Taliban

Taliban. The Taliban is a Deobandi Islamist political and military movement that emerged in Afghanistan in the early 1990s following the Soviet–Afghan War. It first ruled most of the country from 1996 to 2001, establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, a regime noted for its strict interpretation of Sharia and isolationist policies. After being ousted by a United States-led coalition in late 2001, the movement waged a protracted insurgency for two decades before regaining control of Kabul in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces.

History

The movement originated in the religious seminaries of Pashtun-majority areas, particularly in Kandahar, coalescing around the leadership of Mullah Mohammad Omar in 1994. It filled a power vacuum after the collapse of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and the ensuing civil war among rival Mujahideen factions. By 1996, the group captured Kabul, overthrowing the government of Burhanuddin Rabbani and executing former President Mohammad Najibullah. Its first emirate, recognized only by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, leading to the United States invasion of Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks. The subsequent insurgency targeted the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and coalition forces, culminating in the 2021 Taliban offensive and the fall of Kabul.

Ideology and governance

The group's ideology is a blend of strict Deobandi interpretations of Sunni Islam and elements of Pashtunwali, the traditional tribal code of the Pashtuns. Its legal and social system is based on its version of Sharia, as interpreted by its senior clerics and the Supreme Leader. The re-established Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is governed by an interim cabinet appointed from Kandahar and Kabul, with ultimate authority resting with Hibatullah Akhundzada. Key decisions are often made by consulting the Ulema and adhering to edicts from the Leadership Council. The group rejects democracy and secularism, viewing its system as the only legitimate form of Islamic government.

Military and organizational structure

The movement's military wing, historically known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Army, is now the de facto national army. Its operational strength has long relied on a network of local fronts and shadow governors, with significant components including the Haqqani network, led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, and forces loyal to Mullah Yaqoob, son of Mullah Mohammad Omar. The General Directorate of Intelligence serves as its primary security agency. During the insurgency, it utilized tactics like suicide attacks and IEDs against targets including the Afghan National Army and ISAF. Command and control flows from the Supreme Leader through the Quetta Shura and various military commissions.

International relations

No country has granted formal diplomatic recognition to the reinstated Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as of 2023. Key engagements involve neighboring states and regional powers, with significant dialogue occurring with China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia. The group maintains a diplomatic office in Doha, and its representatives have held talks with officials from the European Union and the United Nations. Major points of contention with the international community include the group's ties to entities like al-Qaeda and its human rights policies. Its relationship with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence has been historically complex, marked by periods of support and tension.

Human rights record

The Taliban's rule, both historically and since 2021, has been widely condemned by organizations including the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. Its policies have severely restricted the rights of women and girls, banning them from secondary education and many forms of employment. The group has been accused of extrajudicial killings, targeting former members of the Afghan National Security Forces, and persecuting ethnic and religious minorities such as the Hazaras. Its reinstatement of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has enforced strict social codes through punishments often considered cruel and inhuman.

Category:Islamism in Afghanistan Category:Political parties in Afghanistan Category:Military of Afghanistan