Causes of the Afghanistan War

Causes of the Afghanistan War

The Afghanistan War can be traced back to the events of September 11, 2001, when radical Islamic extremist terrorists associated with the Al-Qaeda network hijacked four commercial airlines and carried out coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, leading to the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. This catastrophic act prompted the United States to seek those responsible and bring them to justice, leading to the initiation of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001.

The Taliban's Support of Al-Qaeda

One of the main reasons the United States invaded Afghanistan was due to the Taliban's harboring of Al-Qaeda, whose leader, Osama bin Laden, was considered a key suspect in the planning and execution of the September 11 attacks. The Taliban, a Sunni Muslim fundamentalist regime, had taken control of most of Afghanistan from 1996 until their ousting in 2001. During this time, they allowed international terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda to establish bases in their territory, using it as a safe haven to plot future attacks on the United States and its allies.

Post-Civil War Instability

Prior to the U.S. intervention in 2001, Afghanistan experienced prolonged instability after the end of the Cold War. The country descended into civil war after the departure of Soviet Union troops, resulting in a power vacuum that various factions sought to fill. Various militias, ethnic groups, and warlords emerged, further destabilizing the region.

Involvement of Foreign Powers

United States

Following the September 11 attacks, the United States decided to invade Afghanistan to depose the Taliban regime and capture or kill Al-Qaeda leaders, such as Osama bin Laden, who were operating within the country. In late 2001, U.S.-led forces invaded Afghanistan and quickly overthrew the Taliban regime. However, despite their military success, the United States faced difficulties in maintaining security and stabilizing the region.

NATO

Initially, NATO provided support for the U.S.-led mission in Afghanistan through Operation Enduring Freedom. By May 2003, the North Atlantic Council had formally agreed that NATO would take command of international forces in Afghanistan, which was done gradually by June 2005 when NATO assumed full control under the name "ISAF" (International Security Assistance Force).

Other Countries

Countries like Russia, Pakistan, Iran, India, China, and others have also been involved in various ways throughout the conflict. Some countries, like Iran and Pakistan, have previously supported both the Afghan government and the Taliban, while other nations have provided aid and assistance, particularly to the Afghan people during times of crisis.