
The First Afghan Civil War spanned from the Soviet withdrawal on 15 February 1989 to the establishment of a new interim Afghan government as per the Peshawar Accords on 27 April 1992. This period was marked by intense conflict between mujahideen factions and the Soviet-backed Republic of Afghanistan in Kabul. The mujahideen, loosely united under the "Afghan Interim Government," viewed their fight as a struggle against what they considered a puppet regime.
A significant battle during this period was the Battle of Jalalabad in March 1989, where the Afghan Interim Government, aided by Pakistan's ISI, failed to capture the city from government forces, leading to strategic and ideological fractures within the mujahideen, notably causing Hekmatyar's Hezbi Islami to withdraw support for the Interim Government.
By March 1992, the withdrawal of Soviet support left President Mohammad Najibullah vulnerable, prompting his agreement to resign in favor of a mujahideen coalition government. However, disagreements over the formation of this government, particularly by Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin, led to the invasion of Kabul. This action ignited a civil war among multiple mujahideen groups, rapidly evolving into a multifaceted conflict that involved up to six different factions within weeks, setting the stage for a prolonged period of instability and warfare in Afghanistan.

Political map of Afghanistan in 1989. © Sommerkom
Background
The mujahideen resistance was diverse and fragmented, consisting of numerous groups with varying regional, ethnic, and religious affiliations. By the mid-1980s, seven major Sunni Islamic rebel groups had united to fight against the Soviets. Despite the Soviet withdrawal in February 1989, conflicts persisted, infighting among mujahideen factions was rampant, with Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin, led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, noted for its aggression towards other resistance groups, including those led by Massoud. These internal conflicts often involved gruesome acts of violence and were compounded by accusations of treachery and ceasefires with enemy forces. Despite these challenges, leaders like Massoud sought to promote Afghan unity and pursue justice through legal means rather than retaliation.
Battle of Jalalabad
In spring 1989, the mujahideen's Seven-Party Union, backed by Pakistan's ISI, launched an assault on Jalalabad aiming to establish a mujahideen-led government, potentially under Hekmatyar's leadership. The motivations behind this attack appear complex, involving both a desire to oust the Marxist regime in Afghanistan and to prevent support for separatist movements within Pakistan. The involvement of the United States, particularly through Ambassador Robert B. Oakley, suggests international dimensions to the ISI's strategy, with the Americans seeking retribution for Vietnam by ousting Marxists from Afghanistan.
The operation, involving forces from Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin and Ittehad-e Islami along with Arab fighters, initially showed promise as they captured the Jalalabad airfield. However, the mujahideen faced stiff resistance from well-defended Afghan army positions, supported by intensive air strikes and Scud missile attacks. The siege turned into a protracted battle, with the mujahideen unable to breach Jalalabad's defenses, suffering significant casualties and failing to achieve their objective. The Afghan army's successful defense of Jalalabad, particularly the use of Scud missiles, marked a significant moment in modern military history.
The battle's aftermath saw the mujahideen forces demoralized, with thousands of casualties and a substantial civilian toll. The failure to capture Jalalabad and establish a mujahideen government represented a strategic setback, challenging the mujahideen's momentum and altering the course of the Afghan conflict.