Taliban

The Taliban, which also refers to itself by its state name, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is an Afghan political and militant movement with an ideology comprising elements of Pashtun nationalism and the Deobandi movement of Islamic fundamentalism. It ruled approximately 75% of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, before it was overthrown by an American invasion after the September 11th attacks carried out by the Taliban's ally al-Qaeda. The Taliban recaptured Kabul in August 2021 following the departure of coalition forces, after 20 years of Taliban insurgency, and now controls the entire country. The Taliban government is not recognized by any country and has been internationally condemned for restricting human rights, including women's rights to work and have an education.

Some of the key events about Taliban

1996
Significantly reduced opium production in areas under their control
1996
Imposed strict Islamic law and severely restricted women's rights in Afghanistan
1998
Implemented a ban on poppy cultivation, leading to a 99% reduction in opium production in Taliban-controlled areas
1998
Destroyed the ancient Buddhas of Bamiyan, cultural heritage sites in central Afghanistan
2000
Declared the practice of bacha bazi (sexual abuse of young boys) illegal
2001
Destroyed the Buddhas of Bamiyan, which some viewed as removing idolatrous symbols
2001
Offered to hand over Osama bin Laden to a third country if provided evidence of his involvement in 9/11
2001
Refused to hand over Osama bin Laden following the September 11 attacks
2001
Destroyed thousands of television sets and banned music across Afghanistan
2008
Attacked the Serena Hotel in Kabul, killing six civilians
2012
Shot and severely wounded a 15-year-old girl for advocating education for girls
2015
Temporarily captured the city of Kunduz, committing human rights abuses against civilians
2018
Attacked the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, killing at least 40 people
2020
Signed a peace agreement with the United States, committing to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan soil
2020
Carried out numerous attacks during peace talks, violating agreements with the U.S.
2021
Declared Afghanistan free from foreign military presence after the withdrawal of US troops
2021
Announced a general amnesty for former government officials and security forces
2021
Seized control of Afghanistan, reimposing strict interpretations of Islamic law
2022
Banned the cultivation of opium poppies nationwide
2023
Reported a significant decrease in corruption in government institutions under their rule

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