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The Other Side of the Mountain: Mujahideen ... - Tribal Analysis Center

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Page 12 <strong>The</strong> <strong>O<strong>the</strong>r</strong> <strong>Side</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mountain</strong>: <strong>Mujahideen</strong> Tactics in <strong>the</strong> Soviet-Afghan War<br />

<strong>Mujahideen</strong> were able to move and attack with little logistic support,<br />

but were unable to conduct a sustained fight. <strong>The</strong> RPG-7 was probably<br />

<strong>the</strong> most effective weapon <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mujahideen</strong>. When used at close<br />

quarters with <strong>the</strong> element <strong>of</strong> surprise, it was devastating.<br />

In this region, <strong>Mujahideen</strong> ambushes occupied a very wide front.<br />

This was a function <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> open terrain and <strong>the</strong> spacing between convoy<br />

vehicles. Convoy SOP was to maintain 100 meters or more<br />

between vehicles. In order to have enough vehicles in <strong>the</strong> kill zone to<br />

make <strong>the</strong> ambush worthwhile, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mujahideen</strong> had to constitute a kill<br />

zone much bigger than that employed by most Western armies.

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