PDPA

Details

Organization Timeline

Saur Revolution overthrows Afghanistan’s government

📅 27 April 1978

Afghan military officers and the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan seized power and killed President Mohammed Daoud Khan. The new government pursued a radical program that encountered...

Saur Revolution brings the PDPA to power

📅 27 April 1978

Military officers aligned with the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) overthrew Daoud’s government. The new leadership launched sweeping reforms and state repression. The political...

Herat uprising challenges the PDPA government

📅 15 March 1979

An uprising in Herat, involving soldiers and civilians, exposed the government’s fragile authority. The government’s violent response and fears of spreading revolt intensified the crisis. The...

Amin consolidates power after a failed attempt to remove him

📅 14 September 1979

Afghan President Nur Muhammad Taraki was critically injured in an internal power struggle, and Hafizullah Amin consolidated control. The episode reflects factional conflict within Afghanistan’s ruling...

Soviet forces seize key sites in Kabul

📅 27 December 1979

Soviet forces carried out Operation Storm-333, killing President Hafizullah Amin and installing Babrak Karmal. Afghan political agency was constrained by an outside power deciding who would govern,...

Najibullah takes leadership of the PDPA

📅 4 May 1986

Mohammad Najibullah became general secretary of the PDPA and began promoting a policy of national reconciliation as Soviet leaders sought an exit. Afghan political factions remained divided and...