Rise, fall and resurgence of Taliban in Afghanistan

By Emre Aytekin

ANKARA

The Afghan Taliban, who were once at the driving seat in Kabul, have signed a peace deal with the U.S., paving the way for an end to the 18-year conflict, and their possible return to power. 

But how did the group become one of the most influential political actors in the war-torn country?

The end of the 10-year Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1989 led to fighting between warring groups collectively known as the mujahideen.

The 1992 civil war led the country into another chaotic conflict. Due to political instability, there could neither be any governance

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