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The 'Afghan Civil War' is a civil war in Afghanistan that began in 1978 and has continued since, though it has included several distinct phases.

Contents

Timeline

Soviet involvement

Government collapse

Anarchy

Taliban control

United States involvement

External links

Timeline

Soviet involvement

Main articles: Soviet war in Afghanistan

A newly installed communist government encountered resistance to its programs. At its request, the Soviet Union intervened with its armed forces. Even with Soviet support the government failed to effectively control the country and stop the rebellion, which had support from Pakistan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. The Soviet Union withdrew its forces in 1989.

Government collapse

Main articles: Afghan Civil War (1989-1992)

After the Soviet withdrawal, the Republic of Afghanistan continued to deal with attacks from the Mujahideen. They received funding and arms from the Soviet Union for several years and actually increased their effectiveness past levels ever achieved during the Soviet's occupation. But the government was dealt a major blow when Abdul Rashid Dostum, a leading general, defected to the Mujahideen.

Anarchy

Main articles: Afghan Civil War (1992-1996)

After taking power, the unity of the Mujahideen evaporated and fighting began between them. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar was blamed for a rocket attack on the government, prompting Dostum to launch a campaign against him. Dostum later joined forces with Hekmatyar and fighting destroyed much of Kabul as the nation was split along ethnic lines. In 1994, the Pashtun Taliban Movement began in southern Afghanistan, and made fast gains for the next two years against both Dostum and Tajik commander Ahmad Shah Massoud; in 1996 the Pashtun Taliban took the capital.

Taliban control

Main articles: Afghan Civil War (1996-2001)

After the fall of Kabul, Dostum and Massoud joined forces to form the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan (Northern Alliance). During this time the Taliban continued to make gains against the Alliance, eventually taking up to 95% of Afghanistan. Dostum was forced out of Afghanistan, and Massoud was assassinated on September 9, 2001, most probably by al-Qaeda operatives.

United States involvement

Main articles: War in Afghanistan (2001–present), Taliban insurgency

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States and allies with the help of the Northern Alliance overthrew the Taliban and established a new republic under president Hamid Karzai. Taliban resistance continues in the southern part of the country, along the border with Pakistan, and yet, Afghanistan might face a fate to become a failed state.

External links

★ A Democracy Is Born: An Insider's Account of the Battle Against Terrorism in Afghanistan