The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan was primarily caused by several factors, including the power vacuum left by the Soviet-Afghan War, civil unrest, and the socio-political conditions post-1990s. After the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into civil war among various factions. The Taliban, a group composed mostly of Pashtun extremists, emerged in the mid-1990s, promising stability, security, and the enforcement of strict interpretations of Islamic law. Their rise was also fueled by discontent with warlords' brutality and the public's desire for order. The Taliban implemented a harsh regime from 1996 until 2001 until being ousted by U.S. forces after the 9/11 attacks.