Afghan Civil War - Revision history

imported>Azadsingh: /* Western intervention */ Improve section

2025-10-17T16:36:38Z

Western intervention: Improve section

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 17 October 2025
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	: ''See also:'' [[Afghan Civil War#Amin's counter-revolutionary activities]]		: ''See also:'' [[Afghan Civil War#Amin's counter-revolutionary activities]]

	US ~~aid to~~ the mujahideen from ~~1979 to 1992 was called '''Operation Cyclone'''~~.		===Operation Cyclone===

			The US indirectly supported the mujahideen from early on, through Pakistan<ref name="Tom" /> under CIA puppet [[Zia ul-Haq]].

	~~In May~~ 1979~~, US leaders met with mujahideen, especially Salafist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, through Pakistan.<ref name="gwuessay">https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB57/essay~~.~~html</ref>~~		Direct non-military aid began by order of President [[Jimmy Carter]] on July 3, 1979.

	The official narrative claims that direct military aid from the US to the mujahideen only began in December 1979. However, evidence ~~contradicts this~~.		The official narrative claims that direct military aid from the US to the mujahideen only began in December 1979, after the Soviets sent in troops. However, evidence shows it began in mid-1979 when Taraki was in power and the Soviets were not involved in fighting the mujahideen.

	~~The~~ US ~~indirectly supported~~ the mujahideen from ~~early on, through Pakistan<ref name="Tom" /> under CIA puppet [[Zia ul-Haq]]~~.		US aid to the mujahideen from 1979 to 1992 was called '''Operation Cyclone'''.

	===Proof of direct aid===		===Proof of direct aid===
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	The Carter administration began considering direct aid to the mujahideen in March 1979. A memo predicted, "Covert action would raise the costs to the Soviets and inflame Moslem [sic] opinion against them in many countries." <ref>Gates, Robert (2007). From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War. Simon & Schuster. pp. 142, 144–145. ISBN 9781416543367.</ref>		The Carter administration began considering direct aid to the mujahideen in March 1979. A memo predicted, "Covert action would raise the costs to the Soviets and inflame Moslem [sic] opinion against them in many countries." <ref>Gates, Robert (2007). From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War. Simon & Schuster. pp. 142, 144–145. ISBN 9781416543367.</ref>

			In May 1979, US leaders met with mujahideen, especially Salafist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, through Pakistan.<ref name="gwuessay">https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB57/essay.html</ref>

			===Support for terrorists===

			Gulbuddin Hekmatyar would go on to lead al-Qaeda. Most CIA-backed mujahideen were terrorists.

			The CIA's code name for Osama bin Laden was Tim Osman.

	==Afghans request help==		==Afghans request help==

imported>Azadsingh: /* Western intervention */ Op Cyclone

2025-10-17T16:13:52Z

Western intervention: Op Cyclone

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:13, 17 October 2025
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	: ''See also:'' [[Afghan Civil War#Amin's counter-revolutionary activities]]		: ''See also:'' [[Afghan Civil War#Amin's counter-revolutionary activities]]

	In May 1979, US leaders met with mujahideen ~~including~~ Salafist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, through Pakistan.<ref name="gwuessay">https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB57/essay.html</ref>		US aid to the mujahideen from 1979 to 1992 was called '''Operation Cyclone'''.

			In May 1979, US leaders met with mujahideen, especially Salafist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, through Pakistan.<ref name="gwuessay">https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB57/essay.html</ref>

	The official narrative claims that direct military aid from the US to the mujahideen only began in December 1979. However, evidence contradicts this.		The official narrative claims that direct military aid from the US to the mujahideen only began in December 1979. However, evidence contradicts this.
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	Zia ul-Haq was in power in Pakistan since 1977, and probably funded the mujahideen from the start.		Zia ul-Haq was in power in Pakistan since 1977, and probably funded the mujahideen from the start.

	According to [[Wikipedia]], "The first signs of a rebellion appeared on 20 July 1978 in the far eastern provinces of Nuristan and Kunar."<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Democratic_Party_of_Afghanistan</ref> Both provinces directly border Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunwala province. Kunar then bordered the Pakistani province of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, which the United States Institute for Peace ~~said~~ was a base for mujahideen entering Afghanistan in the 1980s.<ref>Fair, C. Christine; Howenstein, Nicholas; Thier, J. Alexander (December 2006). "Troubles on the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border" https://web.archive.org/web/20090509031256/http://www.usip.org/pubs/usipeace_briefings/2006/1207_pakistan_afghanistan_border.html</ref>		According to [[Wikipedia]], "The first signs of a rebellion appeared on 20 July 1978 in the far eastern provinces of Nuristan and Kunar."<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Democratic_Party_of_Afghanistan</ref> Both provinces directly border Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunwala province. Kunar then bordered the Pakistani province of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, which, according to the United States Institute for Peace, was a base for mujahideen entering Afghanistan in the 1980s.<ref>Fair, C. Christine; Howenstein, Nicholas; Thier, J. Alexander (December 2006). "Troubles on the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border" https://web.archive.org/web/20090509031256/http://www.usip.org/pubs/usipeace_briefings/2006/1207_pakistan_afghanistan_border.html</ref>

	The Carter administration began considering direct aid to the mujahideen in March 1979. A memo predicted, "Covert action would raise the costs to the Soviets and inflame Moslem [sic] opinion against them in many countries." <ref>Gates, Robert (2007). From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War. Simon & Schuster. pp. 142, 144–145. ISBN 9781416543367.</ref>		The Carter administration began considering direct aid to the mujahideen in March 1979. A memo predicted, "Covert action would raise the costs to the Soviets and inflame Moslem [sic] opinion against them in many countries." <ref>Gates, Robert (2007). From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War. Simon & Schuster. pp. 142, 144–145. ISBN 9781416543367.</ref>

imported>Azadsingh: /* Western intervention */ Minor edits

2025-10-09T05:43:14Z

Western intervention: Minor edits

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:43, 9 October 2025
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	The official narrative claims that direct military aid from the US to the mujahideen only began in December 1979. However, evidence contradicts this.		The official narrative claims that direct military aid from the US to the mujahideen only began in December 1979. However, evidence contradicts this.

	The US indirectly supported the mujahideen from early on, through Pakistan<ref name="Tom" /> under ~~Zia ul-Haq, a~~ puppet ~~installed by CIA coup<ref>See~~ [[Zia ul-Haq]]~~</ref>~~.		The US indirectly supported the mujahideen from early on, through Pakistan<ref name="Tom" /> under CIA puppet [[Zia ul-Haq]].

	===Proof of direct aid===		===Proof of direct aid===
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	According to the official version of history, CIA aid to the Mujahiddin began during 1980, that is to say, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan on December 24, 1979. But the reality, closely guarded until now, is completely otherwise: Indeed, it was '''July 3, 1979''' that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention.<ref>David N. Gibbs and William Blum (trans.), "Afghanistan: The Soviet Invasion in Retrospect," International Politics 37:2,		According to the official version of history, CIA aid to the Mujahiddin began during 1980, that is to say, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan on December 24, 1979. But the reality, closely guarded until now, is completely otherwise: Indeed, it was '''July 3, 1979''' that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention.<ref>David N. Gibbs and William Blum (trans.), "Afghanistan: The Soviet Invasion in Retrospect," International Politics 37:2,
	2000, 241-242. Via Greentree, p. 2</ref>		2000, 241-242. Via Greentree, p. 2. Full interview in [[Killing Hope]] by William Blum https://www.marxists.org/history/afghanistan/archive/brzezinski/1998/interview.htm</ref>

	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

imported>Azadsingh: /* Amin vs. Taraki */ Typos

2025-10-09T05:37:14Z

Amin vs. Taraki: Typos

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	Backed by a popular [[personality cult]], Taraki gained more and more power.<ref>Male p. 167</ref> In response, Amin appealed to the PDPA Politburo for "[[collective leadership]]".		Backed by a popular [[personality cult]], Taraki gained more and more power.<ref>Male p. 167</ref> In response, Amin appealed to the PDPA Politburo for "[[collective leadership]]".

	Amin depicted himself as a devout Muslim<ref>Male p. 177</ref> and met with Shia communities to appease them, though a revolt broke out anyway among ~~shias~~ in Kabul (the Afghan capital), the first sign of urban unrest.<ref>Male p. 179</ref>		Amin depicted himself as a devout Muslim<ref>Male p. 177</ref> and met with Shia communities to appease them, though a revolt broke out anyway among Shias in Kabul (the Afghan capital), the first sign of urban unrest.<ref>Male p. 179</ref>

	Taraki identified the US and its fascist allies, [[Shah]]ite Iran and [[Zia ul-Haq]]'s Pakistan, as funders of counter-revolution, while Amin only spoke against the UK, trying to avoid alienating the [[People's Republic of China]], which was then [[Sino-Soviet split\|allied with the US]] in supporting Pakistan.<ref>Male p. 178</ref>		Taraki identified the US and its fascist allies, [[Shah]]ite Iran and [[Zia ul-Haq]]'s Pakistan, as funders of counter-revolution, while Amin only spoke against the UK, trying to avoid alienating the [[People's Republic of China]], which was then [[Sino-Soviet split\|allied with the US]] in supporting Pakistan.<ref>Male p. 178</ref>
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	The Soviets did not want Amin to lead Afghanistan, according to a [[Pravda]] article in July 1979. This led to Amin consolidating his power through purges, securing a Politburo proposal for "collective leadership", and promoting his supporters.<ref>Brecher p. 357</ref> In mid-August, with Soviets visiting, Amin said he wanted closer relations with China, while Taraki met privately with a Soviet official.		The Soviets did not want Amin to lead Afghanistan, according to a [[Pravda]] article in July 1979. This led to Amin consolidating his power through purges, securing a Politburo proposal for "collective leadership", and promoting his supporters.<ref>Brecher p. 357</ref> In mid-August, with Soviets visiting, Amin said he wanted closer relations with China, while Taraki met privately with a Soviet official.

	The Soviets advised Taraki to remove Amin from power, but Amin was warned of the plot by ~~a man named~~ Taroon. Taraki's "[[Gang of Four]]" (all Khalqists) tried to assassinate him.<ref>Male p. 185</ref> Taraki invited Amin to the palace, which he refused until persuaded by the Soviet ambassador. There, bodyguards opened fire, killing Taroon and injuring Amin. Amin escaped to the Army building and ordered the arrest of Taraki, who was apprehended while the Gang of Four escaped to the Soviet embassy.		The Soviets advised Taraki to remove Amin from power, but Amin was warned of the plot by his guard Taroon. Taraki's "[[Gang of Four]]" (all Khalqists) tried to assassinate him.<ref>Male p. 185</ref> Taraki invited Amin to the palace, which he refused until persuaded by the Soviet ambassador. There, bodyguards opened fire, killing Taroon and injuring Amin. Amin escaped to the Army building and ordered the arrest of Taraki, who was apprehended while the Gang of Four escaped to the Soviet embassy.

	The Soviets tried to rescue Taraki, but it was too late. They suggested Amin only strip Taraki of his positions, but left the decision to kill him up to Amin. Amin executed Taraki by suffocation with pillows on October 8, 1979.<ref>Misdaq p. 125</ref>		The Soviets tried to rescue Taraki, but it was too late. They suggested Amin only strip Taraki of his positions, but left the decision to kill him up to Amin. Amin executed Taraki by suffocation with pillows on October 8, 1979.<ref>Misdaq p. 125</ref>

imported>Azadsingh: /* PDPA infighting */ Wording

2025-10-09T05:32:56Z

PDPA infighting: Wording

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	At the revolution, the Khalq faction was led by '''Nur Mohammed Taraki''', the Parcham faction by '''Babrak Karmal'''. Another key organizer of the revolution was '''Hafizullah Amin''', a Khalqite.		At the revolution, the Khalq faction was led by '''Nur Mohammed Taraki''', the Parcham faction by '''Babrak Karmal'''. Another key organizer of the revolution was '''Hafizullah Amin''', a Khalqite.

	Despite appearing to be a hardliner, Amin was actually a CIA agent, soft on the Islamic clergy opposition, and ~~would~~ brutally ~~abuse~~ the security services against good communists.		Despite appearing to be a hardliner, Amin was actually a CIA agent, soft on the Islamic clergy opposition, and brutally abused the security services against good communists.

	===Amin vs. Taraki===		===Amin vs. Taraki===

imported>Azadsingh: /* Accomplishments */ edit

2025-10-09T01:15:03Z

Accomplishments: edit

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	The PDPA carried out [[land reform]], waived [[Debt\|debts]] of landless peasants, banned [[usury]], and abolished mortgages made before 1973 (under the monarchy).<ref name="Ishiyama">https://web.archive.org/web/20050321190944/http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2005/issue1/jv9no1a2.html</ref>		The PDPA carried out [[land reform]], waived [[Debt\|debts]] of landless peasants, banned [[usury]], and abolished mortgages made before 1973 (under the monarchy).<ref name="Ishiyama">https://web.archive.org/web/20050321190944/http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2005/issue1/jv9no1a2.html</ref>

	In the field of religion, Taraki favored progressive Islam (not state atheism, despite the false claims of [[Wikipedia]]). He declared war ~~(metaphorically)~~ on the "bearded men" referring to clergy.<ref name="Ishiyama" />		In the field of religion, Taraki favored progressive Islam (not state atheism, despite the false claims of [[Wikipedia]]). He declared war on the "bearded men" referring to clergy.<ref name="Ishiyama" />

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>

imported>Azadsingh: /* PDPA infighting */ Bold names

2025-10-09T01:12:31Z

PDPA infighting: Bold names

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:12, 9 October 2025
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	In 1977 the Soviet Union helped reconcile the Khalq and Parcham factions.		In 1977 the Soviet Union helped reconcile the Khalq and Parcham factions.

	At the revolution, the Khalq faction was led by Nur Mohammed Taraki, the Parcham faction by Babrak Karmal. Another key organizer of the revolution was Hafizullah Amin, a Khalqite.		At the revolution, the Khalq faction was led by '''Nur Mohammed Taraki''', the Parcham faction by '''Babrak Karmal'''. Another key organizer of the revolution was '''Hafizullah Amin''', a Khalqite.

	Despite appearing to be a hardliner, Amin was actually a CIA agent, soft on the Islamic clergy opposition, and would brutally abuse the security services against good communists.		Despite appearing to be a hardliner, Amin was actually a CIA agent, soft on the Islamic clergy opposition, and would brutally abuse the security services against good communists.

imported>Azadsingh: /* Western intervention */ Fix link

2025-10-09T01:10:37Z

Western intervention: Fix link

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	==Western intervention==		==Western intervention==

	: ''See also:'' [[Afghan Civil War#~~Counter~~-revolutionary activities ~~of Amin~~]]		: ''See also:'' [[Afghan Civil War#Amin's counter-revolutionary activities]]

	In May 1979, US leaders met with mujahideen including Salafist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, through Pakistan.<ref name="gwuessay">https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB57/essay.html</ref>		In May 1979, US leaders met with mujahideen including Salafist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, through Pakistan.<ref name="gwuessay">https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB57/essay.html</ref>

imported>Azadsingh: Clarify things

2025-10-09T01:08:08Z

Clarify things

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	The '''Afghan Civil War''' from 1978 to 1992 was a civil war between [[communist]] Afghan PDPA and [[CIA]]-backed Afghan mujahideen, that temporarily ~~became a war between~~ the ~~[[social-imperialist]]~~ [[Brezhnevite]] [[Soviet Union]] ~~and the Afghan people~~ from 1979 to 1989, ~~known as~~ the '''Soviet-Afghan War'''.		The '''Afghan Civil War''' from 1978 to 1992 was a civil war between [[communist]] Afghan PDPA and [[CIA]]-backed Afghan mujahideen, that temporarily involved the [[Brezhnevite]] [[Soviet Union]] from 1979 to 1989, becoming the '''Soviet-Afghan War'''.

			The war started shortly after the [[communist]] PDPA took power in 1978, when Pakistan- and US-backed mujahideen began massacring state officials involved in land reform and women's rights. At the communists' request, the Soviets entered to defend government-held territory from the uprising.

			The revolution was frustrated at every turn by [[revisionists]], first the CIA agent Hafizullah Amin executing General Secretary Taraki and taking power, forcing the USSR to execute him according to the [[Brezhnev doctrine]]; then the rise of Gorbachev in 1985, appointing his crony Najibullah and ultimately abandoning the Afghan communists to fight mujahideen armed with US Stingers and other high-grade weapons.

	==Origins==		==Origins==
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	In 1978 the PDPA seized power in a coup against Khan with the support of urban workers, known as the '''Saur Revolution''', after Khan began arresting communists, including the [[General Secretary\|leader]] Nur Mohammed Taraki.		In 1978 the PDPA seized power in a coup against Khan with the support of urban workers, known as the '''Saur Revolution''', after Khan began arresting communists, including the [[General Secretary\|leader]] Nur Mohammed Taraki.

	The Soviet Union had advised the PDPA not to seize power yet ~~and was disappointed by the revolution~~.		The Soviet Union had advised the PDPA not to seize power yet.

	===Accomplishments===		===Accomplishments===

imported>Azadsingh: /* Amin vs. Taraki */ remove useless

2025-10-09T00:55:33Z

Amin vs. Taraki: remove useless

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:55, 9 October 2025
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	The Soviets did not want Amin to lead Afghanistan, according to a [[Pravda]] article in July 1979. This led to Amin consolidating his power through purges, securing a Politburo proposal for "collective leadership", and promoting his supporters.<ref>Brecher p. 357</ref> In mid-August, with Soviets visiting, Amin said he wanted closer relations with China, while Taraki met privately with a Soviet official.		The Soviets did not want Amin to lead Afghanistan, according to a [[Pravda]] article in July 1979. This led to Amin consolidating his power through purges, securing a Politburo proposal for "collective leadership", and promoting his supporters.<ref>Brecher p. 357</ref> In mid-August, with Soviets visiting, Amin said he wanted closer relations with China, while Taraki met privately with a Soviet official.

	~~Soviet [[KGB]] intelligence under [[Yuri Andropov]] reported that Amin was probably a CIA agent.~~

	The Soviets advised Taraki to remove Amin from power, but Amin was warned of the plot by a man named Taroon. Taraki's "[[Gang of Four]]" (all Khalqists) tried to assassinate him.<ref>Male p. 185</ref> Taraki invited Amin to the palace, which he refused until persuaded by the Soviet ambassador. There, bodyguards opened fire, killing Taroon and injuring Amin. Amin escaped to the Army building and ordered the arrest of Taraki, who was apprehended while the Gang of Four escaped to the Soviet embassy.		The Soviets advised Taraki to remove Amin from power, but Amin was warned of the plot by a man named Taroon. Taraki's "[[Gang of Four]]" (all Khalqists) tried to assassinate him.<ref>Male p. 185</ref> Taraki invited Amin to the palace, which he refused until persuaded by the Soviet ambassador. There, bodyguards opened fire, killing Taroon and injuring Amin. Amin escaped to the Army building and ordered the arrest of Taraki, who was apprehended while the Gang of Four escaped to the Soviet embassy.