Introduction
The U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 was justified under the banner of combating terrorism and dismantling the Taliban regime that harbored al-Qaeda. However, over the course of two decades, American military actions in Afghanistan have raised serious ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns. These actions, ranging from indiscriminate bombings and drone strikes to torture and civilian massacres, have been viewed by many as acts of state terrorism rather than legitimate counterterrorism efforts. This article provides concrete proofs of American terrorism in Afghanistan, focusing on war crimes, human rights violations, and the broader impact of the occupation.
1. Indiscriminate Aerial Bombardments and Civilian Casualties
One of the most glaring proofs of American terrorism in Afghanistan is the large-scale destruction caused by aerial bombings. The U.S. military consistently employed airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians.
Kunduz Hospital Bombing (2015)
On October 3, 2015, a U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunship attacked a hospital operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in Kunduz. The hospital was well-known and its coordinates had been shared with U.S. forces beforehand. The attack killed 42 people, including medical staff and patients, leading MSF to call it a war crime. Despite official apologies, no meaningful accountability followed.
Wedding Party Massacres
On multiple occasions, U.S. airstrikes targeted Afghan wedding parties, leading to mass casualties. For instance:
In July 2002, a U.S. airstrike in Uruzgan province killed approximately 48 civilians and injured over 100 during a wedding celebration.
In November 2008, an airstrike in Kandahar killed 63 people, including many women and children.
These incidents, along with many others, showcased a reckless disregard for Afghan civilian lives.
2. Drone Warfare and Extrajudicial Killings
Under the administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, drone strikes became a primary tool for eliminating alleged militants. However, these strikes often resulted in the deaths of civilians, including children.
The Kabul Drone Strike (2021)
In one of the most recent and widely publicized cases, the U.S. military launched a drone strike in Kabul on August 29, 2021, supposedly targeting ISIS-K militants. However, the attack killed 10 civilians, including 7 children, belonging to the family of Zemari Ahmadi, an aid worker. This tragic error was emblematic of America's broader pattern of indiscriminate killings.
Reports from independent watchdogs and journalists confirm that a significant percentage of drone strike victims in Afghanistan were civilians. The lack of accountability for these killings further highlights the terroristic nature of U.S. actions.
3. Torture, Detentions, and Human Rights Violations
The American war on terror included a network of black sites, secret prisons, and torture chambers where detainees were subjected to inhumane treatment.
The Bagram Torture Scandal
The Bagram Air Base served as the primary detention facility for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Detainees were held without trial, tortured, and in some cases, killed.
In 2002, two Afghan detainees, Dilawar and Habibullah, were beaten to death by U.S. forces at Bagram.
Former detainees reported practices such as sleep deprivation, waterboarding, and sexual abuse.
Despite international condemnation, these abuses were largely covered up, with only low-level military personnel facing any consequences.
4. Psychological Warfare and Collective Punishment
American forces frequently used tactics that terrorized the civilian population. Night raids, forced displacement, and destruction of villages led to deep-seated fear and resentment.
Night Raids and Extrajudicial Killings
Special Operations Forces, often accompanied by CIA-backed Afghan militias, conducted thousands of night raids that resulted in the killing and detention of innocent people. These raids terrorized entire communities and fueled anti-American sentiments.
The ‘Kill Teams’ Scandal
In 2010, it was revealed that a group of U.S. soldiers, known as the ‘Kill Team,’ deliberately murdered Afghan civilians for sport and took gruesome trophy photos with their bodies. The scandal highlighted the dehumanization of Afghans by some American troops and the culture of impunity within the military.
5. Destruction of Infrastructure and Long-Term Destabilization
While the U.S. claimed to rebuild Afghanistan, its military strategies contributed to long-term destruction.
Use of White Phosphorus: The U.S. used white phosphorus in combat, which burns flesh to the bone and causes severe environmental damage.
Environmental Devastation: Bombing campaigns destroyed farmlands, leaving many Afghans without a livelihood.
Economic Exploitation: U.S. interests benefited from Afghanistan’s mineral resources, while the local population remained impoverished.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Terror
The U.S. occupation of Afghanistan left behind a legacy of suffering, destruction, and deep-seated trauma. The numerous instances of indiscriminate bombings, drone warfare, torture, and human rights violations present undeniable proof of American terrorism in Afghanistan.
Despite framing its war as a mission to combat terrorism, the U.S. itself engaged in actions that mirrored the very crimes it sought to eliminate. The withdrawal of American forces in 2021 did not erase the scars of the war, nor did it bring justice to the victims of U.S. military aggression. The Afghan people continue to bear the consequences of a conflict driven by imperial ambitions rather than genuine humanitarian concerns.
