The Bear TrapCason Conley

The Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan

1979 - 1987

President Nur Muhammad Taraki

Founding member of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA)

Signed treaties with the USSR and made many reforms including equal rights for women.

These reforms caused many more “traditional” factions to rise up and oppose his rule.

Civil war spread all over the country. Despite several pleas the Soviets were

reluctant to send extensive military support. After his assassination in September of 1979

Hafizullah Amin seized power.

President Hafizullah Amin

Ordered the assassination of Taraki Soviet Union accused Amin of being a CIA agent The Soviets used this accusation as a reason to

intervene in Afghanistan. Amin was assassinated by soviet special forces

Known as Groza (thunder) Alpha Group in December 1979 as part of Operation Storm -333

Operation Storm-333 seized several government buildings including The Presidental Palace, Ministry of Interior, Media outlets and the Internal Security (KHAD).

Over 700 KGB and GRU operatives wearing Afghanistan Army uniforms took part in the operation.

President Babrak Karmal

andMarshal

Sergey Leonidovich Sokolov

Karmal was appointed directly by the USSR Promised free elections rights to private

property and an end to public executions. Returned the Afghanistan flag to its original

Black, Red, and Green. Sokolov was in charge of all Soviet ground

forces in afghanistan. Sokolov became Minister of Defense of the

USSR in 1984.

Soviet forces controlled all major urban center by 1980.

the presence of Soviet troops did not have the desired effect of pacifying the country. On the contrary, it exacerbated a nationalistic feeling, causing the rebellion to spread further.

Several Warlords rose up and used Guerrilla tactics against the Soviet forces.

Raids from across the Iranian border led the Soviets to clash with Iranian military on many occasions.

The modern army of the Soviet Union had trouble combating the hit and run guerrilla tactics implemented by the Afghan fighters.

Mikhail Gorbachev and

Soviet Withdrawal

Mikhail Gorbachev was interested in changing the way the USSR was seen by the rest of the world.

He was responsible for reform to the economy and image of the USSR.

Global condemnation of the soviet occupation of Afghanistan caused Gorbachev to call for the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1985.

The last soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 15, 1989.

These are Pamphlets given to soviet troops giving orders not to ogle women, trade goats or try to make friendly conversation with Afghan civilians.