Afghanistan has always been a target for invasion due to its strategic position relative to Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. After more than 30 years of war, Afghanistan still suffers from fissures and instability.
The most drastic event which turned the situation in Afghanistan upside down occurred in 1978. During that year the Saur revolution sought to overthrow the current government and implement an atheist regime. The revolution succeeded and a Marxist-Leninist government, supported by the Soviet Union, was installed. in reaction to this the Mujahedeen started to form an opposition force mainly from Pashtun tribes. Their aim was to overthrow the atheist government. In order to stop the Mujahedeen the atheist government requested help from the Soviet Union.
In 1979, the Soviet Union army started crossing the borders of Afghanistan, fighting the Mujahedeen. Afghanistan then fell into war for 9 years between the Soviet Union and the Mujahedeen. Mullah Mohammed Omar a distinguished man who fought the Soviets with the Mujahedeen became a popular figure that was to play a key role in shaping the future of Afghanistan.
The Soviet Union had all kinds of weapons to fight the Afghans and win the war. But the Afghans kept on fighting. The US took advantage of the war and supported Mujahedeen to defeat the Soviet Union (their primary rivals), a tactic which they though would weaken their army and lead them to an economic crisis.
The Unites States had to perform its plan quietly, using Saudi Arabia for money and Pakistan to pass the aids through its borders with Afghanistan. The plan proved to be successful; in 1989 the soviets finally retreated from Afghanistan.
After the withdrawal of the soviets, what seemed to be the end of the war was in fact a beginning of another much longer war. Due to the fact that there was no government to rule the country, in addition to the Mujahedeen who were divided after the war each group wanting to rule the country. In 1996 the Taliban movement was formed under the leadership of Mullah Mohammed Omar. Taliban fought to conquer the country and gain the rule. They managed to join many Afghan cities even the capital city Kabul under their rule. That is when Taliban declared itself the official government of Afghanistan. Taliban were initially recruited from madrasas (religious schools) were they have been trained and that is where the name comes from as these students were called Talibs or Taliban. Eventually they have been called and known of Taliban.
Taliban lasted from 1996-2001. During that period the most strict sharia law ever known was implemented in the country. Women were not allowed to go out without a chaperon and without fully covering their bodies and wearing burqas (a face veil). Girls’ education was banned, so was music, movies, TVs. Having a beard and praying in a mosque was compulsory for men. Whoever violated their laws was sentenced to receive the appropriate punishment. Only two countries recognized the Taliban regime: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The Taliban gained recognition from a well-known wealthy Saudi figure, Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden, who previously aided the Mujahedeen during their war against the Soviets, joined Taliban and became very close to their leader Mullah Mohammed Omar. Soon Bin Laden started his own organization and named it “Al-Qaeda” with a vision of uniting the Islamic world under one sovereign.
On September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda was accused of launching the attack, even though there was no clear evidence of who was behind the attack. Bush declared a war on terror (which ultimately ended up being a war on Afghanistan) to fight Al-Qaeda and capture Bin Laden.
On the same year, The United States backed by Britain launched air strikes on Afghanistan in retaliation to the 9/11 attacks which Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda was held responsible for. A new war was waged on Afghanistan which has not ended till today. During the years of the war with the United States, many innocent civilians have been either killed or displaced. It was also reported that opium trade increased.
Hamid Karzai was installed, by the United States, as the president of Afghanistan. Many NATO countries joined the United States and UK in their attacks including France, Germany and Italy. in 2001, Taliban government collapsed and many of them fled to near country Pakistan. However, since 2006 Taliban has been back to the scene with an increased level of insurgency. During the Obama administration 30,000 troops were sent to Afghanistan. It has been decided that by the end of 2014 the US troops will withdraw and control will be shifted to Afghan Security Forces.
Up until today Afghanistan is still suffering from the wars that had been fought on its land. More than two million people have died through over thirty years of war, and over one million people have been displaced. Up until today the current government of Hamid Karzai is failing to restore order in the country and in dismantling Taliban. The devastation that the Unites States invasion has caused in its war in Afghanistan is one of the most brutal crimes committed to a nation.
To the brave people of Afghanistan, the brave generations that has only known war as a meaning of life.
Afghanistan has always been a target for invasion due to its strategic position relative to Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. After more than 30 years of war, Afghanistan still suffers from fissures and instability.
The most drastic event which turned the situation in Afghanistan upside down occurred in 1978. During that year the Saur revolution sought to overthrow the current government and implement an atheist regime. The revolution succeeded and a Marxist-Leninist government, supported by the Soviet Union, was installed. in reaction to this the Mujahedeen started to form an opposition force mainly from Pashtun tribes. Their aim was to overthrow the atheist government. In order to stop the Mujahedeen the atheist government requested help from the Soviet Union.
In 1979, the Soviet Union army started crossing the borders of Afghanistan, fighting the Mujahedeen. Afghanistan then fell into war for 9 years between the Soviet Union and the Mujahedeen. Mullah Mohammed Omar a distinguished man who fought the Soviets with the Mujahedeen became a popular figure that was to play a key role in shaping the future of Afghanistan.
The Soviet Union had all kinds of weapons to fight the Afghans and win the war. But the Afghans kept on fighting. The US took advantage of the war and supported Mujahedeen to defeat the Soviet Union (their primary rivals), a tactic which they though would weaken their army and lead them to an economic crisis.
The Unites States had to perform its plan quietly, using Saudi Arabia for money and Pakistan to pass the aids through its borders with Afghanistan. The plan proved to be successful; in 1989 the soviets finally retreated from Afghanistan.
After the withdrawal of the soviets, what seemed to be the end of the war was in fact a beginning of another much longer war. Due to the fact that there was no government to rule the country, in addition to the Mujahedeen who were divided after the war each group wanting to rule the country. In 1996 the Taliban movement was formed under the leadership of Mullah Mohammed Omar. Taliban fought to conquer the country and gain the rule. They managed to join many Afghan cities even the capital city Kabul under their rule. That is when Taliban declared itself the official government of Afghanistan. Taliban were initially recruited from madrasas (religious schools) were they have been trained and that is where the name comes from as these students were called Talibs or Taliban. Eventually they have been called and known of Taliban.
Taliban lasted from 1996-2001. During that period the most strict sharia law ever known was implemented in the country. Women were not allowed to go out without a chaperon and without fully covering their bodies and wearing burqas (a face veil). Girls’ education was banned, so was music, movies, TVs. Having a beard and praying in a mosque was compulsory for men. Whoever violated their laws was sentenced to receive the appropriate punishment. Only two countries recognized the Taliban regime: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The Taliban gained recognition from a well-known wealthy Saudi figure, Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden, who previously aided the Mujahedeen during their war against the Soviets, joined Taliban and became very close to their leader Mullah Mohammed Omar. Soon Bin Laden started his own organization and named it “Al-Qaeda” with a vision of uniting the Islamic world under one sovereign.
On September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda was accused of launching the attack, even though there was no clear evidence of who was behind the attack. Bush declared a war on terror (which ultimately ended up being a war on Afghanistan) to fight Al-Qaeda and capture Bin Laden.
On the same year, The United States backed by Britain launched air strikes on Afghanistan in retaliation to the 9/11 attacks which Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda was held responsible for. A new war was waged on Afghanistan which has not ended till today. During the years of the war with the United States, many innocent civilians have been either killed or displaced. It was also reported that opium trade increased.
Hamid Karzai was installed, by the United States, as the president of Afghanistan. Many NATO countries joined the United States and UK in their attacks including France, Germany and Italy. in 2001, Taliban government collapsed and many of them fled to near country Pakistan. However, since 2006 Taliban has been back to the scene with an increased level of insurgency. During the Obama administration 30,000 troops were sent to Afghanistan. It has been decided that by the end of 2014 the US troops will withdraw and control will be shifted to Afghan Security Forces.
Up until today Afghanistan is still suffering from the wars that had been fought on its land. More than two million people have died through over thirty years of war, and over one million people have been displaced. Up until today the current government of Hamid Karzai is failing to restore order in the country and in dismantling Taliban. The devastation that the Unites States invasion has caused in its war in Afghanistan is one of the most brutal crimes committed to a nation.
To the brave people of Afghanistan, the brave generations that has only known war as a meaning of life.
