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Afghanistan's communist party took power, initiating a series of radical modernization reforms throughout the country that were forced and deeply unpopular, particularly among the more traditional rural population and the established traditional power structures.
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U.S. officials secretly began meeting with rebel leaders through Pakistani government contacts. They helped to kick start the war against the Soviets.
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Afghan soldiers attempt a mutiny in Herat, massacring Soviet citizens, however, their rebellion is soon crushed.
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President Taraki is killed and Hafizullah Amin emerges as DRA (Democratic Republic of Afghanistan) leader.
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The Soviet government responded to the Afghan governments request of military equipment and sent a detachment of tanks, BMPs, and crews to guard the government in Kabul and to secure the Bagram and Shindand airfields.
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The Soviet government, under leader Leonid Brezhnev, decided to deploy the 40th Army on December 24, 1979.
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700 Soviet troops dressed in Afghan uniforms, including KGB and GRU special forces officers from the Alpha Group and Zenith Group, occupied major governmental, military and media buildings in Kabul, including their primary target, the Tajbeg Presidential Palace.
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Babrak Kamal is installed as the DRA's new Soviet-backed leader following the Soviet assassination of Amin and the invasion of tens of thousands of troops by ground and air.
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Foreign ministers from 34 nations of the Islamic Conference adopted a resolution demanding the immediate, urgent and unconditional withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.
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In the first six months of the campaign, the Soviets commit more than 80,000 personnel to occupy Afghanistan
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Nine offensives were launched into the strategically important Panjshir Valley, but government control of the area did not improve.
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Two Mujahideen coalitions are formed (moderate & fundamentalist). The Mujahideen guerrilla attacks consequently become more organized and effective.
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The United Nations General Assembly calls for Soviet withdrawal.
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The size of the LCOSF (Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces) was increased to 108,800 and fighting increased throughout the country, making 1985 the bloodiest year of the war.
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The Afghan resistance movement, assisted by the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the People's Republic of China and others, contributed to Moscow's high military costs and strained international relations.
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The promotion of Mikhail Gorbachev to General Secretary in 1985 and his 'new thinking' on foreign and domestic policy was likely an important factor in the Soviets' decision to withdraw.
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New Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev publicly states that he wants to end the war in Afghanistan.
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The US begins supplying Mujahideen with Stinger missiles, which allows them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships
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Karmal is replaced by Mohammed Najibullah.
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The DRA, USSR, US and Pakistan sign peace accords and the Soviets begin pulling out troops
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The Soviet Union announces the departure of its last troops.