Chronicle of the Middle East and North Africa
The Taliban, an Islamic movement in Afghanistan and Pakistan, emerged in 1994 during the Afghan civil war following the Soviet withdrawal. By 1996, they controlled most of Afghanistan, declaring an Islamic Emirate and imposing a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The group provided sanctuary and training for Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden. Though ousted by a U.S.-led coalition after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Taliban continued to fight to regain power, which they achieved in August 2021 after the withdrawal of Western troops. The group’s leadership, initially headed by Mullah Omar, has since transitioned to Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, with key figures like Abdul Ghani Baradar leading diplomatic efforts and Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, Omar’s son, overseeing military operations. The Taliban’s influence extends across Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan, with their origins rooted in religious schools known as madrassas.