The Taliban is a militant group that emerged in the early 1990s in Afghanistan. They gained control of the country in 1996 and enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, which included severe restrictions on women's rights and public behavior. The group was ousted from power by a U.S.-led coalition in 2001 following the September 11 attacks. In August 2021, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew. Their return raised concerns about human rights, particularly for women and girls, as well as the potential for increased violence and instability in the region.