Afghanistan War facts for kids

The terms Afghan War or War in Afghanistan refer to many different conflicts that have happened in the country of Afghanistan over a long period of time. Afghanistan is a country in Asia that has often been a place where different empires and groups have fought for control. These wars have shaped its history and its people.

Early Conflicts in Afghanistan

Throughout history, Afghanistan has seen many battles. One of the earliest major conflicts was when Islamic armies arrived.

Islamic Conquest of Afghanistan (637-709)

This was a long period when Muslim armies expanded into the region that is now Afghanistan. They brought new ideas and a new religion, Islam, to the area. This changed the culture and way of life for many people living there.

Anglo-Afghan Wars

Later, in the 1800s and early 1900s, Afghanistan became a battleground for a different reason. The British Empire, which ruled India at the time, wanted to control Afghanistan to protect its borders from other powerful countries like Russia. This led to a series of wars between the British and the Afghans.

First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842)

This was the first major war between the British and Afghanistan. The British tried to put a ruler they liked in charge, but the Afghans fought back fiercely. The war ended with the British leaving Afghanistan.

Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1881)

Years later, the British tried again to have more influence in Afghanistan. This war also involved a lot of fighting. In the end, Afghanistan kept its independence, but it agreed to let Britain manage its foreign affairs.

Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919)

This was a shorter war that happened after World War I. Afghanistan wanted full control over its foreign policy. After some fighting, Afghanistan won complete independence from British influence.

Panjdeh Incident (1885)

This was a smaller conflict that happened between Afghanistan and the Russian Empire. It was a dispute over a border area called Panjdeh. It almost led to a bigger war between Britain and Russia, but it was settled peacefully.

Civil Unrest in the 20th Century

Even after gaining full independence, Afghanistan faced internal struggles and changes.

Reforms of Amanullah Khan and Civil War (1929)

King Amanullah Khan tried to make many modern changes in Afghanistan. Some people did not like these changes, which led to a civil war. A rebel leader named Bacha-i-Saqao briefly took over the government.

The Modern Afghan Civil War (1978-Present)

The term "Afghan Civil War" often refers to a very long period of conflict that started in 1978 and has continued in different forms. This period includes several major phases, often involving outside countries.

Soviet War in Afghanistan (1979-1989)

In 1979, the Soviet Union sent its army into Afghanistan to support the communist government there. Many Afghan groups, known as Mujahideen, fought against the Soviet forces. This war lasted for ten years and caused a lot of destruction. The Soviet Union eventually left Afghanistan in 1989.

Afghan Civil War (1989-1992): Government Collapse

After the Soviets left, the Afghan government they supported struggled to stay in power. Different Mujahideen groups continued to fight each other. Eventually, the government collapsed in 1992.

Afghan Civil War (1992-1996): Anarchy

With no strong central government, Afghanistan fell into a period of chaos. Different warlords and armed groups fought for control of the country. This time was very difficult for ordinary people.

Afghan Civil War (1996-2001): Taliban Period

During the chaos, a group called the Taliban rose to power. They took control of most of Afghanistan by 1996 and established a strict Islamic government. However, not all parts of the country were under their control, and fighting continued.

War in Afghanistan (2001-2021): NATO Involvement

After the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, a group called al-Qaeda, which was based in Afghanistan and protected by the Taliban, was blamed. This led to the United States and its allies (part of NATO) invading Afghanistan. Their goal was to remove the Taliban from power and fight al-Qaeda. This war lasted for 20 years, with international forces trying to help build a new government and army in Afghanistan.

Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (2001-2016)

This timeline covers the key events and changes during the long period of NATO involvement in Afghanistan. It shows how different strategies were used and how the conflict developed over more than a decade.

See also

In Spanish: Guerra de Afganistán para niños