Establishment of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan: The Saur Revolution of April 27, 1978

On April 27, 1978, a significant shift in Afghanistan’s political landscape occurred with the Saur Revolution, a coup d’état orchestrated by the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), leading to the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The event marked the demise of the Republic of Afghanistan and ended the presidency of Mohammed Daoud Khan.

Background

President Mohammed Daoud Khan came to power in 1973 after overthrowing King Zahir Shah in a bloodless coup. Despite his initial modernization efforts, Daoud’s increasingly autocratic rule and strained relationships with political factions, including the PDPA, eroded support. The PDPA, a communist party founded in 1965, was divided into two factions: Khalq (led by Nur Muhammad Taraki and Hafizullah Amin) and Parcham (led by Babrak Karmal).

The Coup d’État

The hostility between Daoud’s government and the PDPA intensified after the PDPA member Mir Akbar Khyber’s mysterious assassination on April 17, 1978. The day before Khyber’s funeral, many PDPA members were arrested, provoking fears of further government crackdowns. In response, PDPA leaders expedited their plans for a coup.

On the morning of April 27, 1978, units of the Afghan military, sympathetic to the PDPA cause and led by air force officers and army personnel, initiated the coup. Fierce fighting erupted in Kabul and royal guard units clashed with rebels. However, by the evening, the military, supported by tanks and aircraft, had seized key installations, including the Presidential Palace.

Aftermath

The coup resulted in the execution of Mohammed Daoud Khan and most of his family. The PDPA leaders declared the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Nur Muhammad Taraki became the head of state and prime minister, while Hafizullah Amin assumed the roles of deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs.

The new government quickly instituted wide-ranging reforms, including land redistribution and modernization efforts. These policies, alongside the PDPA’s Marxist-Leninist ideology, alienated many Afghan citizens and traditional power structures, setting the stage for future unrest.

Historical Significance

The Saur Revolution was a pivotal moment in Afghanistan’s history, aligning the nation with the Soviet Union and becoming a flashpoint in the Cold War. It led to increasing Soviet influence in Afghan affairs, eventually culminating in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979, which ushered in a decade-long conflict with far-reaching consequences for the region and the world. The revolution and subsequent events significantly shaped Afghanistan’s socio-political fabric and contributed to ongoing instability that continues to impact the country.