15 March 1979Herat UprisingNur Muhammad Taraki
A major uprising in Herat exposes the revolutionary government's weak control outside Kabul.
Historical records for Afghanistan in 1979, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
A major uprising in Herat exposes the revolutionary government's weak control outside Kabul.
Amin becomes prime minister while Taraki remains head of state and PDPA general secretary.
United States President Jimmy Carter authorizes covert propaganda support against the Afghan revolutionary government.
President Taraki tries to have Amin assassinated but fails, Amin has him arrested
Amin removes Taraki from government and party leadership after a violent power struggle.
Amin assumes control of the Revolutionary Council and the PDPA.
Officially dies under arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin
The Kabul Times announces Tarakis death. Officially dies under arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin
The Kabul Times announces Tarakis death. Officially diesunder arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin. Death of Nur Taraki, assassinated
Russia invades after Amins unpopularity & failure to suppress the guerrillas
Large Soviet military units enter Afghanistan as Moscow prepares to replace Amin.
Placed in power by a Russian backed coup
Placed in power by a Russian backed coup
Amin is killed during the Soviet assault on Tajbeg Palace.
Babrak Karmal is installed as chairman of the Revolutionary Council following the Soviet intervention.
The Afghan Revolutionary Central Committee elects as head of Government former Deputy Prime Minister Babrak Karmal. Broadcasts an appeal for Soviet help from a radio station within Russia
The Afghan Revolutionary Central Committee elects as head of Government former Deputy Prime Minister Babrak Karmal
Soviet forces remove Amin and transfer power to Babrak Karmal.
Soviet special forces storm Amin's residence and destroy his government.
Shiites capture Herat, the Government retakes it but the country falls into anarchy
Amin seeks stronger Soviet military support as insurgency spreads and government authority weakens.
Amin's government faces expanding armed resistance and repeatedly requests additional Soviet assistance.
This page is generated from stored World History Database records matching the exact country and year shown above. Exact duplicate display records are collapsed. Records without a month are listed after the monthly sections. Source provenance varies by record; formal academic citation should be checked against the relevant primary source, archive or specialist historical reference.