Historical Encyclopedia
The civil war in Afghanistan and the subsequent Soviet intervention became one of the most tragic and significant events in the country's history, profoundly impacting its future and the well-being of its population. This period encompasses the late 1970s and the 1980s and includes complex political, social, and cultural aspects.
In the late 1970s, Afghanistan was experiencing a period of political instability. After the overthrow of King Zahir Shah in 1973, Daoud Khan came to power, establishing a republican regime and attempting to implement a series of reforms. However, his rule faced strong opposition from various tribal groups and political movements, including leftist forces.
In 1978, a revolution occurred that brought the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) to power. The new government began to implement radical reforms aimed at changing the social structure, including land reform and changes in the education system. These measures sparked sharp dissatisfaction among traditional tribes and religious groups.
Protests and uprisings began to erupt across the country. Religious figures and mujahideen—guerrilla groups aiming to overthrow the communist government—particularly opposed the new regime. In response to the escalating violence, the PDPA regime resorted to repression, which only intensified the resistance.
The uprising against the PDPA regime led to an escalation of violence and the creation of numerous guerrilla groups. They began to receive support from both the local population and the international community, including the USA, Pakistan, and other countries interested in weakening Soviet influence in the region.
In late 1979, when the situation in Afghanistan reached a critical point, the Soviet Union decided to send its troops into the country. The purpose of the intervention was to maintain the communist regime and suppress the mujahideen uprising. On December 27, 1979, Soviet troops crossed the Afghan border and began an operation to seize Kabul.
The Soviet intervention met with fierce resistance from the mujahideen. Despite a superiority in technology and numbers, Soviet troops faced difficulties in combating guerrilla warfare, which utilized the mountainous terrain and had deep roots in the local population.
The mujahideen employed various tactics, including ambushes, arson, and guerrilla actions. They also received significant assistance from abroad, including from the USA, which supplied weapons and funding through Pakistan.
The intervention provoked widespread international resonance and condemnation from many countries. The United Nations called for the withdrawal of Soviet troops, and in response to the actions of the USSR, Western countries began to impose economic sanctions. This led to a deterioration in relations between the USSR and the West.
In response to the Soviet intervention, the USA and other countries began actively supporting the mujahideen. Operation Cyclone became one of the largest programs to support the insurgents, supplying modern weaponry, including Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. These systems significantly influenced the course of the conflict.
Throughout the 1980s, the war continued, and neither side yielded to the other. The Soviets faced increasing losses and a decline in troop morale. The mujahideen, utilizing support from the population and international funding, were able to organize a sustained resistance.
In 1986, the Soviet leadership decided to withdraw troops, but this did not lead to an immediate end to the conflict. In 1989, Soviet troops left Afghanistan, but the war continued, and the confrontation among various factions of the mujahideen intensified.
The civil war that began after the withdrawal of Soviet troops led to the destruction of infrastructure and human casualties, creating conditions for the rise of extremist groups like the Taliban, which came to power in 1996.
The civil war in Afghanistan and the Soviet intervention were significant events that had a lasting impact on the country and its people. The repercussions of these events continue to be felt in modern Afghanistan, where conflict, war, and political instability remain pressing issues. The history of this period serves as a reminder of the complexities of geopolitical games and the consequences of external intervention.