multiple European countries partook in operations there against the Taliban (the Afghani government at the time) not just Al Qaeda
Since it was the Taliban who were sheltering Al-Qaida (and lying about it), as well as hosting other jihadi groups, that part actually made sense. There was no way to go after Al-Qaida without also confronting the Taliban. The complication was that the Taliban had been created and were still supported by the Pakistani ISI (their CIA equivalent) and by elements of the Pakistani military.
It could have been done diplomatically but that wasn’t even attempted. And if supporting and sheltering terrorists is the main factor then I can think of some of their allies that they’ve yet to act against
Since it was the Taliban who were sheltering Al-Qaida (and lying about it), as well as hosting other jihadi groups, that part actually made sense. There was no way to go after Al-Qaida without also confronting the Taliban. The complication was that the Taliban had been created and were still supported by the Pakistani ISI (their CIA equivalent) and by elements of the Pakistani military.
It could have been done diplomatically but that wasn’t even attempted. And if supporting and sheltering terrorists is the main factor then I can think of some of their allies that they’ve yet to act against