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British Invasion (1838 - 1842)
British forces invade, install King Shah Shujah. He is assassinated in 1842. British and Indian troops are massacred during retreat from Kabul. -
Independence from Britain
Emir Amanullah Khan declares independence from British influence. -
General Mohammed Daud becomes prime minister
General Mohammed Daud becomes prime minister. Turns to Soviet Union for economic and military assistance. Introduces social reforms, such as abolition of purdah (practice of secluding women from public view). -
Soviet Army Invasion
Soviet Army invades and props up communist government -
Troops Leave
Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah -
Civil War emerging
Najibullah's government toppled, but a devastating civil war follows. -
Taliban gains control of Kabul
Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations. -
Taliban controls 2/3 of country
Taliban recognised as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country. -
Missile strikes launched
US launches missile strikes at suspected bases of militant Osama bin Laden, accused of bombing US embassies in Africa -
Bombing of Afghaistan
US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins following the September 11 attacks on the United States. Anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul shortly afterwards. (9/11 terrorist attack) -
Start of fight against Taliban
Deployment of first contingent of foreign peacekeepers - the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - marking the start of a protracted fight against the Taliban. -
Hamid Karzaj declared president
Loya Jirga adopts new constitution which provides for strong presidency…Hamid Karzaj is declared president -
First election in 30 years
Afghans vote in first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years. -
A "Quiet Surge"
US President George Bush sends an extra 4,500 US troops to Afghanistan, in a move he described as a "quiet surge". -
NATO increases military
Nato countries pledge to increase military and other commitments in Afghanistan after US announces dispatch of 17,000 extra troops. -
President Obama sends 30,000 more troops
US President Obama decides to boost US troop numbers in Afghanistan by 30,000, bringing total to 100,000. He says US will begin withdrawing its forces by 2011. -
Negotiation of 10-year military partnership
President Karzai wins the endorsement of tribal elders to negotiate a 10-year military partnership with the US at a loya jirga traditional assembly. The proposed pact will see US troops remain after 2014, when foreign troops are due to leave the country. -
Taliban agrees to opening office
Taliban agree to open office in Dubai as a move towards peace talks with the US and the Afghan government. -
Troops to be withdrawn in 2014
Nato summit endorses the plan to withdraw foreign combat troops by the end of 2014 -
Taliban suicide squad attack
Taliban suicide squad hits a restaurant in Kabul's diplomatic quarter, the worst attack on foreign civilians since 2001. The 13 foreign victims include IMF country head.
