130 likes | 304 Views
The War in Afghanistan. Map of Afghanistan. 9/11. In September 2001, terrorists from al-Qaeda carried out attacks on targets in the United States, including the World Trade Centre buildings in New York. 3000 people died in the attacks. Osama Bin Laden.
E N D
9/11 • In September 2001, terrorists from al-Qaeda carried out attacks on targets in the United States, including the World Trade Centre buildings in New York. • 3000 people died in the attacks
Osama Bin Laden • The man responsible for inspiring the attacks was Osama Bin Laden, head of al-Qaeda, whose terrorist base was in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Al-Qaeda • Means ‘The Base’ • set up around 1989 • Islamist group • Led by Osama bin Laden • Has bases in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen • Uses suicide attacks and bombings • Supports a jihad (struggle) • Jihad (‘holy war’) against enemies of Islam
Al-Qaeda • Believes that all foreign influences should be removed from Muslim countries • Believes in creating a new Muslim caliphate (a state with a purely Muslim government) • Believes that Christians and Jews are out to destroy Islam • Directs attacks mainly at the USA and the UK, but also against countries that have moved away from the true ideals of Islam.
Attacks on Afghanistan • The USA immediately started bomb attacks against the terrorists in Afghanistan and against the Taleban government which was supporting them
ISAF • By December 2001, the Taleban had been defeated. • In January 2002, an international peacekeeping force came in (ISAF), agreed by the UN.
NATO takes over • In 2003, NATO took over command of the ISAF • Since then Afghanistan has had a new government elected and re-elected in 2009 President Hamid Karzai
The Taleban returns • British troops have been fighting the Taleban in southern Afghanistan since 2005 • The Taleban want all foreign troops out of Afghanistan and want to govern the country again Helmand Province
2011 • In 2011, there are about 67,700 ISAF troops in Afghanistan. • They are backed by about 93,000 Afghan troops and about 80,000 trained Afghan police. • The USA provides around 32,000 troops and Britain contributes 9,000. Ministry of Defence | Fact Sheets | Operations Factsheets | Operations in Afghanistan: Why we are there