The Afghan-Soviet War was a turning point in the global spread of Salafi-jihadist ideologies, transforming a regional conflict into a launchpad for transnational terrorism. By forging networks, training fighters, and inspiring a narrative of jihadist victory, the war seeded insurgencies across Africa, from Algeria to Somalia to Nigeria.
For India, understanding this history is critical, not only to grasp the roots of global terrorism but also to strengthen its strategic engagement with Africa. As Salafi-jihadism continues to evolve, the lessons of the Afghan war underscore the need for comprehensive strategies that combine security, development, and ideological counter-narratives to address this enduring threat.
The Afghan-Soviet War (1979–1989) was a pivotal moment in the history of modern terrorism, serving as a crucible for the global spread of Salafi-jihadist ideologies. This conflict, pitting Soviet forces against Afghan mujahideen supported by international actors, not only reshaped Afghanistan but also catalysed the emergence of a transnational jihadist movement that continues to influence global security, including in Africa. By mobilising fighters, forging networks, and amplifying radical ideologies, the war laid the groundwork for groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, with profound implications for regions far beyond South Asia, including Africa and India’s strategic periphery.
The Afghan-Soviet War: A Breeding Ground for Jihadism
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 sparked a decade-long insurgency, drawing thousands of foreign fighters to join the Afghan mujahideen in a self-proclaimed jihad against a secular, communist superpower. The war’s ideological foundation was rooted in Salafism, a puritanical interpretation of Islam emphasising a return to the practices of the earliest Muslims, combined with jihadism, which advocates violent struggle to defend or expand Islamic rule. The conflict provided a unique convergence of local resistance and global religious fervour, amplified by external support from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, who funnelled billions in aid, weapons, and training to the mujahideen.
This international backing inadvertently nurtured Salafi-jihadist ideologies. Saudi Arabia, a key financier, promoted Wahhabism—a variant of Salafism—through funding for madrasas and mosques, spreading radical teachings. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) facilitated the recruitment and training of foreign fighters, many of whom were indoctrinated in camps along the Afghan-Pakistan border. The war attracted volunteers from across the Muslim world, including North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, creating a melting pot of radicalised individuals who would later export their ideologies globally.
Mechanisms of Global Spread
The Afghan-Soviet War acted as a catalyst for the global dissemination of Salafi-jihadist ideologies through several key mechanisms:
a) Formation of Transnational Networks: The war fostered enduring connections among fighters, who shared training, combat experience, and ideological zeal. Figures like Osama bin Laden, a Saudi volunteer, and Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian doctor, met in Afghanistan, later founding al-Qaeda in 1988. These networks linked fighters from diverse regions, including Africans from Algeria, Sudan, and Somalia, creating a global jihadist ecosystem that transcended national boundaries.
b) Ideological Radicalisation and Training: Training camps in Afghanistan, such as those in Khost and Jalalabad, became hubs for ideological indoctrination and military training. Fighters learned advanced tactics, from guerrilla warfare to bomb-making, while being exposed to Salafi-jihadist propaganda that framed their struggle as a global defence of Islam. This training was later exported to other conflict zones, including Africa.
c) Return of Foreign Fighters: After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, thousands of battle-hardened fighters returned to their home countries, bringing with them radical ideologies and combat skills. In Africa, these “Afghan Arabs” played a critical role in seeding insurgencies. For instance, Algerian veterans of the war joined the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) during the Algerian Civil War (1991–2002), while Sudanese returnees facilitated al-Qaeda’s presence in Sudan in the early 1990s.
d) Global Propaganda and Inspiration: The mujahideen’s perceived victory over the Soviet Union became a powerful narrative, inspiring future generations of jihadists. The war demonstrated that a superpower could be defeated through asymmetric warfare, galvanising groups worldwide. This narrative resonated in Africa, where weak governance and local grievances provided fertile ground for jihadist ideologies.
Impact on Africa
The Afghan-Soviet War’s legacy profoundly shaped Islamic terrorism in Africa, where Salafi-jihadist ideologies took root in diverse contexts. In North Africa, Algerian veterans of the Afghan conflict fueled the GIA’s brutal campaign during the 1990s, which killed tens of thousands. The GIA’s successor, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), expanded into the Sahel, exploiting political instability in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. By 2023, the Sahel accounted for over half of global terrorism deaths, driven by groups like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate rooted in the ideological lineage of the Afghan war.
In East Africa, the war’s influence manifested through al-Qaeda’s operations in Sudan and Somalia. Osama bin Laden’s presence in Sudan (1991–1996) facilitated the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, marking a turning point for transnational terrorism in sub-Saharan Africa. In Somalia, Al-Shabaab, formed in 2006, drew inspiration from al-Qaeda’s Afghan model, using suicide bombings and guerrilla tactics to challenge the Somali government and African Union forces.
In West Africa, groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) adopted Salafi-jihadist ideologies, amplified by the post-2011 rise of ISIS, itself a byproduct of al-Qaeda’s Afghan networks. These groups exploited local grievances—poverty, marginalisation, and corruption—to recruit and expand, mirroring the Afghan war’s blend of local and global objectives.
Relevance to India
For an Indian audience, the global spread of Salafi-jihadist ideologies has direct and indirect implications. India, having faced its own challenges with terrorism, particularly from groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, shares a common interest with African nations in countering jihadist threats. The Afghan-Soviet War’s legacy extends to South Asia, where Pakistan’s role in supporting the mujahideen contributed to the rise of militant groups that later targeted India, such as during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The war’s ripple effects also underscore the interconnectedness of global terrorism, as African jihadist groups increasingly adopt tactics and ideologies that could inspire or link with South Asian networks.
India’s growing economic and diplomatic ties with Africa, particularly in trade, energy, and security cooperation, make African stability a strategic priority. The spread of Salafi-jihadism in regions like the Sahel and East Africa threatens India’s investments and the safety of its diaspora. Furthermore, India’s experience in counterterrorism, including intelligence sharing and capacity building, positions it to collaborate with African nations through frameworks such as the African Union or bilateral partnerships, countering the ideological and operational legacy of the Afghan War.
Lasting Legacy and Challenges
The Afghan-Soviet War’s role in spreading Salafi-jihadist ideologies has left a durable imprint on global security. The war’s networks, tactics, and narratives continue to inspire groups like al-Qaeda, ISIS, and their African affiliates, adapting to new technologies like drones and encrypted communications. In Africa, the combination of local grievances—poverty, weak governance, and ethnic tensions—with global jihadist ideologies has created resilient insurgencies that defy easy solutions.
Addressing this legacy requires a multifaceted approach. Military responses alone, as seen in the Sahel with French and UN operations, have often failed to address root causes such as economic deprivation and political instability. India, with its emphasis on development partnerships and a non-interventionist foreign policy, can play a unique role in supporting African nations through education, economic aid, and counterterrorism training, helping to stem the tide of radicalisation.
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