The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom against the Taliban regime in autumn 2001. As of 22 February 2020 there has been a total of 457 fatalities of British Forces personnel including Ministry of Defence (MoD) civilians. The vast majority of fatalities have taken place since the redeployment of British forces to the Taliban stronghold of Helmand province, as prior to deployment in this area only five men died between April 2002 and early March 2006. For the period 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2013 centrally available records show that: