1979-1989
Soviet Union’s intervention in the Afghan War to support the communist government was a failure. After a decade of devastating war, Russia had to withdraw with no success.
Pullout of Soviet Troops From Afghanistan in 1988. Photo by Mikhail Evstafiev
Background
The Afghan War (1978-92) began when president Sardar Muhammad Daud Khan was deposed by the Soviet-backed Noor Mohammed Taraki. He was deposed by a guerrilla Hafizullah Amin. In 1979 Russia intervened by murdering Amin and putting Babrak Karmal’s Soviet government to rule.
Events
From then on it was a war between the local Soviet government backed up by Russia, against the Mujahidin (anti-Communist Muslim Afghan guerrillas) backed by USA. The Soviet forces held more populated areas and the guerrillas dominated in the mountains.
After years of ineffective warfare, it was clear that the war in Afghanistan could not be won and the Soviet Union tried to get out of it without embarrassment.
In 1986, the Mohammad Najibullah collective leadership government was imposed as a compromise. The Soviet Union withdrew their troops by 1989. The pointless and ineffective war had cost them 15,000 killed and 37,000 wounded soldiers.
Results
In 1992, the anti-Communist Mujahidin coalition government under Ahmed Shah Massoud took power for the next decade.
Afghanistan War
1979-1989
Soviet Union’s intervention in the Afghan War to support the communist government was a failure. After a decade of devastating war, Russia had to withdraw with no success.
Pullout of Soviet Troops From Afghanistan in 1988. Photo by Mikhail Evstafiev
Background
The Afghan War (1978-92) began when president Sardar Muhammad Daud Khan was deposed by the Soviet-backed Noor Mohammed Taraki. He was deposed by a guerrilla Hafizullah Amin. In 1979 Russia intervened by murdering Amin and putting Babrak Karmal’s Soviet government to rule.
Events
From then on it was a war between the local Soviet government backed up by Russia, against the Mujahidin (anti-Communist Muslim Afghan guerrillas) backed by USA. The Soviet forces held more populated areas and the guerrillas dominated in the mountains.
After years of ineffective warfare, it was clear that the war in Afghanistan could not be won and the Soviet Union tried to get out of it without embarrassment.
In 1986, the Mohammad Najibullah collective leadership government was imposed as a compromise. The Soviet Union withdrew their troops by 1989. The pointless and ineffective war had cost them 15,000 killed and 37,000 wounded soldiers.
Results
In 1992, the anti-Communist Mujahidin coalition government under Ahmed Shah Massoud took power for the next decade.
Yuri Andropov