Soviet–Afghan War
Decade-long conflict that contributed to the Soviet Union's dissolution.
It saw the Soviet Union and the Communist-led Afghan military fight against the rebelling Afghan mujahideen, who received external support from Pakistan, the United States (as part of Operation Cyclone), the United Kingdom, China, Iran, and Arab states of the Persian Gulf, along with foreign fighters known as Afghan Arabs.
- location
- Afghanistan
- belligerents
- Soviet Union and Afghan military vs. Afghan mujahideen
- estimated_deaths
- 1 to 3 million Afghans
- external_support_for_mujahideen
- Pakistan, United States, United Kingdom, China, Iran, Arab states of the Persian Gulf
Lore & Background
Debate ensued internationally: the Muslim world and Western Bloc classified it as an invasion, while the Eastern Bloc asserted it was a legal intervention. Soviet troops occupied major cities and communication arteries, while mujahideen waged guerrilla warfare across 80% of the rugged countryside. The Soviets used aerial power, landmines, and scorched-earth tactics against villages and infrastructure.
Reader's Guide
Millions fled as refugees, mostly to Pakistan and Iran. The conflict escalated the Cold War, ending a period of relaxed Soviet–United States relations.
Did You Know?
- The majority of the mujahideen's external support came from Pakistan, the United States (as part of Operation Cyclone), the United Kingdom, China, Iran, and Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Soviet–Afghan War?
It was a military conflict fought on Afghan soil between a Soviet-backed government force and local insurgency groups known as the mujahideen. The fighting kicked off the much longer, 47-year cycle of violence in Afghanistan.
Who supported the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War?
The insurgents received material and logistical backing from Pakistan, the United States through Operation Cyclone, the United Kingdom, China, Iran, and several Persian Gulf Arab states. Foreign volunteers, often referred to as Afghan Arabs, also joined the fight on the ground.
Why do people call the Soviet–Afghan War 'the Soviet Union's Vietnam'?
The nickname reflects how a prolonged, unpopular quagmire in a foreign country drained Soviet resources and morale in a way that echoed America's Vietnam experience. The war is widely cited as one of the contributing factors to the eventual collapse of the Soviet state.
How many people died in the Soviet–Afghan War?
Estimates place the Afghan civilian and combatant death toll somewhere between one and three million over the course of the conflict. That human cost made it one of the deadliest engagements of the late Cold War era.
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