soviets in afghanistan
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Soviets in Afghanistan. Afghanistan Leaders. Afghanistan Leaders. Afghanistan Leaders. Storm 333. December 27, 1979 – Soviet special forces storm the Presidential Palace in Afghanistan and assassinate President Amin The Soviets install Babrak Karmal as President - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Soviets in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Leaders
Afghanistan Leaders
Afghanistan Leaders
Storm 333 December 27, 1979 – Soviet special forces
storm the Presidential Palace in Afghanistan and assassinate President Amin
The Soviets install Babrak Karmal as President
80,000 Soviet troops enter the country and occupy key points including the capital, Kabul, and important infrastructure
Why?
U.S. Reaction (Carter)
U.S. Reaction (Reagan) Reagan Doctrine –
oppose Soviet Union by providing overt and covert aid to rebel groups fighting communist governments
Most money and aid was sent to Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence
Mujahideen The Mujahideen consisted of many groups of
resistance fighters with different ideological backgrounds, there was no centralized command
The U.S., Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan supplied weapons
Pakistan allowed Mujahideen to establish training bases in Pakistan
The Mujahideen used classic guerilla warfare tactics
Mujahideen
Mujahideen
Soviet Government Politburo (around 20
members) Central Committee
members elected at party congresses every 5 years (about 300 members)
8 million party members out of population of 290 million
Soviet Leaders
Soviet Leaders
Soviet Problems Mountainous terrain of Afghanistan Conventional war vs. Guerilla war Fractured nature of opposition Conscripts only served two years Lack of supplies and discipline and corruption
in military Failure to win support of local population by
looting and stealing
Terrain
Soviet Weapons
Weapons
Mujahideen with Soviet SA-7
Mujahideen with U.S.Stinger
Casualties/Losses 620,000 soldiers served 14,453 dead 53,753 wounded 451 aircraft 1,314 AFC/APCs 433 artillery guns Mujahideen 75,000 ?
3 million soldiers served
58,220 dead 150,000 wounded USAF 2,251 ? Army helicopters
3,305 ? NVA 1.1 million ?
1988 Geneva Accords
Outcomes