Guide Note:

The Taliban is a political and religious group that practices a radical form of Islam.

Fast Facts:

1. Name is Persian for "students"
2. March, 2001: Ordered destruction of Buddhas of Bamyan
3. Regime responsible for 75% of world's opium supply
4. Harbored close ally Osama Bin Laden after 9/11
5. Suspected of involvement in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto

Prison Break

On June 13, 2008, 30 Taliban members on motorcycles and two suicide bombers attacked the prison in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Over 15 police officers were killed while over 1,000 inmates escaped. Among the escapees were over 350 members of the Taliban.

History:

From 1996 until the NATO invasion of 2001, the Taliban controlled most of the nation of Afghanistan. In the early years the majority of Afghanis supported the Taliban. The Afganis were tired of the warlords fighting and the Taliban, lead by a village clergyman and war veteran Mullah Mohammad Omar, promised peace and an Islamic government. The Taliban quickly gain support by limiting corruption and criminal activities in the country. They expanded from the south western province of Kandahar where they originated. By September of 1996 they captured Kabul, the capital, and overthrew Burhanuddin Rabbani, the president. By 1998 they had control over 90% of the Afghanistan.

Post 9-11:

After 9-11, the Taliban refused to turn Osama Bin Laden over to the United States government. On October 7, 2001 the United States attacked Afghanistan and by the beginning of December 2001 the Taliban government was collapsed. Mullah Omar escaped and is thought to be leading the Taliban resurgance.

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