The Afghan Civil War is a civil war that began in 1978 and has continued since, though it has included several distinct phases.
| Afghan Civil War | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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Mujahadeen, Afghan Northern Alliance, United States of America, NATO, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan |
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, Soviet Union, Taliban, Al-Qaeda | ||||||
Timeline
Soviet Involvement
A newly installed communist government encountered resistance to its programs. At its request, the Soviet Union sent armed forces into the country. Even with Soviet support the government never managed 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.
Post Soviet Withdrawal
After the Soviet withdrawal, the Republic of Afghanistan continued to deal with attacks from the Mujahadeen. 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 Mujahadeen and joined Massoud's forces in the 1992 Battle of Kabul. The government was thrown into disarray and collapsed, leading a new government to form.
Mujahadeen Turmoil
After taking power, the unity of the Mujahadeen 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 factional lines. In 1994, the Taliban Movement began in southern Afghanistan, and made fast gains for the next two years against both Dostum and Tajik commander Ahmed Shah Massoud. In the 1996 Battle of Kabul, the capital was taken.
Taliban Conquest
After the fall of Kabul, Dostum and Massoud joined forces to form the Afghan Northern Alliance. During this time the Taliban continued to make gains against the Alliance, eventually taking 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
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States and allies worked with the Northern Alliance to overthrow the Taliban and establish a new republic under president Hamid Karzai. Taliban resistance continued in the southern part of the country.