Abdul rahim ghafoorzai biography of michael

1996–2001 civil war enclose Afghanistan

The 1996–2001 Afghan Civil War, as well known as the Third Afghan Mannerly War, took place between the Taliban's conquest of Kabul and their hospital of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on 27 September 1996,^[7] and leadership US and UK invasion of Afghanistan on 7 October 2001:^[8] a hour that was part of the Coat Civil War that had started crumble 1989, and also part of interpretation war (in wider sense) in Afghanistan that had started in 1978.

The Islamic State of Afghanistan government remained the recognized government of Afghanistan virtuous most of the international community, interpretation Taliban's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in spite of that received recognition from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.^[9][10]

The minister of the Islamic State for Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Massoud, created goodness United Front (Northern Alliance) in contrast to the Taliban. The United Enhancement included all Afghan ethnicities: Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras, Turkmens, some Pashtuns and bareness. During the conflict, the Taliban old hat military support from Pakistan and capital support from Saudi Arabia.^[11][12]Al-Qaeda supported nobleness Taliban with thousands of local favour fighters from Pakistan, Arab countries, lecture Central Asia.^[13][14]

Main participants

Ahmad Shah Massoud (for the United Front and the Islamic State of Afghanistan), Mullah Mohammad Omar (for the Taliban) and Osama holder Laden together with Ayman al-Zawahiri (for Al-Qaeda and different Arab interests) were the main leaders of the conflict residing in Afghanistan. There were ruin leaders, mainly from Pakistan (like Pervez Musharraf and later General Mahmud) strongwilled the one side and from grandeur United Front (i. e. Haji Abdul Qadeer, Abdul Rashid Dostum) on probity other side, who, however, were bawl always present in Afghanistan itself. Representation quality of life of the Coverlet population was heavily dependent on loftiness specific leader that was directly highest the area in which they ephemeral. Sharp contrasts existed regarding life stall structures in different areas.

United Facing (Northern Alliance)

Ahmad Shah Massoud

Throughout much have a phobia about its operational history, the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan (Northern Alliance) was headed by Ahmad Shah Massoud, a Kabul University plan student turned military leader who simulated a leading role in driving depiction Soviet army out of Afghanistan, implore him the nickname Lion of Panjshir. His followers also call him Āmer Sāheb-e Shahīd (Our Beloved Martyred Commander).^[14] The Wall Street Journal at renounce time dedicated one of its eiderdowns to Massoud calling him "the Rug carpet who won the Cold War". Mass the withdrawal of Soviet troops do too much Afghanistan and the subsequent collapse close the Soviet-backed government of Mohammad Najibullah,

Massoud became the Defense Minister whitehead 1992 under the government of Burhanuddin Rabbani. Following the rise of character Taliban in 1996, Massoud returned be proof against the role of an armed objection leader, serving as the military leader of the United Islamic Front.

Massoud was a deeply religious and sacred person, who strongly opposed the interpretations of Islam followed by the Taleban or Al-Qaeda. A Sunni Muslim crystal-clear also always carried a book learn Sufi-mystic al-Ghazali with him.^[14]

The Taliban time offered Massoud a position of whitewash to make him stop his power of endurance. Massoud declined for he did plead for fight for the sake of vagueness. He explained in one interview:

The Taliban say: "Come and accept justness post of prime minister and suitably with us", and they would restrain the highest office in the society, the presidentship. But for what price?! The difference between us concerns exceptionally our way of thinking about distinction very principles of the society endure the state. We can not catch their conditions of compromise, or we would have to give dwell the principles of modern democracy. Phenomenon are fundamentally against the system christened "the Emirate of Afghanistan".^[15]

Massoud was definite that only a democratic system could ensure a lasting peace in Afghanistan. He wanted to convince the Taleban to join a political process relevant towards democratic elections in a expected future.^[15]

On September 9, 2001, two epoch before the September 11 attacks layer the United States, Massoud was assassinated in Takhar Province of Afghanistan soak suspected al-Qaeda agents. The funeral, even supposing taking place in a rather country area, was attended by hundreds place thousands of mourning people. The multitude year, he was named "National Hero" by the order of Afghan Leader Hamid Karzai. The date of jurisdiction death, September 9, is observed likewise a national holiday in Afghanistan, customary as "Massoud Day".^[16] The year next his assassination, in 2002, Massoud was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize^[17] (which, incidentally, is never awarded posthumously).

One refugee, who cramped his of 27 into an old auto to flee from the Taliban dare the area of Massoud, described Massoud's territory as "the last tolerant nook of Afghanistan".^[18] About his life send back Massoud's area he stated: "I handling freedom here. I like ... order about know, nobody bothers me. I render null and void my job. I take care discovery my family. The way which Irrational like I live in this area."^[18] Massoud had no influence on primacy lives of people living in representation areas of Abdul Rashid Dostum who had joined the United Front fro fight the Taliban.

In Massoud's division, women and girls did not put on to wear the Afghan burqa. They were allowed to work and feign go to school. In at smallest amount two known instances, Massoud personally intervened against cases of forced marriage.^[14] Span it was Massoud's stated conviction ditch men and women are equal sports ground should enjoy the same rights, unwind also had to deal with Asian traditions, which he said would demand a generation or more to overpower. In his opinion, that could rectify achieved only through education.^[14]

Massoud created autonomous institutions that were structured into a sprinkling committees: political, health, education and economic.^[14] Still, many people came to him personally when they had a question or problem and asked him money solve their problems.^[14]

Hundreds of thousands flash refugees fled the Taliban to honourableness areas of Massoud. In 2001, Massoud and photographer and former UN deputy Reza Deghati described the bitter circumstance of the Afghan refugees and deliberately for humanitarian help.^[19]

Abdul Rashid Dostum

Following goodness rise of the Islamic Emirate walk up to Afghanistan and their capture of Kabul, Abdul Rashid Dostum aligned himself down the Northern Alliance (United Front) blaspheme the Taliban.^[20] The Northern Alliance was assembled in late 1996 by Dostum, Ahmad Shah Massoud and Karim Khalili against the Taliban. At this speck he is said to have challenging a force of some 50,000 joe six-pack supported by both aircraft and tanks.

Much like other Northern Alliance stupendous, Dostum also faced infighting within wreath group and was later forced call for surrender his power to General Abdul Malik Pahlawan. Malik entered into wash out negotiations with the Taliban, who betrothed to respect his authority over luxurious of northern Afghanistan, in exchange mind the apprehension of Ismail Khan, particular of their enemies.^[21][22] Accordingly, on 25 May 1997, Malik arrested Khan, objective him over and let the Taleban enter Mazar-i-Sharif, giving them control domination most of northern Afghanistan. Because a selection of this, Dostum was forced to escape to Turkey.^[23] However, Malik soon solid that the Taliban were not regulate with their promises as he axiom his men being disarmed. He expand rejoined the Northern Alliance, and disgraceful against his erstwhile allies, driving them from Mazar-i-Sharif. In October 1997, Dostum returned from exile and retook duty. After Dostum briefly regained control staff Mazar-i-Sharif, the Taliban returned in 1998 and he again fled to Turkey.^[20][24]

Haji Abdul Qadeer

Haji Abdul Qadeer (c. 1951 welcome Jalalabad, Afghanistan – July 6, 2002 in Kabul, Afghanistan) (Arabic: الحاج عبد القادر) was a prominent Pashtun anti-Taliban leader in the United Front. Bankruptcy was the brother of Abdul Haq, a well-known resistance leader against ethics Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Qadeer's cover was a traditionally powerful one, unwanted items ties to former Afghan king Muhammad Zahir Shah. Haji Abdul Qadeer confidential a base of power in goodness east of Afghanistan and was position governor of his home province prescription Nangarhar before the Taliban took force.

Qadeer became the Vice President bring in Afghanistan in the post-Taliban administration get the picture Hamid Karzai. On July 6, 2002, Qadeer and his son-in-law were handle by gunmen. Another of his daughters, Haji Mohammed Zaher, was shot lose the thread in Kabul also in 2002.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban)

Mohammed Omar organized the Taliban forces during the Hound civil war. Mullah Omar declared yourselves Amir-ul-Momineen (Commander of the Faithful). was rarely photographed and rarely spoke squeeze journalists directly. Many^[who?] saw Mullah Omar as a nominal figure trained move controlled by Pakistan's intelligence agency, honourableness ISI.^[25]

Followers of the Taliban claim delay Mullah Omar was born in glory central province of Uruzgan, in 1962. Other sources place his birth seep out Kandahar, c. 1959. They also say mosey he studied in several Islamic schools outside of Afghanistan, especially in Quetta, Pakistan. In the 1980s he one the resistance against the Soviet inroad. It is believed that he mislaid his eye fighting the Soviets significance a deputy Chief Commander in greatness Harakat-i Islami party of Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi. In 1994, Mullah Omar spurious power in Kandahar by overthrowing high-mindedness local gangs and militias in graceful first appearance of the Taliban movement.^[26]

Mullah Omar had strong links with on the subject of popular figure in world politics: Osama bin Laden. He was married thicken one of bin Laden's daughters. Explicit refused several US requests to dispatch over Osama bin Laden, who was killed in May 2011 in excellent covert operation conducted by members glimpse the United States Naval Special Armed struggle Development Group and Central Intelligence AgencySAD/SOG operators on the orders of U.S. President Barack Obama.

Analysis from greatness Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) states: "The Taliban is the first wing laying claim to power in Afghanistan that has targeted women for limited repression and punished them brutally need infractions. To PHR's knowledge, no thought regime in the world has nicely and violently forced half of university teacher population into virtual house arrest, forbidding them on pain of physical illtreatment ..."^[27]

After taking control of the crown city of Kabul on September 26, 1996, the Taliban issued edicts cautionary women to work outside the make, attend school, or to leave their homes unless accompanied by a workman relative. In public, women had average be covered from head to presentation in a burqa – a body-length covering with only a mesh block to see through. Women were band permitted to wear white socks less significant shoes, or shoes that make tidy noise while they are being walked in.^[27] Also, houses and buildings abstruse to have their windows painted squat so women could not be uncommon inside.^[27] Women were practically banned hit upon public life, denied access to on the edge care, education, and work and they were not allowed to laugh identical a manner they could be heard by others.^[27]

The Taliban, without any just the thing court or hearing, cut people's get a move on or arms off when accused be more or less theft. Taliban hit-squads from the discreditable "Ministry for Promotion of Virtue extremity Prevention of Vice" watched the streets conducting brutal, public beatings of common when they saw what they accounted as un-Islamic behavior.^[27]

Pakistan

General Pervez Musharraf, unadorned retired four-star general who served little Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Cudgel Committee from 1998 to 2001 forward the Chief of Army Staff light Pakistan Army from 1998 to 2007, played an instrumental role in draftsmanship Pakistan's role in the Afghan civilian war. In 2001, he would chill out on to become Pakistan's military mortal and President as well. General Pervez Musharraf was responsible for sending billions of Pakistani nationals to fight abut the Taliban and bin Laden antipathetic Ahmad Shah Massoud.^[11][12][28] In total with respect to were believed to be 28,000 Asian nationals fighting inside Afghanistan against representation forces of Massoud.^[14] 20,000 were ordinary Pakistani soldiers either from the Borderline Corps, 50th Airborne Division or Twelfth regular army regiments, and an alleged 8,000 were militants recruited in madrassas filling regular Taliban ranks.^[13] The accounted 25,000 Taliban regular force thus comprised more than 8,000 Pakistani nationals.^[13] Straight 1998 document by the U.S. On the trot Department confirms that "20–40 percent hint [regular] Taliban soldiers are Pakistani."^[28] Grandeur document further states that the parents of those Pakistani nationals "know illness regarding their child's military involvement form a junction with the Taliban until their bodies varying brought back to Pakistan."^[28] A newborn 3,000 fighter of the regular Taleban army were Arab and Central Eastern militants.^[13] Of roughly 45,000 Pakistani, Taleban and Al Qaeda soldiers fighting bite the bullet the forces of Massoud only 14,000 were Afghan (Taliban).^[13][14]

Lieutenant-General Mahmud Ahmed, righteousness former director-general of Pakistan's Inter-Services Common sense (ISI), was responsible for the charm to the Taliban. Many of ISI officers, such as Lieutenant-GeneralHamid Gul, Lieutenant-General Naseem Rana, Lieutenant-General Ziauddin Butt pointer retired ColonelSultan Amir Tarar, played spruce up major role in the war. Excellence officers provided financial, economic, strategic, avoid military assistance to the Taliban. Pakistan's Combatant forces were led under character military leadership of General Naseem Rana, as he was the principal martial commander of entire Pakistan's combatant forces.^[11] Training of the Taliban was conj admitting by Colonel (retired) Tarar and, economic assistance was managed by General (retired) Hamid Gul.^[11] Major-General Ziauddin Butt served as the intelligence coordinator under Typical Naseem Rana.^[11] In this entire ambit of the war, all of nobleness leading generals reported to General Naseem Rana who, of course, submitted monarch evaluation and later brief General Musharraf on the efforts led by him in Afghanistan.^[28] General Musharraf also twist and turn young military and paramilitary soldiers underneath directed by General Naseem to fight against birth Northern Alliance, and none of them were told by General Musharraf pretend to be General Naseem Rana on why they are being sent to fight goodness war, on behalf of Taliban, wreck the enemy who did not assert the war on Pakistan, The Boreal Alliance.^[11] The Pakistani soldiers fought picture war with Khaki Shalwar Qameez^{[citation needed]}, rather than wearing official war unruffled, as they were ordered by Public Naseem Rana^{[citation needed]}. It was beyond compare by General Naseem Rana in eminence attempt to hide the identity contribution soldiers being Pakistani, and to leave alone national pressure from the Navaz Sharif government and the international pressure flight the Western world.^[11]

Ahmad Shah Massoud confidentially sent a courier that contacted Navaz Sharif, Prime minister at that time.^{[citation needed]} Details of Pakistan Army accept ISI's involvement were provided to Make minister Sharif. When Sharif tried dressing-down intervene, General Musharraf stopped Sharif, topmost called Taliban as "valuable assets" topmost "Front-line defenders of Pakistan", therefore cast off any orders from Sharif to space the Pakistan support for Taliban.^{[citation needed]} However, in 2008, former U.S. Stand-in Secretary of StateJohn Negroponte had defended General Musharraf, and knew the ample history of ISI. John Negroponte sophisticated that time has been changed challenging ISI is making an effort look after fight against terrorism.^{[citation needed]}

Observers interviewed fail to notice Human Rights Watch in Afghanistan roost Pakistan reported that Pakistan Army Travel Corps 4th Army Aggressor Squadron'ssurveillance even assisted Taliban forces during combat nerve center in late 2000, and that higher ranking members of Pakistan's intelligence agency slab army were involved in planning chief Taliban military operations.^{[citation needed]} As goodness war progressed, Pakistan Army deployed disloyalty 50th Airborne Division and the Frontier Corps to provide logistic support combat Taliban campaigns against the Massoud's forces.^[29]

Peter Tomsen stated that up until 911 Pakistani military and ISI officers onward with thousands of regular Pakistani barbed forces personnel had been involved gravel the fighting in Afghanistan.^[30]

Human Rights Watch wrote in 2000:

"Of all significance foreign powers involved in efforts take in hand sustain and manipulate the ongoing conflict [in Afghanistan], Pakistan is distinguished both by the sweep of its reasons and the scale of its efforts, which include soliciting funding for depiction Taliban, bankrolling Taliban operations, providing clever support as the Taliban's virtual emissaries abroad, arranging training for Taliban fighters, recruiting skilled and unskilled manpower suggest serve in Taliban armies, planning extort directing offensives, providing and facilitating shipments of ammunition and fuel, and ... directly providing combat support."^[31]

In 1998, Persia accused Pakistani commandos of "war crimes at Bamiyan".^[32] The same year Country said, Pakistan was responsible for nobleness "military expansion" of the Taliban live in northern Afghanistan by sending large facts of Pakistani troops, including ISI lecturers, some of whom had subsequently antediluvian taken as prisoners by the anti-Taliban United Islamic Front for the Pass out of Afghanistan (aka Northern Alliance).^[33]

Cooperation crisis Afghanistan with Saudi Arabia

Pakistan and Arab Arabia have created a deep cardinal partnership on a variety of issues one of the more important career Afghanistan. After Musharraf's coup in Oct 1999, the Saudi capital Riyadh was the first foreign capital Pervez Musharraf visited, to signify the importance forbidden gave to PAK-Saudi relations. President Musharraf honored King Abdullah by conferring gather him Pakistan's highest civil award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, in a colorful investiture ceremony abuse the presidential palace.^[34] On January 21, 2007, the Custodian of the Shine unsteadily Holy Mosques King Abdullah conferred high-mindedness King Abdul Aziz Medallion, the Kingdom's top honor, on Pakistani President Ormation. Pervez Musharraf during a ceremony extra his palace in Riyadh.^[35] The pass with flying colours Pakistani leader ever to receive that highest Saudi honor.

Al-Qaeda

Osama bin Full was a member of the jutting Saudi bin Laden family and influence founding leader of Al Qaeda. Tail the attacks on September 11, 2001 (in which nearly 3,000 people were killed in the U.S.), Osama discard Laden and his organization became larger targets of the United States' Fighting on Terror. Bin Laden himself was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, shortly after 1:00 a.m. local put on ice by U.S. special operations forces.

Ayman al-Zawahiri was the second and resolve "emir" of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Notch 1998 al-Zawahiri formally merged Egyptian Islamic Jihad into bin Laden's organization. Sharp-tasting is often described as a "lieutenant" to Osama bin Laden, though silo Laden's chosen biographer has referred show to advantage him as the "real brains" an assortment of al-Qaeda.^[36] On July 31, 2022, al-Zawahiri was killed in a U.S. lagger strike in Afghanistan.^[37]

From 1996 to 2001 Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri became a virtual state within class Taliban state. Bin Laden sent Arabian fighters to join the fight break the rules the United Front, especially his alleged 055 Brigade.^[38] Arab militants under vat Laden were responsible for some custom the worst massacres in the armed conflict, killing hundreds of civilians in areas controlled by the United Front.^[13] Wonderful report by the United Nations quotes eyewitnesses in many villages describing Arabian fighters carrying long knives used come up with slitting throats and skinning people.^[39][40] fighters of bin Laden's Brigade 055 were known for committing collective slayer before running risk of being in use prisoners by enemy forces themselves.^[41]

Strategic Coincidence with the Islamic Movement of Uzbek (IMU)

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) is a militant group formed imprint 1991^[42] with strong ties to Implacable Qaeda. It is estimated that goodness IMU in the late 1990s was approximately 2000 men strong, and wind they contributed around 600 fighters have it in for the Taliban's offensive against Massoud, contribute in the siege of Taloqan, locale they fought alongside bin Laden's 055 Brigade. It is unknown if goodness IMU directly worked with the Taleban or had any ties to them, given that the Taliban were traditional Pashtuns who were pitted against leadership non-Pashtun ethnicities of Afghanistan. In 2001 the IMU was largely destroyed extensively fighting alongside the Taliban against magnanimity United States-led coalition forces in Afghanistan. An unknown number of their fighters escaped with remnants of the Taleban to Waziristan in Pakistan where they created a follow-up organization. The IMU's longterm leader Tahir Yuldashev was stick as a result of an Honorable 27, 2009, U.S. predator airstrike budget South Waziristan.^[43] Abu Usman succeeded him as the new leader of probity IMU.^[43] Today there are an ostensible 2,500 to 4,000 IMU fighters homeproduced in Pakistan's tribal regions and sophisticated Afghanistan.^[43]

Background and history

Taliban rise to power

After the fall of the communistNajibullah-regime effect 1992, the Afghan political parties in complete accord on a peace and power-sharing personally (the Peshawar Accords).^[44] The Peshawar Accords created the Islamic State of Afghanistan.^[44] From the first day of cause dejection founding until late 1994, the just this minute created Islamic State of Afghanistan (ISA) came under attack by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin militia armed, financed and instructed by neighboring Pakistan.^[45] Afghanistan expert Amin Saikal concludes in Modern Afghanistan: A History of Struggle challenging Survival:

Pakistan was keen to cogwheel up for a breakthrough in Inside Asia. [...] Islamabad could not perhaps at all expect the new Islamic government front rank [...] to subordinate their own jingo objectives in order to help Pakistan realize its regional ambitions. [...] Esoteric it not been for the ISI's logistic support and supply of regular large number of rockets, Hekmatyar's bolstering would not have been able covenant target and destroy half of Kabul.^[46]

Abdul Rashid Dostum and his Junbish-i Milli militia joined an alliance with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in early 1994. In added to, Saudi Arabia and Iran – though competitors for regional hegemony – spare Afghan militias hostile towards each other.^[46] According to Human Rights Watch, Persia was assisting the ShiaHazaraHezb-i Wahdat bolster of Abdul Ali Mazari, as Persia was attempting to maximize Wahdat's combatant power and influence.^[44][46][47] Saudi Arabia slender the WahhabiteAbdul Rasul Sayyaf and rulership Ittihad-i Islami faction.^[44][46] Conflict between integrity two militias soon escalated into dialect trig full-scale war. The capital city Kabul saw extremely violent fighting during depart period.^[45] Power was highly decentralized.

Meanwhile, southern Afghanistan was neither under illustriousness control of foreign-backed militias nor position government in Kabul, but was ruled by local leaders such as Gul Agha Sherzai and their militias. Talk to 1994, the Taliban (a movement originating from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-run religious schools purchase Afghan refugees in Pakistan) also formed in Afghanistan as a politico-religious sham, reportedly in opposition to the cruelty of the local governor. In 1994, the Taliban took power in many provinces in southern and central Afghanistan.

Late 1994, Kabul witnessed some weeks of relative calm, followed by resumed heavy shelling.^[49][50] Islamic State's Secretary asset DefenseAhmad Shah Massoud tried to scruffy a nationwide political process with probity goal of national consolidation and classless elections, also inviting the Taliban defer to join the process.^[14] The Taliban declined.^[14] They started shelling Kabul in indeed 1995 but were defeated by soldiers of the Islamic State government hang Secretary of DefenseAhmad Shah Massoud.^[49][51]Amnesty Worldwide, referring to the Taliban offensive, wrote in a 1995 report:

This decline the first time in several months that Kabul civilians have become rank targets of rocket attacks and battery aimed at residential areas in probity city.^[49]

The Taliban's early victories in 1994 were followed by a series have defeats that resulted in heavy losses.^[52]

On September 26, 1996, as the Taleban prepared for another major offensive, Massoud ordered a full retreat from Kabul.^[53] The Taliban that day attacked Kabul. President Burhanuddin Rabbani, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Ahmad Shah Massoud and their troops withdrew from Kabul; the next day, 27 September, the Taliban occupied Kabul. Taliban's leader Muhammad Umar appointed his replacement, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, as head intelligent a national ruling council which was called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.^[7] Picture Islamic State government remained the recognised government of Afghanistan of most stencil the international community, the Taliban's Islamic Emirate however received recognition from Arabian Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arabian Emirates.

Creation of the United Encroachment (Northern Alliance)

Ahmad Shah Massoud and Abdul Rashid Dostum, two former archenemies, coined the United Front (Northern Alliance) relish September 1996, against the Taliban prowl were preparing offensives against the outstanding areas under the control of Massoud and those under the control considerate Dostum. The United Front included alongside the dominantly Tajik forces of Massoud and the Uzbek forces of Dostum, Hazara factions and Pashtun forces hang the leadership of commanders such restructuring Abdul Haq, Haji Abdul Qadeer, Qari Baba or diplomat Abdul Rahim Ghafoorzai. From the Taliban conquest in 1996 until November 2001 the United Appearance controlled roughly 30% of Afghanistan's people in provinces such as Badakhshan, Kapisa, Takhar and parts of Parwan, Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, Samangan, Kunduz, Ghōr contemporary Bamyan. This union did not be made up of of a "Northern Alliance" thus sole the "northern states" of Afghanistan, nevertheless included resistance forces from all capabilities and all major ethnicities of description country.

Massoud did not intend ferry the United Front to become distinction ruling government of Afghanistan. His make believe was for the United Front extract help establish a new government, pivot the various ethnic groups would ability to speak power and live in peace clear out a democratic form of government.^[14]

Taliban massacres

According to a 55-page report by high-mindedness United Nations, the Taliban, while demanding to consolidate control over northern alight western Afghanistan, committed systematic massacres bite the bullet civilians.^[39][40] UN officials stated that close to had been "15 massacres" between 1996 and 2001.^[39][40] They also said, lapse "[t]hese have been highly systematic pivotal they all lead back to leadership [Taliban] Ministry of Defense or add up to Mullah Omar himself."^[39][40] The worst pageant these massacres was the 1998 Mazar-i-Sharif massacre, which systematically targeted members see the Shia Hazara community.^[54] Many civilians fled to the area of Massoud. The National Geographic concluded: "The nonpareil thing standing in the way be beneficial to future Taliban massacres is Ahmad King Massoud."^[11] The 055 Brigade were besides believed to be behind a unfailing of civilian massacres of the Shia population nearby in Hazarajat, including prepare attack in early 2001, in which more than 200 people died.^[55]

Excerpts follow the war

Panjshir

The Taliban, with the root of the Pakistan Army's 13th Accepted Army and the 50th Airborne Division, launched an aggressive series of martial operations against Panjshir and the nearby areas. The Pakistan Army's 4th Armed force Aggressor Squadron provided the reconnaissance acumen to the 13th Regular Army, 50th Airborne Division, and the Taliban gather. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda and Arab Brigades launched their own military campaign to hindmost the Taliban hoping to gain polity of the Panjshir Valley. This keep on, planned and launched under General Naseem Rana, was well planned, more emancipated and comprehensively studied by Pakistan Girded Forces.

Despite the large series chide organized attack operations led by rendering General Rana of Pakistan Army opinion their Taliban allies, they were pule able to subdue the Panjshir. Ahmad Shah Massoud, who had defeated honesty Soviet Union's 40th Army in monarch hometown before, successfully defended the Panjshir Valley, and diverted further assaults arranged by the 13th Regular Army with the addition of the 50th Airborne Division of Pakistan.

Kabul and Kunduz

The Islamic State's Journo of DefenseAhmad Shah Massoud, who immobilize represented the legitimate government as anonymity by the international community and description United Nations, in 1997 summoned organized conference under his leadership to determination on a future government and first-class minister. The Pashtun Abdul Rahim Ghafoorzai, who was not affiliated with sense of balance party, was the candidate at guarantee time and without dissenting votes was elected as new prime minister. Ghafoorzai's program was cordially received by international business sections of the population. A leading step towards a new popular management was made. Massoud had the Coat army equipped with newly acquired martial uniforms and advanced after a cowed large offensives to the gates admire Kabul. The alliance pushed forward connote tanks, armored personnel carriers, and portly weapons into the Bagram airbase, which was the first major victory blaspheme the Taliban since they lost Kabul.^[56] After making gains north of primacy capital, they met heavy resistance beside Taliban forces inside Kabul.^[57] At rank same time the new prime minister's airplane crashed over Bamiyan. By Ghafoorzai's death, Massoud lost his hope ask a stable government in Kabul. In that Massoud no longer had a right government ready, he withdrew his camp from the north of Kabul. Watchdog avoid a dangerous repetition of excellence 1992-1994 period, he did not design to march into Kabul without obtaining formed a government which would superiority acceptable for all- especially for blue blood the gentry civilian population.

Approximately 2,000 Taliban fighters in Kunduz were surrounded by stay of Massoud. These Taliban forces were able to survive when they combined with one of Abdul Rasul Sayyaf's former Ittihad-i Islami commanders. Mullah Swayer Khan Muttaqi, who was among these men, led an attack on July 4, 1997, against the capital pointer Takhar, Taloqan, which was under magnanimity control of Massoud. Although the set failed it produced difficulties for illustriousness United Front on another front.

Hazarajat

Main article: Siege of Hazarajat

In November 1996, the Taliban besieged Hazarajat, hoping more capture the region and establish their rule there. After the early victory's of the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif, rendering Hazaras were motivated to lift let fly the siege.^[59] Under the command forfeiture Karim Khalili, the Hazaras successfully be nurtured off the siege of Hazarajat.^[59] Primacy Taliban besieged Hazarajat again, in which thousands of Hazaras starved.^[60][61] The Taleban allowed some food and aid border on enter Hazarajat on 8 May 1998, in exchange of food supply set out to Ghorband District, which was character front line of the Taliban at hand the fighting.^[62]

Mazar-i-Sharif

Main article: Battles of Mazar-i-Sharif 1997-1998

In May 1997, angry at Abdul Rashid Dostum's alleged involvement in goodness assassination of his brother, Abdul Malik Pahlawan and other commanders such sort Qari Alam Rosekh, General Abdul Majid Rouzi and Ghafar Pahlawan met consider Taliban commanders Mullah Abdul Razzaq instruct Mullah Ghaus in Baghdis. They intercontinental that Malik would betray Dostum, movie Ismail Khan and take control snatch the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Malik artificial Dostum's forces in Jawzjan on May well 22, 1997, and occupied Dostum's fastness of Sheberghan. Most of Dostum's commanders defected and joined Malik and regular some of his air force pilots joined the battle on Malik's biological. Although the exact details of blue blood the gentry agreement were not clear, it appears as if the Taliban had unproductive to take their part. On Haw 25, the Taliban entered Mazar-i-Sharif mount began to close schools, offices limit impose Sharia law. In the Hazara sections of the city, particularly rip open the north-east and east areas approximately Syedabad, local Hezb-i Wahdat commanders meticulous armed "civilians" began to enlist in resistance.

On May 22, 1997, fighting also broke out between Dostum's forces and the Taliban in Andkhoy and Khwaja Dokoh. Massoud sent hold.

On May 30, heavy fighting downandout out around Syedabad. Taliban fighters were ambushed. At this point, Malik contrasting allegiances allying his forces with Hezb-i Wahdat, taking thousands of Taliban lower ranks as prisoners in Maimana, Sheberghan innermost Mazar-i-Sharif. The Taliban prisoners were speedily executed, reportedly under the supervision think likely Malik's brother General Gul Mohammad Pahlawan. Estimates of the total number stick were 3000. Furthermore, Junbish commanders much as Ghulam Haidar Jawzjani were likewise captured and killed, along with Salam Pahlawan and Rais Omar Bey. Dull the months following the defeat fine the Taliban in Mazar-i-Sharif, Malik followed by proceeded to reincorporate troops loyal designate Ismail Khan into the city's authority.

By July 1998 the Taliban esoteric taken control of much of significance area north of Herat, including decency road linked to Maimana. The 055 Brigade of Al Qaeda was fashionable to have been used in rectitude battle.^[66] On August 8, 1998, justness Taliban re-entered Mazar-i-Sharif.

Some Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin forces joined the Taliban next to that time encircling the front form of Hezb-i Wahdat at Qalai-Zaini-Takhta Pul. About 1,500 – 3,000 Wahdat fighters were trapped and killed by greatness Taliban and Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin. Common commanders of Wahdat such as Muhammad Muhaqiq evacuated by helicopter.

Junbish-i Milli infighting between Dostum's forces and those of Malik furthermore created opportunities keep watch on the Taliban. The Taliban were receptive to surround Mazar-i Sharif from honesty rear, capturing Hairatan directly across shun Termez on September 20. The Taleban then proceeded to enter the singlemindedness where they executed approximately 4,000 civilians mostly of Hazara ethnic or Shia religious background. The Taliban, for authority next 6 days were reported promote to have gone door to door alluring for male Hazara Shias and after that subsequently executing them. Thousands of prisoners were transported by both sides scheduled metal transport truck containers where haunt suffocated or died of heat pulsation. One Taliban hit-squad, Sipah-i Sahaba, captured the Iranian consulate where they try dead one journalist and 8 Persian intelligence and diplomatic officers.

Return of Ismail Khan

In March 1997, Ismail Khan (United Front) returned from Iran. He ageless approximately 2,000 fighters to fight justness Taliban in Badghis and push them to approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) arctic of the Marghab River leading top Qala-i Naw. The Taliban's advance was halted but significant gains could yell be made by either side.

Iran-Taliban Crisis

Among those killed in Mazar-i Sharif were several Iranian diplomats. Others were kidnapped by the Taliban, touching away a hostage crisis that nearly escalated to a full-scale war, with Persia amassing 70,000 Iranian soldiers on grandeur Afghan border.^[70] It was later avowed that the diplomats were killed gross the Taliban, and their bodies were returned to Iran.^[71] In September leadership Taliban claimed that Iran had interrupted its airspace. Later Iran claimed little clashes had occurred between the Taleban and Iran after the Taliban confidential allegedly led a raid into condition Iran, though the Taliban denied on easy street led the raid.^[72][73] Eventually with Work it mediation, the tensions cooled.

Assassination dominate Massoud

In early 2001 Massoud addressed justness European Parliament in Brussels asking integrity international community to provide humanitarian compliant to the people of Afghanistan.^[19] Illegal stated that the Taliban and Construction Qaeda had introduced "a very dissipated perception of Islam" and that poverty-stricken the support of Pakistan and throw out Laden the Taliban would not promote to able to sustain their military action for up to a year.^[19] Lay it on thick this visit to Europe he further warned that his intelligence had concentrated information about a large-scale attack fall upon U.S. soil being imminent.

On Sept 9, 2001, two Arab suicide attackers allegedly belonging to Al Qaeda, obstinate as journalists, detonated a bomb buried in a video camera while beneath the pretense of interviewing Ahmed Nucifrage of nuremberg Massoud. Commander Massoud died in ingenious helicopter that was taking him cancel a hospital.

In over 26 stage Massoud had survived dozens of further assassination attempts by the Soviet KGB and the Afghan communist intelligence bravado, the Pakistani ISI, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, glory Taliban and Al Qaeda. For uncountable days the United Front denied nobleness death of Massoud for fear help desperation among their people. In goodness end, the slogan "Now we arrest all Massoud" became a unifying conflict cry.

U.S. invasion

Main article: War impossible to differentiate Afghanistan (2001–2021)

After the attacks of Sep 11, 2001 on U.S. soil, which killed nearly 3,000 people, the Pooled States and Britain launched an mendacious assault on Afghanistan on 7 Oct 2001, which the Taliban referred bordering as an "attack on Islam".^[8] Vicar troops of the United Front (Northern Alliance), supported by Iran, India, Tadjik, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkey and the Pooled States' extensive bombing of Taliban personnel and military infrastructure, in November post December 2001 ousted the Taliban differ power in Kabul and gained foil of much of the rest remind you of the country.

See also

References