The taliban

Afghanistan has had a very bloody and violent history. Although it has been invaded a number of times, it’s said that no one has ever been able to “conquer” the Afghan people.

Due to the various ethnic and tribal groups in Afghanistan, the country was, and to a large extent still is, divided. Poverty and an unstable government following the Russian withdrawal in 1989 left Afghanistan in a state where various War lords from various ethnic groups and tribes competed with each other for power. The corruption and violence that came with this was the cause for many complaints and suffering of the Afghan people. The Taliban, although in its early days, vowed to bring calm and stability to the country. This got them increased support from the Afghan population.

In 1996 they captured the Afghan capital, Kabul. They took power and called on the rest of the world to recognise them as the leaders of Afghanistan. However, it soon became clear that their strict interpretation of Islam meant torture, public executions and amputations, and strict rules on the role of women in society. This resulted in a lot of criticism from other countries, human rights groups and other muslims around the world. The Taliban’s reasoning for this was to enforce and create a ‘totally pure Islamic state’.

The Taliban soon forced all females out of education and work, ordering them to wear a full burqa (a piece of clothing that covers the women, leaving just a grill around the eyes to allow her to see out)and banning them from being outside without a man. It was not just women who suffered from their rule either. Men whose beard was not sufficiently long enough were arrested or harassed, and anyone caught listening to music, watching TV or taking part in any other form of “anti-Islamic” and “modern” activities could be subject to imprisonment, torture and even death.

It was the Taliban’s strict version of Islam that caused many militants worldwide to see Afghanistan as a safe haven. As a result training camps for militants sprung one of these was Osama bin Laden's. Bin Laden used Afghanistan to train and equip his fighters and plan attacks. Following 9/11, the US asked the Taliban to hand bin Laden over. They refused, fearing they would be seen as weak and also because they said bin Laden was a guest in the country and that they could not betray him. As a result of their refusal, the US and other forces invaded the country and removed them from power. Ever since, the Taliban and its top commanders have continued attacks against Afghan security forces and international forces. Many of their commanders crossed the border into Pakistan.

Although many Taliban commanders and fighters have been killed or captured, the lack of any major progress and corruption in Afghanistan has led to a growth in Taliban support. It is said that the Taliban are now stronger than they have been since their removal from power in 2001.