Conflict in AfghanistanThe Afghan Civil War

(1996-2001)

Who was involved in this conflict?

• The United Front- an alliance

created by Ahmad Shah Massoud,

whose forces helped in removing

the soviet troops from Afghanistan

• Taliban- a terrorist group that was

led by Muhammad Omar

Ahmad shah Massoud

Muhammad

OmarTaliban members

Who was involved in this conflict?

• Pakistan- the country provided

troops to Taliban to fight against

the United Front

• Al-Qaeda- this terrorist group also

provided troops to fight against the United

Front

Pakistani troops Troops from al Qaeda

How did this conflict begin?

• The forces of Ahmad Shah Massoud defeated the Soviet troops and

removed them from Afghanistan. They now controlled the northern states

of Afghanistan

• Taliban took control of the southern provinces of Afghanistan in 1994

• In late 1994, the forces trying to gain power in Kabul were defeated by those

of Massoud

How did this conflict begin?

• Taliban opposed the views of Massoud who wanted democratic elections

• They started shelling (firing) in Kabul but were defeated by the forces of

Massoud

How did the conflict begin?

• Taliban sought military support from Pakistan and al Qaeda

• On September 26, 1996, they attacked Kabul again (where power was

decentralized)

• They established ‘the Emirate of Afghanistan’

Attacker groups against the United Front

Causes of this conflict

• The Taliban were ethnic Pashtuns and were against all other ethnicities

present in Afghanistan

Ethnic

Pashtuns

Causes of this conflict

• Massoud favoured a democracy and thus proposed the idea of democratic

voting,

• However, Taliban declined this

Views of each party

Views of the United Front and Ahmad Shah Massoud:

• Ahmad Shah Massoud wanted Afghanistan to be a democracy

• He wanted people to live with safety and security

• He suggested that all ethnicities lead together and share power

• He was against the idea of ‘the emirate of Afghanistan’

Views of each party

• The views of Taliban:

• The Taliban believed that Pashtuns were the real Muslims and all other ethnic groups were

false

• They thought that elections were modern day shams (fraud)

• They wanted Afghanistan to be recognized as ‘ the Emirate of Afghanistan’

Impact on local communities and the nation

• Taliban committed 15 massacres during the time period of 1996- 2001 on

the local people

Impact on local communities and the nation

• When Taliban seized power in Kabul, they tortured the locals to follow their

rules

• Moving outside the house without a male relative was strictly prohibited for

women, who also had to be covered from head to toe meanwhile men were

required to have long beards

Impact on the local communities and the nation

• Punishments were as severe as cutting off hands

• Public executions became quite common

• Many had to flee to the areas under the United Front