Throughout the history of Afghanistan, there have been many flags used by rebel groups in Afghanistan's various conflicts. This is a list of the Afghan rebel flags flown by various groups throughout the country's history.[1]
The Basmachi movement was a rebel group in the Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and Kingdom of Afghanistan. They existed in cooperation with the Saqqawists during the Afghan Civil War.[2]
After the fall of the PDPA's rule in Afghanistan, the civil war continued with some Islamist group splitting off and continuing to fight against the Islamic State of Afghanistan established by the main Afghan mujahideen.[9]
1988–present
Al-Qaeda
Osama bin Laden, following the fall of the Republic of Afghanistan, would split from the Afghan mujahideen and establish a new group called Al-Qaeda.[10]
Originally an UyghurIslamic extremist organization based in Western China; in 1998 the group's headquarters were moved to Kabul, in the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where members of the group fought against the Northern Alliance.
1996–2001
Northern Alliance
Following the Taliban's establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in 1996, forces loyal to the interim Islamic State of Afghanistan fled to the far north regions of Afghanistan and banded together to form the Northern Alliance.[13]
1996–present
Taliban
During the Afghan Civil War (1996–2001), the Taliban government (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) wasn't internationally recognized. Because of this, it was regarded as a rebellion by some.
1996–2001
Taliban
Variant flag flown by the Taliban during their rule in Afghanistan.
1998–2015
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
An Uzbek Islamic extremist organization that the Taliban allowed to operate and occupy land within Afghanistan.
The party continued to maintain a presence within Afghanistan following the United States invasion of Afghanistan, allying with the Taliban.
1988–present
Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda, under Osama bin Laden, was responsible for the September 11 attacks. They used the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as a base to hide during the attacks. Because of this, the United States invaded Afghanistan and deposed the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda, being an ally of the Taliban, would continue to aid their insurgency.[14]
1996–present
Taliban
Following the September 11 attacks, the United States invaded Afghanistan and deposed the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The Northern Alliance was put in power of the new Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Taliban continued to launch an insurgency in the country until August 15, 2021.[15]
IMU leader Usman Ghazi declared the group's support for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in September 2014,[21] but in June 2016, a new faction of the IMU announced itself, denouncing ISIL and swearing its loyalty to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.[22]
^"Uzbek militants declare support for Islamic State". AFP. Dawn. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2015. "Hereby, on behalf of all members of our movement, in line with our sacred duties, I declare that we are in the same ranks with the Islamic State in this continued war between Islam and [non-Muslims]," Usman Gazi wrote in an online statement on Sept 26.