The Taliban, a militant Islamist group, has played a central and controversial role in Afghanistan’s modern history. Emerging in the 1990s, their story is deeply tied to the legacy of war, foreign intervention, religious extremism, and geopolitical complexity in South and Central Asia.
Origins in the Aftermath of War (1980s–1994)
The Taliban’s roots trace back to the chaos that followed the Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989). During the conflict, the United States, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia supported Afghan mujahideen fighters resisting the Soviet occupation. After the Soviets withdrew, Afghanistan plunged into a brutal civil war among rival factions.
Amid the violence, a group of young Pashtun Islamic students, mostly trained in Deobandi seminaries (madrasas) in Pakistan, rose under the leadership of Mullah Mohammad Omar. They called themselves the Taliban, meaning “students” in Pashto. The group aimed to restore order through strict Islamic law (Sharia) and end the lawlessness of the warlords.
Rise to Power (1994–1996)
The Taliban quickly gained popularity in southern Afghanistan by delivering swift and harsh justice, capturing the city of Kandahar in 1994. With significant backing from Pakistan’s ISI and financial support from Saudi Arabia, they expanded their control rapidly. By 1996, they seized Kabul and declared the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Taliban Rule (1996–2001)
Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan became internationally isolated. The regime imposed an extremely strict interpretation of Sharia law, banning music, television, photography, and education for girls. Women were forced to wear the burqa and prohibited from working. Public executions and punishments were carried out in stadiums.
The Taliban also provided safe haven to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, which planned the 9/11 attacks from Afghan soil. Despite global pressure, the Taliban refused to hand over bin Laden.
U.S. Invasion and Fall (2001)
In response to 9/11, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001. With support from the Northern Alliance, U.S. forces quickly toppled the Taliban regime by December 2001. Taliban leaders fled to rural areas and across the border into Pakistan.
Insurgency Years (2002–2020)
Despite their fall, the Taliban regrouped and began a long insurgency against the new U.S.-backed Afghan government and NATO forces. Using guerrilla tactics, they maintained influence in rural areas, especially in the south and east. Civilian casualties, government corruption, and resentment against foreign troops helped fuel the Taliban’s resurgence.
By 2010s, the Taliban operated as a shadow government in many regions, collecting taxes, running schools and courts, and waging constant warfare.
U.S.-Taliban Deal and Return to Power (2020–2021)
In February 2020, the U.S. signed a peace deal with the Taliban in Doha, agreeing to withdraw all troops in exchange for security guarantees and negotiations with the Afghan government. However, peace talks between the Taliban and Kabul stalled.
By August 2021, as U.S. troops withdrew, the Taliban launched a rapid offensive, capturing major cities with little resistance. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban re-entered Kabul and reclaimed power, ending two decades of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.
Taliban Rule Today: 2021–Present
The Taliban now face the immense challenge of governing a war-torn and economically devastated country. While they promise a more moderate rule compared to the 1990s, reports from inside Afghanistan suggest continued human rights abuses, particularly restrictions on women’s education, work, and freedom of expression.
The international community remains divided on whether to recognize the regime, with concerns over terrorism, human rights, and regional stability.
