Al Qaeda Conflict - Part.1

Al-Qaeda emerged in the late 1980s during the Soviet-Afghan war, founded by Osama bin Laden and others who aimed to unite Islamist fighters against foreign forces in Afghanistan. After the Soviets withdrew, Al-Qaeda shifted focus toward global jihad, targeting the West and its allies. During the 1990s, Afghanistan under the Taliban provided a safe haven for Al-Qaeda, allowing the group to train, plan, and coordinate attacks, including the 1998 US embassy bombings in Africa and ultimately the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 sought to dismantle both the Taliban regime and Al-Qaeda’s network.

Following the US invasion, Al-Qaeda dispersed across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, especially in the tribal areas of Pakistan. This region became a hotbed of militant activity, with Al-Qaeda collaborating with the Taliban insurgency and other militant groups. However, tensions arose as Pakistan’s government and military faced international pressure to combat terrorism, leading to intermittent crackdowns on militant safe havens. The porous border and complex tribal dynamics made it difficult for either Afghanistan or Pakistan to fully control militant movements, fueling ongoing instability and cross-border violence.

In the years leading up to the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan remained fraught with mistrust. Pakistan was accused by many in Afghanistan and the international community of providing covert support to the Taliban to maintain strategic influence, while Afghanistan accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists. Meanwhile, internal divisions within Afghanistan, including ethnic and political rivalries, complicated efforts to build a unified government. The Taliban’s eventual takeover reignited fears that Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups might regain strength under their rule, posing renewed challenges for regional security and international counter-terrorism efforts.