Operation Cyclone facts for kids

Operation Cyclone was the secret name for a program run by the United States government's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). From 1979 to 1989, the CIA gave weapons and money to a group of fighters in Afghanistan called the mujahideen. These fighters were also supported by Britain's secret service, MI6.

Operation Cyclone was one of the longest and most expensive secret operations the CIA ever carried out. It officially started with $695,000 in 1979. This program was a big part of the Cold War, a long period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.

What Was Operation Cyclone?

Operation Cyclone was a secret plan by the United States to help Afghan fighters resist the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan in 1979. The US saw this as a threat and wanted to stop the Soviets from gaining more power.

Why Did the US Help the Mujahideen?

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. They wanted to support the communist government there. Many Afghans did not like this invasion. They formed groups called the mujahideen to fight back. The United States and its allies worried about the Soviet Union's actions. They decided to help the mujahideen. Their goal was to make the Soviet invasion very costly and difficult.

How Did the Program Work?

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) worked with Pakistan to get aid to the mujahideen. Pakistan shares a border with Afghanistan. Weapons and money were sent through Pakistan to the Afghan fighters. This aid included rifles, rockets, and even Stinger missiles. These missiles were very effective against Soviet helicopters.

Funding and Support

The amount of money spent on Operation Cyclone grew over time. It started small but increased significantly. By the mid-1980s, the program was receiving hundreds of millions of dollars each year. This made it one of the largest secret operations in history. Other countries also helped, but the US provided the most support.

Impact of Operation Cyclone

Operation Cyclone had a major impact on the war in Afghanistan. It helped the mujahideen fight against the powerful Soviet army. The war became very difficult for the Soviets. They faced strong resistance and heavy losses.

Soviet Withdrawal

The war in Afghanistan lasted for ten years. The Soviet Union found it hard to win against the determined mujahideen. The high cost in lives and money became too much for the Soviet government. In 1989, the Soviet Union decided to pull its troops out of Afghanistan. Many people believe that the support from Operation Cyclone played a big role in this withdrawal.

After the War

After the Soviets left, Afghanistan faced new challenges. The country was left in ruins after years of war. The different mujahideen groups, once united against the Soviets, began to fight among themselves. This led to a period of civil war. The weapons supplied during Operation Cyclone remained in the region. Some critics say that the program had unintended long-term consequences for the region.

Images for kids

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  A mujahideen resistance fighter shoots an SA-7 missile, 1988.

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  Some people believe that supporting the mujahideen had unintended consequences later on.

See also

In Spanish: Operación Ciclón para niños