Quickfacts: Afghanistan's Recent History

1973	A military coup ends the monarchy and establishes a republic. The coup is followed by a period of political instability.
1978-79	Two more violent coups provoke Islamist insurgencies. The Soviet Union launches a military intervention in late 1979.
1980s	Soviet and Afghan government troops fight against mujahedin guerillas backed by Pakistan, the US, and Saudi Arabia. Between the years 1979 and 1992, more than a fifth of Afghanistan's population leaves the country searching for safety in Iran and Pakistan.
1989	The Soviets withdraw from Afghanistan. A total of six million residents fled the country during the soviet occupation.
1992	The mujahedin coalition captures Kabul. The coalition soon disintegrates.
1994	The Taliban, a Pakistan-backed militia of ultra-orthodox Sunnit Muslims launches military operations along the Pakistani border and western Afghanistan.
1996	The Taliban captures Kabul.
1998	The Taliban massacres thousands as it extends its reach to North. The UN security council imposes economic sanctions against the Taliban for refusing to turn over Osama bin Laden who is wanted for attacks on US embassies.
2000	The UN Security Council imposes a ban on arms sales to the Taliban. Draught, shortfalls in humanitarian aid and international isolationism contribute to growing hunger and a current refugee population estimated at over two million. For the past 20 years, Afghans have comprised the largest single refugee group in the world.

The above information is from Foreign Policy in Focus, "Afghanistan" by Jim Lobe and Abid Aslam and from Amnesty International.

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