What Happened in Afghanistan 1996

Kolby Wayne
Aug 19, 2021
3 min read

Amid the crisis of the Taliban takeover this month and the chaos that it evoked, many Americans are left wondering what all the fuss is about and what this was the aftermath of. Who are the Taliban and why are they a threat? Are they a threat at all? All good questions to be answered by history, the teacher that is often ignored and replaced by our own judgment. Anyway, here it is, the history of the Taliban, the first article in this new series: True History with Kolby Wayne.

The Rise of the Taliban

During the Cold War and the conquest of the Soviet Union, the USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979, as part of their mission to spread the influence of communism throughout the world. In 1989 the soviets departed after a defeat from the mujahedeen, an U.S. backed Afghan force made up of several factions. However, the factions immediately fell out and began a civil war as they started a “war lord” like system. In the mist of the war, the Muslim Taliban rose to the top (1994) and eventually toppled the other factions to begin their Islamic Emirate rule in 1996, though they didn’t rule all of Afghanistan with the northern regions under the control of the remnants of the mujahedeen factions.

The Taliban Rule

The Taliban ruled by brutality and force. The primary basis for law was the Quran, as the Taliban were starch Muslims and enforced Islamic law on all. They implemented public punishments such as amputations and mass executions. They cracked down on freedom of religion as all were expected to comply to Islam and its teachings. Jews, Christians and all other religions were persecuted and many were forced to flee the brutal punishments. The Taliban view on religion was made clear in 2001 when they destroyed Buddha statues in the country. What many consider the worst part of Taliban rule was their extreme views on women. Women and girls weren’t given access to jobs or schooling. Women were forced to cover their heads and faces according to Islamic law and strict punishment came to those who disobeyed. Also, punishment was given to single men and women found together and women were not allowed a voice in society. All in all the Taliban rule was harsh and undoubtedly horrific in policy.

America’s Invasion

Afghanistan harbored the infamous Osama bin Laden as he formed Al Qaeda (a terrorist group) and staged the 9/11 attacks that shook American and the world. After the attacks, President Bush demanded the Taliban hand over bin Laden and Al Qaeda, after the Taliban refused, America invaded Afghanistan and swept the Taliban forces, ending their rule in 2001. The U.S. handed government control to their Afghan allies as the Taliban leaders fled to Pakistan.

After 2001

The remnants of the Taliban and its leaders took refuge in Pakistan, where they received aid and military support from Pakistan (even while Pakistan was being backed by the U.S.). With this support, the Taliban sort of reformed as a guerrilla insurgent group. Then, with the U.S. turning its attention to pouring resources into the new conflict with Iraq, and starting to focus on “Nation Building” Afghanistan, the Taliban began to regain some ground showing “ferocity” in 2008 while keeping the worlds best at bay being a mere insurgency. However, in 2010, amid the Obama presidency, U.S. presence in Afghanistan grew to around 100,000 troops, this halted the Taliban plans. Finally, after over 2,400 American deaths and $2 trillion of government and military aid for the Afghan government, President Trump struck a deal with the Taliban to pull out by mid-2021ish, but Biden would be the one to oversee the departure of U.S. troops just this July/August. It was during and after this departure that the Taliban breezed through the cities and provinces of Afghanistan only to finally take Kabul (the capital), thus gaining control once more.

What Will Happen Now

Well, with this whole situation already proving that history repeats itself, that is what will inevitably happen. Women's rights will be striped away, along with freedom of religion. Thousands will be shot for attempting to escape the brutality. What ever you do, do not listen to what you here on tv, the Taliban is lying to us and Biden is lying to us. We can only pray for the lives of those young girls begging to leave out of fear of the ruthless Taliban. My prediction is that U.S. troops will be back in Afghanistan to stop the Taliban in less than six months. Once again history will endlessly repeat itself and continue to keeps us in the on going loop. Thanks for reading and as always, until next time!