Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Causes:
· Leftist government set up in Afghanistan in 1979 with Mohammad Taraki as prime minister.
· His reforms and secular style of government infuriated Afghani Islamists.
· War broke out between Taraki’s government and Islamic militants.
· Taraki looked to the Soviet Union for support.
· War reached an acute stage when Taraki was assassinated in 1979.
· By the end of 1979, Islamic militants controlled most of the country side.
· Hazfullah Amin became prime minister and launched a campaign of terror on his opponents.
· Thousands of Afghanis began to join the Mujahadeen-a guerilla force on a holy mission for Allah.
· Soviet Union feared that Amin could win the war against the Mujahadeen, and because of Afghanistan’s strategic location they believed it was in their best interest to invade Afghanistan and fight the Mujahedeen.
Events:
· Soviet Union invades Afghanistan-Dec. 25, 1979.
· Amin was assassinated on Dec 27 by the Soviets.
· Soviets replaced Amin with Babrak Kamal.
· War continued to be fought between Mujahadeen and the Soviets. In spite of the Soviet’s advanced weapons, they lacked the experience the Mujahadeen forces had with the mountainous terrain.
· In 1980, the UN condemned the Soviet Invasion but a Security Council motion calling for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan was vetoed by the Soviet Union.
· U.S. President Carter blocked all exports of grains to the SU, he also ended the SALT Talks being held.
· U.S. boycotted Olympic Games in Moscow in July 1980.
· U.S. began to give aid to the Mujahadeen indirectly through Pakistan.
· Reagan increased aid to Mujahadeen in 1981 providing them with Stinger missles.
· Towards the end of the 1980s, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China began to give aid to Mujadeen forces.
· Gorbachev pulled Russians out of Afghanistand under the terms of the 1988 agreement.
· Mujahadeen at war with itself due to emergence of Taliban.

Samar Al Ansari
12 IB