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Soviet War in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's communist People's Democratic Party seizes power in a coup but is split along ethnic lines and in-fighting begins. The country is renamed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA). An Islamic and conservative insurgency soon begins in the provinces. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
A friendship treaty is signed with the USSR, building on Soviet economic and military support given to Afghanistan since the early 1950s. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
The USSR begins massive military aid to the DRA, including hundreds of advisers, as the US scales down its presence after the murder of its kidnapped ambassador. Afghan soldiers mutiny in Herat, massacring Soviet citizens before their rebellion is crushed. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
Hafizullah Amin emerges as DRA leader from a bout of bloodletting in the government during which President Nur Mohammed Taraki is killed. Requests for large numbers of Soviet forces to combat the growing insurgency continue under Amin's administration. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan: Invasion Begins
Elements of the 40th Army cross the Amu Daria river at Termez, moving towards Kabul on Highway 1
2. 103 Guards Airborne Division establishes an air corridor into Kabul
3. More elements of the 40th Army cross the border at Kushka in modern Turkmenistan, travelling to Kandahar via Heart -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
After a week of heavy fighting during which Soviet commandos kill Amin and tens of thousands of troops invade by ground and air, Babrak Kamal is installed as the DRA's new Soviet-backed leader. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
More than five million Afghans are now estimated to be displaced by the war, with many fleeing to neighbouring Iran or Pakistan. New Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says he wants to end the war in Afghanistan. In order to bring a quick victory, the resulting escalation of troops to pacify the region leads to the bloodiest year of the war. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
The US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Karmal is replaced by Mohammed Najibullah. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
The USSR announces the departure of the last Soviet troops. More than one million Afghans and 13 thousand Soviet troops have been killed . Civil war continues as the mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah, who is eventually toppled in 1992. -
War in Afghanistan
On October 12, 2001 America went into war with Afghanistan.