Afghan Civil War (1989-1992)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Afghan Civil War (1989-1992 period) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Afghan Civil War | |||||||
|
|||||||
| Combatants | |||||||
 Democratic Republic of Afghanistan |
Mujahideen | ||||||
| Commanders | |||||||
| Mohammad Najibullah | Gulbuddin Hekmatyar Ahmed Shah Massoud |
||||||
| Afghan Civil War |
|---|
| Soviet involvement · Civil War (1989-1992) · Civil War (1992-1996) · Civil War (1996-2001)· U.S. involvement |
The 1989 to 1992 phase of the Afghan Civil War began after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, leaving the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan to fend for itself against the Mujahadeen. After several years of fighting, the government fell in 1992.
[edit] Timeline
By 1992 Muhammad Najibullah, who had been President of Afghanistan for almost 6 years, agreed to step down in favor of a transitional government. The United Nations presented a plan to Najibullah, saying that as soon as he resigns, a multi-national United Nations peacekeeping force would be sent quickly to stabalize the situation in Afghanistan. But the promise was never fulfilled, and instead of peace came civil strife, and the mujahideen filled the vacuum. Najibullah tried to flee Kabul, but his departure was blocked by Abdul Rashid Dostum's militia in Kabul International Airport. Najibullah sought sanctuary in the United Nations compound in Kabul.
Different Mujahideen groups entered Kabul from different directions. Hezbi Islami made the first move and entered the city from the south. Hekmatyar had asked other mujahideen groups such as Harakat-Inqilab-i-Islami and Khalis faction to join him while entering Kabul but he did not have any luck in convincing them. Hekmatyar's men had numeric superiority but lacked technical and strategic advantage. They were armed with light weapons such as the AK-47 and RPG-7. The Hezb had acquired some surrendered weapons from Afghan Army in the way to Kabul but were not sufficient enough. As they entered the city's southern sector, they faced no resistance. Hekmatyar aired a statement in the radio urging that the Lions had entered Kabul to liberate its people. The advance was slow and steady until the Jamiat Islami entered the city from the north.
Jamiat Islami had allocated massive amount of weapons while overrunning the garrisons in Bagram, Charikar, Takhar, Kunduz, Fayzabad and other northern cities. Adding to that, all the forces of Junbish Milli had aligned themselves to jamiat. The Parchami government of Afghanistan had surrendered all its weapons to Jamiat too. All the Parchamis had fled abroad through the Jamiat controlled areas. Jamiat had allocated massive stockpiles of heavy weapons such as T-64, T-55, Scud Missiles and MiG-21 Fishbed.
The forces of Hezb were very far from key points of the city such as the Presidential Palace, Prime Minister's Office, Kabul International Airport, Defence Ministry, or any other important government offices. All of these key points were located in the North Bank of the Kabul River. The Jamiat forces quickly took control of those key points. Although Hezb forces got to the gates of Ministry of Justice and had got control of Ministry of Interior, but were quickly repulsed after Afghan Air Force bombed the area heavily. Also they were supported from the artilary shells fired from TV tower onto Jade Maiwand. Hundreds of Hezb Fighters were killed or taken prisoners including foreign fighters.
In the western sector of the city , the Hezb forces crossed the Kabul River and crossed into the northern bank after taking control of the Karta i Seh area. While charging towards Kote Sangi and Kabul University, They met fierce resistance from the north and were split into two groups after being cut of by Jamiat forces. Sayyaf's forces attacked Hezb forces in a surprise move, attcking them from Ghazi School area.
Throughout the night, the exhausted and ill moraled forces of Hezbk Islami, foughted on, some to the bitter end. After suffering heavy casualties, Hezb forces in the southern bank fled out of Kabul towards Logar and deserted their positions. For the Hezb Forces who were surrounded and stuck in the Northern bank of the Kabul river, they had two choices, either to surrender or fight to the death. Most of the 4000 forces in the northern bank, were killed or arrested. Heavy shells were fired in the areas which they were holding. Many civilians fled, but those who were caught in the cross fire were not the lucky ones.
Kabul fell completely into Jamiat hands in April 30, 1992. Mohammad Najibullah tried to flee Kabul, but his departure was blocked by Abdul Rashid Dostum. On April 17, 1992, he sought sanctuary in the UN compound in Kabul. President Rabbani refused to let him leave the country, but made no attempt to arrest him.
