Who Is The Taliban? History, Origin, And Return To Power In Afghanistan

Taliban fighters celebrate one year since they seized the Afghan capital Kabul in front of the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2022 (Al Jazeera).

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. This happened shortly after US forces withdrew completely from Afghanistan. The Taliban previously ruled in Afghanistan until they were ousted by US forces in 2001.

The Taliban are dominated by the Pashtun tribe which is the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. They claim to strictly implement Islamic law and call their government Afghanistan's Islamic Emirates. This group has become widely known for its conservative ideology and its strict policies.

Despite being considered a legitimate government by some groups, many international countries and organizations have condemned their actions. Most of the world views the Taliban as a terrorist organization that violates human rights. However, their strength in Afghanistan is still very dominant.

The Taliban group was formed in September 1994 amid post-circular chaos in Afghanistan. At the start of its emergence, the Taliban had support from Pakistan and the United States, which at that time helped mujahideen groups fight the occupation of the Soviet Union in the 1980s.

After the Soviet Union withdrew in 1989, Afghanistan plunged into a civil war between mujahidin groups fighting for power. It was in this situation that the Taliban emerged with a promise to end chaos, enforce Islamic law, and restore national security.

Their popularity has also increased due to their success in eradicating corruption and creating temporary stability. However, behind the promising initial image, the Taliban implemented very strict rules based on extreme interpretation of Sharia law.

The Taliban began its expansion from the city of Kandahar, then managed to seize Herat in 1995 after months of fighting. Herat is an important territory because of its strategic location bordering Iran and becoming the main trade route. Herat's fall weakened the government of President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was still in power at that time.

The next victory took place in Nangarhar Province, an important region in eastern Kabul that has many Soviet military facilities. After capturing these two important provinces, the Taliban are getting closer to taking control of the Afghan capital. On September 27, 1996, they succeeded in conquering Kabul and executing President Najibullah.

After taking control of Kabul, the Taliban officially announced the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. This government is only recognized by three countries, namely Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Since then, Afghanistan has entered a new era under the control of the Taliban.

During his tenure between 1996 and 2001, the Taliban implemented a strict Islamic law-based government system. For example, women must wear a burka that covers the entire body and is prohibited from working. Television, music, and cinemas are also prohibited because they are considered against Islamic teachings.

The extreme policy has sparked international condemnation. Human rights organizations accuse the Taliban of violating women's rights and civil liberties. This condition makes most countries refuse to officially recognize the Taliban government.

In 2001, the Taliban regime finally collapsed after the United States launched an attack on Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, even though their power ended, the remnants of the Taliban forces continued to fight back for the next two decades.

After 20 years of armed resistance, the Taliban took power again on August 15, 2021. In a short time, the Taliban managed to control almost the entire region of the country without any significant resistance. The return of the Taliban marks a new chapter in Afghanistan's political and social history.