The Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan: A Civilian Tragedy

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which lasted from 1979 to 1989, resulted in a massive loss of civilian lives. The war was fought between the Soviet Union and the Afghan Mujahideen, who were supported by various countries, including the United States, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The Soviets' military campaigns against the Mujahideen caused extensive destruction and loss of life, with estimates of Afghan civilian deaths ranging from 500,000 to 2 million. The conflict also led to a significant number of refugees, with millions of Afghans fleeing the country. The invasion had a profound impact on Afghanistan, leaving a legacy of violence and instability that continues to affect the country even decades later.

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan began on 25 December 1979

These uprisings, along with internal fighting and coups within the government, prompted the Soviets to invade the country. The Soviets initially sent in thousands of troops and toppled the short-lived presidency of People's leader Hafizullah Amin. The aim of the Soviet operation was to prop up their new but faltering client state, now headed by Banner leader Babrak Karmal. However, Karmal was unable to attain significant popular support. Backed by the United States, the mujahideen rebellion grew, spreading to all parts of the country.

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a major conflict of the Cold War. It saw extensive fighting between the Soviet Union and allied paramilitary groups against the Afghan mujahideen and their allied foreign fighters. While the mujahideen were backed by various countries and organizations, the majority of their support came from Pakistan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Kingdom, and China. The involvement of foreign powers made the war a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The war resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000,000 Afghans, while millions more fled the country as refugees. The Soviet invasion caused grave destruction throughout Afghanistan and has been cited by scholars as a significant factor that contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, formally ending the Cold War.

The Soviet Union supported the Afghan communist government against the Mujahideen

The Soviet Union's support for the Afghan communist government began in 1978, when the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) overthrew the nationalist regime led by Mohammad Daoud. Daoud's policies had sidelined the communists and alienated Afghanistan's traditional society, prompting Moscow to provide military assistance and advice to the new government.

The Mujahideen, comprised of several fractious entities, expanded their attacks against Soviet-backed forces. The Soviet Union responded by increasing its direct operations in 1979, deploying across the country by 1981. The Mujahideen received support from the United States, which provided them with weaponry, including anti-aircraft missiles.

The Soviet Union's military campaigns against the Mujahideen caused extensive destruction of local infrastructure and loss of life, leading to a loss of support for the Soviet military presence and the emergence of nationwide resistance. The Soviet Union's tactics included the use of aerial power to deal harshly with both Afghan resistance and civilians, levelling villages, and destroying vital irrigation ditches.

The Soviet Union's support for the Afghan communist government continued until 1989, when the Soviet troops began their withdrawal. The Soviet Union's involvement in the war is estimated to have resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000,000 Afghans, with millions more fleeing the country as refugees.

The Mujahideen were backed by the US, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China, among others

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1978-1989) resulted in a massive number of civilian deaths, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to 2,000,000. The conflict caused one of the largest refugee crises in history, with 5 million Afghans fleeing to neighbouring countries and 2 million displaced within Afghanistan itself.

The Mujahideen, who fought against the Soviets, were backed by several countries, including the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China. Here is a more detailed look at the support provided by each of these countries:

The United States

The United States played a significant role in supporting the Mujahideen. Under President Carter, the US initiated Operation Cyclone, a CIA program to arm and finance the Mujahideen through Pakistan's ISI. This support was accelerated under Ronald Reagan, costing US taxpayers around $3 billion. The US funnelled more than $20 billion into the country to train and arm Afghan resistance groups. They also provided the Mujahideen with the Stinger anti-aircraft missile, which proved to be a decisive weapon, allowing the lightly armed Afghans to defend against Soviet helicopter landings.

Pakistan

Pakistan was another key supporter of the Mujahideen. Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province served as a base for the Afghan resistance fighters. The country's intelligence services, particularly the ISI, played a crucial role in facilitating the flow of weapons and funds to the Mujahideen. Pakistan's goal was to overthrow the Afghan government and establish an Islamist theocracy. The US provided economic and military assistance to Pakistan during the war, including the sale of F-16 aircraft.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia was heavily involved in the war effort, matching the United States' contributions dollar-for-dollar in public funds. They also gathered a significant amount of money through private donations, amounting to about $20 million per month at their peak. Saudi Arabia's support for the Mujahideen was driven by their opposition to the Soviet Union and their desire to promote Islamist ideology.

China

While less prominent than the US, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, China also provided support to the Mujahideen. China's involvement was part of its broader Cold War strategy of opposing Soviet influence in the region.

The conflict in Afghanistan was a Cold War proxy war, with the US and its allies supporting the Mujahideen to counter Soviet influence in the region. The support provided by these countries played a crucial role in the Mujahideen's efforts to resist the Soviet invasion and ultimately contributed to the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The war resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000,000 Afghans

The Soviet-Afghan War, which lasted from 1979 to 1989, resulted in the deaths of approximately three million Afghans. The war was fought between the Soviet Union and the Afghan Mujahideen, who were supported by various countries, including the United States, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The Mujahideen, who blended in with the local population, waged guerrilla warfare against the Soviets, who responded with massive military campaigns that caused extensive destruction and loss of life. The Soviets used aerial power to deal with both the Afghan resistance and civilians, levelling villages and destroying vital infrastructure. This destruction, along with the use of landmines, scorched-earth tactics, and indiscriminate killing of civilians, led to a massive displacement of Afghans, with millions fleeing the country as refugees. The war also had a severe impact on Afghanistan's economy, with grain production declining and commercial and industrial activities suffering.

The high death toll among Afghans can be attributed to several factors. The Soviets employed brutal tactics, such as bombing villages and using scorched-earth tactics, which resulted in the deaths of many civilians. Additionally, the Soviets laid millions of landmines across Afghanistan, which continued to kill and injure Afghans long after the war ended. The use of aerial power and heavy artillery by the Soviets also contributed to the high number of civilian casualties. Furthermore, the war caused a breakdown in essential services like healthcare, sanitation, and access to food and clean water, leading to increased rates of disease and malnutrition.

The war also had a significant impact on Afghanistan's demographics. The conflict resulted in a massive displacement of the population, with millions of Afghans fleeing the country as refugees, mostly to Pakistan and Iran. This exodus had a profound impact on Afghan society, disrupting traditional power structures and ethnic balances. Additionally, the war left behind a large number of widows and orphans, further exacerbating the social and economic challenges faced by the country.

The death toll among Afghans during the Soviet-Afghan War is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of armed conflict on civilian populations. The use of brutal tactics, indiscriminate killing of civilians, and long-lasting consequences, such as landmines and displacement, highlight the immense suffering endured by the Afghan people. The war also had far-reaching political, social, and economic repercussions, shaping the course of Afghanistan's history and contributing to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989

The Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan was a long-awaited event that took place between May 1988 and February 1989. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan began in December 1979, and the war lasted for almost a decade. The Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan was part of the Cold War, with the Soviets supporting the communist government of Afghanistan and the rebels receiving support from various countries, including the United States.

The Soviet Union's decision to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan was influenced by several factors. Firstly, the war had become a "bleeding wound," in the words of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, with the Soviets failing to break the insurgency's back despite their attempts to force a military solution in 1985, the bloodiest year of the war. The war had also become a financial burden, and the Soviets realized that propping up the Afghan government would not be feasible in the long term.

Additionally, Gorbachev sought to improve the Soviet Union's relationship with the West and pursue domestic reforms. Withdrawing from Afghanistan was seen as a step towards these goals, and Gorbachev aimed to achieve a dignified withdrawal that preserved the Soviet Union's prestige. The Soviet Union also faced increasing international pressure to end its occupation of Afghanistan, with the United Nations General Assembly passing a resolution condemning the Soviet intervention.

The withdrawal of Soviet troops began on May 15, 1988, and was carried out in two phases. The first phase lasted from May 15 to August 15, 1988, and the second phase began in January 1989 and ended on February 15, 1989. The Soviets withdrew their troops through two routes, one in the western half of the country and the other in the east. The withdrawal was carefully planned and executed, with the Soviets providing air support and additional tank and artillery units to protect the retreating troops.

Despite the successful withdrawal of Soviet troops, the situation in Afghanistan remained unstable. The Soviet Union continued to provide military and economic support to the Afghan government led by Mohammad Najibullah until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991. However, the Afghan government struggled to maintain control, and the country descended into civil war. The cessation of Soviet aid ultimately doomed the Najibullah regime, and the mujahideen, the Afghan forces that had fought against the Soviet occupation, eventually overthrew the government in April 1992.

The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan had far-reaching consequences. It contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union by undermining the image of the Red Army and creating new forms of political participation. It also set the stage for the rise of the Taliban and the country's descent into civil war once again.

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