A History of the Taliban - 10 things you should know

The Taliban is an Islamic fundamentalist group that rose to power in Afghanistan in the mid-1990s. Here are 10 things you should know about the history of the Taliban:

-The Taliban emerged in 1994 as a religious and political movement in Afghanistan. The group was made up of Afghan students who had studied in Islamic seminaries in Pakistan.

-The Taliban's original goal was to restore order and security to war-torn Afghanistan. At the time, the country was in chaos following the Soviet Union's withdrawal and the subsequent civil war.

-The Taliban gained power in 1996, when they captured the Afghan capital, Kabul. They established a strict Islamic government and implemented a harsh form of Sharia law.

-The Taliban harboured Osama bin Laden and other members of al-Qaeda, the terrorist group responsible for the September 11 attacks. This led to the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

-The Taliban were driven from power by a US-led coalition in 2001. However, they continued to fight against the Afghan government and international forces in the country.

-The Taliban began to regain strength in the late 2000s, and by 2015, they controlled large parts of Afghanistan.

-In 2020, the Taliban signed a peace agreement with the United States, which called for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in exchange for a commitment by the Taliban to prevent al-Qaeda from operating in the country.

-In August 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US and allied forces. The takeover was swift and led to chaos and a mass exodus of people from the country.

-The Taliban's rule in Afghanistan has been characterised by strict Islamic law, repression of women and minorities, and brutal punishments for crimes. The group has also been accused of supporting terrorism and human rights abuses.

In conclusion, the Taliban has had a tumultuous and controversial history in Afghanistan. The group's rise to power in the 1990s and subsequent fall in 2001, followed by its resurgence and recent takeover of the country, have had a profound impact on Afghanistan and the international community.