Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war 1995 by ali ahmad jalali. Due to heavy financial support and the supplying of arms to the mujahideen by the us and saudi arabia, the insurgent forces ended up being too much for the soviets, eventually forcing them to withdraw their troops from the country. Nov 06, 2015 this footage of a soviet raid in afghanistan against mujahideen fighters is absolutely phenomenal. Its borders were arbitrarily drawn by outside powers. Sovietafghanistan war timeline history of war in the. Organization, armament, and tactics of the mujahideen 53 4. Sovietafghanistan war overview history of war in the. The soviet invasion of afghanistan triggered the sovietafghan war, which. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan warchapter 15. Apr 25, 2017 the soviet afghan war changed the world.
Backed by the united states, the mujahideen rebellion grew. Ieds, land mines, and booby traps in the sovietafghan war. This list shows military equipment used by the mujahideen during the sovietafghan war. This is a book for the combatarms company and field grade officer and nco. The mujahideen groups were backed primarily by the united states, saudi arabia, and. List of military equipment used by mujahideen during. Grau with several new mciadeveloped vignettes from recent u. Primer on russian afghan war, 19791989, lessons learned dave shunk 26 december 2008 col dave shunk, usaf, ret. Mujahideen tactics in the soviet afghan war jalali, ali ahmad, grau, lester w. All members in good standing are free to post here. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war soviet russian study of war by jalali, ali ahmad, grau, lester w. A soviet defector, alexander zuyev, noted that, although the mujahideen air defense tactics were relatively primitive in 1984, their 12. Mujahideen, northern alliance, taliban, ana and soviet combat footage in afghanistan old list with additions from different time period informative here is a collection of a few videos put together by user ushansab101.
The us technically did not help taliban and alqaeda in sovietafghan war. The word mujahideen comes from the same arabic root as jihad, which means struggle. In the context of afghanistan during the late 20th century, the mujahideen were islamic warriors defending their country from the soviet union, which invaded afghanistan in 1979 and fought a bloody war there for a decade. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war conflict studies research centre isbn 1903584590 january 2002 background. Afghan insurgent tactics, techniques, and procedures field. Many of the foreign fighters were veterans of the sovietafghan war.
For everyone interested in the sovietafghan war and military historytactics id recommend bear went over the mountain. During the soviet afghan war, the mujahideen developed sophisticated and effective tactics of bringing weapons and ammunitions supply convoys into afghanistan. International relations military and naval science. Based on hundreds of interviews with former mujahideen in the mid 1990s, it is an invaluble account of how asymmetric warfare looks from the guerrillas side. The sovietafghan war was a conflict wherein insurgent groups known collectively as the mujahideen, as. For ten years the mujahideen fought a military superpower that had invaded their homeland.
Outnumbered and outgunned, they used classic guerrilla tactics to gradually wear down and finally defeat the soviet army. The soviet afghan war how a superpower fought and lost the russia n genera l staff translated and edited by lester w. The soviet afghan war lasted nine long, bloody years. This footage of a soviet raid in afghanistan against mujahideen fighters is absolutely phenomenal. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war by ali ahmad. The soviet war in afghanistan in pictures, 19791989. Figured id post something from the afghansoviet war. Mujahideen tactics in the soviet afghan war soviet russian study of war by jalali, ali ahmad, grau, lester w. The current finished force more than enough for most games. Afghanistans resistance movement originated in chaos and, at first, regional warlords waged virtually all of its fighting locally. Primer on russian afghan war, 19791989, lessons learned dave shunk.
It should also break down and describe their leadership, external support, their environment and geography, tactics and logistics. To capture this perspective and the tactical experience of the mujahideen, the united states marine corps commissioned this study and sent two retired combat veterans to interview mujahideen. What we are about is the destruction of the alqaeda network, as well as the taliban that provide harbor to bin laden and al. Soviets in their attempt defeat the mujahideen rebels in afghanistan, but. The afghan war quickly settled down into a stalemate, with more than. This publication discusses the tactics employed in the conflict between the mujahideen and the soviet union from 1978 to.
Jalali and lester grau skip to main content this banner text can have markup. Soviet troops tried to crush the insurgency by various tactics, but the guerrillas generally eluded their attacks. Research paper on the mujahideen during the soviet afghan war. Full text of the soviet afghan war how a superpower fought and lost see other formats. The rebellion of the muslim rebels, or mujahideen literally, strugglers, grew in response, spreading to all parts of the country. The 19791989 soviet war in afghanistan lasted more than nine. The afghan war quickly settled down into a stalemate, with more than 100,000 soviet troops controlling the cities, larger towns, and major garrisons and the mujahideen moving with relative freedom throughout the countryside.
As warfare became more sophisticated, outside support and regional coordination grew. The soviets initially left the suppression of the rebellion to the afghan army, but the latter was rapidly depleted by mass desertions and remained largely ineffective throughout the war. Similar to the mujahideen in the sovietafghan war, todays insurgents are. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The authors were well received and generously assisted by various mujahideen who willingly talked about their long, bitter war. Many weapons were also captured from soviet or dra forces. Soviet operations began officially in afghanistan in december of 1979. How did the mujahideen finally defeat the soviets in. In fact, the soviet experience in afghanistan quickly demonstrated the tactical value. It provides an understanding of guerrilla field craft, tactics, techniques and procedures. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war center for security. Insurgent groups known collectively as the mujahideen, as well as smaller maoist groups, fought a guerrilla war against the soviet army and the democratic republic of afghanistan government, mostly in the rural countryside. How did the mujahideen finally defeat the soviets in afghanistan.
The sovietafghan war lasted nine long, bloody years. At this point during cold war, the soviet union was already in a downward turn. Kenneth whiting described the red air force in world war ii as a tactical air force. The set strategy also meant that troops were discouraged from tactical initiative, essential in counter insurgency, because it tended to upset. This book tells the story of the soviet afghan war in the words of the mujahideen guerrillas themselves. They equipped them weapons worth millions and also trained them in pakistan and later on in chinas soil. List of military equipment used by mujahideen during soviet. Soviet invasion of afghanistan, military action carried out in late december 1979 by soviet troops. Sep 17, 2019 the word mujahideen comes from the same arabic root as jihad, which means struggle. Soviet troops attack mujahideen positions in afghanistan. As the decade of 1970 drew to a close, the soviet union seeking to flex its influence invaded.
The sovietafghan war lasted over nine years, from december 1979 to february 1989. Baumann when on 2425 december 1979 soviet forces invaded afghanistan, they intended to conduct a. Mujahideen forces move out to secure a vehicle cache while the cia secures aa zu trucks for their use. Mujahideen tactics in the soviet afghan war from the worlds largest community of readers. Considering the date this was recorded, we actually get some really awesome views of their aircraft, and armor in action. The afghanistan war and the breakdown of the soviet union. Mujahideen, northern alliance, taliban, ana and soviet combat. The christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters. This is the stronger of graus books on the soviet afghan war by far. The mujahideen resistance fighters fought a war of attrition against the soviet army and allied afghan forces. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war by ali ahmad jalali and lester w. The sovietafghan war how a superpower fought and lost the russia n genera l staff. The other side of the mountain mujahideen tactics in the. The sovietafghan war involved more than the soviets and mujahideen resistance.
The mujahideen obtained weapons from many sources, mostly supplied by the cia during operation cyclone and channeled through pakistan. This nineyear power struggle in a small, landlocked country ultimately led to some of the most profound moments in modern history. Soviet troops tried to crush the insurgency by various tactics, but the. This article is a compilation of lessons learned from the russian afghan war 1979. Soviet intelligence in afghanistan baltic defence college.
Primer on russian afghan war, 19791989, lessons learned. This one conflict sparked the collapse of the soviet union, the rise of osama bin laden, the age of jihadist terrorism, and the birth of the taliban and al qaeda. Baumann when on 2425 december 1979 soviet forces invaded afghanistan, they intended to conduct a neat, surgical intervention to. Looking forward to having a playtest in a few days, now that we have soviets and mujahideen ready to go.
The afghanistan war and the breakdown of the soviet union pdf. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war by jalali, ali ahmad. The mujahideen also reused soviet mines and manufactured. Sovietafghan war operations this document is designed to be used with the soviet afghan war scenario location map. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war by ali ahmad jalali, lester w. It has application in basic and advanced officer and nco courses as well as special warfare courses. Primer on russian afghan war, 19791989, lessons learned 16. Research paper on the mujahideen during the soviet afghan. This is the stronger of graus books on the sovietafghan war by far.
Mujahideen offensive tactics included the ambush, the raid, the shelling. Home general military history other side of the mountain. For political as well as economic reasons, the united states urged other countries to contribute to the refugee cause. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war by ali ahmad jalali chapter 15. New soviet leader mikhail gorbachev publicly states that he wants to end the war in afghanistan.
Mujahideen, as well as the soviet recognition of initial problems related to. United states chose not to provide arms to pakistan during its 1965 and 1971 wars with india. Senior leaders will also find valuable insights for training and supporting guerrilla forces as well as defending against. Sep 04, 20 why did china help the mujahideen in the afghan soviet war. Sovietafghanistan war overview history of war in the 20th. Mujahideen tactics in the soviet afghan war conflict studies research centre isbn 1903584590 january 2002 background. Outnumbered and outgunned, they used classic guerrilla tactics. The mujahideen fought against soviet and dra troops during the sovietafghan war 19791989. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war chapter 15. The authors were well received and generously assisted by various.
Full text of the soviet afghan war how a superpower. Mujahideen tactics in the sovietafghan war jalali, ali ahmad, grau, lester w. We have not learned how to wage war there the soviet approach. Mujahideen, northern alliance, taliban, ana and soviet. Jan 30, 2018 even though the cold war was coming to end, 30 years ago this month a handful of soviet soldiers still had to fight off waves of attacks by hundreds of u. This book tells the story of the sovietafghan war in the words of the mujahideen guerrillas themselves. During the sovietafghan war, the mujahideen developed sophisticated and effective tactics of bringing weapons and ammunitions supply convoys into afghanistan. The tactics the spetsnaz most often used to destroy such convoys were helicopter assaults and ambushes en route. The mujahideen also made a significant financial contribution to the separatists cause. Even though the cold war was coming to end, 30 years ago this month a handful of soviet soldiers still had to fight off waves of attacks by hundreds of u.
Mujahideen, northern alliance, taliban, ana and soviet combat footage in afghanistan old list with additions from different time period informative here is a. The sovietafghan war lasted nearly a decade from december 1979 to february 1989. Afghan insurgent tactics, techniques, and procedures field guide based on the other side of the mountain. Tommy franks, central command commander in chief, says of the war in afghanistan, we have not said that osama bin laden is a target of this effort. Ultimately onethird of afghanistans prewar population fled the country, testifying to the destruction and chaos caused largely by heavy sovietafghan government aerial bombing. Sovietafghanistan war timeline history of war in the 20th. Insurgent tactics in southern afghanistan 20052008 jerry meyerie. Thus, a mujahid is someone who struggles or someone who fights. Full text of the soviet afghan war how a superpower fought. In addition, cold winters and scorching summers combine with the arid. The cold war period muslim guerrillas known as the mujahideen, variously commanded by regional afghan warlords heavily subsidized by the united states, fighting against afghan and soviet forces. The soviets withdrew from that country in 1989, leaving the afghan factions to fight it out in a civil war.