Soviet Afghan Relations
The Soviet intervention in Afghanistan brought catastrophes to the Soviet Union and the Afghan nation. Less obvious at that time were the ultimate consequences of the war--the emergence of the Taliban, creation of Al Qaeda, links to America's horrifying 9/11 catastrophe and the eventual United States war against Afghanistan.
1. The Invasion
In April 1978, People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), mounted a successful coup against the increasingly unpopular government of Mohammed Daoud. The PDPA immediately called upon Soviet assistance and support to help build socialism and to counter the growing Islamist insurgency in the country. However, serious political infighting ...
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a presence in Afghanistan.
In early December, top Soviet policymakers, led by Andropov, the head of the KGB, and Ustinov, minister of defense pushed Brezhnev to authorize a military intervention. Ustinov advocated a large invasion force to awe the mujahedeen rebels into submission and secure Afghanistan’s borders with Pakistan and Iran, from whom the mujahedeen received a great deal of support. On the 24th and 25th, Soviet paratroopers landed in Kabul, and more troops crossed the Amu Darya River into Afghan territory. By the 27th they killed prime-minister Amin and replaced him with Babrak Karmal.
Rather than subduing the Islamist resistance, the Soviet invasion galvanized it. Although suffering initial losses to superior Soviet forces, the mujahedeen quickly adopted a guerilla strategy. The Soviet army was ill-equipped for this style of fighting.
2. Military Operations to Pacify the Country
Although the Soviets only expected to play a supporting role to Afghan army ...
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nearly always returned.
Also, during this time, the mujahedeen improved their armament and supplies. The United States began major commitment during 1983-1984. Now the mujahedeen began to receive very modern weapons and equipment which allowed it to sustain the fight. The Soviets estimated that mujahedeen numbers swelled during this period from some 40,000 to 150,000 fighters. However, Soviet actions played a significant role in this.
Since many mujahedeen fighters received support from the local population, Soviet commanders tried to drive the population from guerilla-controlled areas. They shelled, strafed, bombed, and mined large areas of the Afghan countryside. The ...
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Soviet Afghan Relations. (2011, March 23). Retrieved April 30, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Soviet-Afghan-Relations/96624
"Soviet Afghan Relations." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 23 Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Apr. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Soviet-Afghan-Relations/96624>
"Soviet Afghan Relations." Essayworld.com. March 23, 2011. Accessed April 30, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Soviet-Afghan-Relations/96624.
"Soviet Afghan Relations." Essayworld.com. March 23, 2011. Accessed April 30, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Soviet-Afghan-Relations/96624.
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