Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Begins

Soviet troops entered Afghanistan on 24 December 1979 CE and quickly took control of Kabul. Soviet forces had supported the People's Democratic Party government since 1978. The Soviets removed Hafizullah Amin and installed Babrak Karmal. Afghan mujahideen groups, many motivated by Islam, fought the occupation with support from the United States, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The war ended with the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.