Ministry of Defense (Afghanistan) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ministry of Defense

Dari: وزارت دفاع ملی Pashto: د ملي دفاع وزارت
Emblem of the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Flag of the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Department overview
Jurisdiction	Government of Afghanistan
Headquarters	Kabul 34°31′26″N 69°11′11″E / 34.523938°N 69.186437°E / 34.523938; 69.186437
Minister responsible	Mullah Yaqoob (Acting)
Deputy Minister responsible	Abdul Qayyum Zakir (Acting)
Department executives	Muhammad Ali Akhund, Director of Intelligence Qari Lutfullah "Habibi", Spokesperson
Child Department	General Directorate of Intelligence

The Ministry of Defense (Dari: وزارت دفاع ملی, Wizārat-e Difā'-e Millī, Pashto: د ملي دفاع وزارت, Də Millī Difā' Wizārat) is a very important government office in Afghanistan. Its main job is to look after the country's military, which is currently called the Islamic Emirate Armed Forces. This ministry is located in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan.

The Ministry's Role in History

The Ministry of Defense has played a big part in Afghanistan's history. It has seen many changes in how the country is governed.

During the Democratic Republic Era

From 1978 to 1992, Afghanistan was known as the Democratic Republic. During this time, the Ministry of Defense was in charge of the country's armed forces. Leaders like Abdul Qadir and General Aslam Watanjar served as Defense Ministers.

In 1990, there was an attempt to overthrow the government. Forces loyal to the Defense Minister at the time, Shahnawaz Tanai, tried to take control. However, General Aslam Watanjar stopped them. Because of his actions, Watanjar became the new Minister of Defense. He was the last person to hold this job before the government changed in 1992.

The Ministry of Defense also published a magazine called "The Military Magazine." It started in 1967 when Afghanistan was a kingdom and continued during the Democratic Republic period.

During the Islamic Republic Era

From 2004 to 2021, Afghanistan was known as the Islamic Republic. During this period, the country's President would choose who they wanted to be the Defense Minister. Then, the National Assembly (which is like the country's parliament) had to agree with the President's choice.

One important task of the Defense Ministry during this time was to help disarm different groups of fighters. They had programs like the Afghan New Beginnings Programme. This program also helped young people who had been involved in fighting to return to normal life and get support. These groups had formed after the government collapsed in 1992.

Leaders of the Ministry

The Ministry of Defense has had many different leaders throughout Afghanistan's history. These ministers are in charge of guiding the country's military and defense efforts.

Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Political affiliation
	Sayyid Husayn	January 1929	March 1929		Saqqawist
	Purdil Khan	March 1929	October 1929		Saqqawist
	Amanul Mulk	c. 1944	c. 1946		Unknown
	Mohammad Daoud Khan	1946	1948		Independent
	Abdul Karim Mustaghni	1973	1977		Republican (from 1974)
	Ghulam Haidar Rasuli	1977	April 1978		Republican
	Abdul Qadir	27 April 1978	17 August 1978		PDPA-Parcham
	Nur Muhammad Taraki	17 August 1978	1 April 1979		PDPA-Khalq
	Mohammad Aslam Watanjar	1 April 1979	28 July 1979		PDPA-Khalq
	Hafizullah Amin	July 1979	27 December 1979		PDPA
	Mohammed Rafie	28 December 1979	1982		PDPA
	Abdul Qadir	1982	September 1984		PDPA-Parcham
	Nazar Mohammad	September 1984	1986		PDPA-Khalq
	Mohammed Rafie	December 1986	May 1988		PDPA
	Shahnawaz Tanai	May 1988	March 1990		PDPA-Khalq
	Mohammad Aslam Watanjar	March 1990	April 1992		PDPA-Khalq
	Ahmad Shah Massoud	28 April 1992	9 September 1993		Jamiat-e Islami
	Waheedullah Sabawoon	10 September 1992	15 February 1995		Hizb-e-Islami
	Obaidullah Akhund	April 1997	9 September 2001		Taliban
	Mohammed Fahim	9 September 2001	23 December 2004		Jamiat-e Islami
	Abdul Rahim Wardak	23 December 2004	7 August 2012		Mahaz-e-Milli-ye Islami
	Enayatullah Nazari	8 August 2012	15 September 2012		Jamiat-e Islami
	Bismillah Khan Mohammadi	15 September 2012	24 May 2015		Jamiat-e Islami
	Mohammed Masoom Stanekzai	24 May 2015	20 June 2016		Independent (Military)
	Abdullah Habibi	20 June 2016	24 April 2017		Independent (Military)
	Tariq Shah Bahramee	24 April 2017	23 December 2018		Independent (Military)
	Asadullah Khalid	23 December 2018	25 July 2020		Ittehad-e Islami
	Shahmahmood Miakhel	25 July 2020	19 March 2021		Independent (Military)
	Yasin Zia	19 March 2021	19 June 2021		Independent (Military)
	Bismillah Khan Mohammadi	19 June 2021	15 August 2021		Jamiat-e Islami
	Abdul Qayyum Zakir (acting)	24 August 2021	7 September 2021		Taliban
	Mullah Yaqoob (acting)	7 September 2021	Incumbent		Taliban