The Afghan-Soviet War (1979-1989) was a conflict between the Communist Afghan government united with supporting Soviet troops against a loose collection of various rebel groups. The war started after domestic resistance to communist leader Nur Muhammad Taraki led him to call the Soviets in to bolster Taraki’s grip on the country. During this war, the United States, among other states, funded insurgents to weaken Taraki’s rule and Soviet influence.
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