-
Soviet Occupation
The Taliban formed in the early 1990s by a faction of Islamic fighters who resisted Soviet occupation of Afghanistan between 1979-1989 and were backed by U.S. and Pakistani forces. The Taliban is a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist group that emerged in Afghanistan following Soviet occupation and continues to wage war within the country. Image -
Period: to
Rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan
The purpose of this timeline is to show the events involved in the rise of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan. Beginning in post-soviet Afghanistan and ending with the U.S. invasion, the Taliban movement will shape much of American policy in the Middle East. The rise and fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan also serves as an important backdrop for understanding issues the U.S. faces in the region today. -
Soviets Ousted
Mujahideen forces, led by Ahmed Shah Massoud, remove the Soviet-backed government of Mohammad Najibullah. This leads to rivalry among factions in Afghanistan fighting to fill the power vacuum. Chaos and corruption are rampant in Afghanistan. Image -
The Dominant Faction
The Taliban (Pashto for "students") are appointed by Pakistan to protect trade convoys, adding to their economic and political control in Afghanistan. The Taliban emerges as the dominant faction among the mujahideen "freedom fighters." Image -
Battle for Kabul
The Taliban gain support by offering stability following a period of great unrest under competing foreign interest, particularly as a proxy during the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union. By 1996 the group takes the Afghan capitol, Kabul, from President Burhanuddin Rabbani, 'an ethnic Tajik whom they viewed as anti-Pashtun and corrupt'. Image -
Pakistani Reinforcements
The Taliban, comprised of Sunni Muslims, receives reinforcements from Pakistani religious schools when it fails to capture and hold the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The city is held sacred by Shia. The Taliban gain territory, as well as growing ties to Pakistan, where it will later re-locate. Image -
U.S. Embassy Bombings
In response to two U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the U.S. launches missiles at suspected bin Laden bases in Afghanistan and Sudan. President Bill Clinton ordered the strikes under "Operation Infinite Reach." The embassy bombings puts al-Qaeda on U.S. radar for the first time and heightens tensions between Americans and Taliban forces. Image -
Bamiyan Takeover
The Taliban take over the city of Bamiyan, the last major opposition stronghold in Afghanistan. The Taliban now are in total control of the country. In Bamiyan, the Taliban will later blow up a 2,000 year old Buddha statue, further provoking international outrage. Image -
UN Peace Agreement Fails
A UN-brokered peace agreement is reached between the Taliban and its remaining opposition, however, fighting breaks out again in July. International tensions escalate and eventually leads to UN sanctions against Afghanistan under Taliban control. Image -
9/11 Terrorist Attacks
A series of coordinated attacks against the U.S. are carried out by al-Qaeda, killing almost 3,000 Americans. Suspicion is quickly turned to the Taliban as a contributor to the attacks, specifically for harboring the terror group's leader, Osama bin Laden. Image -
U.S. Invades Afghanistan
U.S. troops begin ground operations in Afghanistan against the Taliban in response to the 9/11 terror attacks. U.S. forces topple the regime within two months. Taliban leaders move efforts across the border to Pakistan. Image
