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Mohammed Daud forced to resign as prime minister.
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constitutional monarchy introduced - but leads to political polarisation and power struggles.
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Mohammed Daud seizes power in a coup and declares a republic. tries to pay off USSR against Western Powers.
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General Daud is overthrown and killed in a pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralyzed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups.
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December - Soviet Army invades and props up communist government.
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Babrak Karmal installed as ruler, back by Soviet troops. But opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting soviet forces. US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen.
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Mujahideen come together in Pakistan to form alliance against Soviet forces. Half of Afghan population now estimated to be displaced by war, with many fleeing to neighbouring Iran or Pakistan.
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US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Babrak Karmal replace by najibullah as head of Soviet backed regime.
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Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan sign peace accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops.
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Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow najibullah
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Najibullahs government toppled, but a devastating civil war follows.
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Taliban recognized as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country.
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US launches missile strikes at suspected bases of militant Osama bin Laden, accused of bombing US embassies in Africa.
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UN imposes an air embargo and financial sanctions to force Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden for trial.
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September- Ahmad Shah Masood, leader of the main opposition to the Taliban - the Northern Alliance - is assassinated.
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October - US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins following the September 11 attacks on the US. Anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul shortly afterwards.
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December- Afghan groups agree deal in Bonn, Germany for interim government.
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January - Deployment of first contingent of foreign peacekeepers - the NAto-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - marking the start of a protracted fight against the Taliban.
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Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations.