Stalemate
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The stalemate was also partly caused by the U.S. and U.K. (MI6) funding mujahedeen with heavy weapons such as anti-tank guns, FIM-43 Redeye and Stinger surface-to-air missiles in 1986 that were able to take down Russian helicopters with ease. (Goodson, 2012, p.68) The introduction of the Stinger missiles to the rebels was one of the reasons for Soviet withdrawal due to the high cost of SU-25 jets and Mi-24 helicopters in a war of attrition that did not profit in any way the already weakened Soviet regime of the Perestroika period.
These MANPADS (man-portable air defence system) are capable of locking on to the heat generated by an aircraft (heat-seeking) through infrared homing guidance within a distance of 6 miles on average, a range vulnerable only for low-flying and low speed aircraft.
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Sunni Mujahedeen were also provided weapons by China and other Islamic countries such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey as well. Iran committed to supporting Shia rebels in the south. Of all these foreign supporters, Pakistani intelligence and security services, notably the Inter-Services Intelligence, would go on to play the greatest role in the establishment of extremist groups often participating in terrorist activities such as al-Qaeda. (Goodson, 2012, p.61, p.155)