 On September 27, 1996, the hardline Taliban militia seized Kabul and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.They imposed a strict form of Sharia (Islamic law), restricting women from work and education, conducting amputations against common thieves, and hit-squads from the infamous "Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" watching public beatings of people.In November 2001, the Northern Alliance captured Kabul after the Taliban had abandoned it following the American invasion.