The rise of the Taliban throughout Afghanistan ultimately began when the Soviet Union invaded in 1979. In retaliation, several Afghani Muslims banded together declaring a holy war. These fighters called themselves the Mujaheddin. Because the Mujaheddin shared a common enemy with the United States (the Soviets) they were funded immensely, being given roughly $3 billion dollars by the Carter and Reagan administrations.
At the time, the Mujaheddin were perceived as freedom fighters, assisting in the fight against communism, however, in 1989 after withdrawal from the Soviets, the United States became less interested in Afghanistan and the Mujaheddin, and what remained was Afghani civil war, and a very ideologically driven, rich and militarized Mujaheddin. Soon after, the Mujaheddin saw several changes; the more extremists’ militants of the group left and formed the Taliban. While power hungry, the Taliban would need funds to overthrow their predecessors.
During this time, a wealthy Saudi-exile was seeking protection, he struck a deal with the Taliban handing out money, guns, fighters and strategies, all in exchange for protection. This man also brought heavy amounts of attention onto the group as he was known for being one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world. This man was Osama Bin Laden.
During the Taliban rein roughly 80% of the country had been conquered. This prioritized Afghanistan in the eyes of the United Nations, these actions couldn’t go unjustified. Several resolutions were attempted and were recalled, beginning with 1189, 1193, and 1214 (all in 1998). Then, in October 1999, resolution 1267 was adopted unanimously in hopes of diminishing the Taliban. This would be done by designating terrorists and other affiliates with terrorist groups and creating/imposing sanctions on those contributing/funding/participating within those groups.
Several other commands under the resolution were demanded and included: “The Taliban must not allow territory under its control to be used for terrorist training. The Taliban must turn over Osama bin Laden to the appropriate authorities. All countries must deny flight permission to all Taliban operated aircraft. All countries must freeze all financial resources that could benefit the Taliban. All countries must report back within 30 days on what measures they had taken”.
While these sanctions were welcomed by the ambassador for Afghanistan (who was against the Taliban) they were semi-controversial as they caused havoc on the people of Afghanistan, who relied heavily on international aid. Even a minority of countries over-time became opposed to the resolutions including Malaysia; Malaysia abstained the second resolution, as well as the United Kingdom opposed it privately. Backlash erupted shortly after the first resolutions were imposed. The UN office in Kabul was rushed, international postal services were shutdown, and several flights were being blocked.
Despite all this, further sanctions were imposed during the second resolution in December of 2000. In hope of strengthening the regime, this second installment of sanctions included: “The Taliban must eliminate all illicit cultivation of the opium poppy. All countries must prevent the sale of all military equipment to the Taliban controlled territories. All countries must prevent the sale of acetic anhydride (a chemical used in the production of heroin) to Afghanistan. All countries must restrict the entry and transit of all high-ranking Taliban officials through their territories. All offices of Ariana Afghan Airlines must be closed”. These sanctions became world-wide after 9/11 and the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan.
To this day we see the effects of the Taliban Regime and its part in the destruction of Afghanistan. In August of this year, an average of 74 people died each day in Afghanistan. These people include Men, Women, Children, all of whom had lives and potential to be something. And that all got taken away.
Much of the Taliban still exists along side other extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS. The common link between all three of these groups is extreme belief in radical ideology, the ideology draws the attention of typically young men without family, who lack a purpose in their life and can be easily manipulated (usually those of lesser IQ). Once these group of like minded people connect, they form an echo chamber furthering the radicalization of their ideology, which inevitably incites violent events such as 9/11.
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