What Happened?
Timeline for the Soviet Afghan War
Prior to 1979
Civil unrest in Afghanistan was rampant as several coup d'etats occurred, mainly between leaders of different factions in the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan political party. This party worked closely with the Soviet Union and implemented a Communist government that prevented the free practice of Islam in a Muslim majority country leading to many unstable grabs for power because of the lack of public support. |
December 24, 1979- Dec. 29, 1979
Due to the coups and infighting among the PDPA's two factions, Parchams and Khaliqs, the government lacked the organization to control its citizens and fight the rebel forces, the mujahideen. Hence, the Soviet Union invaded with about 30,000 troops, killing the current president, Amin, and making Karmal the new president. This was all in effort to bolster their new client state, or a country reliant on another, more powerful nation. |
1980
The US begins boycotting the Olympic games in Moscow as Soviet forces increase occupation of Afghanistan, and the US, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia are aiding the mujahideen by supplying them with information, supplies, and weapons. |