campaign on military Iraqi targets.
  • Desert Falcon (1991–2003) United States United States PATRIOT missile defense of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Israel from the Iraqi Scud missile threat.[citation needed]

Georgia

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Armenia (First Nagorno-Karabakh War)

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Middle East

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Global War on Terrorism and other associated activity

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Afghanistan War

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  • Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (2001–2014) NATO ISAF — US led invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, aiming to attack al-Qaeda and deny it a safe haven in Afghanistan by removing the Taliban from power.
    • Arès (2003–2007) FranceFrench Special Forces contribution to the operation Enduring Freedom.
    • Épidote (2002–2014) France — French Army training of Afghan Army officers.
    • Héraclès (2001–2002) France — French Navy contribution to the initial phase of operation Enduring Freedom.
    • Pamir (2001–2014) France — French Land Army contribution to the operation Enduring Freedom.
  • Freedom's Sentinel (2015–2021) Afghanistan NATO RSM — Afghan and US led counterterrorism operations against the remnants of Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan
  • Resolute Support (2015–2021) NATO RSM — NATO-led training, advising, and assistance mission in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
  • Operation Allied Welcome (2021–present) — Evacuation of US citizens, green card holders, Special Immigrant VISA holders, and their families.

Iraq War

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Sahel

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  • Serval (2013) France — French intervention in Mali to counter AQIM progress.
  • Barkhane (2014) France — French counter-terrorism activities in Sahel region to eradicate AQIM presence.
  • Rijke (2015) France — Unconfirmed codename for rescue mission of Dutch hostage Sjaak Rijke detained in Mali since 2011.

Syrian War

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War in North West Pakistan

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Other military counter-terrorist operations

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Terrorist operations

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Counter-terrorism drills

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Preventive counter-terrorist operations

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Reactive counter-terrorist operations

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Other/Unknown

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Law enforcement

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Other anti-narcotic operations

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Anti-child pornography operations

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Operations against intellectual property theft

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  • Buccaneer (2001) — International raid on unauthorized software distribution.
  • D-Elite (2005) — US raid on software infringement operations.
  • Fastlink (2004) — International operation against illegally copied computer software.
  • Site Down (2005) — International effort against illegally distributed films.

Other operations

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See also:

U.S. Involved Law Enforcement Operations

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Humanitarian operations

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Other

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Non-military operations

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References

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  1. ^ Conboy, Morrison, entirety.
  2. ^ Operation Desert Sabre
  3. ^ "U.S. Periods of War and Dates of Recent Conflicts" (PDF). Congressional Research Service.
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Bibliography

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Conboy, Kenneth and James Morrison (1995). Shadow War: The CIA's Secret War in Laos. Paladin Press. ISBN 0-87364-825-0.