FIRST AFGHANISTAN WAR (1979-1989)
When Al Qaida started to spread its ideology?
The Afghanistan war
The Soviet war in Afghanistan took place in the year 1979 to 1989 and was part of the Cold War. The conflict was opposing anti-Communist Muslim Afghan guerrillas (mujahideen) and Afghan government and Soviet forces.
In order to understand since when islamic extremist groups as Al Qaida began to spread their ideology in the Islamic countries and understand the main reason why the Americans and Islamic extremists do not agree with each other, it is crucial to return to past events. Indeed, the war in Afghanistan was a turning point in the relationship between the two actors involved in the attacks of September 11, 2001. The conflict resulted in the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets, which justified their intervention by their desire to preserve the communist regime that was in place at that time in Afghanistan. The people that were against the Soviets presence that were doing jihad, called the mujahideen, fought to push the Soviets out of Afghanistan. It is not until 1989 that they succeeded. The mujahideen is a group of Islamic extremists that were fighting against the Soviets. The end of the Communist regime in Afghanistan has led to the rise of the Taliban that ruled the country from 1996. From that point, Afghanistan has been imposed a strict, anti-modern version of Islamic law. Consequently, women’s rights were reduced to a minimum. They were forbidden to work outside of their house, attend school, or even appeared in public without a masculine presence. The burqa became a requirement for all women and men were told to grow beards. Everything that could have had a negative impact on the regime established which was mainly based on Islam, were banished. Whether it was television, movies or even music.
In order to understand since when islamic extremist groups as Al Qaida began to spread their ideology in the Islamic countries and understand the main reason why the Americans and Islamic extremists do not agree with each other, it is crucial to return to past events. Indeed, the war in Afghanistan was a turning point in the relationship between the two actors involved in the attacks of September 11, 2001. The conflict resulted in the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets, which justified their intervention by their desire to preserve the communist regime that was in place at that time in Afghanistan. The people that were against the Soviets presence that were doing jihad, called the mujahideen, fought to push the Soviets out of Afghanistan. It is not until 1989 that they succeeded. The mujahideen is a group of Islamic extremists that were fighting against the Soviets. The end of the Communist regime in Afghanistan has led to the rise of the Taliban that ruled the country from 1996. From that point, Afghanistan has been imposed a strict, anti-modern version of Islamic law. Consequently, women’s rights were reduced to a minimum. They were forbidden to work outside of their house, attend school, or even appeared in public without a masculine presence. The burqa became a requirement for all women and men were told to grow beards. Everything that could have had a negative impact on the regime established which was mainly based on Islam, were banished. Whether it was television, movies or even music.
Chronology of the events that occured during the Afghanistan war
Soviet intervention
1979 December - Soviet Army invades and props up communist government.
1980 - Babrak Karmal installed as ruler, backed by Soviet troops. But opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting Soviet forces. US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen.
1985 - Mujahideen come together in Pakistan to form alliance against Soviet forces. Half of Afghan population now estimated to be displaced by war, with many fleeing to neighbouring Iran or Pakistan.
1986 - US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Babrak Karmal replaced by Najibullah as head of Soviet-backed regime.
1988 - Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan sign peace accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops.
Red Army quits
1989 - Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah (the President of Afghanistan from 1987 until 1992 when the mujahideen took over Kabul).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12024253
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/afghanistan-war.html
http://www.warlordsofafghanistan.com/najibullah-ahmadzai.php
http://news-basics.com/2010/war-in-afghanistan/
1979 December - Soviet Army invades and props up communist government.
1980 - Babrak Karmal installed as ruler, backed by Soviet troops. But opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting Soviet forces. US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen.
1985 - Mujahideen come together in Pakistan to form alliance against Soviet forces. Half of Afghan population now estimated to be displaced by war, with many fleeing to neighbouring Iran or Pakistan.
1986 - US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Babrak Karmal replaced by Najibullah as head of Soviet-backed regime.
1988 - Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan sign peace accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops.
Red Army quits
1989 - Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah (the President of Afghanistan from 1987 until 1992 when the mujahideen took over Kabul).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12024253
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/afghanistan-war.html
http://www.warlordsofafghanistan.com/najibullah-ahmadzai.php
http://news-basics.com/2010/war-in-afghanistan/
Relation between Americans and the Islamist extremists
Like we said before, the First Afghanistan war happened during the Cold War. At that time the Americans were fighting against the spread of communism in the world. When the Soviet decided to attack the country, the American came to help, because they were against communism. Because of that, the Afghan Mujahideen were supported by the United States during the war. They offered them financial support and they gave them arms. The spread of communism was the main reason of their presence in Afghanistan, but they were also afraid that USSR gained access to the Indian Ocean.
After the war, once the Soviet had left the country, Al Qaeda was formed. With all the weapons that the US gave them during the war, the creation was way easier. The CIA, who armed the Mujahideen during the war, was accused of helping Osama Ben Laden druign |
http://etudetactique.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/la-guerre-dafghanistan-1979-1989-bref-resume-du-contexte/
http://lyc-perrin-soa.ac-versailles.fr/portail/IMG/pdf/La_Guerre_d_Afghanistan_1979-1989_.pdf
http://lyc-perrin-soa.ac-versailles.fr/portail/IMG/pdf/La_Guerre_d_Afghanistan_1979-1989_.pdf