How rich are the Taliban and where do they get the money?

The extreme Islamic group ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until the end of 2001, when they were overthrown by American forces.

However, the following 20-year conflict and the death of tens of thousands of Taliban fighters, the group's territorial control and the group's military force have increased in recent years.

By mid-2021, the Taliban had about 70,000 to 10,000 fighters, down from about 30,000 a decade ago, according to the US.

Maintaining this level of uprising has required a great financing from sources inside and outside Afghanistan.

The group's annual revenues from 2011 onward have been estimated at around $400m from the United Nations (OKB).

But by the end of 2018 this figure may have increased significantly, up to $1.5 billion a year, according to BBC investigations.

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Where do the Taliban get their money?

Of the interviews conducted, by the BBC, inside and outside Afghanistan, show that the group is running a sophisticated financial network as well as a taxation system.

The Taliban have developed a number of resources.

1. Foreign Donations

Several Afghan and American officials have long charged several countries, including Pakistan, Iran and Russia, with providing financial assistance to the Taliban. This is a practice that Taliban deny.

However, citizens from Pakistan and several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are considered to be the biggest individual contributors.

2. Drug Trade

The Taliban are long thought to run a taxation system to cover their seditious operations, including the illegal drug trade.

Afghanistan is the world's largest opium producer, which can be refined for heroin production.

3. Expanding Control Areas

The Taliban's financial network extends beyond opium business taxation.

In an open letter in 2018, the Taliban warned Afghan merchants to pay their taxes on various goods, including fuel and construction materials, when traveling to areas they controlled.

After the Afghan government collapsed, the Taliban now control all major trade routes in the country, as well as border points, creating more potential sources of revenue from imports and exports.

4. Mines and Mines

Afghanistan is rich in minerals and precious stones. Most have not been exploited because of conflicts in recent years.

According to Afghan government officials, the mining industry in Afghanistan is worth about $1 billion annually.