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The Soviet War
Occupation: Soviet troops move into Afghanistan and remove Hufizullah Amin from power. In 1980, backed by the Soviet Union, Babrack Karmal is installed as president. -
The Soviet War
Resistance: Islamic fighters known as Mujahedeen intensify their resistance to the government and Soviet occupation. The United States provides financial backing to their cause and in 1986 supplies them with Stinger missiles, enabling Mujahedeen to shoot down Soviet helicopters -
War
Following al-Qaida’s bombings of two American embassies in Africa, President Clinton orders cruise missile attacks against bin Laden’s training camps in Afghanistan. The attacks miss the Saudi and other leaders of the terrorist group. -
War Declared
September 11: Four US airliners are hijacked. Two are flown into the World Trade Centre and one hits the Pentagon. Another crashes in Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people are killed in the attacks. The United States blames Al Qaeda.
Military action October- December: The US and Britain launch air strikes in Afghanistan after the Taliban refuse to hand over Bin Laden. Opposition forces seize most major cities including Kabul and the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar. -
War Declared
Peacekeepers: January- The first contingent of foreign peacekeepers moves in. -
War Declared
Consolidation: Allied forces continue their operations to stamp out Al Qaeda and Taliban forces in the country's south-east. -
War Declared
New constitution: January- Afghanistan's Grand Assembly adopts a new constitution, strengthening the authority of the president.
Presidential election: October- Hamid Karzai is returned to power with 55% of the vote. -
War Declared
Military surge: March- NATO and Afghan troops launch Operation Achilles, their largest offensive against the Taliban in the country's south.
Mass murder: November- A bomber targets a parliamentary delegation in Baghlan. More than 40 people die in the country's worst suicide attack so far. -
War Declared
Jail break: More than 350 insurgents escape from a prison in Kandahar.
Suicide strike: More than 50 people die when a suicide bomber attacks the Indian embassy in Kabul.
More troops: September-The United States sends an additional 4 500 troops.
October: Germany sends an additional 3 500 troops. -
War
Ashraf Ghani becomes president of Afghanistan in September after two rounds of voting, claims of election fraud and a power-sharing agreement with main rival Abdullah Abdullah.
In December, NATO officially ends its combat mission in Afghanistan. U.S.-led NATO troops remain to train and advise Afghan forces.
