Afghanistan's Complex Relationship With 9/11: A Day Of Complicated Emotions

Afghanistan does not celebrate 9/11. In fact, the Taliban, which has ruled Afghanistan at various points in the last two decades, has blamed America for the 9/11 hijackings. In a video aired on Afghan television, the Taliban described America as the true terrorist party and blamed the U.S. for the 20-year war that followed the attacks. The Taliban has also refused to take responsibility for harbouring and working with Al-Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the 9/11 attacks, prior to 2001.

The Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden to the US

The Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden was due to their close ties with him and his organisation, al-Qaeda. The Taliban had provided refuge for al-Qaeda, allowing them to establish training camps in Afghanistan. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US demanded that the Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden and close the training camps. The Taliban's defiance and protection of bin Laden led to the US declaring a ''War on Terror'' and ultimately resulted in the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, with the goal of destroying al-Qaeda and capturing or killing Osama bin Laden.

The Taliban's refusal to cooperate with US demands and their harbouring of Osama bin Laden had significant consequences. The US-led invasion of Afghanistan resulted in a 20-year war that caused immense loss of life and devastation in the country. The war led to the deaths of thousands of coalition troops, Afghan security forces, and civilians. The Taliban regime was removed from power, but they gradually regained control and eventually reclaimed Afghanistan in 2021, following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops.

The Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden also had broader implications for US counterterrorism efforts. Al-Qaeda, with the support of the Taliban, was able to re-establish itself in Afghanistan and expand its global presence. The group's leadership, including Ayman al-Zawahiri, found refuge in Afghanistan and plotted attacks against US and Western targets. The Taliban's protection of al-Qaeda and their failure to restrain the group enabled al-Qaeda to become a significant threat once again, underscoring the consequences of the Taliban's refusal to cooperate with US demands in the aftermath of 9/11.

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan

The invasion of Afghanistan marked the first phase of what would become a 20-year-long war. The initial goal of overthrowing the Taliban was accomplished within two months, but shifting objectives led to the expansion of the war. The US aimed to destroy al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime from power but also sought to prevent the Northern Alliance from taking control of Afghanistan, believing that the Alliance's rule would alienate the country's Pashtun majority.

The US-led invasion had a lasting impact on Afghanistan, leading to a protracted conflict that caused significant casualties and a dire humanitarian situation. The war also had broader implications, with the US shifting its focus to Iraq and engaging in a controversial shoot-first-ask-questions-later approach that was criticised for lacking careful strategic consideration.

The Taliban's relationship with Al-Qaeda

The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have a long history of working together. The Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, first rose to power in Afghanistan in 1996, and ruled the country until they were overthrown by a US-led invasion in 2001. Al-Qaeda, a terrorist organisation led by Osama bin Laden, was based in Afghanistan during this time.

The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have been closely linked since the 1990s, when Al-Qaeda was based in Afghanistan and the Taliban provided them with protection. Bin Laden swore an oath of allegiance to Mullah Omar, the leader of the Taliban, and the two groups shared a similar ideology.

After the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the US demanded that the Taliban hand over Bin Laden. When the Taliban refused, the US invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban regime.

Despite the Taliban's overthrow, Al-Qaeda continued to operate in Afghanistan, and the Taliban continued to support them. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have maintained close ties, and Al-Qaeda has been able to rebuild and re-establish training camps in the country.

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, and Al-Qaeda has since been able to strengthen its presence in the country. The Taliban has provided Al-Qaeda with a safe haven, and Al-Qaeda has been able to launch international terrorist attacks from Afghan soil.

The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have a complex and intertwined relationship, and their close ties pose a significant threat to regional and international security.

The Taliban's return to power

The Taliban's rule has also had severe economic consequences for Afghanistan. The country's economy has imploded, with mass unemployment, a collapse of the housing market, and increased malnutrition. The Taliban's inability or unwillingness to break ties with terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda has led to reduced financial support from the West, further exacerbating the economic crisis. The lack of foreign aid and the freezing of billions of dollars in Afghan assets have left the Taliban government struggling to provide basic services to its citizens.

In terms of governance, the Taliban has yet to establish a formal government structure and continues to operate through interim appointees. The current interim cabinet is comprised entirely of men, with no women or outside political figures included. The Taliban's supreme leader, the emir, is believed to be endowed with divine authority to oversee all aspects of state and society, and his influence appears to be growing.

The future for Afghans living under Taliban rule remains highly uncertain. While the end of the war has brought some relief, millions are struggling to survive due to the economic crisis and lack of basic services. The Taliban's hardline policies, particularly towards women, have reversed any gains made over the past two decades in terms of human rights and civil liberties. With no country recognizing the Taliban government, the international community is faced with the challenge of preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorist organizations while also ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those in need.

The impact of the 9/11 attacks on Afghanistan

The 9/11 attacks had a profound impact on Afghanistan. Within a month of the attacks, the US, supported by an international coalition, had invaded Afghanistan to destroy Al-Qaeda and capture Osama Bin Laden. The Taliban regime, which had hosted Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, was overthrown, and a new government was formed.

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan had a number of significant consequences for the country. Firstly, the war resulted in a huge loss of life. Tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the conflict, and many more were left with mental health issues and intergenerational trauma. The war also had a detrimental effect on the country's infrastructure, with the Afghan economy crashing and the healthcare system falling into chaos.

The US-led invasion also led to the Taliban being removed from power. However, the Taliban gradually regained strength and, in 2021, they once again claimed control of Afghanistan. The Taliban's resurgence has been linked to the withdrawal of US and NATO troops, and it has raised concerns about the future of the country, with the group enforcing strict laws, particularly impacting women's rights.

The invasion also had a wider impact on the region, with some arguing that it sparked a wave of anti-Americanism. In addition, the war has been linked to the emergence of new terrorist groups, including ISIS-K, and it has contributed to the ongoing instability in the region.

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