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Zahir Shah Becomes King
The new king brings a semblance of stability to the country and he rules for the next 40 years. -
Mohammed Daoud Khan Becomes Prime Minister
Khan looks to the communist nation for economic and military assistance. He also introduces a number of social reforms including allowing women a more public presence -
Formation of Afghan Communist Party
he Afghan Communist Party secretly forms. The group’s principal leaders are Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki. -
Afghans Flee From War
Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas. -
Mujahadeen Receiving Arms
The Mujahadeen are receiving arms from the United States, Britain and China via Pakistan. -
The Taliban publicly executes Najibullah.
Ethnic groups in the north, under Masood’s Northern Alliance, and the south, aided in part by Hamid Karzai, continue to battle the Taliban for control of the country. -
Taliban Carry Out Their Threat
Ignoring international protests, the Taliban carry out their threat to destroy Buddhist statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, saying they are an affront to Islam. -
NATO Takes Over Security
Amid increased violence, NATO takes over security in Kabul in August. The effort is the security organization’s first-ever commitment outside of Europe -
Nation Holds its Parliamentary Elections
The nation holds its first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years. The peaceful vote leads to the parliament’s first meeting in December. -
Afghan Army Takes Over
The Afghan army takes over all military and security operations from NATO forces.
