On Jadi 6, 1358, the then Soviet Union, to maintain its puppet government in Afghanistan, deployed over 100,000 soldiers along with thousands of tanks, armored personnel carriers, and fighter jets from the Hairatan Bridge in the north of the country into Afghanistan.
The city of Kabul was subjected to a comprehensive nighttime assault by Soviet forces, and the bloodthirsty occupiers, in a surprise attack, captured the Presidential Palace, assassinated Hafizullah Amin, their own pawn, and installed Babrak Karmal, their other loyal puppet, on the throne of power.
Widespread bombings, brutal massacres, imprisonments, and inhumane tortures not only failed to break the will of the Afghan people but also ignited the flame of resistance across the country.
The faithful and resilient people of Afghanistan, with empty hands but unwavering faith, stood up against the most powerful army of the time and, after more than a decade of fierce struggle, forced the occupiers to flee.
On Dalwa 26, 1367, Soviet forces began their shameful retreat, and finally, on Sawr 8, 1371, their puppet government collapsed, and the people of Afghanistan freed their country from foreign domination.
The victory of the Afghan people over the Soviet Union and its puppet government provided an unparalleled opportunity to realize their long-standing aspiration to establish a system based on the sacred laws of Islamic Sharia in this land.
But while the people were just a step away from achieving this great ideal, the self-proclaimed leaders and notorious warlords who had come to power in the name of religion and resistance during the years of jihad became embroiled in disputes over the division of seats and government positions.
The weapons and ammunition that were supposed to be used against foreign enemies were turned against each other, and the fire of discord turned Kabul and other cities of Afghanistan into bloody battlegrounds of civil war.
The fire of the warlords’ weapons not only destroyed the country’s infrastructure, cities, and settlements, but also turned the streets and alleys of Kabul into streams of innocent blood.
During the civil wars, thousands lost their lives, many were injured and disabled, and hundreds of thousands were forced to leave their homes and resorted to bitter and unwanted migrations.
Widespread destruction, the loss of scientific, economic, and social opportunities, and the continuation of chaos tarnished Afghanistan’s global image and paved the way for foreign interventions, including the military occupation by the United States and its allies.
Despite all these bitterness and atrocities, the ideals of jihad and struggle against foreign invaders and the faith in the realization of Islamic governance remained alive in the hearts of the people of Afghanistan. This oppressed nation showed that it would never bow down to oppression and occupation.
Note: The articles, essays, and comments published by the Voice of Hindukush only reflect the views of the authors & writers and do not necessarily represent the agreement of the Voice of Hindukush.
