The Beginning of the American Attack on Afghanistan
The commencement of the American campaign in Afghanistan began after the attack on the Twin Towers. The United States attributed the attack to Al-Qaeda and exerted pressure on the Islamic Emirate to surrender Osama bin Laden and the Arab Mujahideen who sought refuge in Afghanistan.
Amid fears of potential American invasion and religious considerations that prohibited handing over Muslim refugees, the Islamic Emirate conducted a significant gathering of Islamic scholars and thinkers in Kabul. Following consultations and analysis, the scholars urged America to refrain from attacking Afghanistan. Instead, they advised the Islamic Emirate to resolve the issue peacefully.
A fatwa was issued stating that in case of an American invasion, engaging in Jihad against the country was warranted.
Notwithstanding these efforts, America mobilized to attack Afghanistan. The nation received support from NATO member countries, regional players, ethnic influencers, gunmen, warlords, and internal factions within Afghanistan.
On October 7, 2001, equivalent to the 15th of 1380 AH, the United States invaded Afghanistan. The initial strikes targeted 31 different locations across various Afghan cities using cruise missiles, bombers, and precision-guided bombs. The Kandahar airfield witnessed the first assault, followed by an attack on the residence of Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid, resulting in casualties among his family members. The subsequent American assaults targeted electrical systems, radar installations, public infrastructure, national interests, and defense lines.
The conflict escalated as chemical weapons were employed against the Mujahideen, prompting their gradual retreat from urban areas into guerilla warfare. During their withdrawal, distressing scenes unfolded, revealing the Afghan nation’s struggle juxtaposed with betrayals by American mercenaries and generals, resulting in numerous Mujahideen casualties due to the mercenaries’ ruthlessness and treachery.
The exodus of Mujahideen from the provinces began with retreats from Balkh, Sheberghan, and other northern cities, followed by withdrawals from Herat, Kabul, Jalalabad, Ghazni, and Gardiz. Eventually, only Kunduz and central regions of Kandahar Province remained under the Islamic Emirate’s control.
In Kunduz, thousands of Mujahideen found themselves besieged by American airstrikes and ground attacks orchestrated by local forces collaborating with the occupiers’ mercenaries. The onslaught inflicted heavy civilian casualties in Kunduz and forced the Mujahideen into negotiations with General Dostam, a proxy of the occupation forces. Unfortunately, the promises made during negotiations were betrayed, resulting in mass incarcerations and executions of surviving Mujahideen.
Resistance in Kandahar persisted for an extended period until the impending citywide destruction prompted the Mujahideen’s retreat. Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid, leading the defense, evacuated Kandahar as the city fell under American occupation, marking a decisive victory for the U.S.
Following the completion of the U.S. occupation, local collaborators vied for influence, positioning themselves as compliant servants of the invaders to secure political roles in Afghanistan’s future. Amidst these efforts, preparations were made for a pivotal conference to determine Afghanistan’s government structure and political trajectory. This gathering, held in the city of Bonn, legitimized the occupation with the approval of a government aligned with the occupiers.
The Bonn Conference concluded in December 2001 after nine days of deliberation, establishing a governance framework that endorsed the continuous presence of international forces in Afghanistan. The resulting interim government, led by “Hamid Karzai,” comprised a cabinet representing various warlords and jihadi commanders claiming to represent Afghan tribes.
Under the guise of promoting democracy and social pluralism, the Bonn Conference undermined certain Islamic principles by sanctioning social freedoms and human rights in a Western-oriented manner. The participants further ratified the creation of a Ministry of Women to address women’s rights issues, inviting international oversight by bodies such as the United Nations.
The decisions made during the Bonn Conference not only shaped Afghanistan’s administrative, judicial, defense, and social systems but also influenced the nation’s political landscape. While perceived as a resolution to Afghanistan’s political turmoil, subsequent events exposed administrative deficiencies, moral decay, political infighting, and societal discord, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the Bonn Conference and its outcomes.
By admin2
