Herat Uprising
A major uprising in Herat exposes the revolutionary government's weak control outside Kabul.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1979 in Afghanistan
Explore 23 historical events and records for Afghanistan in 1979.
Historical records for Afghanistan in 1979
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 23 of 23 unique records.
23Unique records
1 of 1Page
19Named events on this page
4Named people on this page
3Places on this page
March
Prime Minister of Afghanistan
Amin becomes prime minister while Taraki remains head of state and PDPA general secretary.
July
Central Intelligence Agency
United States President Jimmy Carter authorizes covert propaganda support against the Afghan revolutionary government.
September
Arrest of Nur Muhammad Taraki
President Taraki tries to have Amin assassinated but fails, Amin has him arrested
Removal from Office
Amin removes Taraki from government and party leadership after a violent power struggle.
Head of State
Amin assumes control of the Revolutionary Council and the PDPA.
October
Arrest of Nur Muhammad Taraki
Officially dies under arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin
Assassination of Nur Muhammad Taraki
The Kabul Times announces Tarakis death. Officially dies under arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin
Death of Nur Muhammad Taraki
The Kabul Times announces Tarakis death. Officially diesunder arrest for trying to assassinate Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin. Death of Nur Taraki, assassinated
December
Invasion of Afghanistan
Russia invades after Amins unpopularity & failure to suppress the guerrillas
Soviet Military Entry
Large Soviet military units enter Afghanistan as Moscow prepares to replace Amin.
Coup
Placed in power by a Russian backed coup
Coup
Placed in power by a Russian backed coup
Death of Hafizullah Amin
Amin is killed during the Soviet assault on Tajbeg Palace.
Head of State
Babrak Karmal is installed as chairman of the Revolutionary Council following the Soviet intervention.
Invasion of Afghanistan
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
Revolutionary Central Committee
The Afghan Revolutionary Central Committee elects as head of Government former Deputy Prime Minister Babrak Karmal
Soviet Intervention
Soviet forces remove Amin and transfer power to Babrak Karmal.
Tajbeg Palace Assault
Soviet special forces storm Amin's residence and destroy his government.
Other events (month unknown)
Capture of Herat
Shiites capture Herat, the Government retakes it but the country falls into anarchy
Government Crisis
Amin seeks stronger Soviet military support as insurgency spreads and government authority weakens.
Herat Uprising Challenges Government
The March 1979 uprising in Herat challenges the communist Afghan government and draws a severe military response.
Rebellion of Rebels in Kabul
Amin's government faces expanding armed resistance and repeatedly requests additional Soviet assistance.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.