Soviets leaving Afghanistan

      The Soviets invaded Afghanistan on December 25, 1979, and secured Kabul, the capital city, within two days.  The resulting nine-year conflict pitted Soviet forces supporting the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA) against the Mujahedeen, the Muslim fighters struggling to defend their country.  The nation was already embroiled in civil war, because DRA Prime Minister Hazifullah Amin had eliminated many Muslim traditions, outraging Afghans, and causing the Mujahedeen to declare a holy war against him and his supporters.   

 

    The Soviets, however, seriously underestimated their enemy, as well as the huge cost of the Afghan war, often referred to as "their Viet Nam." As international opposition grew increasingly vocal, and the mounting toll in casualties and resources caused a loss of support at home, the Soviet Occupation came under fire from both sides.  Moreover, by 1982 the Mujahedeen controlled 75% of Afghanistan despite the military might of the world's second greatest power. Young Russian conscripts had proved no match for the battle hardened Mujahedeen, and soviet tanks were useless in the mountain fighting. The reputation of the Russian Army was fast losing its luster, and the government began to seek a way out of Afghanistan which could end the debacle without further loss of face.  

 

        Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985, and began to institute reforms as well as reorient Soviet strategic goals. On April 14, 1988, Pakistan and Afghanistan signed an agreement for the withdrawal of Soviet troops, creation of a neutral Afghan state, and repatriation of Afghan refugees, with the United States and the Soviet Union acting as guarantors. On February 15, 1989, the last Soviet troops departed Afghanistan, but their exit did not bring a lasting peace, as we shall learn in the days ahead.