To the U.S. and the Soviets, Afghanistan has always been a pawn in a much bigger game. Both countries have used Afghanistan for their own gain since the late 1970's.The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. A peace agreement between the two countries wasn't signed until February 1989, when Afghanistan defeated the Soviet Union.Infighting between Mujahideen, an Afghan guerrilla movement (originally formed in 1978), and Najibullah's regime continued throughout this period, until 1992 when the Mujahideen took Kabul and liberated Afghanistan. Najibullah was protected by UN.The Mujahideen formed an Islamic State and Professor Burhannudin Rabbani was elected President. In 1994 the Taliban militia were born and advanced rapidly against the Rabbani government. In 1995 massive gains were made by the Taliban and in the following year the Taliban militia forced President Rabbani and his government out of Kabul. After that they captured Kabul and executed Najibullah. The Taliban oppressed women, forced men to grow beards and 'Buzkashi' the Afghan national sport was outlawed. Tensions rose as the Afghan government accused Pakistan of aiding the Taliban. The Taliban massacred thousands of innocent civilians.In 1998 the United States launched cruise missiles at Afghanistan, stating that its intent was to destroy the so called terrorist bases/training facilities used by Osama Bin Laden and his followers. In 1999 and 2000 the UN Security Council Resolutions 1267 and 1333 were adopted. These resolutions used sanctions against the Taliban on grounds that they offered sanctuary to Osama Bin Ladin and for their continued support of terrorism and the cultivation of drugs.During 2001 the Taliban continued to torture and kill civilians and destroy ancient historical sites. The world expressed outrage and disgust against the Taliban actions.On September 11th 2001 suicide attacks on the U.S. killed more than 3,000 people and destroying the World Trade Centre and part of the Pentagon. Following these attacks the United States and UK worked with the forces of the United Front (UNIFSA) to launch air strikes against the Taliban. The U.S. held Osama Bin Laden directly responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Centre, and the Taliban were targeted for protecting him.

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