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).

The Taliban

In 1994, Mullah Muhammad Omar, with a small band of former mujahideen, took control of the Kandahar province in Afghanistan. By 1998, they were in control of ninety percent of the country. This group became known as the Taliban (A).

The Taliban was extremely religious and was ruthless in imposing their laws. Their rules regarding women were stringent, their punishments were cruel, and the death penalty was used often (A). Let's just say that you wouldn't want to be a religious minority living under the Taliban.

The Taliban became enemies with the United States when they defended al-Qaeda by harboring Osama bin Laden. The United States retaliated by causing the Taliban to disintegrate and lose control of Afghanistan on November 13, 2001 (A).

Although the United States eventually caused the downfall of the Taliban's rule over Afghanistan, they were also a main part of the increase in the Taliban's strength. The United States had supplied the mujahideen with weaponry while Afghanistan was under Soviet influence. The Taliban, created by a small band of former mujahideen, used these weapons to grow in strength.