1990 Afghan coup attempt

1990 Afghan coup d'état attempt
Part of the Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)
DateMarch 6, 1990
Location
Result Afghan government victory
Belligerents

Afghanistan Afghanistan

Supported by:
Pro-Najibullah Khalqists
Military faction
Supported by:
Pro-Tanai Khalqists
Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin
Commanders and leaders
Afghanistan Mohammad Najibullah
Afghanistan Mohammad Aslam Watanjar
Afghanistan Khushal Peroz
Shahnawaz Tanai
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar
Assadullah Sarwari
Sayed Mohammad Gulabzoy
Bacha Gul Wafadar
Mohammad Hasan Sharq
Nazar Mohammad
Mohammad Dawran (alleged)
Military support

Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan

  • 8th Gendarme Brigade
  • 717th Civil Disciplinary Regiment
  • Harbi Military University students
  • 10th Division

Afghan National Guard

  • 21st Guards Regiment
  • 22nd Guards Regiment

KHAD

  • 1st Directorate
  • 5th Directorate
Revolution Defence Units

Defectors from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan

  • 4th Tank Brigade
  • 15th Tank Brigade
  • 52nd Signal Regiment
  • 40th Division
  • 8th Division
  • 61st Heavy Artillery Regiment
  • 37th Commando Battalion
  • Border Force Training Centre
  • 22nd Motorway Sentry Brigade
  • Dar-ul-Aman Scud Unit
  • 5th Gendarme Division
  • 77th Air Defence Regiment
  • Mujahideen factions

The 1990 Afghan coup d'etat attempt occurred on March 6, 1990, when General Shahnawaz Tanai, a hardline communist and Khalqist who served as Minister of Defence, attempted to overthrow President Mohammad Najibullah of the Republic of Afghanistan. The coup attempt failed and Tanai was forced to flee to Pakistan.[1]

  1. ^ Coll, Steve (28 November 2012). "In Afghanistan, Dinner and Then a Coup". The New Yorker – via www.newyorker.com.