Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a 10-year war fought between the Soviet Army and rebels in Afghanistan. The war is generally held to have started December 24, 1979. Soviet troops ultimately withdrew from the area between May 15, 1988 and February 2, 1989. The Soviet Union officially announced that all of its troops had left Afghanistan on February 15, 1989.

Background

Afghanistan, the crossroads of Central Asia, has had a violent history. In 328 BC, Alexander the Great entered the territory, then part of the Persian Empire, to capture Bactria (present-day Balkh). Invasions by the Scythians, White Huns, and Turks followed in succeeding centuries. In AD 642, Arabs invaded the entire region and introduced Islam.

Related Topics:
328 BC - Alexander the Great - Persian Empire - Scythians - White Huns - Turks - 642 - Arab - Islam

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Afghanistan's nearly impassable mountainous and desert terrain reflects its ethnically and linguistically mixed population. Pashtuns are the most dominant ethnic group along with, Tajiks, Hazara, Aimak, Uzbek, Turkmen and other small groups.

Related Topics:
Pashtuns - Tajiks - Hazara - Aimak - Uzbek - Turkmen

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