Police cars are seen overturned in the street in the framework of a demonstration against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana, on July 11, 2021. Thousands of Cubans took part in rare protests Sunday against the communist government, marching through a town chanting “Down with the dictatorship” and “We want liberty”. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)

Devotees in traditional attire play flutes as they take part in a parade commemorating the Neku Jatra-Mataya festival, the Festival of Lights, in Lalitpur, Nepal August 31, 2015. Devotees celebrate the Buddhist festival which marks the victory of Sakyamuni Buddha over Mara, by praying for the souls of departed family members and holding parades throughout the city. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

Throughout the course of the long war in Afghanistan, Coalition troops have relied on thousands of military working dogs to help keep them safe, and make their jobs easier. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades, or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but behind the lines they serve as therapy dogs, service dogs, and loyal companions. They also share the same risks as the ground troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. Gathered here are images of these dogs and their handlers in Afghanistan and back home, from over the past several years, part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

Newly-wed couples attend their group wedding ceremony which was held as part of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province January 6, 2016. As many as 15 couples attend this mass wedding ceremony. (Photo by Aly Song/Reuters)

Hot air balloons take part in the 38th International Balloon Festival of Chateau-d'oex, Switzerland, 23 January 2016. For nine days balloonists from 15 countries take part in the ballooning event in the Swiss mountain resort famous for ideal flight conditions due to an exceptional microclimate. The festival takes place from 23 to 31 January. (Photo by Cyril Zingaro/EPA)

A reveller reacts during a water fight at Songkran Festival celebrations in Bangkok April 13, 2016. The three-day Songkran Festival starts on 13-15 April annually and is celebrated with splashing water and putting powder on each others faces as a symbolic sign of cleansing and washing away the sins from the old year. (Photo by Jorge Silva/Reuters)

Residents wade across floodwaters after a week typhoon Koppu battered Calumpit town, Bulacan province, north of Manila October 24, 2015. Typhoon Koppu, that dumped heavy rains on the northern Philippines, killing 58 people as it flattened houses and destroyed crops, was petering out on Wednesday, weather officials said. (Photo by Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)

After the success of their Superman series in 2013, the Canadian Mint debuted a new set of coins honouring the Man of Steel at this year's Fan Expo in Toronto. The collection is made up of three silver coins worth $10, $15 and $20, and a gold coin worth $100. Photo: Close-up of the $10 silver coin in the new Superman series from the Royal Canadian Mint. (Photo by The Canadian Press)