Afghanistan in 1996: year of the taliban essay sample

In the article, “ Afghanistan in 1996: Year of the Taliban”, Ralp H. Magnus has described about the change initiated by Taliban in the year 1996. The author described that the forces of Ahmed Shah Masud had resisted the entry of Taliban by the end of the year 1995. In the same year, the United Nations also started its efforts again, and the interest of the United States in Afghanistan’s situation also increased. But, this situation indicated danger for Russia as well as for the states of the Central Asia because the war came closer to their borders. The author has provided the reasons of this situation, and described that a shift took place in the political associations. Gulbeddin Hekmatyar, who was the leader of Hizb-i-Islam party, became the prime minister of Rabbni Masud government. The Supreme Coordination Council and Hahi Abdul Qadir, who belong to a Hizb-i-Islam, wanted resignation from President Rabbani so that the Afghan group became capable of forming their provincial government, without forming any relation with Mujahidin. The leader of Jamat-i-Islami named Qazi Hussain Ahmed, however, supported Hekmatyar. In 1994, Malawi Fazl-ur-Rehman from Jamaat-i-Ulema Islamic Party superseded Qazi Hussain Ahmed. Fazl-ur-Rehman had bitterly opposed Qazi Hussain Ahmed.
In February 1994, Hekmatyar permitted to open the roads that were leading to Kabul and entered there as a prime minister. He announced a strict Islamic system in Kabul, and ordered to close the cinemas, banned the broadcasting of music on the television and radio, advised females to follow the dress code as mentioned in Islam, and ordered to dismiss the officials that have faith on the communism. Masud and Hekmatyar did not trust each other, but the forces of Masud remained faithful with Hekmatyar. Further, in August 1994, Hekmatyar announced ceasefire with Dostam, the major purpose of this ceasefire was to provide another route for the trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in order to compete with the route controlled by Taliban from Turkmenistan to Kandahar.
In 1996, The Defense Department of the United States estimated that the Kabul government is the strongest as it is enjoying the support of India, Russia, and Iran. Dostam is the second strongest as Uzbekistan is supporting Dostam, and then the Taliban, who are supported by Pakistan. However, Hekmatyar’s defeat had also reduced the strength of Talibans as Hekmatyar and President Rabbani moved to Qunduz and Taleqan because they faced serious resistance. The Taliban, then moved to occupy Kunar and Lughman, they continued to move forward against the forces of Hekmatyar at Sarob, and ultimately they occupied Kabul. Their first priority was to remove Najibullah from the seat of President, as he was a supporter of communism. They formed a council comprising of six mullahs, and set up an Islamic code, and banned the working of women outside their homes, and also ordered them to follow the dress code as prescribed in Islam.
The Taliban advanced further towards Masud headquarters and managed the counter attacks from Masud, inspite of the fact that they fell into the trap of Masud that was formed for the Afghan and Soviets communists. At last, this entire situation resulted in the alliance of Dostam and Masud. Further, Masud looked forward for a huge war and military solution, wanted to spread the fight throughout the country. Hekmatyar, however, requested the Taliban and emphasized that he was not their rival, and was never against them. Though the Taliban showed disorganized leadership and management, yet they formed their independent organization. But, the opponents just formed coalitions with others.
Further, the relationship of Pakistan with the Rabbani government was not good. Pakistan shifted its embassy to Talalabad as its previous embassy that was located in Kabul was burnt. Pakistan also demanded the compensation. Iranians, however, considered that the success of the Taliban is a plan of the United States and the Muslim countries in order to enhance the separation. Iran formed association with Hizb-i-Wahdat and continued to supply the forces of Masud and Ismail Khan through Uzbekistan. With the revival of the United States’ interest in Afghanistan in the year 1996, a conference was organized by Congress in which Hekmatyar was not invited because of the belief that he is enjoying support from the foreign major organizations. This conference, however, gathered together several Afghan groups and scholars from America. The United States just supported the efforts of the United Nations.
However, it was already agreed to construct the oil and gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan. In this regard, the efforts of the United States are also noteworthy. Norbert Hall of Germany scheduled a plan; put forward his suggestion for a ceasefire, national peace, and de-militarization in the Afghanistan’s capital Kabul. He also proposed to promote peace among all the parties. after that a representative in the United Nation suggested that peace talks should be held between the Rabbani government and the Taliban under the sponsorship of Holl.
In a nutshell, the Taliban have proved themselves as a powerful mechanism for the change in the year 1996.

Bibliography

Magnus, Ralph H . “ Afghanistan in 1996: Year of the Taliban”, Asian Survey, 37, no. 1 (1997): 111-117