Historical Encyclopedia
The war on terrorism in Afghanistan began as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, when Al-Qaeda groups led by Osama bin Laden attacked the United States. This war became a turning point in global politics and changed not only Afghanistan but also international relations for many years to come.
Afghanistan has historically been a place of conflicts and wars. After the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989, the country plunged into civil war, leading to the emergence of various factions, including radical groups such as the Taliban. The Taliban took control of much of the country by 1996 and established a strict Islamic regime that provided refuge to terrorists, including Al-Qaeda.
Throughout the 1990s, Al-Qaeda strengthened its position in Afghanistan, using the country as a base to plan and prepare attacks against the U.S. and its allies. Constant attacks and the growing influence of the group led to the necessity for international intervention.
Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, the U.S. declared a war on terrorism and began Operation Enduring Freedom, aimed at overthrowing the Taliban regime and destroying Al-Qaeda. In October 2001, an intense air campaign began, targeting key objectives in Afghanistan.
With the support of the Northern Alliance, which comprised various opponents of the Taliban, U.S. forces quickly captured Kabul and other major cities, leading to the fall of the Taliban regime in December 2001. This event was momentous; however, it left many questions about the future of the country.
After the overthrow of the Taliban, Afghanistan faced the challenges of reconstruction and humanitarian aid. The new government, led by Hamid Karzai, attempted to establish democratic institutions, but security issues continued to grow. The Taliban and other groups began to resume their activities, leading to new outbreaks of violence.
The international community, including NATO and the UN, continued to support Afghanistan, conducting operations to train and equip Afghan security forces. However, issues such as corruption, poverty, and lack of infrastructure hampered the reconstruction efforts.
In 2006, violence in Afghanistan escalated again, and the Taliban began executing organized attacks on government forces and international troops. Issues related to drug trafficking also exacerbated the situation, as many locals relied on income from opium cultivation.
By 2010, the war had become one of the longest conflicts in U.S. history. In response to the increasing violence, the U.S. ramped up the number of its troops in Afghanistan. This decision sparked controversy both domestically and abroad.
In 2018, negotiations began between the U.S. and the Taliban aiming for a peace agreement. These negotiations became possible after years of fighting and signs of war fatigue among both the Afghan people and the international community.
In February 2020, the U.S. and the Taliban signed an agreement that stipulated the withdrawal of American troops and the beginning of peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. However, the situation in the country remained unstable, and violence continued.
In August 2021, the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, leading to global condemnation and a humanitarian crisis. This event came as a shock to many, as it was perceived as a result of failures in both domestic policy and international intervention.
The return of the Taliban to power raised many questions about the future of human rights in the country, especially for women and minorities. The international community faced the challenge of how to respond to the new regime and the necessity of supporting the Afghan people amid a humanitarian crisis.
The war on terrorism in Afghanistan has left a deep mark on the history of the country and global politics. This war, which lasted nearly two decades, resulted in enormous human losses and raised many questions about the methods of combating terrorism. Afghanistan continues to be a center of global conflicts, and the future of the country remains uncertain. The lessons learned from this war will influence international relations and strategic planning for many years to come.