What caused the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978. Resistance fighters, called mujahidin, saw the Christian or atheist Soviets controlling Afghanistan as a defilement of Islam as well as of their traditional culture.

What countries are allies of Afghanistan?

It has continued to maintain close ties with North America, the European Union, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India, China, Russia and the Greater Middle East as well as African nations. It also sought to establish relations with more South American or Latin American nations.

Did the Mongols conquer Afghanistan?

The Mongols conquered and destroyed the Khwarizm Empire from 1219 to 1221, and afterward Genghis Khan divided the army into two separate forces. He led his army on a forceful storm across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, destroying the region as punishment for the shah’s insulting actions.

When did relations between Iran and Afghanistan break off?

In September 1961 ties between two countries were broken off and resumed in May 1963. Prior to 1979, the year in which Iran underwent the Iranian Revolution and Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union, the issue of water rights of the Helmand River were an issue of great importance between the two nations.

What was the water dispute between Iran and Afghanistan?

Prior to 1979, the year in which Iran underwent the Iranian Revolution and Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union, the issue of water rights of the Helmand River were an issue of great importance between the two nations. Disputes over the Helmand water occurred in the 1870s, flaring again after the river changed course in 1896.

What is Iran’s opinion on the American military presence in Afghanistan?

The government of Iran is strongly against the American military presence in Afghanistan. Iranian officials often criticize specifically the American military in Afghanistan: “The Americans will have the same success in Afghanistan as in Vietnam. Years ago the Soviet Union made exactly the same mistake.

What happened to the Iranian consulate in Afghanistan?

In the wake of the Iranian revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iranian consulate in Afghanistan closed, as did the Afghan consulate in Iran. Relations between Afghanistan and Iran quickly deteriorated even more. In 1985, Iran urged Afghan Shia groups to unite and oppose the Government of Afghanistan.