Introduction
The origins of the Afghanistan War began with a terrorist organization called Al Qaeda. During the time the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, they had provided refuge and training camps for Al Qaeda. They organized 9/11, a terrorist attack against the United States on September 11, 2001. In retaliation, the United States wanted the Taliban to hand over Osama Bin Laden, the supposed man behind the attacks. When the Taliban refused, the United States decided to partake in a war against them, known as the War on Terror.
The United States used continuous bombing against Afghanistan and launched many ground and air attacks. After defeating the Taliban military, the United States decided to rebuild and reform some of their institutions, and had increased the number of US troops present in Afghanistan to protect civilians and maintain order. They had planned to gradually hand power back to the Afghan military, but it was unsuccessful as insurgent rates were high and Afghan police were unable to handle the Taliban attacks.
This conflict ended up being the longest war the United States has fought, having lasted for 13 years, and ending December 2014. The Afghanistan War negatively affected the lives of many Afghan civilians. Large numbers of the population are wounded, and many are dead. The Afghan Ministry of Public Health reported that 2/3rds of Afghans suffer from mental illness. Afghan Citizens also are deprived of resources such as clean water, healthcare, food, and sanitation because of the emphasis that was placed on the Afghanistan War. A total of 104,000 citizens have been killed in this war.
The United States used continuous bombing against Afghanistan and launched many ground and air attacks. After defeating the Taliban military, the United States decided to rebuild and reform some of their institutions, and had increased the number of US troops present in Afghanistan to protect civilians and maintain order. They had planned to gradually hand power back to the Afghan military, but it was unsuccessful as insurgent rates were high and Afghan police were unable to handle the Taliban attacks.
This conflict ended up being the longest war the United States has fought, having lasted for 13 years, and ending December 2014. The Afghanistan War negatively affected the lives of many Afghan civilians. Large numbers of the population are wounded, and many are dead. The Afghan Ministry of Public Health reported that 2/3rds of Afghans suffer from mental illness. Afghan Citizens also are deprived of resources such as clean water, healthcare, food, and sanitation because of the emphasis that was placed on the Afghanistan War. A total of 104,000 citizens have been killed in this war.