The 1978 coup that ignited decades of conflict in Afghanistan

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In April 1978, a violent uprising by the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan toppled the government of Mohammad Daoud Khan. While the new regime promised a socialist future, its brutal internal purges and radical reforms triggered a nationwide revolt, setting the stage for the Soviet invasion and years of war.

The Saur Revolution, named for the second month of the Solar Hijri calendar, began on 27 April 1978. Orchestrated by PDPA member Hafizullah Amin, the coup utilized tanks and fighter aircraft to assault the Arg presidential palace in Kabul. President Daoud Khan and his family were executed during the fighting, marking the end of the 152-year-old Barakzai dynasty. While some speculated about Soviet involvement, evidence suggests the Soviet leadership was surprised by the event and not directly involved in its planning.

Following the coup, the PDPA established a government initially split between the Khalq and Parcham factions. However, unity was short-lived; by July 1978, the Khalq faction consolidated power, purging Parchamites and launching a campaign of repression. Inspired by Bolshevik tactics, the regime implemented a 'Red Terror' that targeted religious clerics, tribal leaders, and political dissidents. Between April 1978 and December 1979, an estimated 27,000 political prisoners were executed at Pul-e-Charkhi prison alone, with total deaths during the campaign exceeding 50,000.

The regime’s downfall began with its attempt to rapidly modernize the rural countryside. Drastic land reforms and the replacement of the national flag with a Soviet-style design alienated the conservative population. These policies, combined with state-sponsored violence, ignited the mujahideen revolt. By October 1978, anti-government uprisings had spread to Kunar Province. The resulting instability and the regime's inability to maintain control led the Soviet Union to invade in December 1979, beginning a conflict that would last until 1989.

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