Soviets in Afghanistan

Afghanistan Leaders

Afghanistan Leaders

Afghanistan Leaders

Storm 333 December 27, 1979 – Soviet special forces

storm the Presidential Palace in Afghanistan and assassinate President Amin

The Soviets install Babrak Karmal as President

80,000 Soviet troops enter the country and occupy key points including the capital, Kabul, and important infrastructure

Why?

U.S. Reaction (Carter)

U.S. Reaction (Reagan) Reagan Doctrine –

oppose Soviet Union by providing overt and covert aid to rebel groups fighting communist governments

Most money and aid was sent to Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence

Mujahideen The Mujahideen consisted of many groups of

resistance fighters with different ideological backgrounds, there was no centralized command

The U.S., Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan supplied weapons

Pakistan allowed Mujahideen to establish training bases in Pakistan

The Mujahideen used classic guerilla warfare tactics

Mujahideen

Mujahideen

Soviet Government Politburo (around 20

members) Central Committee

members elected at party congresses every 5 years (about 300 members)

8 million party members out of population of 290 million

Soviet Leaders

Soviet Leaders

Soviet Problems Mountainous terrain of Afghanistan Conventional war vs. Guerilla war Fractured nature of opposition Conscripts only served two years Lack of supplies and discipline and corruption

in military Failure to win support of local population by

looting and stealing

Terrain

Soviet Weapons

Weapons

Mujahideen with Soviet SA-7

Mujahideen with U.S.Stinger

Casualties/Losses 620,000 soldiers served 14,453 dead 53,753 wounded 451 aircraft 1,314 AFC/APCs 433 artillery guns Mujahideen 75,000 ?

3 million soldiers served

58,220 dead 150,000 wounded USAF 2,251 ? Army helicopters

3,305 ? NVA 1.1 million ?

1988 Geneva Accords

Outcomes