The Invasion of Afghanistan 2001

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 was the first military action of the War on Terror. Its aims were to destroy al-Qaeda, capture Osama bin Laden, and remove the Taliban regime that had sheltered the terrorists responsible for 9/11. This lesson examines the invasion and its immediate aftermath.

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Background: Afghanistan and the Taliban

Afghanistan had been in a state of conflict for over two decades. After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, a civil war raged until the Taliban seized power in 1996.

Key Facts	Detail
Taliban	An extreme Islamist movement; mostly ethnic Pashtun
Leader	Mullah Mohammed Omar
Ideology	Strict interpretation of Sharia law; ultra-conservative social policies
Rule	Banned music, television, kite-flying; destroyed Buddhist statues at Bamiyan
Women	Denied education, employment, and freedom of movement; required to wear the burqa
Al-Qaeda alliance	Provided safe haven for Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda training camps
International recognition	Only three countries recognised the Taliban government (Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE)

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The US Ultimatum