Soviet+Invasion+of+Afghanistan

=**Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan**= The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan happened during the Afghan war, in which Muslim guerilla were fighting against the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The Soviet Union fought in support of the communist government, aiding the Afghan military, while the U.S government supported the anti-communist Muslim rebels.

King Mohammed Zahir Shah reigned in Afghanistan from 1933 to 1973. His younger brother, Mohammad Daoud Khan, was prime minister. During the King's rule, the political group of Marxist PDPA grew stronger, but then split in two parties. One was the Khalq, led by Nur Muhammad Teraki, the other was Parcham, led by Babrak Karmal. In 1973, Daoud seized power after claims of corruption and a weak economic condition were made. He ended the monarchy, and most were happy with the change, but PDPA supporters were not. When one of thier main leaders, Mir Akbar Khyber, died, suspicions aroused that he had been killed by Daoud and members of his rule. The Afghan army, which was in support of the PDPA party, executed Dauod and his family. During this, PDPA leader Nur Muhammad Teraki became Prime Minister of the Newly formed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Later, he later took the presidency. The new PDPA governement was split, and often fought on two sides against each other. It came with changes to Afghanistan that included marriage customs and land reform, which were not taken well by the deeply Islamic population. In 1978, rebels started attacking and protesting against military forces, and soon most of the country was involved in civil war. In September 1979, president Taraki was shot and killed, and Deputy Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin seized power. Over the next two months, the government was very unstable as he tried to control the rebellion and his opponents in the PDPA.
 * Background Info:**

The Soviet union had always been a big influence in Afghan Politics, from military infrastructure to social structure. The Russian government had been supporting the Afghan military and economy since 1919, when they first gave the country provisions and money. Since before his death, President Teraki had been trying to get the Soviet Union's aid on fighting the rebellion, and Muslim guerilla.The Soviet union was reluctant to intervene, but later complied to send military aid.
 * Soviet Influence:**

The first Soviet troops were deployed to Afghanistan on December 24, 1979. The Soviets had an operation planned that included an assault on the Tajbeg Presidental palace. As they had planned, President Hafizullah Amin was killed. Their operation was completed by the morning of December 28. The Soviet Union announced that they had freed Afghanistan from Amin's rule. According to them, they were following the 1978 //Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Neighborliness//. They later elected a new president, Babrak Karmal. After the entire Soviet force was sent into Afghanistan, the complete and entire force consisted of 1,800 tanks, 80,000 soldiers and 2,00 AFV's (armoured fighting vehicles).When the last two divisions arrived, the troop number grew to 100,000.
 * Soviet Invasion:**

The removal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan was supported by many countries, including non-Islamic ones, especially the United States. The Muslim guerilla (Mujahideen) received weapons from countries like Egypt, China, Turkey, England Switzerland and the U.S. However, the Soviet Union kept fighting against the Mujahideen. They quickly took control of urban centers, military bases, and strategic installations. As intended, they tried to keep peace, but instead of the pacifying the country, they increased the rebels cause for fighting. Babrak Karmal insisted that the Soviet Union quiet the bigger rebellion they had caused. The Soviet Union had no trouble eliminating the small forces. The war later took a turn. Instead of waging war, Soviet troops stayed in the main cities and axis of communication in Afghanistan, while the Mujahideen waged in guerilla warfare. However, despite Soviet efforts, 80% of the country escaped government control. Soviet troops made offenses into rebel areas, but government control of the areas didn't improve. In the next five years, 1980-85, Soviet attacks and strategy didn't succeed, for at the end, the Mujahideen were still able to remain fighting against the Soviet Union.
 * During the War:**

The Mujahideen rebels were supported by many countries, but they were supported greatly by the U.S and Saudi Arabia. The U.S donated $600 million a year to the rebel cause. The amount was matched by a number of Persian Gulf countries. Pakistan helped the country to an extent in fighting Soviet air forces. China donated guns and other artillery, while Egypt donated assault riffles. The CIA also donated FIM 92 Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems.
 * Foreign Involvement: **

The Soviet exit strategy started with transferring the problem of fighting against the Mujahideen to the Afghan army. They were trying to get the Afghan forces to operate without their help. Under Soviet help, the Afghan army grew to 302,000. However, many soldiers abandoned their posts, and the army lost about 32,000 soldiers every year. The PDPA government wasn't exactly happy to see their protecters go. The Soviet withdrawal was mostly due to a change in Soviet foreign policy. The first half of soviet forces was withdrawn on May 15 to August 16, 1988. The second and last withdrawal was from Novemeber 15 to February 15, 1989. President Karmal was later blamed for everything that had gone wrong in Afghanistan. In 1986, before Soviet removal, a new President was elected, Mohammad Najibullah, and a new constitution was written. Despite good expectations however, the new constitution didn't really help start negotiations with the Mujahideen.
 * Soviet Exit and Withdrawal:**

The U.S placed an embargo against the Soviet Union, and the increased tensions in between the two countries ended the peace of a detente. The International response to Soviet interference was intense and negative, and many boycotted thier involvement.
 * After the War:**

A total of 620,000 Soviet troops served in Afghanistan during Soviet involvement. The total personal loss came to 14,453 troops. Out of the troops that were deployed, 53,753(11%) were wounded, injured or sustained concussion. 415,932 troops(89%) fell sick. High casualties came to those that fell sick. There was also weapon and material loss. The Soviet Union lost 451 aircraft, 147 tanks, 1,314 IFV/APC's, 433 artillery guns and mortars and 11,369 cargo and fuel tanker trucks.
 * Soviet Aftermath:**

Sources: @http://m.eb.com/topic/1499983 @http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0802662.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_war_in_Afghanistan#1979:_Soviet_deployment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cold_War#Second_Cold_War_.281979.E2.80.9385.29