This article explores the weapons and tactics of the Afghan Mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War, separating myth from reality. It traces the shift from obsolete and captured arms to widespread use of Soviet and Chinese weapons, and examines how culture, supply, training, and terrain shaped guerrilla warfare against a modern army.

Afghanistan’s history is one of resilience forged by geography, faith, and centuries of invasion. From Alexander the Great and the Mongol hordes to British imperial campaigns and the Soviet invasion of 1979, the country has repeatedly resisted foreign domination. This article traces Afghanistan’s brutal past, the rise of Islam as a unifying force, the formation of the Afghan nation, and the enduring cultural traditions—such as jihad, tribal identity, and Buzkashi—that have shaped Afghan society