Historical Background
Many would argue that the story of how 9/11 came about goes back, at least, to 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.
Afghanistan had experienced several coups since 1973, when the Afghan monarchy was overthrown by Daud Khan, who was sympathetic to Soviet union. At that time, the Soviet Union and the United States were engaged in the Cold War, a global competition for the loyalty of other nations. The United States was, thus, deeply interested in whether the Soviet Union would succeed in establishing a communist government loyal to Moscow in Afghanistan. In order to forestall that possibility, the United States began funding insurgent forces to oppose the Soviets.
Afghanistan had experienced several coups since 1973, when the Afghan monarchy was overthrown by Daud Khan, who was sympathetic to Soviet union. At that time, the Soviet Union and the United States were engaged in the Cold War, a global competition for the loyalty of other nations. The United States was, thus, deeply interested in whether the Soviet Union would succeed in establishing a communist government loyal to Moscow in Afghanistan. In order to forestall that possibility, the United States began funding insurgent forces to oppose the Soviets.
Mohammed Daud Khan
The
War in Afghanistan (2001–present) refers to the intervention by
NATO and allied forces in the Afghan
political conflict, following the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001, to dismantle the al-Qaeda terrorist organization and to
remove from power the Taliban government, which at the time
controlled 90% of Afghanistan and hosted al-Qaeda leadership. U.S.
President George W. Bush demanded that the Taliban hand over Osama
bin Laden and eject the al-Qaeda network which was supporting the
Taliban in its war with the Afghan Northern Alliance. The Taliban
recommended that bin Laden leave the country but declined to
extradite him without evidence of his involvement in the 9/11
attacks. The United States refused to negotiate and launched
Operation Enduring Freedom on 7 October 2001 with the United Kingdom
and later joined by Germany and other western allies, to attack the
Taliban and al-Qaeda forces in conjunction with the Northern
Alliance.
The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks launched by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda upon the United States in New York City and the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
Four passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists so they could be flown into buildings in suicide attacks.
Women participation
Many Afghan women have played very important and influential roles in the history of Afghanistan, however their actions and contributions are not well documented in Afghan history books. Many women have died defending the country against foreign invaders, and risking their lives to educate the next generation of women. There are even women whose actions can be considered treacherous, however, they did way the country's history. Like most other countries' histories, Afghan history is full of stories of men and their actions. Below is an attempt at providing a through accounting of Afghan women's history; it is however still a work in progress.
Human right abuses
The Taliban were responsible for 76% of civilian casualties in Afghanistan in 2009. The Taliban commit war crimes by targeting civilians, including killing teachers, abducting aid workers and burning school buildings. 756 civilians were killed in 2006 by bombs, mostly on roads or carried by suicide attackers belonging to the Taliban. During the conflict, the Taliban have used civilians as human shields.
White phosphorus use
White phosphorus has been condemned by human rights organizations as cruel and inhumane because it causes severe burns. There are cases that have been confirmed of white phosphorus burns on the bodies of civilians wounded in Afghanistan caused by clashes between U.S. and Taliban forces.
The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks launched by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda upon the United States in New York City and the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
Four passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists so they could be flown into buildings in suicide attacks.
Women participation
Many Afghan women have played very important and influential roles in the history of Afghanistan, however their actions and contributions are not well documented in Afghan history books. Many women have died defending the country against foreign invaders, and risking their lives to educate the next generation of women. There are even women whose actions can be considered treacherous, however, they did way the country's history. Like most other countries' histories, Afghan history is full of stories of men and their actions. Below is an attempt at providing a through accounting of Afghan women's history; it is however still a work in progress.
Human right abuses
The Taliban were responsible for 76% of civilian casualties in Afghanistan in 2009. The Taliban commit war crimes by targeting civilians, including killing teachers, abducting aid workers and burning school buildings. 756 civilians were killed in 2006 by bombs, mostly on roads or carried by suicide attackers belonging to the Taliban. During the conflict, the Taliban have used civilians as human shields.
White phosphorus use
White phosphorus has been condemned by human rights organizations as cruel and inhumane because it causes severe burns. There are cases that have been confirmed of white phosphorus burns on the bodies of civilians wounded in Afghanistan caused by clashes between U.S. and Taliban forces.