Omari Gates
Afghanistan has long been a country associated with terrorism, with the Taliban, a Sunni Islamist nationalist and pro-Pashtun movement, at the forefront of this association. The Taliban ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until they were routed from power by a US-led campaign in October 2001. In the years leading up to the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, the Taliban provided a safe haven for al-Qaeda, allowing them to recruit, train, and deploy terrorists to other countries.
After the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, the country continued to experience insurgent attacks, primarily from the Taliban, which had regrouped across the border in Pakistan. The Taliban returned to power in 2021, twenty years after their initial ouster, and concerns have been raised about their close ties with terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Khorasan (ISIS-K).
The Taliban's return to power has raised fears that Afghanistan could once again become a safe haven for terrorists, with the potential to launch attacks against the United States and its allies. The country's weak state and collapsing economy provide a conducive environment for terrorist groups to operate and recruit.
The presence of terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS-K in Afghanistan poses a significant threat, and the United States is faced with the challenge of designing an effective counterterrorism strategy to mitigate this growing danger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Terrorist groups with an active presence in Afghanistan | Al-Qaida, Daesh Khorasan Province (ISKP), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Jihad Group, Khatiba Imam al-Bukhari, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba |
| Terrorist groups with a historical presence in Afghanistan | The Taliban, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Islamic State |
| Countries that support terrorist groups in Afghanistan | Pakistan, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia |
| Types of attacks in Afghanistan | Roadside bombs, suicide bombs, indirect rocket and mortar fire, direct fire, kidnappings, violent crime |
What You'll Learn
The Taliban's relationship with Al-Qaeda
The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have a long history of collaboration and cooperation. The Taliban, which is predominantly Pashtun, emerged in the early 1990s in northern Pakistan following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The group was formed in religious seminaries, mostly paid for by money from Saudi Arabia, which preached a hardline form of Sunni Islam.
The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have a close relationship that dates back to the 1990s. Al-Qaeda provided material and manpower assistance to the Taliban as it waged a civil war against the Northern Alliance, and the Taliban provided hospitality to Al-Qaeda in return. This was largely a marriage of convenience, even though they both had radical, though not identical, ideologies.
The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have maintained their ties despite the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The Taliban has been accused of providing a safe haven for Al-Qaeda and allowing it to operate within its territory. The Taliban's leadership has close ties with Al-Qaeda, and there are concerns that the group could provide it with the means to launch international terrorist attacks.
The Lingering Conflict: Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Continuing the War in Afghanistan
You may want to see also
The Taliban's relationship with Pakistan
However, the relationship between the two is not without tensions and challenges. The Taliban's military victory in Afghanistan has inspired Islamist and jihadist forces in Pakistan, seeking to impose Sharia law. This has stirred up religious fervor among a large section of Pakistan's population, leading to increasing Islamist radicalization within the country. Additionally, the Taliban's refusal to accept the Durand Line as the international border between the two countries has resulted in frequent clashes and undermined trust.
The Taliban's growing independence and their willingness to defy Pakistan's demands have also caused friction. Pakistan assumed that the Taliban would be beholden to them due to their years of support. However, the Taliban have pursued their interests, such as challenging the border status and providing haven to anti-Pakistan insurgent groups. This has stunned and frustrated Islamabad, leading to a major crisis in their relationship.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan remains ambivalent about Islamist extremists, and its Afghan policies continue to stoke Islamist radicalism at home. The Taliban, on the other hand, seek to balance their relations with Pakistan while also asserting their independence. The dynamics between the two are delicate, and the future trajectory of their relationship remains uncertain.
Veterans Returning to Afghanistan: A Complex Journey
You may want to see also
The Taliban's relationship with the US
The Taliban's first stint in power lasted from 1996 to 2001 and was marked by a strict interpretation of Sharia law, human rights abuses, and the provision of safe havens for terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda. The Taliban's refusal to extradite Osama Bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks led to the US invasion of Afghanistan and the toppling of the Taliban regime.
Following their ouster, the Taliban waged an insurgency against the US-backed Afghan government and eventually regained control of the country in 2021 as US and NATO forces withdrew. The Taliban's return to power has been marked by a rollback of human rights, especially for women, and an economic crisis. The US has not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and has frozen Afghan assets held abroad.
However, the US has engaged with the Taliban to ensure they abide by commitments made in the Doha Agreement, including preventing Afghan soil from being used to threaten US security and engaging in intra-Afghan negotiations to form an inclusive government. The US has also provided humanitarian aid to the Afghan people and taken steps to prevent a complete collapse of the Afghan economy.
The Ever-Expanding Taliban Army: A Force to be Reckoned With in Afghanistan
You may want to see also
The Taliban's treatment of women
When the Taliban first took control of Afghanistan in 1996, they became notorious internationally for their misogyny and violence against women. Women were mandated to wear the burqa at all times in public and were not allowed to work or be educated after the age of eight. Women seeking an education had to attend underground schools, where they and their teachers risked execution if caught. They were not allowed to be treated by male doctors unless they were accompanied by a male chaperone, which led to illnesses remaining untreated. They faced public flogging and execution for violations of the Taliban's laws.
After the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, they initially granted women permission to attend universities, albeit in gender-segregated classrooms, under the condition that they followed "Islamic standards". However, by September 2021, they had restricted access to education for teenage girls by only allowing boys to resume schooling. Additionally, they prohibited women in Afghanistan from working in most sectors beyond health and education.
The Taliban have also banned women from:
- Travelling outside the country without a male family member (mahram)
- Working as lawyers, judges, or in other positions in the justice system
- Working for international organisations or non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Working for government agencies and from decision-making and managerial positions
- Running certain businesses
- Participating in any sport or going to gyms
- Going to public parks, public baths, and historic places like monuments and sightseeing
The Taliban have also ordered TV presenters to cover their faces on air and banned women from radio programs where the presenters are men.
Outside of the home, the Taliban have mandated that women wear a burqa or an Arab-style hijab and that women and girls must be accompanied by a mahram.
For violating any of the Taliban's prohibitions, women can be flogged, stoned, or worse.
The Long War: Unraveling the Afghanistan Conflict Euphemism
You may want to see also
The Taliban's relationship with other terrorist groups
The Taliban's relationship with Al-Qaeda is perhaps the most well-known and significant. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have a long history of cooperation and mutual support. Al-Qaeda provided the Taliban with financial and military support during the Afghan Civil War, and the Taliban provided Al-Qaeda with a base in Afghanistan. Osama Bin Laden, the former leader of Al-Qaeda, swore an oath of allegiance to Mullah Omar, the former leader of the Taliban.
The Taliban has also had a close relationship with the Haqqani Network, a militant group with close ties to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The Haqqani Network has been described as a "proxy force" for Pakistan's regional interests, and the group has been accused of providing safe havens for Al-Qaeda.
The Taliban has also had a complex relationship with the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-i-Taliban. The Pakistani Taliban has been accused of undermining the Pakistani government and launching attacks against civilians. The Pakistani Taliban has also been accused of having ties to Al-Qaeda and receiving support from the Pakistani government.
The Taliban has also had relationships with other terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. The Taliban has been accused of providing safe havens and support for these groups.
Volunteering for Afghanistan: Answering the Call of Duty
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Afghanistan has been accused of supporting terrorism, particularly by providing safe havens for terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Khorasan (ISIS-K). The Taliban, the ruling regime in Afghanistan, has been known to have close ties with these groups and has allowed them to operate and establish training camps within the country.
Afghanistan's support for terrorism poses a significant threat to regional and international security. Terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan could launch attacks on the United States and its allies. Additionally, the country's instability and weak state structure provide a favourable environment for terrorist groups to recruit and plan attacks.
The Taliban, a Sunni Islamist nationalist and pro-Pashtun movement, ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until they were ousted by a US-led campaign in October 2001. They regained power in 2021 and have been accused of imposing a harsh rule, cracking down on women's rights, and providing safe havens for terrorist organizations. The Taliban's close ties with terrorist groups and their inability to control law and order outside major cities have contributed to the resurgence of terrorism in Afghanistan.
The international community, particularly the United States, has expressed concern over Afghanistan's support for terrorism. The US has conducted military operations, counterterrorism campaigns, and exerted diplomatic pressure to address the issue. However, the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2021 has limited their ability to directly influence the situation on the ground.
