BBC News Online presents some of the images from the period.

Millions of Afghans fled their country during the war and preceding Taleban regime, but many have now returned

A national army has been created and trained by US soldiers

But militias loyal to warlords remain powerful in parts of the country

Estimates of civilians killed in the operation to end Taleban rule vary from hundreds to thousands

Much of the machinery of war was destroyed but landmines are still a threat

Afghanistan still faces many problems but girls have been allowed back into classrooms...

...and barbers - largely unemployed when the Taleban banned men from shaving - are back at work