America and the Wars in Muslim Countries
After the attacks, America launched a war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. In 2003, Iraq was invaded on the claim that it possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs), but no such weapons were later found. According to this viewpoint, the United States and the United Kingdom escaped accountability with little more than apologies, despite the destruction inflicted upon Iraq. Critics argue that Iraq and its people were devastated, that the world was misled, and that powerful nations used their international influence to avoid consequences. They further argue that similar plans and strategies continue to emerge in relation to other countries today.
General Wesley Clark has stated in numerous interviews and speeches that shortly after 9/11, a senior military officer at the Pentagon informed him about a memorandum that allegedly outlined plans for action against seven countries. According to Clark, when he asked why Iraq was being targeted, the officer replied, “I don’t know.” Clark later said he was shown a memo describing a plan to “take out seven countries in five years”: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and finally Iran.
In later years, the United States became involved in various military operations, drone strikes, or support for allied forces in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and other regions.
How Many People Were Killed During America’s Interventions in Muslim Countries?
Different research organizations provide different estimates.
According to some research projects, the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and other countries resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands or even millions of people, either directly or indirectly.
Iraq
After 2003, hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Various studies estimate total deaths in Iraq and related conflicts at between 550,000 and 580,000 or more, while indirect deaths may have been significantly higher.
Syria
The civil war resulted in approximately 580,000 to 650,000 deaths or more, while the United Nations documented at least 306,887 civilian deaths.
Libya
Following the 2011 conflict, thousands were killed and millions were affected. The country suffered political and economic instability. According to critics, Muammar Gaddafi was removed and killed as a result of Western intervention.
Sudan
According to this viewpoint, conflicts and instability after 2011 resulted in thousands of deaths and affected millions of people, leaving the country politically and economically unstable.
Changes of Governments
According to critics, the United States has historically been involved in influencing political systems or supporting regime change in various countries.
Examples often cited include:
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mali, Libya, Iraq, Egypt, and Syria.
The Claim of an Israeli Role in 9/11
Approximately 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks.
According to official U.S. investigations and internationally recognized findings, responsibility was attributed to Al-Qaeda and its leadership. However, critics of the official narrative argue that Al-Qaeda never formally accepted responsibility at the time and claim that the accusation was imposed through political influence and pressure.
According to this viewpoint, Israel benefited strategically from the aftermath of 9/11 and used the situation as a pretext to remove obstacles in the Middle East.
Various American commentators and researchers have raised questions regarding issues such as Larry Silverstein’s purchase of the World Trade Center lease, terrorism insurance policies, reports of explosions in the basement, eyewitness accounts claiming they heard explosions, the manner in which the buildings collapsed, the alleged absence of many Jewish employees on that day, and Larry Silverstein’s own absence. According to those who hold this view, these events cannot simply be dismissed as coincidences.
Some eyewitnesses reportedly stated that individuals dressed as firefighters entered the buildings and that explosions occurred shortly afterward. Supporters of alternative explanations consider such accounts significant and worthy of further investigation.
Militant Organizations and American Support
During the 1980s, the United States, Pakistan, and certain Arab countries supported Afghan Mujahideen groups in their struggle against the Soviet Union.
According to some analysts, later extremist organizations emerged from or were strengthened by the environment created during that conflict.
Who Is a Terrorist?
According to this perspective, if the killing of innocent civilians by non-state actors is defined as terrorism, then the killing of innocent civilians through state power should also be subject to accountability and moral judgment.
Conclusion
According to critics of American foreign policy, there is no doubt that conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and other regions resulted in the deaths, displacement, and suffering of millions of Muslims. They argue that U.S. and allied policies have been heavily criticized across the world.
According to this viewpoint, if millions of people were killed as a result of these wars, then those responsible should face international accountability. Some critics further argue that if civilian deaths are the standard by which terrorism is judged, then major powers should also be subject to scrutiny before international courts.
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