The political situation in Afghanistan was getting worse day by day. Unable to find a stable government and continuous rise of #mujahideen and #extremists group #Afghanistan has always remain a hotbed of many extreme and bloodiest activities. In PART- 1 and PART-2, I highlighted the history and other political development of the country including rise of #Mujahideen and other propaganda strategy that keep creating chaos and disturbances in the country. In this Part, we will find out how USSR progressed with the invasion and other turnaround.
USSR Withdrawal
Though USSR have a powerful army but Afghanistan region is very hilly. The geographic of the country is full of barren lands and high mountains. The weather condition is too extreme. Unable to cope with such condition, the USSR army started facing problems in their operation. The local #extremists and #Mujahideen use to attack from anywhere as they had better access to the region. It was a proper Gorilla war in most part of Afghanistan. USSR had the advantage of Air Force. But with #US assistance the #Mujahideen possess many latest weapons. Stinger Surface to Air Missile is one of them. This weapon proved very helpful, and allow the #mujahideen to destroy USSR air planes from the surface or from their hideouts.
#USSR lost too much because of this gorilla tactics adopted by the Mujahideen. USSR fought for 10 years in that region but in 1988 they started retrieving their forces. And soon all their forces were retrieved by 15 Feb 1989. This is very shameful outcome for USSR army. Once the USSR went back, the political situation in the country again worsens. Who will take control of the government?, that was biggest question in people mind.
Peshawar Accord
As I briefed earlier that #Mujahideen was not a single group. There were several groups and clans in the entire #Afghanistan. So, these groups started fighting among themselves to take control of the government.
To solve the internal problem, In 1992 leaders of several groups conducted a meeting in Peshawar of Pakistan. They wanted to get to a solution for sharing of power in Afghanistan., who will responsible for what and other things. They have signed an agreement too, which was termed as Peshawar Accord. However, the meeting and agreement has anything to do. It faced lot of difficulties in Future. Because those who get less power, denied sustaining the accord. Due to this Afghanistan get into Civil war. The condition evolved like destruction, chaos and lawlessness within the country.
Rise of Taliban
Among all the groups of Mujahideen, there were one group which belongs to Student wings. It consisted of Religious school and Madrasas scholars. This was one of the strongest Mujahideen group which was prepared to fight against USSR. Actually in “Pashto” Students were called as Talib and with this the wing was named as Taliban. This group consisted of very famous and smart person Mullah Mohammad Omar who caused lot of destruction to USSR while fighting with them. He even lost one of his eye in a bombing, due to which he was seen with utter respect among the group.
Mullah Omar becomes the head of the Taliban wing . With grown in status hi power grows so much that, in 1996 in front of 1500 religious’ leaders, which also consisted of Osama Bin Laden, he wore the holy cloak of Prophet Mohammad. This cloak has not been worked for 250 years. After wearing this Mullah Omar becomes a very respected leader in Afghanistan. He soon implemented Sharia Law withing Afghanistan. The law contains some strict actions and hardship rule.
- women would not come out of their houses without the male.
- Music, movies, entertainment were banned.
- Instead of western education, only religious education was provided.
- The one who perform theft will have their hands cut off.
- Executing the criminal in streets.
These are some of the instructions that were carried in the country. This also include the destruction of 1500 years old statue of Buddha in Bamiyan, which was a UNESCO world heritage site. The main purpose for doing so is to limit the spread of other religion and religious thinker in the country. The then Prime Minister of PDPA, Najibullah was shot dead and executed on the street in 1996. This is one of the darkest phases in the history of Afghanistan. The mere thought scares people a lot. Mullah Omar also started turning against the USA government.
9/11 Attacks and Development
There were many reasons for Osama Bin Laden to turn against USA. Firstly, Osama was against the US military activities in Saudi Arabia. USA stopped Osama operation in Sudan as well. Osama bin Laden had a good terms and relation with Mullah Omar. Because Osama has been thrown out of Sudan, Mullah Omar gave refuge to the people of Al Qaeda and Osama. Who have forgotten the scary sight of collapsing twin tower.? It was the work carried by Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The entire 9/11 planning was done through Afghanistan.
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US gets enraged and immediately started war on terrorists. The planning for 9/11 was done by Osama from Afghanistan and he was staying there. US told Taliban to hand over Osama to them, and finish the Al Qaeda network from Afghanistan. This request from USA was completely denied by Mullah Omar. There were many reason too for denying. Firstly, Osama Bin Laden helped Mullah Omar a lot when he was fighting against USSR. Secondly, the surrender, would sent a negative message to the entire Afghanistan that Taliban bowed own in front USA. This will result in reduction of local support. Thirdly, it is said in Pashto that you never hand over the guest to others. Osama Bin Laden was the guest of Afghanistan, so they could not do this.
The Taliban even asked the proof against Osama Bin Laden, which USA denied. When they did not give the proof, then Afghanistan did not accept USA’s will as well.
There is an old saying that “whosoever digs a pit for other will fall into it”. USA started learning it hard way. Their proxy set up in the form of Al Qaeda towards USSR started to hit them badly. This is going to open another bloodiest chapter in the history of Afghanistan. Friend in Osama turning foes.
How USA tackle the situation? Will they ever get hold of Osama and Mullah? How Taliban retaliate?
The story is unending and getting worst with each development. Feeling pity for the Afghanistan citizen who has to bear all the burnt. Will see the more from the “unconquered terrain” in the next part.
THIS IS MY ORIGINAL CONTENT WITH REFERENCE AND INPUTS FORM DIFFERENT NEWS PORTAL, NEWS PAPER ARTICLEs AND WIKIPIDIA
