The Battle of Herat, 1978: A Critical Episode in the Afghan Civil War
The Battle of Herat, fought in 1978, marks one of the pivotal conflicts in the larger Afghan Civil War. Situated in the heart of Afghanistan, Herat became a flashpoint between different political factions, setting the stage for deeper national turmoil. This battle was particularly significant not only because of its direct military implications but also because it illustrated the intensity of the ideological and political struggles that would shape the future of Afghanistan.
This article will explore the Battle of Herat, its causes, the participants involved, the nature of the conflict, and its long-term effects on the Afghan Civil War and the history of Afghanistan itself.
Historical Context: Afghanistan in 1978
By the late 1970s, Afghanistan was a deeply divided country. While there were many signs of modernization under King Zahir Shah’s regime in the 1960s, by the time the 1970s arrived, Afghanistan was caught in the middle of a power struggle between conservative, traditional factions and progressive, communist-inspired movements. The political instability was exacerbated by economic underdevelopment and growing ethnic tensions. Furthermore, the Soviet Union had become more involved in Afghan affairs, which further complicated the national political landscape.
In April 1978, the communist People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) led by Nur Mohammad Taraki, came to power following a coup that overthrew the Afghan monarchy. This marked the beginning of a new era in Afghan politics, but it was one filled with violence, repression, and increasing external interference. The PDPA’s policies were controversial, particularly their promotion of Marxism and secularism, which alienated large portions of the population. Conservative factions, many of whom were tied to the traditional tribal and Islamic hierarchies, rose up in opposition to the new government.
The Battle of Herat: Overview and Causes
Herat, located in the western part of Afghanistan near the Iranian border, was a key cultural, economic, and military center. In 1978, the city was home to a large population of ethnic Tajiks, and it had seen a significant amount of tension due to the ideological divisions between the new communist government and local opposition forces.
The immediate cause of the Battle of Herat was the growing dissatisfaction with the PDPA’s rule and its aggressive reforms, which included land redistribution, secularization, and forced collectivization. Many in the rural areas, where traditions and religion were deeply entrenched, saw these policies as an attack on their way of life. In addition, the PDPA’s harsh measures, including the persecution of Islamic clerics and tribal leaders, fueled anger and resentment.
The city of Herat had significant strategic importance during this period, and local opposition to the PDPA was strong. These anti-government forces included both Islamist groups and tribal militias. The resistance was exacerbated by external factors, notably the influence of neighboring Iran, which had a vested interest in destabilizing the pro-Soviet government in Kabul. Iran had been hostile to the communist government in Kabul from the outset, and many Afghan rebels received training and support from Iranian factions.
The battle itself was sparked by a full-scale rebellion on March 15, 1978. The insurgents, composed of local military units, tribal militias, and civilian resistance fighters, seized control of several key positions in the city. Herat’s military garrison, however, was heavily loyal to the PDPA, and the rebellion quickly turned into a brutal and bloody conflict.
Participants and the Forces Involved
The Battle of Herat involved three main parties:
-
The Afghan Government (PDPA): The ruling communist faction, led by the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), led by Nur Mohammad Taraki and his successor, Hafizullah Amin. The PDPA had a relatively small, but well-equipped military force composed of the Afghan National Army and paramilitary groups loyal to the government. They had access to Soviet military assistance, which provided them with a significant advantage in terms of modern weaponry.
-
The Rebels (Afghan Resistance): The Afghan rebels, made up of a combination of ethnic Tajiks, Pashtuns, and other minority groups, were largely motivated by opposition to the communist regime’s reforms and its secular nature. The insurgents in Herat, led by local military officers and Islamist clerics, launched a rebellion to overthrow the PDPA. These groups had limited access to heavy arms but used guerilla tactics to disrupt the government’s control.
-
Local Forces in Herat (Herat’s Military Garrison): The local garrison in Herat played a crucial role in both fighting the insurgents and attempting to suppress the uprising. These forces were drawn largely from Herat’s urban military garrisons and were loyal to the government. The PDPA initially appeared to have the upper hand due to their superior weaponry, but the insurgents were able to hold key positions in the city for several days before the government launched a brutal counterattack.
The Course of the Battle
The initial phase of the battle was marked by the rebels’ surprise attack on government installations. With support from a portion of the local population, they quickly overran key military sites, seizing weapons and vehicles. However, despite their early success, the rebels struggled to maintain control of the city as the government launched a swift counteroffensive, deploying elite troops and Soviet-supplied tanks to suppress the insurgents.
The fighting in Herat was fierce, with street-to-street battles, house-to-house combat, and heavy casualties on both sides. The government forces, bolstered by reinforcements from Kabul, were able to regain control of the city after several days of intense conflict. However, the PDPA’s victory came at a steep price. It is estimated that thousands of people, including many civilians, were killed in the fighting. The government also carried out reprisals against suspected collaborators with the insurgents, leading to widespread fear and resentment among the population.
One of the most significant aspects of the battle was the use of Soviet advisors who played a key role in training Afghan forces and directing military operations. The Soviet Union, while not directly involved in the battle, had a deep interest in ensuring that the communist regime in Kabul survived and was able to suppress opposition movements. The Battle of Herat was one of the first examples of Soviet involvement in Afghanistan, a precursor to the more direct military intervention that would occur in 1979.
Aftermath and Consequences
Although the PDPA emerged victorious in the Battle of Herat, the consequences were profound and long-lasting. The violence of the conflict only deepened the resentment of many Afghans toward the communist government. The brutality of the repression, particularly the mass executions and arrests of suspected rebels, turned many moderates against the PDPA. In the aftermath of the battle, the government’s hold on power remained fragile, and the rebellion sparked widespread insurgency throughout the country.
The victory in Herat did little to calm the situation in Afghanistan. In fact, the battle demonstrated the growing strength of the resistance movements, and over the next year, several other regions of Afghanistan would erupt in similar uprisings. The government, increasingly unable to suppress the insurgents without Soviet assistance, would eventually rely on the Soviet Union to intervene militarily. In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, leading to a decade-long conflict that would have profound geopolitical implications.
The Larger Significance of the Battle
The Battle of Herat, though a military victory for the PDPA, was a significant turning point in Afghanistan’s history. It signaled the beginning of a prolonged civil conflict that would escalate into a full-scale war involving multiple factions, regional powers, and the Soviet Union. The battle revealed the deep ideological and cultural divides in Afghan society, and the ruthless methods employed by both sides during the conflict set the stage for the brutal civil war that followed.
In the international context, the Battle of Herat also marked the growing involvement of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, which would later escalate into full-scale military intervention. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 would lead to a decade of armed conflict, with the US and its allies providing support to the Afghan mujahideen fighters who had initially opposed the PDPA. The legacy of these conflicts would continue to shape Afghanistan’s political and social fabric for decades to come, culminating in the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s and the ongoing struggles of the 21st century.
Conclusion
The Battle of Herat in 1978 was a critical moment in the history of Afghanistan, marking the intensification of civil conflict and the beginning of a decade-long struggle that would draw in global powers and reshape the country. Despite the PDPA’s victory, the battle revealed the deep-seated opposition to the communist government and foreshadowed the instability that would dominate Afghanistan in the years to come. The legacy of Herat serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of political and ideological conflict and the far-reaching consequences of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of a nation.