War in Afghanistan Flashcards
1
Q
Why can Afghanistan be used as a civil war case study? [3]
A
- Amin’s radical social reform alienated the military and middle classes, and resulted in fundamentalist groups such as the Mujahideen declaring a jihad against the PDP.
- Ethnic divisions between different rural areas contributed to the instability of the PDP.
- There existed opposing political factions within the PDP including the Khalq and Parchan factions.
2
Q
Why did Russia invade Afghanistan? Supervised by Soviet leader Sergei Sokolov [4]
A
- Afghanistan had a strong strategic position, bordering the USSR and other Islamic states under Soviet control.
- A Soviet-friendly government in Kabul was considered essential to homeland security.
- Amin began seeking ties with the West via the CIA when he learned that the Soviets wanted him ousted.
- By December 1979 the Afghan government army was in a state of collapse.
3
Q
What were some strengths of Mujahideen tactics? [1]
A
- Traditional fighting allegiances of the tribal lashkar allowed for rapid mobilization of troops: formations of this nature could quickly reach more than 10 000 soldiers.
4
Q
What were some weaknesses of Mujahideen tactics? [2]
A
- Mujahideen struggled to confront well dug-in Soviet defenders during attempts to besiege villages.
- Poor organization, no central leadership due to segmented nature of Afghan society.
5
Q
What was the effect of the Soviet intervention on international relations? [2]
A
- Brought about the end of détente.
- Heightened tensions between the USA and the USSR.
6
Q
How did the USA oppose the Soviet invasion? What is a quote to show this? [3]
A
- They imposed economic sanctions on the USSR to increase the international cost to the USSR - embargo on grain and weapons.
- The CIA funneled at least $3 billion through Pakistan to train and equip fundamentalist insurgents.
- F. Anderson, CIA said the war was fought with ‘our gold, their blood’.
7
Q
What was the international response to the Soviet invasion? [3]
A
- There was a mixed response from the Non-Aligned movement.
- The UN General Assembly passed a resolution protesting the Soviet intervention
- A diverse range of foreign nations supplied the mujahideen with weapons, including the USA, Egypt, Turkey, Britain, Switzerland. China provided the most relevant weapons due to their own experience with guerrilla warfare.
8
Q
What was the effect of the “stinger”? [3]
A
- The USA supplied the infrared homing surface to air missile called the “stinger” which had a kill ratio of about 70%
- Had a major impact bringing down Soviet or Afghan Government aircraft.
- Considered a “turning point” by a number of military analysts.
9
Q
What was the overall effect of foreign involvement and aid to the mujahideen?
A
- It eventually caused the Russians to reevaluate and withdraw: although they were unable to defeat the Russians, it enabled the Mujahideen to be more effective in their tactics.
10
Q
What were some Mujahideen tactics and organization? [3]
A
- Significant commanders typically led 300 or more men. Ahmad Shah Massoud of the Panjshir Valley commanded at least 10 000 trained troopers by the end of the war.
- On the border region with Pakistan the Mujahideen often launched 800 rockets per day.
- After four years of war there were at least 4000 bases from which the Mujahideen units operated.
11
Q
What were some successes of Soviet tactics during the war? [2]
A
- KHAD (Afghan Secret Police) were successful in penetrating a number of resistance groups, and were able to ignite internal rivalries and political divisions to reduce the cohesion of these groups.
- Military forays into contested territories - search and destroy operations used to root out guerrilla fighters - use of M18 helicopter gunships.
12
Q
What were some failures of Soviet tactics during the war? [4]
A
- Able to hold out against sieges, but unable to defeat the Mujahideen who remained in the field and received thousands of new volunteers daily.
- Intimidating villages known to support rebel groups by destroying crops buildings and livestock. This aimed to deprive the Mujahideen of resources and safe havens, but really increased Mujahideen support as resentment towards the Soviets increased.
- The Soviets only had control of urban areas and transport arteries - 80% of country outside of gov’ control.
- By 1985 there were over 100 000 troops in the country.
13
Q
What were the main reasons for Soviet withdrawal? [6]
A
- Soviet tactics and equipment was unsuitable - prepared for large-scale, conventional warfare.
- The bulk of troops were conscripts; had low morale.
- Soviet media unable to cover up the failure of the intervention - led to negative backlash
- A shortage of troops to fight a counter-insurgency war, failure to hold captured territories.
- General change in foreign policy, arrival of Gorbachev, who was keen to reform the economy and ease Cold War tensions.
14
Q
What were some of the social consequences of the war? [4]
A
- Considerable civilian death and destruction: Afghan civilian death estimates vary from 850 000 to 2 million.
- Nearly 1/3 of the prewar population was displaced, fleeing to Pakistan and Iran.
- Landmines left a lasting hazard: around 10-15 million left scattered in the countryside, planted mostly by Soviet and government forces.
- Impact on younger generation; high malnourishment and mortality rates.
15
Q
What were some of the economic consequences of the war? [3]
A
- Much of Afghanistan’s irrigation systems, crucial to agriculture, were destroyed in aerial bombing by Soviet or gov forces.
- In 1985 more than half the farmers remaining in Afghanistan had their fields, irrigation systems and livestock destroyed
- Destruction of major cities such as Kandahar, whose population reduced from 200 000 to 25 000 inhabitants.
