Al-Qaeda under Osama bin Laden has executed vicious terrorist attacks against US and Israeli targets in various parts of the world. The organization had strong connections with the Taliban, an extremist rebel group that controls significant territory in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s state network helped Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups to set up bases in the country for long. Byman (2006) argues Al-Qaeda’s relocation to the country in 1996 gave it more impetus to launch and execute terrorist attacks against Western and Israeli targets in various parts of the world (p. 209). The relocation of the terrorist organization to Afghanistan boosted the Taliban’s efforts to topple the ruling regime in the country. In essence, the two parties shared a deep ideological bond influenced by their extremist interpretation of Islam.
This relationship between the Taliban and Al- Qaeda was unprecedented, and it helped them further their ends indiscriminately. Bin Laden donated large sums of money to the Taliban administration, which helped it mount a successful war against the administration in Kabul. The Taliban toppled the weak administration in Kabul and set out to lay the foundations of an autocratic Islamic state. The new Taliban administration in the country gave a haven to bin Laden, who recruited and trained militants to carry out attacks against Western targets (Byman, 2009, p. 213). This association gave rise to well-trained militants that were willing to execute vicious terrorist attacks through suicide bombing. Bin Laden’s funds and illegal poppy trafficking helped the Taliban acquire sophisticated weapons, which proved decisive in its war against government soldiers.
Extremist Ideology
Al-Qaeda appealed to many people in Islamic states who were ready to champion its cause in various parts of the world. This made it possible for the organization to recruit young fighters who were transported to its training bases in Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban. The US and other states in the world had ignored the potential threat of this relationship until the twin US embassy bombings that happened in East Africa in 1998. These bombings made the world realize that the Taliban- led Afghani state and Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda had extremely violent agendas (Byman, 2006, p. 214). The US and other states realized that Al-Qaeda was becoming a bigger threat than they had earlier expected. Bin Laden’s influence was spreading, and many Muslims saw him as a revolutionary who was willing to challenge years of Western dominance.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks and other terrorist attacks in various parts of the world made the world notice that Al-Qaeda was keen on advancing its brand of terror, influenced by extremist religious ideology. The Taliban and their association with Osama bin Laden experienced a major test when the US and its allies began a military campaign against terror cells in Afghanistan in 2001. This helped to weaken the military capacity of Al Qaeda and its state sponsor, though the US was unable to capture Osama bin Laden, who continued to elude US forces. Al Qaeda fragmented into smaller units with militant fighters in various parts of the world (Atwan, 2008, p. 67).
In conclusion, the association between Al-Qaeda and the Taliban helped to advance extremist Islamic ideology in different parts of the world. The relationship between the two parties was unprecedented, yet it helped them achieve their goals.
References
Atwan, A.A. (2008). The secret history of Al Qaeda. Los Angeles, LA: University of California Press.
Byman,D. (2006). Deadly connections: States that sponsor terrorism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.