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Mujahideen Tactics in the Soviet-Afghan War - Bennett Park Raiders

Mujahideen Tactics in the Soviet-Afghan War - Bennett Park Raiders

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CHAPTER 1<br />

AMBUSHES<br />

The ambush is a favorite tactic of <strong>the</strong> guerrilla s<strong>in</strong>ce it allows him<br />

to mass forces covertly, attack <strong>the</strong> enemy, seize needed supplies and<br />

retreat before <strong>the</strong> enemy can effectively react. The ambush has long<br />

been part of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Afghan</strong> warrior tradition and has been a key feature<br />

of historic <strong>Afghan</strong> warfare—whe<strong>the</strong>r fight<strong>in</strong>g o<strong>the</strong>r tribes, <strong>the</strong> British<br />

or <strong>the</strong> government. The <strong>Mujahideen</strong> ambush served to attack <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Soviet</strong>/DRA l<strong>in</strong>es of communication, provided needed supplies, and<br />

forced <strong>the</strong> bulk of <strong>Soviet</strong>/DRA maneuver forces to perform security missions.<br />

Logistics were key to <strong>the</strong> conduct of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Soviet</strong>/<strong>Afghan</strong> <strong>War</strong> and<br />

<strong>Mujahideen</strong> ambushes threatened <strong>the</strong> resupply of <strong>Soviet</strong> and DRA<br />

forces and limited <strong>the</strong> number of <strong>Soviet</strong> troops that could be deployed<br />

<strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> country. The <strong>Mujahideen</strong> ambush was <strong>the</strong>ir most effective<br />

counter to <strong>Soviet</strong>/DRA military activity and threatened <strong>the</strong> ability of<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>Soviet</strong>s and DRA to prosecute <strong>the</strong> war.

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