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President Overthrown
In April 1978, Afghanistan was a centrist government and President Muhammad Daud Khan was overthrown by Nur Mohammed Taraki who was the leader of the left-wing military officers. When he took office, the powers of the government were shared by two Marxist- Lenin political groups; the People's (Khalq) Party and the Banner (Parcham) Party. -
Political Parties
The new government had little support but had become close with the Soviet Union. The government started getting rid of anyone who disagreed with the government and started land and social reform that was resented by the Muslims and anticommunist population. -
Invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviet Union supported the communist government and in it's conflict with the anti- communist Muslim gurrilas in the Afghan war. -
Uprisings
Uprisings grew against the government by the tribunal and urban groups which are now known as mujahideen. There were fighting and coups happening within the government between the people's party and Banner factions. This is what leads to Soviet troops invading on December 24, 1979. -
Soviet Invasion
30,000 Soviet troops invaded the country which ended the presidency of the Hafizullah Amin. The Soviets wanted to increase their client state in the country that was now being lead by the Banner leader, Babrak Karmel but he was unable to gain popular support. -
The Soviets
The Soviet Unions did not like the Muhaideen and wanted the Afghan Army to stop them. The army proved to be innefective so the Soviet Army had to evetually step in. -
Afghan War
The Afghan War quickly turned into a stalemate. There were more than 100,000 troops controlling the cities, large towns. Major garrisons were being controlled and the Mujahideen were able to freely roam the countryside. The Soviet's tried to stop uprisings but the guerrillas were able to evade them. -
Refuge to Pakistan
2.8 million Afghans sought refuge in Pakistan because the war was not going well and 1.5 million other refugees fled to Iran. -
Peace Treaty
The Soviet Union failed to set up a functional government and caused many problems. They sighned a peace treaty with the United States, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The Soviets withdrew their troops and withdrew from the war February 15, 1988. -
End of War
In February 1989 the Soviets completed their withdrawal from the troops from Afghanistan.