The Violence Never Ends, Part Two

World War Two began in 1939 and ended in 1945. Nearly every part of the world was involved, and at the war’s end, more than 60 million people had lost their lives (F). Afghanistan, however, managed to remain nearly untouched by the war, thanks to Zahir Shah. The country prospered under Zahir Shah’s reforms. In 1964, he signed a democratic constitution into law, with a fully elected upper house and partly elected lower house (A). During this time, Mohammad Daud Khan, Zahir Shah’s cousin, was planning to take control of the country.

In 1973, Afghanistan had been weakened by natural disasters. Daud took advantage of this, and seized control in a coup d’état. He ruled as dictator until 1977, when the Loya Jirga adopted a republican constitution, electing Daud as president for a six year term. On April 27, 1978, Daud was killed in a coup, which later became known as the Saur Revolution (D).

The Pleaders of the Communist People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) then seized control of the country (A).  

The Soviet Invasion

The PDPA was divided into two factions: the Khalq, led by Hafizullah Amin and Nur Mohammad Taraki, and the Parcham, led by Babrak Karmal. They established a Communist government, made quick land and social reforms, and created close ties with the Soviet Union.

The Afghan people, however, hated Communist Afghanistan. Some tribal and urban groups, collectively known as the mujahideen (translates to "those who engage in jihad"), revolted against the government. 


While suffering because of external attacks, the PDPA was also struggling internally. Old ideological and religious conflicts quickly arose between the two factions. This led to Hafizullah executing Nur Muhammad Taraki in September of 1979 (D).

Seeing an opportunity, the Soviets invaded the chaotic country on December 24, 1979. They sent in 30,000 troops and put the Parcham leader Babrak Karmal in power on December 27 (B). With a steady supply of arms and ammunition coming from sympathetic Muslims, and the United States by order of Jimmy Carter, the mujahideen managed to force the Soviet Union to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan (C). The Soviet withdrawal was completed on February 15, 1989, and Najibullah replaced Karmal as leader (B).

Najibullah's Communist government lasted for another three years before being overthrown by the mujahideen (A).