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.

The Soviet invasion

In December 1978, Moscow signed a bilateral treaty of cooperation with Afghanistan. The Soviet military assistance program increased and Amin?s regime became dependent on Soviet military equipment and advisers. However, By October 1979 relations between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union were tense as Amin refused Soviet advice to stabilize his government.

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With a deteriorating security situation, large numbers of Soviet airborne forces joined thousands of stationed ground troops and began to land in Kabul. On December 27 1979 700 KGB spetsnaz special forces troops, from the Alpha Group, dressed in Afghan uniforms stormed the Presidential Place in Kabul, killing President Hafizullah Amin. Moscow calculated that Amin's ouster would end the factional power struggle within the PDPA and also calm Afghan discontent. Babrak Karmal, exiled leader of the PDPA Parcham faction was installed as President. Soviet ground forces invaded from the north on December 27.

Related Topics:
Kabul - December 27 - 1979 - KGB - Spetsnaz - Special forces - Alpha Group - Hafizullah Amin

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