Afghan Mujahideen

The Afghan Mujahideen were fighters in Afghanistan who, during the 1970s and 1980s, opposed the Soviet Union's invasion and occupation of their country. They consisted of various resistance groups united by the goal of defending Afghan sovereignty and Islam. Supported covertly by the United States, Pakistan, and other nations, they used guerrilla tactics and fought a protracted war against Soviet forces. Their resistance played a key role in forcing the Soviets to withdraw in 1989, but the ensuing power struggles contributed to ongoing conflict and instability in Afghanistan.