Afghanistan Background Flashcards
What is the population, capital, area Afghanistan?
Population: 28,395,716 (July 2009 estimate)
Capital: Kabul
Area: 251, 827 square miles
Which countries border it?
Borders: China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
It’s landlocked
Give 5 points about Afghanistan’s history:
- 19th century, Europeans entered Afganistan when British empire expanded into Asia
- 1839 and 1878 there were two Anglo-Afghan wars
- Afghanistan became independent after Treaty of Rawalpindi was signed by British and Afghans in 1919
- 1953 Afghan was closely aligned with Soviet Union, but 1979 SU invaded and established a communist group in the country until 1989
- 1992 SU in Afganistan overthrown by guerrilla fighters and Islamic Jihad Council established and took over Kabul
When did the Taliban rise to power and when did the Islamic rule end?
1996 and 2001
Who are the Taliban?
They are an Islamic fundamentalist political group, currently leading an insurgency in Afghanistan.
Define Insurgency
Rebelling against authority eg. Taliban
When did the Taliban hold power and how?
1996-2001 where they enforced strict Sharia (Islamic) law
Who was the supreme leader of the Taliban and some facts?
Mohammed Omar
- Founded Islamic state of Emirate Afghanistan
- Wanted by US for sheltering al-Qaeda militants and Osama Bin Laden prior to 9/11
- Believed to be directing Taliban insurgency against NATO force
When was the American war in Afghanistan?
2001-2014
Why did the American war in Afghanistan begin?
USA invaded Afghanistan after the 2001 terror attacks.
What was the purpose of the American Afghan War?
- To remove the Taliban from power
- To dismantle al-Qaeda and to remove their safety in Afghanistan
How many people died as a result of the war?
Afghan security: 21,950
Coalition: 3,486
- 2,356 USA
- 454 UK
- 57 Germany
Total soldiers: 27,018
Civilians: 26,270
