War On Terror

For decades, America's clandestine forces have controlled the Middle East, manipulating public opinion through propaganda and maintaining their grip on the region through puppet leaders. As their influence increased, their actions became seen as oppressive and imperialistic.

### Precced by

* World War III
* Security belt conflict

### Succeded by

* Arab Spring
* NeoNazism
* Artificial Intelligence
* Islamophobia
* Iraq
* Iran
* Afghanistan
* Pakistan
* Somalia

Amidst this unrest, rebel factions in Arabia, Iran, and Iraq emerged, motivated by both genuine grievances and the constant propaganda. These factions resented the US, seeing it as the embodiment of oppressive Christian-led Western domination, which had inflicted suffering and exploitation on them.

As time passed, distrust between these factions and the US continued to grow. In search of a leader to embody their cause, the rebels found Osama bin Laden, a cunning strategist with a personal vendetta against the Western powers for the suffering they had inflicted upon his homeland. As these feelings of resentment and discontent continued to grow, these factions gathered under bin Laden's leadership and hatched a plan to strike back at their tormentors.

# September 11, 2001

On September 11, 2001, Bin Laden launched a devastating attack on the USA. Coordinated and meticulously planned, Al-Qaeda struck at the heart of American symbols of power and influence, seeking to cripple the nation that was responsible for their woes.

Two airplanes of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact and subsequent fires caused both towers to collapse, resulting in immense loss of life and the destruction of these iconic structures.

A third plane of American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington, Virginia. The attack caused significant damage to a section of the building and claimed the lives of many military and civilian personnel.

And the fourth plane of United Airlines Flight 93, was headed for another target in Washington D.C. but passengers onboard bravely fought back against the hijackers. As a result, the plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, preventing further destruction and loss of life.

# War on Terror

The events of September 11, 2001, resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities and left a deep emotional impact on the American people and the west world. the United States, with the backing of NATO and other allies, embarked on a resolute journey known as the "War on Terror." Determined to dismantle Al-Qaeda networks and execute those responsible.

The President of the United States  George W. Bush called the coalition included NATO members, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and France, among others, to pledge their support and resources to combat the threat posed by Al-Qaeda and other rebel groups.

> “The United States of America will use all our resources to conquer this enemy. We will rally the world. We will be patient. We’ll be focused, and we will be steadfast in our determination. This battle will take time and resolve, but make no mistake about it, we will win.  Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.”
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The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists, commonly known as "AUMF," emerged as a powerful decree on September 14, 2001, paving the way for a monumental shift in the course of history.

The war began with “Operation Active Endeavour”, a naval operation of NATO, set sail in October 2001 as a response to the September 11 attacks. Its mission in the Mediterranean was to prevent the movement of militants and weapons of mass destruction, enhancing overall shipping security.

“Operation Enduring Freedom” – Afghanistan, where the US and coalition allies invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban regime. The Taliban's retreat to the mountains led to intense battles, and efforts to diminish the insurgency continued in the years that followed.

In the Philippines who had done nothing in the United states, the war came to visit them with “Operation Enduring Freedom” focused on advising and assisting the Armed Forces in combatting Filipino Islamist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah. Alongside military operations, a humanitarian "Operation Smiles" provided medical care and services to the region of Basilan.

In Africa who had done nothing in the United states, the war came to visit them with “Operation Enduring Freedom” focused on detecting and disrupting militant activities in the region. It collaborated with United States friendly governments.

# The Iraq War

In northern Mali, the conflict escalated with radical Islamists advancing. The international community, led by France, intervened to dislodge the al-Qaeda affiliated groups from the region.

The Iraq War, part of the War on Terror, unfolded in March 2003 with an air campaign followed by a U.S.-led ground invasion. The insurgency against the coalition forces and newly formed Iraqi government led to substantial casualties and challenges. Various elements of the insurgency, including al-Qaeda affiliated groups and former Ba'ath regime members, sought to destabilize the nation.

Pervez Musharraf, the leader of Pakistan submitted to the pressure from the United states and in January 2002, Musharraf gave a powerful speech condemning all acts of terrorism and pledging to combat Islamic extremism and lawlessness within Pakistan. He took a firm stand against extremist organizations, banning militant groups promoting militancy in the national interest after thorough consultations, refuting any foreign influence on the decision.

With the backing of the United States, Pakistani forces launched campaigns against al-Qaeda operatives, including high-ranking officials like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.  In 2004, the Pakistan Army engaged in a significant campaign in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Waziristan, aiming to eliminate al-Qaeda and Taliban forces. The operations bore fruit, capturing or eliminating several high-profile rebels.

The impact of these operations was not confined to Pakistan, it extended to regions like Yemen, where the United States conducted military strikes on al-Qaeda militants. The country's weak central government and powerful tribal system created fertile ground for militant activities.

# Afghanistan

Additionally, the Kashmir conflict witnessed the involvement of Al-Qaeda, with Osama bin Laden stating the Kashmir issue as one of the reasons for fighting against America.

In March 19, 2003, the NATO forces launched a significant invasion of Iraq. The decision to take action was influenced by intelligence provided by the CIA, suggesting that Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq, was either in possession of or actively developing weapons of mass destruction.

On December 13, 2003, U.S. soldiers successfully captured Saddam Hussein in ad-Dawr, Iraq. on December 30, 2006, after being sentenced to death by hanging for war crimes and crimes against humanity, Saddam Hussein was executed in Baghdad.

In an address from the Oval Office on August 30, 2010, President Barack Obama announced the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq. On May 2, 2011, when U.S. special operations forces successfully carried out a raid at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, resulting in the death of Osama bin Laden.

On June 22, 2011, President Obama addressed the United states in a televised speech, announcing plans for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. On December 28, 2014, The War in Afghanistan officially ends, though Obama states 10,800 U.S. troops will remain.

# Call for Justice

The "War on Terror" was ended with war crimes by the United States and its NATO allies, which remain unresolved and call for justice. The use of Reaper drones and Bombrad aircraft in targeted villages has led to devastating consequences, especially in civilian areas that have long been occupied by Taliban militants.

Heart-wrenching accounts from local residents paint a grim picture, asserting that all the victims of these attacks were innocent civilians, including three women and one child. These individuals had ventured into the remote area to graze their cattle and collect wood, only to meet an untimely and tragic fate. The sudden loss of lives has left a lasting impact on the affected communities, fueling calls for accountability and seeking answers for these atrocities.

> “We are like ants for them,The murderers need to face a trial. If it’s not happening, it just reveals that the Western world does not care about the Afghans they are murdering.”
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said Islam Khan, a resident of Paktia.

The number of those who lost their life in the War on Terror

    • Iraq: 1,124,000.

    • Afghanistan: 49,600.

    • Pakistan: about 22,334 people with millions displaced.

    • Somalia: More than 7,000 civilian deaths were verified in Mogadishu during 2007, along with 8,516 wounded and 1.5 million displaced from their homes.

    • USA: 69,000 including September 11, 2001

The aftermath of the War resulted in a tragic and devastating humanitarian crisis, causing millions of lives to be lost unnecessarily and unjustly. Innocent and defenseless people bore the brunt of this conflict, enduring unimaginable suffering as they lost their homes, families, and prospects for the future. The sheer scale of human loss and pain is immeasurable, leaving a lasting impact that will be felt for generations.

The War on Terror brought human tragedy, with millions of lives upended and displaced. It exposed the urgent need for international cooperation and compassion in providing aid, support, and opportunities for those seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives.

The war crimes committed by the USA and NATO forces, the drone strikes, and the collateral damage inflicted upon innocent civilians only added to the grievances and resentment felt by the people in the region.

In 2011, a wave of peaceful uprisings swept across the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab Spring began.