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  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    7th Century
    Bactria

    Tokharistan is an ancient Early Middle Ages known as Bactria

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    7th Century

    Tokharistan is an ancient Early Middle Ages name given to the area which was known as Bactria in Ancient Greek sources.




  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    663
    Bactria

    The Umayyad Caliphate attacked the Buddhist Shahi

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    663

    In 663 CE, the Umayyad Caliphate attacked the Buddhist Shahi dynasty ruling in Tokharistan.




  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    8th Century
    Bactria

    Saman Khuda left Zoroastrianism for Islam

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    8th Century

    In the 8th century CE, a Persian from Balkh known as Saman Khuda left Zoroastrianism for Islam while living under the Umayyads.




  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    23rd Century BC
    Bactria

    Bronze Age of the Bactria

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    23rd Century BC

    The Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex is the modern archaeological designation for a Bronze Age archaeological culture of Central Asia, dated to c. 2200–1700 BC.




  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    2140 BC
    Bactria

    The legendary Assyrian king Ninus had defeated a Bactrian king

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    2140 BC

    The early Greek historian Ctesias, c. 400 BC, alleged that the legendary Assyrian king Ninus had defeated a Bactrian king named Oxyartes in c. 2140 BC.




  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    21st Century BC
    Bactria

    Bactrians were the inhabitants of Bacteria

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    21st Century BC

    Bactrians were the inhabitants of Bactria. Several important trade routes from India and China passed through Bactria and, as early as the Bronze Age, this had allowed the accumulation of vast amounts of wealth by the mostly nomadic population. The first proto-urban civilization in the area arose during the 2nd millennium BCE.




  • Afghanistan
    1979
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    Al-Qaeda

    Afghanistan
    1979

    The origins of al-Qaeda can be traced to 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.


  • Afghanistan
    Wednesday Aug 10, 1988
    Bin Laden

    Al Qaueda

    Afghanistan
    Wednesday Aug 10, 1988

    Researches suggest that al-Qaeda was formed at an August 11, 1988, meeting between "several senior leaders" of Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Abdullah Azzam, and bin Laden, where it was agreed to join bin Laden's money with the expertise of the Islamic Jihad organization and take up the jihadist cause elsewhere after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan.


  • Afghanistan
    1996
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    First Fatwā

    Afghanistan
    1996

    Osama bin Laden traveled to Afghanistan and helped organize Arab mujahideen to resist the Soviets. Under the guidance of Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Laden became more radical. In 1996, bin Laden issued his first fatwā, calling for American soldiers to leave Saudi Arabia.


  • Afghanistan
    1996
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    Planning

    Afghanistan
    1996

    The attacks were conceived by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who first presented it to Osama bin Laden in 1996.


  • Afghanistan
    1997
    Ayman al-Zawahiri

    Al-Zawahiri formally merged The Egyptian Islamic Jihad into al-Qaeda

    Afghanistan
    1997

    In 1998, al-Zawahiri formally merged the Egyptian Islamic Jihad into al-Qaeda. According to reports by a former al-Qaeda member, he has worked in the al-Qaeda organization since its inception and was a senior member of the group's shura council. He was often described as a "lieutenant" to Osama bin Laden, though bin Laden's chosen biographer has referred to him as the "real brains" of al-Qaeda.


  • Afghanistan
    Jan, 1998
    Bin Laden

    Individual Duty

    Afghanistan
    Jan, 1998

    In February 1998, Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri co-signed a fatwa in the name of the World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders, which declared the killing of North Americans and their allies an "individual duty for every Muslim" to "liberate the al-Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem) and the holy mosque (in Mecca) from their grip".


  • Afghanistan
    Monday Feb 23, 1998
    Ayman al-Zawahiri

    World Islamic Front Against Jews and Crusaders

    Afghanistan
    Monday Feb 23, 1998

    On February 23, 1998, al-Zawahiri issued a joint fatwa with Osama bin Laden under the title "World Islamic Front Against Jews and Crusaders". Zawahiri, not bin Laden, is thought to have been the actual author of the fatwa.


  • Afghanistan
    Tuesday Jun 23, 1998
    Ayman al-Zawahiri

    Al-Qaeda congress

    Afghanistan
    Tuesday Jun 23, 1998

    Bin Laden and al-Zawahiri organized an al-Qaeda congress on June 24, 1998. A week prior to the beginning of the conference, a group of well-armed assistants to al-Zawahiri had left by jeeps in the direction of Herat. Following the instructions of their patron, in the town of Koh-i-Doshakh, they met three unknown Slavic-looking men who had arrived from Russia via Iran. After their arrival in Kandahar, they split up. One of the Russians was directly escorted to al-Zawahiri and he did not participate in the conference.


  • Afghanistan
    Wednesday Jun 24, 1998
    Bin Laden

    Al-Qaeda congress

    Afghanistan
    Wednesday Jun 24, 1998

    Bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri organized an al-Qaeda congress on June 24, 1998.


  • Afghanistan
    1998
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    Second Fatwā

    Afghanistan
    1998

    In a second fatwā in 1998, bin Laden outlined his objections to American foreign policy with respect to Israel, as well as the continued presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War. Bin Laden used Islamic texts to exhort Muslims to attack Americans until the stated grievances were reversed. Muslim legal scholars "have throughout Islamic history unanimously agreed that the jihad is an individual duty if the enemy destroys the Muslim countries", according to bin Laden.


  • Afghanistan
    Dec, 1999
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    Americans were "Too Near to Mecca"

    Afghanistan
    Dec, 1999

    In a December 1999 interview, bin Laden said he felt that Americans were "too near to Mecca", and considered this a provocation to the entire Muslim world. One analysis of suicide terrorism suggested that without U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, al-Qaeda likely would not have been able to get people to commit to suicide missions.


  • Afghanistan
    1999
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    Bin Laden gave Approval for Mohammed to go forward

    Afghanistan
    1999

    In early 1999, bin Laden gave approval for Mohammed to go forward with organizing the plot. Mohammed, bin Laden, and bin Laden's deputy Mohammed Atef held a series of meetings in early 1999. Atef provided operational support, including target selections and helping arrange travel for the hijackers. Bin Laden overruled Mohammed, rejecting potential targets such as the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles for lack of time.


  • Afghanistan
    1999
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    Bin Laden provided Leadership and Financial Support

    Afghanistan
    1999

    Bin Laden provided leadership and financial support, and was involved in selecting participants. He initially selected Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, both experienced jihadists who had fought in Bosnia.


  • Afghanistan
    1999
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    A Group of Men from Hamburg

    Afghanistan
    1999

    In late 1999, a group of men from Hamburg, Germany arrived in Afghanistan; the group included Mohamed Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi, Ziad Jarrah, and Ramzi bin al-Shibh. Bin Laden selected these men because they were educated, could speak English, and had experience living in the West. New recruits were routinely screened for special skills and al-Qaeda leaders consequently discovered that Hani Hanjour already had a commercial pilot's license. Mohammed later said that he helped the hijackers blend in by teaching them how to order food in restaurants and dress in Western clothing.


  • Afghanistan
    Saturday Oct 6, 2001
    Bin Laden

    Unsuccessful Assassination

    Afghanistan
    Saturday Oct 6, 2001

    Attempts at assassination and requests for the extradition of bin Laden from the Taliban of Afghanistan were met with failure before the bombing of Afghanistan in October 2001.


  • Afghanistan
    Saturday Oct 6, 2001
    George W. Bush

    Afghanistan invasion

    Afghanistan
    Saturday Oct 6, 2001

    On October 7, 2001, U.S. and British forces initiated bombing campaigns that led to the arrival of Northern Alliance troops in Kabul on November 13.


  • Afghanistan
    Saturday Oct 6, 2001
    Ayman al-Zawahiri

    The U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan

    Afghanistan
    Saturday Oct 6, 2001

    Following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, al-Zawahiri's whereabouts are unknown, but he is generally thought to be in tribal Pakistan. Although he releases videos of himself frequently (see Messages of Ayman al-Zawahiri), al-Zawahiri did not appear alongside bin Laden in any of them after 2003. However, despite a series of operations, they were unable to capture him.


  • Afghanistan
    Sunday Oct 7, 2001
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    Beginning of war in Afghanistan

    Afghanistan
    Sunday Oct 7, 2001

    On October 7, 2001, the War in Afghanistan began when U.S. and British forces initiated aerial bombing campaigns targeting Taliban and al-Qaeda camps, then later invaded Afghanistan with ground troops of the Special Forces.


  • Afghanistan
    2001
    United Nations

    War in Afghanistan

    Afghanistan
    2001

    The invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 was overseen by NATO.


  • Afghanistan
    Wednesday Oct 31, 2001
    Ayman al-Zawahiri

    The Afghan citizenship

    Afghanistan
    Wednesday Oct 31, 2001

    In early November 2001, the Taliban government announced they were bestowing official Afghan citizenship on him, as well as Bin Laden, Mohammed Atef, Saif al-Adl, and Shaykh Asim Abdulrahman.


  • Jalalabad, Afghanistan
    Nov, 2001
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    A Videotape From a Destroyed House in Jalalabad

    Jalalabad, Afghanistan
    Nov, 2001

    In November 2001, U.S. forces recovered a videotape from a destroyed house in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. In the video, bin Laden is seen talking to Khaled al-Harbi and admits foreknowledge of the attacks.


  • Gardez, Afghanistan
    Friday Nov 30, 2001
    Ayman al-Zawahiri

    Azza's Death

    Gardez, Afghanistan
    Friday Nov 30, 2001

    Ayman al-Zawahiri's first wife Azza and two of their six children, Mohammad and Aisha, were killed in an air strike on Afghanistan by US forces in late December 2001, following the September 11 attacks on the U.S. After an American aerial bombardment of a Taliban-controlled building at Gardez, Azza was pinned under debris of a guesthouse roof.


  • Kandahar, Afghanistan
    Friday Dec 7, 2001
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    Fall of Kandahar

    Kandahar, Afghanistan
    Friday Dec 7, 2001

    This eventually led to the overthrow of the Taliban rule of Afghanistan with the Fall of Kandahar on December 7, 2001, by U.S.-led coalition forces. Conflict in Afghanistan between the Taliban insurgency and the Afghan forces backed by NATO Resolute Support Mission is ongoing.


  • Afghanistan
    Thursday Dec 27, 2001
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    A Second Bin Laden Video

    Afghanistan
    Thursday Dec 27, 2001

    On December 27, 2001, a second bin Laden video was released. In the video, bin Laden said: It has become clear that the West in general and America in particular have an unspeakable hatred for Islam. ... It is the hatred of crusaders. Terrorism against America deserves to be praised because it was a response to injustice, aimed at forcing America to stop its support for Israel, which kills our people. ... We say that the end of the United States is imminent, whether Bin Laden or his followers are alive or dead, for the awakening of the Muslim umma (nation) has occurred.


  • Afghanistan
    2004
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    The Idea of Destroying the Towers

    Afghanistan
    2004

    In 2004, Bin Laden claimed that the idea of destroying the towers had first occurred to him in 1982, when he witnessed Israel's bombardment of high-rise apartment buildings during the 1982 Lebanon War. Some analysts, including Mearsheimer and Walt, also claimed that U.S. support of Israel was one motive for the attacks.


  • Tora Bora, Afghanistan
    Monday Aug 13, 2007
    Bin Laden

    Mountain caves raided

    Tora Bora, Afghanistan
    Monday Aug 13, 2007

    U.S. and Afghanistan forces raided the mountain caves in Tora Bora between August 14–16, 2007. The military was drawn to the area after receiving intelligence of a pre-Ramadan meeting held by al-Qaeda members. After killing dozens of al-Qaeda and Taliban members, they did not find either Osama bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahiri.


  • Afghanistan
    Thursday Jan 10, 2008
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    2008 Afghanistan Blizzard

    Afghanistan
    Thursday Jan 10, 2008

    Afghanistan Blizzard was a fierce blizzard that struck Afghanistan on the 10th of January 2008. Temperatures fell to a low of -30 C, with up to 180 centimetres of snow in the more mountainous regions, killing at least 926 people. The weather also claimed more than 100,000 sheep and goats, and nearly 315,000 cattle died.


  • Afghanistan
    Thursday Apr 10, 2008
    Prince William

    William deployment

    Afghanistan
    Thursday Apr 10, 2008

    Though Major-General Sir Sebastian Roberts, General Officer Commanding the Household Division, had said William's deployment was possible, the Prince's position as second-in-line to the throne and the convention of ministers advising against placing that person into dangerous situations cast doubts on William's chances of seeing combat. These doubts increased after Prince Harry's deployment was canceled in 2007 due to "specific threats". William, instead, went on to train in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, obtaining his commission as a sub-lieutenant in the former and flying officer in the latter—both broadly equivalent to the army rank of lieutenant. After completing his training, William undertook an attachment with the Royal Air Force, undergoing an intensive, four-month training course at RAF Cranwell. Upon completing the course on 11 April 2008, he was presented with his RAF wings by his father, who had received his own wings after training at Cranwell. During this secondment, William flew to Afghanistan in a C-17 Globemaster that repatriated the body of Trooper Robert Pearson.


  • Afghanistan
    Mar, 2010
    Angelina Jolie

    A School in Afghanistan

    Afghanistan
    Mar, 2010

    Jolie funded primary schools for girls in the returnee settlements Tangi in eastern Afghanistan, which opened in March 2010.


  • Afghanistan
    Wednesday Jun 15, 2011
    Ayman al-Zawahiri

    The Leader of al-Qaeda

    Afghanistan
    Wednesday Jun 15, 2011

    As of 2 May 2011, he became the leader of al-Qaeda following the death of Osama bin Laden. This was confirmed by a press release from al-Qaeda's general command on June 16. Al-Zawahiri's succession to command of al-Qaeda was announced on several of their websites on June 16, 2011. On the same day, al-Qaeda renewed its position that Israel was an illegitimate state and that it wouldn't accept any compromise on Palestine.


  • Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan
    Friday Sep 7, 2012
    Prince Harry

    Afghanistan

    Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan
    Friday Sep 7, 2012

    On 7 September 2012, Harry arrived at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan as part of the 100-strong 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment, Army Air Corps, to begin a four-month combat tour as a co-pilot and gunner for an Apache helicopter.


  • Afghanistan
    Monday Sep 10, 2012
    Prince Harry

    Taliban had threatened Prince Harry's life

    Afghanistan
    Monday Sep 10, 2012

    On 10 September, within days of arriving in Afghanistan, it was reported that the Taliban had threatened his life. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid spoke to Reuters and was quoted as saying: "We are using all our strength to get rid of him, either by killing or kidnapping." He added, "We have informed our commanders in Helmand to do whatever they can to eliminate him."


  • Afghanistan
    Nov, 2012
    Angelina Jolie

    Another School

    Afghanistan
    Nov, 2012

    Jolie also funded another primary school for girls in the returnee settlement Qalai Gudar in eastern Afghanistan, which opened in November 2012 respectively.


  • Afghanistan
    Jan, 2017
    Donald Trump

    U.S. troop numbers in Afghanistan increased from 8,500 to 14,000

    Afghanistan
    Jan, 2017

    U.S. troop numbers in Afghanistan increased from 8,500 to 14,000, as of January 2017, reversing Trump's pre-election position critical of further involvement in Afghanistan. U.S. officials said then that they aimed to "force the Taliban to negotiate a political settlement"; in January 2018, however, Trump spoke against talks with the Taliban.


  • Afghanistan
    Saturday Feb 29, 2020
    Donald Trump

    Peace agreement with the Taliban

    Afghanistan
    Saturday Feb 29, 2020

    On February 29, 2020, the Trump administration signed a conditional peace agreement with the Taliban, which calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops in 14 months if the Taliban uphold the terms of the agreement.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    6th Century BC
    Bactria

    The Bactrians were conquered by the Persians

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    6th Century BC

    Control of these lucrative trade routes, however, attracted foreign interest, and in the 6th century BC, the Bactrians were conquered by the Persians.


  • Takhar, Afghanistan
    323 BC
    Bactria

    Greek was the administrative language of Greco-Bactrian kingdoms

    Takhar, Afghanistan
    323 BC

    Following the conquest of Bactria by Alexander the Great in 323 BC, for about two centuries Greek was the administrative language of his Hellenistic successors, that is, the Seleucid and the Greco-Bactrian kingdoms.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    250s BC
    Bactria

    Diodotus I Soter was the first Greek king of Bactria

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    250s BC

    Diodotus I Soter was the first Greek king of Bactria.


  • Takhar, Afghanistan
    256 BC
    Bactria

    The Bactrian Kingdom "Greco-Bactrian Kingdom"

    Takhar, Afghanistan
    256 BC

    The Bactrian Kingdom was the easternmost part of the Hellenistic world, in Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent from its founding in 256 BC by Diodotus I Soter to its fall under the reign of Heliocles II.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    250 BC
    Bactria

    Diodotus seceded from the Seleucid Empire

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    250 BC

    Diodotus, the satrap of Bactria founded the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom when he seceded from the Seleucid Empire around 250 BC and became King Diodotus I of Bactria.


  • Bactria (Present-Day Afghanistan)
    245 BC
    Seleucid Empire

    Bactria

    Bactria (Present-Day Afghanistan)
    245 BC

    Diodotus, governor for the Bactrian territory, asserted independence in around 245 BC, although the exact date is far from certain, to form the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    230 BC
    Bactria

    Euthydemus I was a Bactrian king

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    230 BC

    Euthydemus I was a Bactrian king and founder of the Euthydemid dynasty.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    3rd Century BC
    Bactria

    Daxia was the name of Bactria

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    3rd Century BC

    Daxia, Ta-Hsia, or Ta-Hia was the name given in antiquity by the Han Chinese to Tukhara or Tokhara the central part of Bactria. The name "Daxia" appears in Chinese from the 3rd century BCE to designate a little-known kingdom located somewhere west of China.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    200 BC
    Bactria

    Demetrius I was a Bactrian king

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    200 BC

    Demetrius I, also called Damaytra, was a Greco-Bactrian king (reigned c. 200–167 BCE), who ruled areas from Bactria to ancient northwestern India.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    190 BC
    Bactria

    Agathocles I Dikaios was a Bactrian king

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    190 BC

    Agathocles I Dikaios was a Bactrian king, who reigned between around 190 and 180 BC.


  • Samangan, Afghanistan
    170s BC
    Bactria

    Eucratides founded the city of Eukratidia

    Samangan, Afghanistan
    170s BC

    Eucratides founded the city of Eukratidia.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    171 BC
    Bactria

    Eucratides I was a Bactrian king

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    171 BC

    Eucratides I was one of the most important Graeco-Bactrian kings.


  • Takhar, Afghanistan
    135 BC
    Bactria

    The Greco-Bactrians has been overrun by invading Yuezhi

    Takhar, Afghanistan
    135 BC

    The Greco-Bactrians, also known in Sanskrit as Yavanas, worked in cooperation with the native Bactrian aristocracy. By about 135 BCE, however, this kingdom had been overrun by invading Yuezhi tribes, an invasion that later brought about the rise of the powerful Kushan Empire.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    120s BC
    Bactria

    The Yuezhi had conquered Bactria

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    120s BC

    The Yuezhi had conquered Bactria by the time of the visit of the Chinese envoy Zhang Qian (circa 127 BC), who had been sent by the Han emperor to investigate lands to the west of China.


  • Balkh, Afghanistan
    110 BC
    Bactria

    Dikaios was the last Hellenistic King of Bactria

    Balkh, Afghanistan
    110 BC

    Heliocles or Heliokles II Dikaios was the last reigning Hellenistic King of Bactria.


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