The Taliban

In 1994, Mullah Muhammad Omar, with a small band of former mujahideen, took control of the Kandahar province in Afghanistan. By 1998, they were in control of ninety percent of the country. This group became known as the Taliban (A).

The Taliban was extremely religious and was ruthless in imposing their laws. Their rules regarding women were stringent, their punishments were cruel, and the death penalty was used often (A). Let's just say that you wouldn't want to be a religious minority living under the Taliban.

The Taliban became enemies with the United States when they defended al-Qaeda by harboring Osama bin Laden. The United States retaliated by causing the Taliban to disintegrate and lose control of Afghanistan on November 13, 2001 (A).

Although the United States eventually caused the downfall of the Taliban's rule over Afghanistan, they were also a main part of the increase in the Taliban's strength. The United States had supplied the mujahideen with weaponry while Afghanistan was under Soviet influence. The Taliban, created by a small band of former mujahideen, used these weapons to grow in strength.