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Ahmad Shah Massoud
2 September 1953(1953-09-02) – 9 September 2001 (aged 48)
Nickname Lion of Panjsher
Place of birth Panjshir, Afghanistan
Place of death Takhar, Afghanistan
Rank Commander, Minister of Defense
Commands held Prominent Mujahideen commander during the Soviet war in Afghanistan,
Defense Minister of Afghanistan,
leading commander of the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan
Awards National Hero of Afghanistan and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

Ahmad Shah Massoud (Persian: احمد شاه مسعود) (September 2, 1953 – September 9, 2001) was a Tajik Kabul University engineering student turned military leader who played a leading role in driving the Soviet army out of Afghanistan, earning him the nickname "Lion of Panjshir". Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Commander is a Military rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service A defence minister (or defense minister) is a Cabinet position which regulates the Armed forces in some sovereign nations A Mujahid (Arabic ar مجاهد, literally "struggler" is a Muslim involved in a Jihad, id est fighting in a war or The Soviet war in Afghanistan, also known as the Soviet-Afghan War or just the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, was a nine-year conflict involving The Afghan Ministry of Defense is an organ of the Central Government of Afghanistan, overseeing the entire Military of Afghanistan. The United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan ( UIF, Jabha-yi Muttahid-i Islami-yi Milli bara-yi Nijat-i Afghanistan) also known as the Northern A hero (from Greek grc ἥρως hērōs) in Greek mythology and Folklore, was originally a Demigod, the offspring of a mortal and Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Kabul University ( - Dāneshgāh-e Kābul; Pashto: دکابل پوهنتون The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Many Afghans call him "Amer Sahib e Shaheed," translating to "(Our) Martyred Commander. " Massoud was the most pro-Western and popular of the anti-Soviet resistance leaders. [1]

He became Defense Minister of Afghanistan in 1992 under President Burhanuddin Rabbani. Burhanuddin Rabbani ( - Burhânuddîn Rabbânî) (born 1940 an ethnic Tajik, is a former President of Afghanistan. Following the collapse of Rabbani's government and the rise of the Taliban regime, Massoud became the military leader of the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately The United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan ( UIF, Jabha-yi Muttahid-i Islami-yi Milli bara-yi Nijat-i Afghanistan) also known as the Northern

In September 2001 Massoud was assassinated by al-Qaeda agents, allegedly with the complicity of Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, and the following year he was named "National Hero" by the order of Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai. Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The Ustad Abdul Rabi Rasul Sayyaf (عبد رب الرسول سیاف b Hamid Karzai ( حامد کرزي, حامد کرزي) (born 24 December 1957) is the current President of Afghanistan, since December September 9th, the date of his death is observed as a national holiday, and known as Massoud Day in Afghanistan. [2]

Contents

Early life

Ahmad Shah Massoud, the son of police commander Dost Mohammad Khan and an ethnic Tajik [3], was born on September 2, 1953 in Jangalak, Panjshir Valley. Tajik ( - Tādjīk; UniPers: Tâjik; Cyrillic: Тоҷик is a term generally applied to Persian-speaking people of Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Panjshir Valley, also spelled Panjsher Valley ( - Dara-ye Panjšēr; literally Valley of the Five Lions) is a Valley in north-central At the age of five, he started grammar school in Bazarak and stayed there until second grade. Bazarak may refer to Bazarak Panjshir, Afghanistan Bazarak Balkh, Afghanistan Bazarak Nangarhar, Afghanistan Since his father was promoted to be police chief of Herat, he attended 3rd and 4th grade at the Mowaffaq School in Herat. area3018 sq mi Herāt ( classically called the Aria, is a city in western Afghanistan, in the province also known as Herāt. area3018 sq mi Herāt ( classically called the Aria, is a city in western Afghanistan, in the province also known as Herāt. He also received a religious education at the "Masjed-e Jame" mosque in Herat. Later his father was moved to Kabul so he attended intermediate and senior grades at the French Lycee of Al Istiqlal in Kabul. Since his childhood, he was considered exceedingly talented; from 10th grade on, his school acknowledged him as a particularly gifted student. His native tongue was Persian (Dari), but he was also fluent in French,[4], Pashto, and Urdu. Pashto ( Naskh: پښتو‎ pəʂ'to also rendered as Pakhto, Pushto, Pukhto, Pashtu, Pushtu, also known as Urdu ( ur '''{{Nastaliq اردو}}''' trans Urdū, historically spelled Ordu) is a Central Indo-Aryan language Urdu is a standardised Furthermore, he had a good working knowledge of Arabic. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language

When studying at Kabul, in 1972, he became involved with the sazman-i jawanan-i musalman ("organisation of Muslim youth"), the student branch of the Jamiat Islami ("islamic society"), whose chairman was professor Burhanuddin Rabbani. Jamiat-e Islami (also rendered as Jamiat-e-Islami, Jamiati Islami) is an Islamic political party in Afghanistan along the line of the Jamaat-e-Islami Burhanuddin Rabbani ( - Burhânuddîn Rabbânî) (born 1940 an ethnic Tajik, is a former President of Afghanistan. This islamist organisation opposed the rising communist influence that became especially evident after the coup d'état that brought Mohammed Daoud Khan to power in 1973: the coup was orchestrated by the Parcham faction of the PDPA, the Afghan communist party. Islamism ( Islam + ism; Arabic: al-'islāmiyya) a set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based Mohammed Daoud Khan ( July 18, 1909 – April 28, 1978) was a politician in Afghanistan who overthrew the monarchy of Zahir Shah Parcham (پرچم meaning "Banner" or "Flag" was the name of one of the factions of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. The People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (حزب دموکراتيک خلق افغانستان د افغانستان د خلق دموکراټیک ګوند PDPA was a Communist

As soon as Daoud came to power, he began a crackdown against the Islamist movements, forcing those who were not arrested to flee to Pakistan. Islamism ( Islam + ism; Arabic: al-'islāmiyya) a set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and From here they organised the resistance movement, aided by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who feared Daoud's revival of the Pashtunistan issue. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ( Urdu: ur '''ذوالفقار علی بھٹو''' Sindhi: ذوالفقار علي ڀُٽو, zʊlfɪqɑːɾ ɑli bɦʊʈːoː Pashtunistan ( Pashto: پښتونستان Persian: پشتونستان or Pakhtunistan ( Persian, Urdu: پختونستان is the

In July 1975, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, then a Jamiat member, organised an uprising against Daoud's government. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar ( ګلبدین حکمتیار) (born 1947 is an Islamist Mujahideen leader and former warlord. Massoud was in charge of stirring up the Panjshir, and had some success in this area, but the revolt was a failure, due to lack of support among the people and Gulbuddin's inability to entice officers of the Afghan army to join the rebels. The Military of Afghanistan is composed of the Afghan National Army, the Afghan National Air Corps (formerly the Afghan Air Force and scattered [5] The ensuing repression greatly weakened the islamist movement, and forced the surviving militants back to Pakistan.

In 1976, the movement split between the supporters of Rabbani, who led the Jamiat, and the more fundamentalists of Hekmatyar, who founded the Hezbi Islami. Hizb-e Islami (also Hezbi Islami, Hezb-i-Islami, Hezbi-Islami, Hezb-e-Islami) meaning Islamic Party is an Islamic organization Massoud, who blamed the failure of the insurrection on Hekmatyar, joined Rabbani's faction.

The Soviet war

The 1978 uprising

When, in 1978, the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan came to power, they began to reform the Afghan society along Marxist lines. The People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (حزب دموکراتيک خلق افغانستان د افغانستان د خلق دموکراټیک ګوند PDPA was a Communist Marxism is the political philosophy and practice derived from the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. These reforms met with an important resistance, especially as the government attempted to enforce them by arresting or simply executing those who resisted. The next result was to plunge large parts of the country, especially the rural areas, into open revolt. Islamist intellectuals such as Massoud became natural leaders for these uprisings.

The first instance of open rebellion occurred in Nuristan, in July 1978. Nuristān (Pashto نورستان also spelled Nurestān) is a region embedded in the south of Hindu Kush valleys Massoud joined the rebels, and was present when they wiped out an armoured battalion sent by the PDPA to suppress the revolt. [6]

Having ascertained that an uprising against the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan would be backed by the people, Massoud made his way to the Panjshir, and started a new insurrection on July 6, 1979. The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan was a Soviet -backed government in Afghanistan between 1978 and 1992. The fight lasted 40 days, during which the whole Panjshir, Salang, and Bola Ghain were in open revolt against Kabul. } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with After these 40 days Massoud's leg was injured and the troops under his command had no more weapons and ammunition. Despite 600 relief fighters from Nuristan, the government troops finally defeated them. [7] Drawing the lessons from this failure, Massoud decided to avoid direct confrontation with the enemy and to wage a guerrilla war. Guerrilla warfare is the unconventional warfare and combat with which a small group of combatants use mobile tactics (ambushes raids etc He set about creating bases and giving his men adequate training. [8]

The Soviet intervention

By late 1979, various rebel groups controlled most of the country, and the communist government was nearing collapse. This led the Afghan president Hafizullah Amin to call for help from his Soviet patrons, but when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, on December 27, 1979, they killed Amin and replaced him with Babrak Karmal. Hafizullah Amin ( حفيظ الله امين) ( August 1, 1929 – December 27, 1979) was the second President of Afghanistan Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Babrak Karmal ( January 6, 1929 - December 3, 1996) was the third President of Afghanistan (1979 - 1986 during the period of the communist

Massoud devised a strategic plan for expelling the invaders and overthrowing the communist regime: The first phase, or "starting point", consisted in the establishment of a guerilla force, supported by the people. The second phase would be one of "active defense" of the Panjshir stronghold, while carrying out irregular warfare. The third phase, the "strategic offensive", would see Massoud's forces taking control of large parts of Northern Afghanistan. The fourth phase was the "general application" of Massoud's principles to the whole country, and the final demise of the Afghan communist government.

From the start of the war Massoud's mujahideen proved to be a thorn in the side for the occupying Soviet forces, by ambushing Soviet and Afghan convoys travelling through the Salang pass, causing fuel shortages in Kabul. Kotal-e Salang or Salang Pass (el 3878 m is the major Mountain pass connecting northern Afghanistan and Kabul province, with further connections [9] To relieve the pressure on their supply lines the Soviets were forced to mount a series of offensives against the Panjshir. The Panjshir offensives ( Russian: Пандшерская операция - Panjsher Operations were a series of battles between the Soviet Army and Between 1980 and 1985, these offensives were conducted twice a year, yet despite engaging more men and hardware on each occasion, the Soviets were not able to defeat Massoud's forces. When, in 1982, the Soviets began deploying major combat units in the Panjshir numbering up to 12,000 men, Massoud pulled his troops back into subsidiary valleys, where they occupied fortified positions. When the Soviet columns advanced onto these positions they fell into ambushes and suffered heavy casualties. When the Soviets withdrew, they handed over their positions to Afghan army garrisons, that the Mujahideen attacked and recaptured one by one. [10]

In 1983, the Soviets offered Massoud a truce, which he accepted. He put this respite to good use, extending his influence to areas outside Panjshir, mostly in Takhar and Baghlan Provinces. Baghlan (بغلان is one of the thirty-four Provinces of Afghanistan.

This expansion prompted Babrak Karmal to demand that the Red Army resume their offensives, in order to crush the Panjshir groups definitively. However, Massoud had received advanced warning of the attack through his agents in the DRA government, and he evacuated all 30,000 inhabitants out of the valley, leaving the Soviet bombings to fall on empty ground. [11] Eventually, after 1985, no more offensives were carried out against the Panjshir.

With the end of the Soviet-Afghan attacks, Massoud was able to carry out the next phase of his strategic plan: to expand the resistance movement and liberate the northern provinces of Afghanistan. In August 1986 he captured Farkhar in Takhar Province, and in November, his forces overran the headquarters of the DRA 20th division at Nahrin in Baghlan province, scoring an important victory for the resistance. [12] This expansion was also carried out through diplomatic means, as more mujahideen commanders were persuaded to adopt the Panjshir military system.

The Soviet army and the Afghan Army were defeated in numerous small engagements between 1984 and 1988, but many of them remain either undocumented or unknown to outside sources. However, the strength of the Afghan resistance caused the last Soviet soldier to leave Afghanistan on February 2nd, 1989 after Mikhail Gorbachev decided to put an end to the Soviet military presence. Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev ( Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachyov;; born 2 March 1931 in Privolnoye Stavropol Krai) is a Russian politician

Guerrilla Warfare

Despite almost constant attacks by the Red army and the Afghan army, Massoud was able to increase his military strength. Starting in 1980 with a force of less than 1,000 ill-equipped guerillas, the Panjshir valley mujahideen grew to a 5,000-strong force by 1984. [9] After expanding his influence outside the valley, Massoud led some 13,000 fighters in 1989. [13] These forces were divided into different types of units: the locals (mahalli) were tasked with static defense of villages and fortified positions. The best of the mahalli were formed into units called grup-i zarbati (shock troops), semi-mobile groups that acted as reserve forces for the defense of several strongholds. A military reserve, tactical reserve, or strategic reserve (and normally called only as the/his/their " Reserve /( s)" or sometimes as

A different type of unit was the mobile group (grup-i-mutaharek), a lightly equipped commando-like formation numbering 33 men, whose mission was to carry out hit-and-run attacks outside the Panjshir, sometimes as far as 100 km from their base. In Military science, the term commando can refer to an individual a Military unit, or a raiding style of military operation. Hit-and-run tactics is a tactical Doctrine where the purpose of the combat involved is not to seize control of territory but to inflict damage on a target and immediately These men were professional soldiers, well-paid and trained, and, from 1983, they could provide an effective strike force to attack government outposts. Uniquely among the mujahideen, these groups wore uniforms, and their use of the pakul made this headwear emblematic of the Afghan resistance. The pakul is a soft round-topped Afghan men's Hat, typically of Wool and found in any of a variety of earthy colors brown black gray or ivory

Massoud's military organisation was an effective compromise between the traditional Afghan method of warfare and the modern principles of guerilla warfare that he had learned from the works of Mao Zedong and Che Guevara. Mao Zedong ( 26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976) was a Chinese Military and political leader who led Ernesto "Che" Guevara (June 14 Following the Cuban revolution,Guevara reviewed It was considered as the most effective of all the resistance movements. [14]

In July 1983, Massoud created the Shura-ye-nazar (council of supervision), a military council that would eventually coordinate the actions of 130 mujahideen commanders from seven provinces of northern Afghanistan: Parwan, Laghman, Kapisa, Kunar, Badakshan, Takhar, Baghlan and Kunduz . Parwān ( also spelled Parvān) once also the name of an ancient town in the Hindu Kush mountains is today an administrative province in northern Afghanistan History During the invasions of Alexander the Great, the area was formerly known as Lampaka Kapiśa (=Kapisha (کاپيسا is one of the 34 Provinces of Afghanistan. Kunar ( کُنَر) is one of the thirty-four Provinces of Afghanistan, located in the northeastern part of the country and on the border with Pakistan 's Badakhshan ( - Badakhshān) is one of the 34 Provinces of Afghanistan, consisting of 29 districts. Baghlan (بغلان is one of the thirty-four Provinces of Afghanistan. Kunduz ( is one of the Provinces of Afghanistan, centered on the city of Kunduz in Afghanistan, with an area of 8040 km square and a population This council existed outside the fold of the Peshawar parties that were prone to internecine rivalry and bickering, and served to smooth out differences between resistance groups, due to political and ethnic divisions. It was the predecessor of the future "Northern Alliance". [15]

Relations with the party headquarters in Peshawar were often strained, as Rabbani insisted on giving Massoud no more weapons and supplies than to other Jamiat commanders, even those who fought little. ( پښور; Urdu: پشاور) is the capital of the North-West Frontier Province and the administrative centre for the Federally Administered To compensate for this deficiency, Massoud could rely on the revenue drawn from exports of emeralds[16] and lapis lazuli,[17] that are traditionally exploited in Northern Afghanistan. Emeralds are a variety of the Mineral Beryl (Be3Al2(SiO36 colored Green by trace amounts

To organise the support for the mujahideen, he established an administrative system that enforced law and order(nazm) in areas under his control. The Panjshir was divided into 22 bases(qarargah) that were governed by a military commander and a civilian administrator and each had a judge, a prosecutor and a public defender. A judge, or justice, is an Official who presides over a Court of law The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the Common law Adversarial system, or the civil law In the United States, a public defender is an Attorney whose duty is to provide legal representation to people who are charged with a crime or other offense [18]

Massouds policies were implemented by different committees: an economic committee was charged with funding the war effort. The health committee provided health services, assisted by volunteers from foreign humanitarian non-governmental organizations, such as Aide médicale internationale. Humanitarian aid (also called succour) is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes typically in response to humanitarian crises Aide médicale internationale is a Secular Humanitarian - Aid Non-governmental organisation. An education committee was charged with the training of the military and administrative cadre. En cadre is a military expression for a group around whom a unit is formed or a training staff A culture and propaganda committee and a judiciary committee were also created. [19]

The Fall of Kabul, April 1992

After the departure of Soviet troops in 1989, the PDPA regime now headed by Mohammad Najibullah, proved unexpectedly capable holding its own against the mujahideen. Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the Accords of 14 April 1988 signed three instruments-on principles of mutual relations in particular noninterference and non-intervention Najibullah ( Pashto: نجيب الله; born August 1947 killed September 27, 1996) was the fourth and last President of the Backed by a massive influx of weapons from the Soviet Union, the Afghan armed forces reached a level of performance they had never reached under direct Soviet tutelage, and were able to prevent all major cities from falling.

By 1992 however, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the regime began to crumble. Food and fuel shortages undermined the capacities of the Army, and a resurgence of factionalism split the regime between Khalq and Parcham supporters. Khalq ("Masses" was a fraction of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. Parcham (پرچم meaning "Banner" or "Flag" was the name of one of the factions of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan. [20]

A few days after it was clear that Najibullah had lost control, his army commanders and governors arranged to turn over authority to resistance commanders and local notables throughout the country. Joint councils or shuras were immediately established for local government in which civil and military officials of the former government were usually included. In many cases prior arrangements for transferring regional and local authority had been made between foes. [20]

Collusions between military leaders quickly brought down the Kabul government. In mid-January 1992, within three weeks of the demise of the Soviet Union, Massoud was aware of conflict within the government's northern command. General Abdul Momim, in charge of the Hairatan border crossing at the northern end of Kabul's supply highway, and other non-Pashtun generals based in Mazari Sharif feared removal by Najibullah and replacement by Pashtun officers. Pashtuns ( Pashto: پښتون Paṣtūn, Paxtūn, also rendered as Pushtuns, Pakhtuns, Pukhtuns) also called Mazār-e Sharīf ( is the fourth largest city of Afghanistan, with population of 300600 people (2006 estimate The generals rebelled and the situation was taken over by Abdul Rashid Dostum, who held general rank as head of the Jowzjani militia, also based in Mazari Sharif. Abdul Rashid Dostum was a former Pro-Soviet fighter during the Soviet Invasion and the current leader of Uzbek-Afghan northern provinces Jowzjān or Jōzjān ( is one of the thirty-four Provinces of Afghanistan. He and Massoud reached a political agreement, together with another major militia leader, Sayyed Mansour, of the Ismaili community based in Baghlan Province. For the Egyptian city see Ismaïlia. The Ismāʿīlī ( Urdu: إسماعیلی Ismāʿīlī, Arabic: الإسماعيليون These northern allies consolidated their position in Mazar-i-Sharif on March 21. Their coalition covered nine provinces in the north and northeast. As turmoil developed within the government in Kabul, there was no government force standing between the northern allies and the major air force base at Bagram, some seventy kilometers north of Kabul. Bagram Air Base is a militarized Airport and housing complex that is located next to the ancient city of Bagram, southeast of Charikar in Parwan By mid-April the air force command at Bagram had capitulated to Massoud. Kabul was defenseless, its army no longer reliable. [20]

On March 18, Najibullah announced his willingness to resign, and on April 17, as his government fell apart, he tried to escape but was stopped at Kabul Airport by Dostum' forces. Kabul International Airport, sometimes known as Khwaja Rawash Airport, is located 16 kilometers (9 miles from downtown Kabul, Afghanistan. He then took refuge at the United Nations mission, where he remained until 1995. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security A group of Parchami generals and officials declared themselves an interim government for the purpose of handing over power to the mujahideen. [20]

For more than a week Massoud remained poised to move his forces into the capital. He was awaiting the arrival of political leadership from Peshawar. ( پښور; Urdu: پشاور) is the capital of the North-West Frontier Province and the administrative centre for the Federally Administered The parties suddenly had sovereign power in their grasp, but no plan for executing it. With his principal commander prepared to occupy Kabul, Rabbani was positioned to prevail by default. Meanwhile UN mediators tried to find a political solution that would assure a transfer of power acceptable to all sides. [20]

Civil war

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar placed Kabul under intensive rocket bombardment in February of 1993. Some sources cite up to 3,000 rockets were fired on Kabul daily[21] and killed many civilians. After a series of negotiations in Kabul and in Peshawar, arranged by the power players of the Afghan Civil War - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran - the warring factions failed to find a peaceful solution. } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with ( پښور; Urdu: پشاور) is the capital of the North-West Frontier Province and the administrative centre for the Federally Administered The Civil war in Afghanistan, also known as Afghan Civil War, began in 1978 and has continued Massoud was one of the most important figures in the Afghan Civil War.

Massoud ordered a retreat from Kabul on April 7th, 1996 after another round of intense bombardment from the Taliban and its Pakistani supporters in the ISI.

Resistance against the Taliban

As the Taliban took control of around 90% of Afghanistan, the warring factions had no choice but to form an alliance called the 'United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan'. The United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan ( UIF, Jabha-yi Muttahid-i Islami-yi Milli bara-yi Nijat-i Afghanistan) also known as the Northern Because most factions were from the north of Afghanistan, the Western media called them the 'Northern Alliance'. The alliance consisted of warlords and tribal leaders like Haji Rahim, Commander Piram Qol, Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, General Dostum, Qazi Kabir Marzban, Commander Ata Mohammad and General Malik. Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq is the founder and chairman of the People's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan. Abdul Malik is a Uzbek politician based out of Faryab Province in northern Afghanistan. From the east were Haji Abdul Qadir, Commander Hazrat Ali, Commander Jaan Daad Khan and Abdullah Wahedi. Hajji Abdul Qadir Arsala (c 1951 in Jalalabad, Afghanistan - July 6, 2002 in Kabul, Afghanistan (الحاج عبد From the northeast areas, Commander Qatrah and Commander Najmuddin participated. From the southern provinces, there were Commander Qari Baba, Noorzai, and Hotak. From the western and southwest provinces came General Ismail Khan, Doctor Ibrahim, and Fazlkarim Aimaq. From central Afghanistan Commander Anwari, Said Hussein Aalemi Balkhi, Said Mustafa Kazemi, Akbari, Mohammad Ali Jawed, Karim Khaili, Commander Sher Alam, and Abdur Rassul Sayyaf were members of this union. The alliance consisted of warlords who had been ousted by the locals from all regions of Afghanistan. The alliance was supported by India because of their rivalry with Pakistan, Iran because of their opposition to a strong Sunni Taliban government, Russia and Tajikistan because of the growing Islamic movements in Chechnya and Central Asia. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Tajikistan (təˈdʒɪkɨstæn or /təˈdʒiːkɨstæn/ Тоҷикистон tɔʤikɪsˈtɔn or, Persian تاجیکستان‎ taajikestaan officially the Republic of The Chechen Republic (ˈʧɛʧɨn rɪˈpʌblɨk Чече́нская Респу́блика Chechenskaya Respublika; Нохчийн Республика Noxçiyn Respublika Central Asia is a region of Asia from the Caspian Sea in the west to central China in the east and from southern Russia in the north to northern Pakistan in the south

In 1998, the CIA offered Afghanistan's anti-Taliban opposition leader a substantial bounty for the capture of Osama bin Laden, dead or alive. [2] The claim was further supported by former US president Bill Clinton in an interview with New York Times in 2001. William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States Clinton said, "At the time, we did everything we can do . . . I authorized the arrest and, if necessary, the killing of Osama bin Laden, and we actually made contact with a group in Afghanistan to do it. "

In April 2001, Nicole Fontaine invited Massoud to address the European Parliament. Nicole Fontaine (born January 16, 1942 in Grainville-Ymauville, Seine-Maritime) is a French politician and Member of the The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU In his speech, he warned that the Taliban had connections with Al-Qaeda, and that an important terrorist attack was imminent. The US and European governments paid no attention to these warnings. [22]

Death

Massoud was the target of a suicide attack which occurred at Khwaja Bahauddin on September 9, 2001. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The attackers were two Arabs, Dahmane Abd al-Sattar and Bouraoui el-Ouaer, who claimed to be Belgians originally from Morocco. However, their passports turned out to be stolen and their nationality Tunisian. The assassins claimed to want to interview Massoud and set off a bomb in a belt worn by the cameraman while asking Massoud questions. The explosion also killed Mohammed Asim Suhail, a Northern Alliance official, while Mohammad Fahim Dashty and Massoud Khalili were injured. Massoud Khalili, also Masood Khalili and Masud Khalili was an advisor schoolmate and close associate of Ahmed Shah Massoud. The assassins may have intended to attack several Northern Alliance council members simultaneously. Bouraoui was killed by the explosion and Dahmane was captured and shot while trying to escape. Massoud was rushed after the attack to the Indian Military hospital at Farkhor, Tajikistan which is now Farkhor Air Base. Organization and command structure The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city. Farkhor Air Base (फ़र्ख़ार एयर बैस is an Indian Airbase located in Farkhor / Ayni in Tajikistan,130 kilometres The news of Massoud's death was reported almost immediately, appearing in BBC, European and North American newspapers on 10 September 2001. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. It was quickly overshadowed by the September 11, 2001 attacks, which proved to be the terrorist attack that Massoud had warned against.

The timing of the assassination, two days before the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, is considered significant by commentators who believe Osama bin Laden ordered the assassination to help his Taliban protectors and ensure he would have their protection and cooperation in Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, with some spelling variations is the name used in English to refer to (أسامة بن محمد بن عوض بن لادن born 10 March The assassins are also reported to have shown support for bin Laden in their questions of Massoud. The Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Mujahideen leader Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, an Afghan Wahhabi Islamist, have also been mentioned as a possible organizers or assisters of the assassins. History After independence in 1947 two new intelligence agencies were created in Pakistan called the Intelligence Bureau (IB and Military Intelligence Ustad Abdul Rabi Rasul Sayyaf (عبد رب الرسول سیاف b Wahhabism ( Arabic: Al-Wahhābīyya الوهابية or Wahabism is a conservative reformist call of Sunni Islam attributed to [23] Massoud was a strong opponent of Pakistani involvement in Afghanistan. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and The assassins are said to have entered Northern Alliance territory under the auspices of the Abdul Rasul Sayyaf and had his assistance in bypassing "normal security procedures. Ustad Abdul Rabi Rasul Sayyaf (عبد رب الرسول سیاف b "[23]

The French secret service revealed October 16, 2003 that the camera used by Massoud's assassins had been stolen in December 2000 in Grenoble, France from a photojournalist, Jean-Pierre Vincendet, who was then working on a story on that city's Christmas store window displays. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. By tracing the serial number that appeared in the camera, the FBI was able to determine Vincendet as the original owner. The French secret service and the FBI then began working on tracing the route that the camera took between the time it was taken from Vincendet and the Massoud assassination.

After death

Massoud's tomb in the Panjshir Valley.
Massoud's tomb in the Panjshir Valley. The Panjshir Valley, also spelled Panjsher Valley ( - Dara-ye Panjšēr; literally Valley of the Five Lions) is a Valley in north-central

In 2001, the Afghan Interim Government under president Hamid Karzai awarded him the title of "Hero of the Afghan Nation". Hamid Karzai ( حامد کرزي, حامد کرزي) (born 24 December 1957) is the current President of Afghanistan, since December Massoud is the subject of Ken Follett's Lie Down With Lions, a novel about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Ken Follett (born June 5, 1949) is a British Author of thrillers and historical novels Many documentaries, books and movies have been made about Ahmad Shah Massoud.

Massoud was married with four daughters and a son, and the family has a great deal of prestige in the politics of Afghanistan. Of his six brothers, Ahmad Zia Massoud is the current vice-president of Afghanistan and Ahmad Wali Massoud is the ambassador to the United Kingdom. Ahmad Zia Massoud (Born May 1, 1956) is the current first Vice President of Afghanistan in the administration of President Hamid Karzai The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

A bigger mausoleum is being built in Panjsher to replace the smaller one.

The myth of a lion

Massoud's nickname, the "Lion of Panjshir" is a rhyme and play on words in Persian, which alludes to the strength of his resistance against the Soviet Union, the mythological exaltation of the lion in Persian literature, and finally, the place name of the Panjshir Valley, where Massoud was born. The Panjshir Valley, also spelled Panjsher Valley ( - Dara-ye Panjšēr; literally Valley of the Five Lions) is a Valley in north-central The place name of "Panjshir" Valley in Persian means (Valley of the) Five Lions. Thus, the phrase "Lion of Panjshir" which in Persian is "Shir-e-Panjshir," is a rhyming play on words.

References

  1. ^ VOA News - Author Roy Gutman Talks About What Went Wrong in the Decade Before 9/11 Attacks
  2. ^ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/afghanistan/events
  3. ^ Staff (22 November 2001) "Ahmad Shah Massoud" Daily Telegraph United Kingdom
  4. ^ Accueil
  5. ^ Roy, Olivier(1990); Islam and resistance in Afghanistan; Cambridge University Press ISBN 0-521-39700-6, p. 76
  6. ^ Roy p. 102
  7. ^ Biography: Ahmad Shah Massoud; http://www.afgha.com/; 31/08/2006
  8. ^ Isby, David (1989). War in a distant country, Afghanistan: invasion and resistance. Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 0 85368 769 2.  , p. 107
  9. ^ a b Iyer, Pico. "The bear descends on the lion", TIME, May 7, 1984. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and Retrieved on 2007-08-16. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1384 - The Hongwu Emperor of Ming China, Emperor Dong hears a case of a couple who tore paper money bills while fighting  
  10. ^ Roy p. 199
  11. ^ Roy, p. 201
  12. ^ Roy p. 213
  13. ^ Isby, p. 98
  14. ^ Roy p. 202
  15. ^ Barry, Michael(2002); Massoud, de l'islamisme à la liberté; Audibert; ISBN 2-84749-002-7, p. 216
  16. ^ Bowersox, Gary; Snee, Lawrence; Foord, Eugene; Seal, Robert; (1991). Emeralds of the Panjshir valley, Afghanistan. www.gems-afghan.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-17. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli
  17. ^ Le pouvoir des seigneurs de guerre et la situation sécuritaire en Afghanistan (in French). Commission des Recours des Réfugiés. Retrieved on 2007-08-16. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1384 - The Hongwu Emperor of Ming China, Emperor Dong hears a case of a couple who tore paper money bills while fighting
  18. ^ Davies, Will & Shariat, Abdullah(2004); Fighting Masoud's war; Lothian books ISBN 0-7344-0590-1, p. 200
  19. ^ Barry, p. 194
  20. ^ a b c d e The Fall of Kabul, April 1992- Library of Congress country studies - Retrieved on 2007-04-02. The Library of Congress is the De facto National library of the United States and the research arm of the United States Congress
  21. ^ * * * Biography * * *Lion of Panjshir Ahmad Shah Massoud
  22. ^ April 6, 2001: Rebel Leader Warns Europe and US About Large-Scale Imminent Al-Qaeda Attacks. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. [1]. Retrieved on 2007-05-17. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason.
  23. ^ a b "The assassins" by Jon Lee Anderson. The New Yorker, June 10, 2002. Vol. 78, Iss. 15; pg. 72

Further reading

See also

External links

Massoud, l'Afghan (documentary film):

From That Flame' (historical fiction)


Preceded by
Mohammad Aslam Watanjar		 Minister of Defense
June 1992 – September 2001		 Succeeded by
Mohammed Fahim
Sebastian Junger (born January 17 1962 in Belmont Massachusetts) is an American Author and Journalist, most famous for Malika El Aroud (aka Oum Obeyda) is a Belgian Muslim of Moroccan descent who lives near Fribourg, Switzerland. Mohammad Aslam Watanjar was an Afghan General and Politician. The Afghan Ministry of Defense is an organ of the Central Government of Afghanistan, overseeing the entire Military of Afghanistan. Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim ( محمد قسيم فهيم) (born 1957 in Omarz, Afghanistan) is a prominent Military Commander and Politician
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