Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)

Quick Facts: Who was Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)?

Subject:

Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)

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The violent period of Afghan conflict following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Afghan Civil War of 1989–1992 (Pashto: له ۱۹۸۹ څخه تر ۱۹۹۲ پوري د افغانستان کورنۍ جګړه), also known as the First Afghan Civil War, took place between the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan on 15 February 1989 which ended the Soviet–Afghan War, and 27 April 1992, the day after the proclamation of the Peshawar Accords proclaiming a new interim Afghan government which was supposed to start serving on 28 April 1992. Mujahideen groups, some of them ostensibly united as part of the Afghan Interim Government proclaimed as their conviction that they were battling the hostile "puppet regime" of the Republic of Afghanistan in Kabul. In March 1989, the interim government and the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) attacked the city of Jalalabad and were pushed back three months later in what is known as the Battle of Jalalabad. Hekmatyar's Hezbi Islami pulled their support for the interim government following the defeat. In March 1991 after a gruelling eleven-year siege, a mujahideen coalition managed to capture the regime's stronghold of Khost.

Career & Major Achievements

In March 1992, having lost the last remnants of Soviet support, President Mohammad Najibullah began purging the ethnic Tajik and Uzbek militia commanders in Northern Afghanistan and replacing them with Pashtun Army generals, while simultaneously negotiating with the Pashtun elements of the mujahideen including Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezbi Islami. This led to mass defections by Northern militias who allied with Massoud against Najibullah and began an offensive from the north that would topple his government. Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin refused to take part in or discuss a coalition government under the Pakistani-sponsored Peshawar Peace Accords and invaded Kabul with the help of Khalqist generals and other former officials of Najibullah's regime. This triggered a civil war starting on 25 April 1992, initially between three mujahideen groups before growing to five or six within weeks. In October 1978, opponents of the reforms of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) government, including modernizing traditional Islamic civil and marriage laws, changing the national flag to a Soviet-style red flag, and forcing land reform, started a revolt, and called themselves mujahideen.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In spite of a UN General Assembly resolution condemning the 1979 USSR invasion and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation demanding immediate Soviet withdrawal, the Russians fought until early 1989 in the Soviet–Afghan War. They managed to take control of major cities and strategic installations, thus acerbating nationalistic feelings among rebels who drew Soviet troops into war with urban uprisings and tribal armies. The Soviets leveled villages, destroyed irrigation ditches and laid millions of mines in an attempt to root out the mujahideen rebels. In those nine years, between 500,000 and 2 million Afghans were killed and millions were displaced, and in large numbers fled into neighboring countries. The new Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, taking charge in 1985, in 1987 announced his intention to withdraw from Afghanistan, which took place between May 1988 and February 1989.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1978: 1978 Milestone — In October 1978, opponents of the reforms of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) government, including modernizing traditional Islamic civil and marriage laws, changing the national flag to a Soviet-style red flag, and forcing land reform, started a revolt, and called themselves mujahideen.
2. 1979: 1979 Milestone — In spite of a UN General Assembly resolution condemning the 1979 USSR invasion and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation demanding immediate Soviet withdrawal, the Russians fought until early 1989 in the Soviet–Afghan War.
3. 1985: 1985 Milestone — The new Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, taking charge in 1985, in 1987 announced his intention to withdraw from Afghanistan, which took place between May 1988 and February 1989.
4. 1989: 1989 Milestone — The Afghan Civil War of 1989–1992 (Pashto: له ۱۹۸۹ څخه تر ۱۹۹۲ پوري د افغانستان کورنۍ جګړه), also known as the First Afghan Civil War, took place between the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan on 15 February 1989 which ended the Soviet–Afghan War, and 27 April 1992, the day after the proclamation of the Peshawar Accords proclaiming a new interim Afghan government which was supposed to start serving on 28 April 1992.
5. 1991: 1991 Milestone — In March 1991 after a gruelling eleven-year siege, a mujahideen coalition managed to capture the regime's stronghold of Khost.
6. 1992: 1992 Milestone — In March 1992, having lost the last remnants of Soviet support, President Mohammad Najibullah began purging the ethnic Tajik and Uzbek militia commanders in Northern Afghanistan and replacing them with Pashtun Army generals, while simultaneously negotiating with the Pashtun elements of the mujahideen including Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezbi Islami.

Notable Quotes by Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)

“My message to Hekmatyar's people is that without a united front we cannot succeed, we cannot achieve anything in Afghanistan.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)

True or False: “The Afghan Civil War began immediately after the Soviet forces completely withdrew from all major cities by 1992.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The conflict started following the Soviet withdrawal in February 1989, but the civil war proper was triggered later, notably starting around April 25, 1992.

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• A. P. Elkin — Historical peer (Died in 1979) (1979): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
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