Afghan National Army Commando Corps

The Afghan National Army Commandos were the light infantry and direct action force of the Afghan National Army (ANA). During the war in Afghanistan against the Taliban insurgency, the Commandos represented 7% of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) but conducted 70% to 80% of the fighting. The structure of the unit was based on the United States Army's 75th Ranger Regiment. They were responsible for raids on strategic targets and for assisting the regular army in counterinsurgency operations.

The Commandos were widely regarded as the most effective part of the Afghan security forces and were heavily depended on by the Afghan and U.S. leadership. They were partnered with foreign special operations units, particularly the United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets), and frequently conducted missions together. A total of ten Commando battalions were organized between 2007 and 2021. From 2011, the Commandos were part of the ANA Special Operations Command (ANASOC). Commando battalions functioned on 18-week cycles with six weeks each of training, operations, and recovery. The Commando Training Center was located at Camp Morehead near Kabul.

Their notable operations included the retaking of the city of Kunduz from the Taliban in 2015 and the Mohmand Valley raid that killed the leader of the Islamic State in Afghanistan in 2017. After the U.S. withdrew the majority of its troops by 2015, the Afghan government became reliant on the Commandos. Despite an effort by the U.S. and NATO to make them capable of independent operations, the Commandos still depended on foreign support after 2015, due to the Afghan military's logistical problems and the country's lack of infrastructure. During the 2021 Taliban offensive the Commandos and the Afghan Air Force were the main units sent by the government to respond to Taliban advances, but they found themselves isolated and with no logistical support as the regular forces collapsed.

Upon the fall of Kabul and the collapse of both the ANA and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Commando Corps was dissolved. The new Taliban regime claimed it reactivated the unit with a new flag and a new emblem, in the Islamic Emirate Army, but it is unknown if any of the previous personnel or training got transferred. The majority of former Commandos are reportedly living in the country in hiding, though some are known to have joined the Republican insurgency in Afghanistan against the Taliban.