AFGHANISTAN SITUATION REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 10, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 11, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
Directorat' Top Secret
IN \,
n m`>; Intelligenc.
IP?C/Cr
Afghanistan Situation Report
11 Jaanary 1983
Top Secret
NESA M 83-10008CX
SOYA M 83-10009CX
Copy i I
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
AFGHANISTAN SITUATION REPORT
SOVIET COMBAT ROLE, CASUALTIES ACKNOWLEDGED . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Soviet military media are now giving more
Soviet role and casualties in Afghanistan) 25X1
This document is prepared ~ by the Office of Near East/South Asia
and the Office of Soviet Analysis. Questions or comments on the issues 25X1
raised in the publication should be directed to
11 January 1983 25X1
NESA M 83-10008CX
SOYA M 83-10009CX
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
 I I I L LLll1!1' I I I - H - 1 - 1 11 -
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
L-L
Both insurgent and Soviet military activity have
declined in the winter because of poor weather, but this has not
prevented the resistance from continuing to launch small attacks
throughout Afghanistan. These reports show once again that the
insurgents are most effective when they use guerrilla tactics to
hit the enemy where he is weak or unprotected. Using large
groups, of even 100 men, would probably be dangerous for the
insurgents in winter because they would not be able to withdraw
and disperse quickly enough to evade air attacks.
11 January 1983
NESA M 83-10008CX
SovA M 83-10009CX
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
Breaking the usual practice of playing down the Soviet
military's combat role in Afghanistan, Soviet media on several
recent occasions have reported Soviet troops coming under fire
and suffering casualties. The most graphic and telling portrayal
appeared on the 26 December edition of a weekly armed forces
television program, which showed film of a Soviet-escorted convoy
under attack and carried a brief interview with a wounded Soviet
lieutenant. Two items in the army newspaper KRASNAYA ZVEZDA, on
the 25th and 28th, likewise described Soviet troops coming under
attack, citing in the former case a Soviet private who suffered
burns while displaying heroism.
Comment: While these stories contained routine propaganda
assertions that the Soviet-backed Afghan regime is winning the
battle for popular support, the accompanying film and commentary
tended to undercut those claims by conveying the impression that
the regime is under attack not only on the highways but even in
Kabul. Having pledged itself to persevering in Afghanistan, the
new Andropov regime now seems to be warning the Soviet people
that the struggle will be long and costly.
11 January 1983
NESA M 83-10008CX
SOYA M 83-10009CX
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
 11 i_llw ILL II III I ILL' 1 11
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
--Afghan police have arrested another Afghan employee of the US
.Embassy in Kabul. He is the sixth employee to be arrested since
March 1982; only one has been released.
--The one-month term of Jamiat leader Burnahuddin Rabbani, the
chairman of the Fundamentalist alliance in Peshawar, has not been
renewed as was his predecessor's. The move presumably reflects
unhappiness in insurgent circles with Rabanni's competence and
11 January 1983
NESA M 83-10008CX
SOYA M 83-10009CX
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
Iran is
increasingly interested in UN food aid for its Afghan refugees.
This growing interest reflects a more moderate Iranian outlook
towards international political norms, which will probably make
Tehran more receptive to the upcoming Cordovez trip.
li January 1983
NESA M 83-10008CX
SOVA M 83-10009CX
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3
Ton Secret
Top Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/10: CIA-RDP85T00287R000700120001-3