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Historical Context: Events That Led to the Afghan Displacement.

Historical Context: Events That Led to the Afghan Displacement.

By Hamna Khan

The Afghan Portal
January 29, 2024

As we discussed in our previous letter, the Afghan displacement can be traced back to a complex web of historical events, geopolitical dynamics, and internal conflicts that have unfolded over decades. One crucial turning point was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union fueled a proxy war.

What forced the Afghans to flee?

1) The Soviet Invasion (1979-1989)

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to prop up the communist government against an anti-government group known as the mujahideen. - The war lasted for a decade, causing widespread destruction and displacement. More than a million of Afghans fled to neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran, becoming refugees.

2) Emergence of the Taliban (1994)

After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, a civil war ensued between various factions of the mujahideen. The Taliban, a fundamentalist Islamist movement, emerged as the dominant force and captured Kabul in 1994. Their strict interpretation of the Shari'a (Islamic Law) led to an unwarranted abuse of human women's rights, including the oppression of religious minorities.

Telling the Truth About the War in Afghanistan

A case can be made for classifying some sensitive aspects of the war, but no such case can be made for failing to fully audit and cost the conflict.

www.csis.org/analysis/telling-truth-about-war-afghanistan

3) The U.S. Gets Interested in the Tea (1990-2021)

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan to topple the Taliban. This war caused significant civilian casualties and displacement, leading to the creation of new refugee flows within Afghanistan and across borders.

"The U.S. backed Afghan commander, Abdul Rashid Dostum’s forces murdered hundreds, possibly thousands, of Taliban prisoners by jamming them into metal shipping containers and letting them suffocate. At the time, Dostum was on the CIA’s payroll and had been working with U.S. special forces to oust the Taliban from power."

James Risen , The Intercept

US soldiers guard a Marine base at Kandahar International Airport in 2001. Rob Curtis/AFP via Getty Images

4) Effects of Covid-19 on the Refugees (2019)

The pandemic caused border closures and travel restrictions, making it challenging for Afghan refugees to seek safety in neighboring countries.Many refugees lacked access to adequate healthcare and sanitation facilities, and often lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

5) The Taliban’s Takeover (2021)

In 2020, the U.S. and the Taliban signed a peace agreement that outlined a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and the release of Taliban prisoners. The collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government and the chaotic evacuation of foreign personnel and Afghan allies resulted in a fresh wave of refugees fleeing the country.

In 2021, the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan marked a pivotal moment and signaled a new wave of displacement. The uncertain political landscape and fears of reprisals intensified the urgency for Afghans to leave, with neighboring countries and beyond witnessing an influx of refugees.

CRISIS ENSUES . . .

In the next email.