Afghan Taliban

The Afghan Taliban is a militant Islamist group that emerged in the 1990s in Afghanistan. They sought to establish a government based on their strict interpretation of Islamic law. The Taliban gained power by 1996 but were ousted by U.S.-led forces in 2001 after the September 11 attacks, due to their protection of al-Qaeda. The group later regrouped and gained influence again, eventually retaking control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Their rule has been marked by significant restrictions on rights, especially for women and girls, and ongoing challenges related to governance and international relations.