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Soviets invade Afghanistan
Soviet airborne division begins air landing in Kaboul to invade Afghanistan and prop up a communist government. -
Period: to
Modern Afghan History
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Afghan Army Riots
The Afghan army was ordered to fire on civilians, but they refused. They began a riot over Soviet occupation, which lasted three days. Soviet forces surrounded them to put an end to the outbreak. Hundreds were killed and thousands were arrested. -
Explosion of Salang Tunnel
A fuel tanker in a military convoy exploded inside the Salang Tunnel. Fearing that the explosion was a rebel attack, Soviet forces closed off both ends of the tunnel with tanks, trapping in and killing 700 Soviet troops and 2,000 Afghan soldiers and civilians. -
Soviet Government Signs the Geneva Accords
The agreenment was signed between Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States, and the Soviet Union. It included a timetable for the withdrawal of Soviet troops. -
Soviets Withdraw from Afghanistan
After being in Afganistan for a total of 9 years, the last of the Soviet forces depart in compliance to the Geneva Accords. -
Formation of the Islamic State of Afghanistan
When the fall of the Communist-backed Afgan government occurs, the Islamic State of Afghanistan is then formed. -
Taliban Seize Control of Kabul
The Taliban declared the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and tortured, castrated, and executed former president Mohammad Najibullah. -
United States Missile Strikes
The United States Navy fired cruise missiles in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in bases where Osama Bin Laden was suspected to be. -
Opposition Killed
Ahmad Shah Massoud, the leader of the main opposition to the Taliban's rule, is assassinated. -
Operation Enduring Freedom
The United States and the United Kingdom launch the bombing campaign against the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, called Operation Enduring Freedom. -
Taliban Loses Control Over Afganistan
The Taliban is ousted from control in Afghanistan by International Forces. The Taliban then goes into hiding. -
Afghanistan's New Constitution
Afghan leaders begin drafting a new constitution for Afghanistan, which consisted of 502 delegates. The United States provides $14.5 million to support Afghanistan's constitutional process. -
Afghanistan's First President is Elected
Hamid Karzai is elected the first president of Afghanistan. He won with 55% of the vote, which was a total of 4,443,029 votes. -
NATO Withdrawal
The Nato Summit endorses and agrees with Obama's plan to withdraw foreign combat in Afghanistan by the end of 2014. -
US Captures Senior Commander of Pakistani Taliban
United States soldiers capture Senior Pakistani Taliban leader, Latif Mehsud, in a military operation in Afghanistan.
